There are hundreds of commonly used herbs that are combined to treat various aspects of an illness. The prescribing of Chinese herbal medicine is based upon an individual s diagnosis using the pulse and tongue diagnosis. The raw herbal formulas are often a bit stronger in their effect and they allow for more individual needs. The pre-formulated medicines are easier to store. They are easier to take for the patient especially if they expect to travel, since they do not require cooking.
Herbal medicine can be quite powerful.
This can range from weeks to several months depending on the individual. The patient s response to herbal medicine helps the practitioner to identify weaknesses or imbalances in the patient s body. This information would then help the practitioner to further refine the most suitable herbal formula for the individual. I am trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Chinese pharmacopoeia. However, as an herbalist, my goal is to create formulas with an American sensibility.