Tag Archives: chinese herbs

Do You Have A “Bug” Lurking Deep In Your Body?

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My herb teacher was ecstatic, “You just made a Gu Syndrome formula!” I had never heard of Gu Syndrome, so I was in for an education that day.

It was my third year of Oriental medical school and the beginning of my second year in student clinic. My patient had Epstein Barr Syndrome and had experienced brief periods of remission followed by low energy and body pain. I had enough education to figure out that Epstein Barr was a virus, and viruses must be expelled from the body according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The tricky part is that

This formula contains loads of essential oils that push pathogens to the exterior!
Chinese vitex pushes pathogens to the exterior and poria seen above help to resolve accumulating Dampness

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Making Natural Herbal Vaginal Dryness Cream

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During my years practicing acupuncture at a hormonal health clinic, I often found myself instructing women on how to make vaginal cream for chronic dryness or flora imbalances leading to the overproduction of yeast or candida.

vaginal-cream

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Making Natural Herbal Burn Remedy

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Our burn remedies contain a famous ancient Chinese herbal medicine for burns called Zi Cao Gen, or Purple Herb Root, along with other cooling herbs and pure essential oils of lavender. You can see that the root at the top right is truly a dark purple color, and the salve is a beautiful hue of red as a result.

Dark red burn salve.
Our special herb blend for burns.

 

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Spleen Qi Deficiency – How long to reverse?

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Customer Asks:

I have recently ordered your middle way herbal blend for spleen qi deficiency. Spleen qi def. and stomach problems tend to be two of the biggest issues that my acupuncturist has been working on. I am now traveling and unable to get care from my acupuncturist as much as I would like and was hoping that by ordering your herbal blend that it could help keep me on track. Do you know of any signs that I should be aware of to show that I am making progress on the middle way blend and how long should it take to see some results in the sluggishness, heavy limb feeling that comes with the spleen qi def?

Sounds like you have developed some Internal Dampness due to your Spleen imbalance; obviously, you would notice a lessening of the symptoms you have mentioned, but if it has developed this far, it is going to take many months. It is not like taking echinacea to get over a cold, as you are rebuilding organ health.

Best Regards,
Catherine

Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Removal and Chinese Medicine

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A Website Visitor Asks:

Can Kidney Yang Tonic help with  hypothyroidism, after the thyroid has been removed?

That is an interesting question. In Chinese medicine, the “Kidney” is an energetic organ system relating to various functions, and the energetic channel that acupuncturists utilize and is also part of the system. Hypothyroidism is typically related to the Kidney Yang Deficiency in TCM, and if you have indications of Kidney Deficiency, than the tonics will be of benefit. Note that one indication, such as hypothyroidism, is not enough to make a diagnosis of Kidney Deficiency; you would have several that begin to form a pattern. Take care when utilizing a Kidney Yang tonic such as our Ancestor Treasure formula. What we typically do in clinic in this situation is utilize Yin Valley and Ancestor Treasurer formulas together. Please peruse the Yin/Yang article to understand how to balance Yin and Yang in the body, and why it is important.

Binge Drinking | Kidney Liver Imbalances TCM

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A Web Site Visitor Asks:

My husband has, in the past (and up until a month-and-a-half ago), been a binge drinker and occasional-to-frequent user of marijuana.  At one point, I was concerned that he may have been addicted to both.  He has, thankfully, sworn off both as of a month-and-a-half ago and seems to be sticking to his resolution very well this time.  Although he had a recent medical work-up done and the doctors found nothing wrong with either his liver or kidney, I am convinced he has done some harm to both.  His symptoms are: occasional diarrhea, bad breath, gets angry easily, pain in the ribs whenever he gets angry or stressed, lack of sexual desire.  I am wondering whether I should get him the Free & Easy Wanderer formula or should I start him off on Peaceful Warrior for 2 months and then switch to Free & Easy Wanderer?

Thanks and please let me know if you require additional information.

I think your deductions are dead on, and you did not have to waste all of those years in Oriental medical school! The Peaceful Warrior will last about 6 weeks, and then you could make the switch. I would suggest that you consider utilizing Sustained Essence and Yin Valley formulas to address the Kidney Deficiency, as he does have a lot of heat indications. The 3 can be used together at one time.

Ma Huang: quite literally a miracle?

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A website visitor asks:

Do you have a product with pinyin: ma huang? The ingredient helped with my energy level, my appetite and my sex drive and was quite literally a miracle. Then I think it was taken off the market. Now I am reading it is back with specific parts of the plant removed. Is it still effective? It seems if the FDA is requiring the active compound to be removed it will no longer be useful. I am confused and looking for a solution.

