Herbal Therapy
Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine can offer great support to the body. Chinese herbs are powerful in their ability to rid a body of disease and/or to bring recovery from some of the most severe illnesses, including cancer and autoimmune disease. They are pharmacological and directive, meaning that they are potent and have a precise and measurable physiological effect on the cells and organs of the body. Although powerful, Chinese herbs are safer than western pharmaceuticals because the entire plant is used; western prescriptions are made from an extract which, in its high concentration, carries the potential for troublesome—and sometimes dangerous—side effects. Still, the strength of Chinese herbs is not to be underestimated and their usage must be carefully monitored and overseen.
I am currently doing continuing study under Heiner Fruehoff, Ph.D., a world-renown herbalist. Dr. Fruehoff’s teachings on herbal medicine are classically based, that is they derive from the original interpretation of the classic texts, said to be written by enlightened beings some two to three thousand years ago. The emphasis is on prescribing and dosing Chinese herbs in a precise, skilled manner that emulates the way this would have been done back at the time that these extraordinary texts were produced.
Similarly to acupuncture, the emphasis and direction of Chinese herbs is to build up one’s energy (Qi, or life force), to move slow or congealed circulation, stimulate the body’s metabolic activity, rid the body of toxins, and to bring soothing calm to an anxious nervous system. I prescribe them to almost all of my patients for the following reasons:
• Chinese herbs reinforce the power and intention of the acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture is profound yet subtle and therefore requires repetition in its task of breaking old cellular habits—a repetition difficult for most people to schedule, affordably, into busy lives. Consider that a daily herbal regime is said to be similar to receiving acupuncture treatments daily.
• In the case of many chronic and terminal illnesses, acupuncture is, by itself, generally not enough to quell the disease process. The sheer potency of Chinese herbs gives them a critical role in the treatment plan—an ongoing role which can extend from six months to several years, bringing strong corrective effects.
• Taking Chinese herbs is a way that people can become more involved in their own healing process. Often, patients will immediately feel a distinct difference in their energy and constitution. By continuing to participate in this way, they come to recognize the significant influence they can enact on their own healing and recovery. It also allows those with financial restrictions to receive good, sound care on a longer-term basis; after an in-depth intake, I can continue to see patients once every two, three or four months just to track their herbal prescriptions—a very affordable health-maintenance alternative.