Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with an unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC. In fact, many modern pharmaceuticals from your G.P are based on ancient plant remedies. Throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions. This process continues today with the development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge.

Because of its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for centuries had a very great influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East, and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West. It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine. Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia that have their origins in China.

Herbal Medicine is capable of treating a very wide range of conditions and may be combined with one or more of the other aspects of Chinese Medicine during the course of treatment. Such as; Tui Na Massage, Acupuncture, Dietary Therapy, and Exercise.

Chinese Herbal Medicine, along with the other components of Chinese medicine, is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between the two may be undermined and the ways in which a person’s Qi (vitality energy) may be depleted or blocked. Clinical strategies are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs and symptoms that reflect an imbalance.

The tradition as a whole places great emphasis on lifestyle management in order to prevent disease before it occurs. Chinese medicine recognizes that health is more than just the absence of disease and it has a unique capacity to maintain and enhance our capacity for well being and happiness.

Chinese Herbal Therapy is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions such as:

• Acid reflux, acne, alcohol abuse, anaemia, angina, antibiotic replacement, anxiety, arthritis, bi-polar, blood pressure, blurred vision, boils, bone cancer (symptoms of), brain haemmorrghage, candida, chest pain, constipation, COPD, coughs (all types), COVID (symptoms of), crohn’s, cystitis, dementia, depression, diarrhoea, duodenal ulcer, eczema, endometriosis, eyestrain, fallopian tube blockage, fibroids, frozen shoulder, gastric surgery recovery, genital discharge, globus hystericus, stroke recovery, heartburn, hiccups (chronic), hives, hypertension, IBS, painkiller replacement, indigestion, insomnia, jaundice, lower back pain, menopause, menstrual issues, migraines, MS, muscle cramps, numb bladder, oedema, oesophageal cancer (symptoms of), osteoarthritis, panic attack, palpitations, pneumonia, prolaspe, protection against coughs, colds & flu, psoriasis, raynaud’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, RSI, severe exhaustion, shingles, sinusitis, stomach ulcer, stress, stroke, tennis elbow, ulcers, ulcerative colitis, urine infection, urine retention, uterine bleeding, weak knees, wear & tear injuries etc.

Many of these conditions, especially in their chronic forms, create great difficulty for conventional medicine, whilst Chinese Herbal Medicine has a great deal to offer. The results that can be expected and the length of treatment required will depend on the severity of the condition, its duration, and the general health of the patient.

Chinese medicine can be used by people of any age or constitution. I take any previous or current illness or medication into account before providing treatment. With suitable adjustments for dosage and with some provisos which will be determined at the consulation. Children and pregnant women can also be treated by Chinese herbal medicine.

At your consultation, which will last about 20 mintues, you will be asked lots of questions – not only regarding your main complaint, but also about your health in general. I will also look at your tongue and take your pulse; this is to aid in the diagnosis of your particular imbalance. Your follow up appointment will usually be one week later and you will be prescribed herbs to cover this period.

The length of treatment will vary depending on the severity of the condition and how long you have had it. In some cases you can expect a good result within two weeks, for severe, chronic problems you may need take the granules for 12 weeks.

Safety:

Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a trained practitioner. Over the centuries doctors have compiled detailed information about the pharmacopoeia and placed great emphasis on the protection of the patient.

What are the herbs like and how much will they cost?

Chinese Herbs are now available at our Worcester clinic in a number of formats, both traditional and modern. The traditional method is to boil a mixture of dried herbs to make a tea. Nowadays, most herbs are prescribed as granules which means you just need to put your dosage in a cup with some boiling water, give it a stir so that the granules disolve and drink when cool enough. Please see our price list for prescription cost.

Do you use any endangered species in your herbal therapy?

We are greatly concerned about the threat to wild animals and plants that have come as a result of the growth in demand for traditional medicines. We condemn the illegal trade in endangered plant and animal species, and are subject to strict rules which prohibit the use of any such material.