These formulas are very balanced as to moderate any adverse affects that any one herb might cause if taken alone. An example of this is with the herb Ma Huang or more commonly known as Ephedra. It has attracted some media attention over the past few years because a few individuals took it by itself at too high a dose. Chinese herbalists know to use this herb with caution and to blend it with other herbs to moderate its effects. Typically, a formula may contain anywhere between 1 and 20 different herbs.
Herbal remedies come in many forms.
They can be taken as a tea made from boiled herbs, in pill form, or as a powder. The form we will use will largely depend on the condition for which you are being treated, although, the majority of the time we use powders in our clinic, both for their effectiveness and convenience. It is an invigorating style of Chinese massage, and is helpful in the treatment of a variety of musculo-skeletal complaints, such as pain due to muscle strain and general tension. It is great for mobilizing joints and surrounding tissues.