In traditional Chinese medicine, ma huang was not used an energy stimulant, it was used for lung and breathing problems. The misuse of the herb as an energy stimulant is what led to it being removed. You would do better to utilize Qi tonics such as our Sea of Qi formula and benefit your health rather than utilizing ephedra this way. It is said that using stimulants is like stealing vitality from your future health; ask anyone with adrenal fatigue. By utilizing a Qi Tonic, you are actually helping to build your energy and support the organ systems that help you maintain healthy energy levels.

Oh! I like that reasoning! That makes perfect sense! Thank you!! I will go find the appropriate Qi  tonic and be grateful to hang onto the healthy energy I have!
Thank you so much. grins

Severe Hot Flashes and Stress | How long before I feel some relief?

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A Customer Inquired:

Previously, this customer filled out an online evaluation.

Thank you for your response.  I have read about the herbs you are  suggesting on your website.  I do have one question will they help  with stress reduction and hot flashes.  The hot flashes I have are getting unbearable.    I break out in a sweat and go so hot I can’t stand it, then I get chilled because of the sweating.  I get them  about every 15 minutes. I have a hard time sleeping because they will  wake me up. Most of my weight is around my stomach and is due to stress – burning  the candle for some many years at both ends.

Realizing how severe your hot flashes and stressed you are, you will want to begin with Peaceful Warrior formula, Enlightened Emperor formula, and Yin Valley formula to begin with for around 3-4 months before utilizing any Qi tonics, as Qi tonics are Yang in nature; you can send a new evaluation and let me know of progress. thanks!

I received the herbs today.  I have another question.  Will this help with the feeling of rage and hopelessness I feel inside?  If not, would it be safe to take with an anti-depressant if that is what the doctor recommends?  I yelled at someone at work today which I don’t do.  I am usually calm, but feel really bad and never thought it could be due to menopause and hormone fluctuations.

That is exactly what they should do! If you read the Liver Qi Stagnation article, you will understand further. The peaceful warrior drains Liver Fire and begins to pacify the Liver energy.

Thanks so much for the quick reply.  How long before I feel some relief?  Will it take 3-4 months as you indicated?

Draining fire is relatively fast, so you may see some “chill-out” effects in the first week. You cannot take Peaceful Warrior more than for 3 months and will then want to go to Free and Easy Wanderer (the herbs are cold, and prolonged use will damage Spleen Qi). The 3-4 months is the time when I would anticipate the hot flashes starting to ease up both in intensity and frequency.

Inflammation of Kidneys, Prostate and Herbs Safe to Use

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I still have some kidney issues and take your yin valley occasionally.  We have communicated  several times before and I have thanked you, my GFR varies but mostly is ok. I do have constant kidney pain, not stones. I now have chronic inflammation of various areas of my body, including kidneys the most recent is inflammation of my prostate.  I just had a scope.  What do you recommend for my urinary tract and prostate that will not hurt my kidneys…

As always, you want to run supplements by your local health care professional. Your concern is well founded, as most of the western herbs used for the urinary and kidneys are quite diuretic and can cause more stress on the kidneys. The Yin Valley formula is supporting in its actions rather than stimulating, so it seems a good fit. You would want to read the tonic herb article and our faq’s page to better understand that this formula is not something that can be taken occasionally with any great effect. Saw Palmetto berry is something we often utilize in clinic for the prostate inflammation and can be purchased inexpensively at any local health food store.

What Herbs Reverse Insulin Resistance?

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 A website visitor asks:

I was diagnosed with insulin resistance.  What herbs should I take to reverse this pathology? I also become somewhat constipated at times, not always. I am extremely overweight for my size and would like some assistance in handling my mid-section.

I practiced in a hormonal clinic for many years where they tested for insulin resistance. With herbs and acupuncture it usually took 6 months to normalize levels. We typically utilized Restore the Middle Way and alternated it with Temple of Health formula. Most often, patients required Yin Valley formula if they had Yin Deficient signs, and Free and Easy Wanderer sometimes when Liver Qi Stagnation was indicated. We would use the 3 formulas together if the patient had all of the indications, and the indications are clearly listed on articles linked on the sitemap page. The Spleen Qi tonics indicated should assist with maintaining a normal weight and digestive issues. Please let me know if you have any questions after perusing the formulas and diabetes article.

Best Regards,
Catherine