CHINESE HERBOLOGY
Along with many other types of natural compounds that we utilize in our testing
and protocols, Eastern herbal medicine is used for its amazing ability to treat
many different ailments quickly and powerfully in one prescription. One of the most
appealing qualities of Eastern herbal medicine is the low risk of adverse reaction
or side effects, especially when compared to pharmaceutical drugs and has been used
for treating various illnesses and restoring the normal body functions for hundreds
of years. Chinese medicine is a major health-care method in the People's Republic
of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Its apparent success there has led to its adoption in the U.S., Canada, Mexico,
Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.
The term "Chinese medicine" encompasses a number of practices, especially
acupuncture and the prescription of herbal formulas. There are many years of training
required in order to prescribe these formulas. This is a craft which requires an
understanding of the synergistic nature of the combination of herbs and the ability
to write and develop formulas based on the person's constitution, symptomology,
and biochemistry of the illness at hand. This training includes the theoretical
basis that has been developed in China during a period of approximately 2,500 years.
A view of nature, health, and disease was set forth in the concept of two essential
forces: yin and yang. These ancient concepts continued to evolve over the centuries
until the collision of Chinese and Western culture ensued in the nineteenth century.
Today, Chinese medicine represents a combination of ideas and methods from earlier
times coupled with the findings from modem research methods such as chemical analysis,
pharmacological and physiological testing in the laboratory, and clinical trials.
WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING I HAVE HEARD ABOUT CHINESE HERBS CONTAINING HEAVY METALS MAKING
THEM TOXIC?
Infinite Wellness uses only herbs that are exceptionally clean and of the highest
quality. The herbs are manufactured by companies that have the most stringent GMP
(Good Manufacturing Practices) Certification and have also been certified by the
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). GMP certification means that
the site and methods employed in the production of the herbs has been subject to
a thorough quality control investigation and is certified to be in compliance. The
Australian standards are some of the highest in the world, as dietary and herbal
supplements are subject to the same guidelines as pharmaceuticals. These herbs are
also subject to an additional review by the FDA ensuring that the products meet
every safety standard.
CAN MODERN AND CHINESE MEDICINE BE SAFELY COMBINED?
Not only can the two systems of medicine be safely combined, they can often enhance
each others' effects. Chinese herbs may make it possible to take a lower dosage
of modern medicines, to reduce their side-effects, and obtain a better overall effect.
Of course, it is always advised that allopathic drugs be taken at a different time
(e.g., an hour apart) from herbs or any other natural substances due to the synergistic
effects of natural compounds and due to the fact that most allopathic medication
can override or ruin the effects of any natural compound.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WESTERN HERBOLOGY AND EASTERN HERBOLOGY?
Western herbalism primarily uses single herbs to treat the same symptom or disease
found in all patients, yet the constitution of each individual person should be
treated differently even when sharing the same illness. This is why you hear one
person say they tried an "herb" at the health food store because their
friend received results and they had no results at all. Traditional Chinese Medicine
formulas may include as many as 15 different herbs that are crafted carefully to
work synergistically as an "army" including herbs addressing a person's
main symptoms as well as the their entire pattern and immune system. This prescription-writing
method allows the practitioner maximum flexibility in writing an individualized
and easily-modifiable prescription. For example, one formula may require more of
a modification (stronger or weaker) for pain or bleeding than another one.
WHY DO HERBAL FORMULAS TASTE SO BAD?
Chinese herbal teas tend to taste very bitter because they are made mostly from
roots and barks where the strongest medicinal ingredients are found. Our clients
take the herbs in a pure powder form by mixing small amounts of hot water to dissolve
the powder. Many will add small amounts of juice in order to cut the immediate assault
of bitterness on the tongue--it usually takes about 3 days for your pallet to adapt.
After time, some patients even begin to crave the taste and have no ill-response
to the taste whatsoever.
"The most amazing help I have gotten from Sabrina is in cold and flu season.
Every season when I am exposed to all the "stuff" going around, I usually
contract it. I am a school teacher with a class of 21 5-yr. old children. I, and
my family and friends, call it her magic dirt. The minute I feel I am going to get
something I make sure to call Sabrina and pick up a bag of herbs (or I keep a bag
on hand). The formula she writes is amazing. I can always keep the cold and flu
away as long as I begin taking this powder immediately. All my friends and family
do the same. It truly is amazing and is such a life-saver for me during the cold
and flu season."
Lisa K., Denver, CO-
"I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis 2 years ago and have been given
medication after medication which temporarily treated the infection and never touched
the pain. My pain was almost unbearable. