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How to Customize an Herbal Formula

Chinese herbal medicine packets and potHerbs are customized to each patient and what condition you are coming in for.

Chinese Herbal medicine is given in formulas consisting of 5-12 herbs.  The herbs are combined in specific ways to address your condition and improve health.

The characteristics of each herb is considered when included in the formula.

Tastes and Temperature

The taste and temperature of each herbs has been determined by pharmacists and doctors throughout the history of Chinese medicine. Sometimes it is obvious, mint when you taste it is cooling and hot pepper when you taste it is hot.

When you taste huang lian (copitis) … Read More

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Chinese Medicine Dermatology: An Intro

I am very excited to share the new E-book we have been working on for so very long: An Introduction to Chinese Medicine Dermatology.  (This E-book can be downloaded through the above link).

I am very honored to work on this project as an author and editor.  This project is very near and dear to my heart as I am closely involved with both partner organizations.   The book was a was  collaboration between the International Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology Association and Learn Skin, the online integrative dermatology organization.

What’s in the Book?

This e-book is a thorough introduction … Read More

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Essential Oils: The Smells of Health

by Amber Milanovich
Essential oils are awesome.  My top five reasons for loving them.

  1. Essential oils have a wide range of health benefits
  2. Essential oils can enhance the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
  3. Essential oils have no side effects
  4. Essential oils are enjoyable to use.
  5. Do I need to say more?

Sure I do…

Essential oils are super versatile and can be used in a myriad of ways, including direct application to the body, diffusers throughout the rooms, household cleaning products, and even as a means to keep livestock free of viruses and bacteria. But, a lesser-known but amazingly … Read More

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Herbal Smoothie

There are many reasons to love smoothies; they’re delicious, healthy, and portable! A well-made smoothie can provide you with a serving, two, or three of your daily requirements of fruit and vegetables, all in one glass. It’s the perfect no-mess commuter breakfast, lunch-when-there’s-no-time-for lunch, and that extra boost needed to get from work to the gym. And, depending on your recipe, they’re even pretty colors!

Next Level of Smoothies: Herbs

You can take that smoothie to the next level by adding some amazing herbs.

To boost your smoothie’s “super powers”, consider these two herbs for starters, easily found at a … Read More

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Five Reasons Acupuncture Helps Eczema

acupuncture models historic 1 Acupuncture is an obvious choice for patients with atopic eczema because it is safe and has been used for skin conditions for thousands of years.

Here are some of the top reasons acupuncture helps patients with eczema.

 

ITCH

1. Acupuncture helps to reduce itch.  Acupuncture has been shown to reduce itching in those with eczema.[1] According to acupuncture, we say this is because acupuncture helps to reduce wind, dampness, and heat which are common causes of itch in eczema.[2]

Physiologically, acupuncture works in many ways to reduce itch. Acupuncture may reduce the itch feeling by changing the … Read More

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Qualities of Herbs: Flavors and Temperatures

Chinese herbal teaIf you’ve ever drank a cup of Chinese Herbs, you know they taste unique. It can range from strong tea, to cinnamon and ginger, to very twiggy and quite bitter.

Over the thousands of years of Chinese medicine, scholars have classified herbs according to taste and temperature to describe their healing function. The traditional way to test if the herb is of high quality is by tasting it. This process is called organoleptics.

Sophisticated Chinese medicine doctors and herbal pharmacists know an herb’s quality from tasting, smelling, and the look of the herbs.

The flavors of Chinese herbs are … Read More

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Chinese Medicine Antioxidants

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of promoting longevity and anti-aging therapies. Recently, research shows that Chinese medicine therapies such as herbs, acupuncture, and tai ji all have antioxidant capabilities.

Oxidative stress can be understood as an imbalance between the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s ability to detoxify through antioxidants and other mechanisms.[1]  Health in TCM is based upon the idea of balance which can be understood as a homeostatic state.[2]

Herbal Antioxidants

chinese herbs 1 copyTraditional Chinese medicine has long focused on longevity and improving health for those with age related diseases such as arthritis, joint … Read More

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Acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Up to 45 million of people in the US live with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that comes with a number of uncomfortable symptoms including, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or mixed diarrhea and constipation.

When your digestion feels unwell it can affect your whole life. People with IBS are often anxious about what foods they may eat that will cause discomfort.

Throughout my 15 years in practice, I have helped many people overcome IBS. Research shows that Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are helpful in treating IBS.[2,3]

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The nature of Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatment is based upon the … Read More

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Acupuncture for Acne Success Story

Acupuncture helps heal the whole person, not just the skin.  In this success story I wanted to share about a young woman who was coming in for acne and IBS with constipation.

Her Story

The two conditions, acne and IBS-C, developed simultaneously after the patient was prescribed a long course of antibiotics to treat food poisoning which she contracted abroad. She had already finished the antibiotics as of the first visit.

Despite taking supplements, she still had frequent constipation, severe pain, and difficulty moving her bowels, and occasional loose stool.

Her acne did not vary with her menstrual cycle. … Read More

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Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Skin Conditions

Skin diseases are one of the most common reasons to see your doctor. Yet, they are often stubborn conditions which do not respond to medications.  Or even worse the medications have side effects. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offers a natural and effective treatment for many skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, perioral dermatitis, and others.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine has been treating skin diseases for at least 3000 years. The treatment of many skin diseases were discussed in the first known book of Chinese medicine, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing). In the thousands of years … Read More