CHINESE HERBAL medicine
For thousands of years, the Chinese have harnessed the healing power of natural medicinal herbs and acupuncture. Chinese herbal remedies are derived from a variety of plants, including roots, leaves, and stems, and are known for their minimal side effects. These herbal formulas can be safely integrated with conventional medications and therapies. Each herbal formula is custom-tailored to your specific health needs, targeting both symptoms and their underlying causes.
What can Chinese Herbal Medicine do for me?
Chinese Herbal Medicine, an integral element of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), provides a holistic approach to promoting health and wellness. Whether through individual herbs or carefully crafted herbal formulas, it effectively addresses a diverse spectrum of health issues and encourages preventive care by restoring balance within the body. The utilization and prescription of herbal remedies adhere to the principles and diagnostic methods of TCM, guaranteeing a personalized and all-encompassing approach to treatment that caters to your unique requirements.
note: herbal prescriptions will not be processed with your first visit.
Why is acupuncture combined with herbal medicine as a treatment protocol?
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are holistic therapies that work in harmony to promote overall well-being. Acupuncture focuses on stimulating the body's meridian system, while Chinese herbs target the internal organs. By combining these two modalities, the treatment approach can effectively address various levels of imbalances, ranging from surface-level concerns to deeper-rooted issues. This comprehensive approach maximizes the therapeutic effects, ensuring a more comprehensive and impactful treatment outcome.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COOKING CHINESE HERBS (DECOCTIONS)
TWO OPTIONS
- OPTION ONE -
Generally each bag of herbs can be cooked 3 times by covering the herbs with 3 cups of water and boiling and then simmering the herbs for 30-45 minutes so that about 1 cup of fluid is left. Strain the liquid and keep it. Cover the herbs again with water, bring to a boil, simmer, strain the liquid, and repeat once more. The end result will be 3 cups of liquid. Combine all batches together. After the third cooking, the herb dredges can be discarded or put in the garden.
People ask if they can just cook the herbs with 9 cups of water, for a longer period, and extract 3 cups. This is not recommended because this produces a very dilute decoction. Cooking the herbs a second and third time allows for more active ingredients to be extracted.
Keep the herbal decoction refrigerated until you drink it. You can warm the mixture before you drink it. Herbs are most effective warm and tend to taste less bitter the hotter they are.
Directions:
1. Use only a clay or glass pot with a cover. If that is not possible, you can use stainless steel.
2. Take the herbs out of the bag/package, place them in a pot, flatten them, and cover with water so that they are covered with about half an inch (to 1 inch) of water above the herbs.
3. Before the first boiling, let the herbs soak in the water for 20 minutes as it is best to not boil the herbs until they have soaked some water.
4. Bring the herbs to a boil and then simmer for the following amount of time with the lid slightly open to simmer them.
5. The simmer should be such that you get about 1 cup of liquid extracted at the end of the cooking time. If you get a lot more than a cup, your simmer was done on too low a flame, if you get too little, you will want to reduce the flame. Adjust the flame/temperature on the second and third boilings accordingly.
6. Do not dilute the herbs, do not add honey. Honey and sugar change the therapeutic properties of the decoction.
7. You can take gulps of the decoction throughout the day. It is easier to take the herbs warmer and in big gulps. Brush your teeth after drinking herbs to release the taste and to avoid staining.
8. It is best to take herbs about 30 minutes away from food.
9. Do not take herbs for at least 90 minutes prior to going to bed.
People ask if they can just cook the herbs with 9 cups of water, for a longer period, and extract 3 cups. This is not recommended because this produces a very dilute decoction. Cooking the herbs a second and third time allows for more active ingredients to be extracted.
Keep the herbal decoction refrigerated until you drink it. You can warm the mixture before you drink it. Herbs are most effective warm and tend to taste less bitter the hotter they are.
Directions:
1. Use only a clay or glass pot with a cover. If that is not possible, you can use stainless steel.
2. Take the herbs out of the bag/package, place them in a pot, flatten them, and cover with water so that they are covered with about half an inch (to 1 inch) of water above the herbs.
3. Before the first boiling, let the herbs soak in the water for 20 minutes as it is best to not boil the herbs until they have soaked some water.
4. Bring the herbs to a boil and then simmer for the following amount of time with the lid slightly open to simmer them.
5. The simmer should be such that you get about 1 cup of liquid extracted at the end of the cooking time. If you get a lot more than a cup, your simmer was done on too low a flame, if you get too little, you will want to reduce the flame. Adjust the flame/temperature on the second and third boilings accordingly.
6. Do not dilute the herbs, do not add honey. Honey and sugar change the therapeutic properties of the decoction.
7. You can take gulps of the decoction throughout the day. It is easier to take the herbs warmer and in big gulps. Brush your teeth after drinking herbs to release the taste and to avoid staining.
8. It is best to take herbs about 30 minutes away from food.
9. Do not take herbs for at least 90 minutes prior to going to bed.
- OPTION TWO -
Cooking herbs all at once for 50-60 minutes.
In pot cover herbs with 4-5 cups of cold water and let soak for 30 minutes. Simmer for 50-60 minutes and strain. Add more water if needed. You should have 3 cups of herbal tea. Drink throughout the day. If herbs make you uncomfortable, contact us at 860-582-2389 and ask for Krystyna. ZHEN GAO, ACUPUNCTURIST AND HERBALIST
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