Welcome to the World Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbs have been in use for up to 5000 years, you are joining many people caring for their health using this amazing system.
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Chinese Herbal Medicine

This depends on the condition that is being treated, if the condition being treated is acute and has no underlying chronic causes, for example a common cold or flu, you can expect to feel significantly better in a matter of a few days of consistent taking of the medicine. If the condition you are being treated for is based on a chronic underlying condition improvement will be slower. A general rule-of-thumb in Chinese medicine is one month of treatment for every year of the condition. Another thing to note, you may have experienced the rapid effect of Western medicines in the past, generally Chinese herbal medicine is slower, however in contrast to Western medicine in many conditions, as soon as you stop taking the medication, the effectiveness is reversed. Chinese medicine tends to be cumulative in effect, so that after taking a course of the treatment of the appropriate length, your condition should stay away, depending on the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and the elimination of the causative factors

Firstly you should always inform both Alasdair and your GP, specialist, or naturopath that you are taking other medications or supplements, so that any risks can be assessed accurately.
While there have been documented cases of adverse reactions, they are very rare. In my personal experience of 20 years practice I have never seen an adverse drug interaction with Chinese herbs. Providing me with a full list of your current medication and and supplements will greatly assist in making sure that it does not occur.

Surprisingly in my experience there are more conflicts with naturopathic preparations and medications. The conflict is mostly at the level of the basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, because naturopathic theory does not contain any acknowledgement of the theories of heat, cold, and damp within the body it can be the case that medicines and supplements prescribed by a naturopath may conflict with treatment by Chinese herbal medicine.

Approximately 90% of all Chinese herbs are plant based. It is generally my
practice not to use animal based herbs, I find that in most cases an effective
result can be achieved using plant based herbs. However animal based herbs are
very strong medicine, and in some cases the use of an animal based herb will
be the best solution. I will inform you if I think that this would be the
best thing to do. I never use herbs based on endangered species.

As with any medical practitioner you should always inform me if you are
pregnant. Herbs can be used safely during pregnancy, and can be very helpful
in assisting the smooth progression of any pregnancy or dealing with any
health issues arising involved in the pregnancy. However as with any strong
and effective medicine there are some herbs that are not suited to use in
pregancy, for this reason you should always inform me if you are pregnant or
think you may be pregnant.

Yes, herbs can improve your chances of conception, if that what you wish to
achieve. Chinese herbs have been used this way successfully for thousands of
years. Some herbs that are used in the treatment of certain gynaecological
conditions, for example endometriosis, may temporarily make it difficult to
conceive. This situation is reversed as soon as you stop taking those
particular herbs.

A “common cold” in Chinese medical theory is said to be an invasion of the
outside of the body by “pathogens”. The theory says there are different layers
of the body where disease occurs, and there are different formulas for different
layers of the body. Many formulas for chronic conditions may not be suitable for
the treatment of a cold. Contact Alasdair and he will advise you on the most
suitable course of action and alter your prescription should that be necessary.

 

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