What is Herbal Medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine is an ancient, sophisticated, and powerful method of healing. Chinese herbs can be used to rid the body of disease, nourish and strengthen the body, improve blood flow, balance hormones and improve organ function, and build up the immune system. Western pharmaceuticals, on the other hand, are effective in controlling symptoms but do not alter the disease process. For example: antibiotics kill bacteria but do not improve a person's resistance to infection; diuretics drain excess fluid from the body but do not improve the kidney function. Hypertensive medications control blood pressure, but do not get at the root of the problem. Cortisone injections can help pain in a joint for a month or two, but do not correct the underlying problem in the tissues. While Western medications are undeniably the drugs of choice for many acute problems such as serious infections and potentially fatal diseases, Chinese medicines can make lasting changes in the body, and alter the course of many chronic problems.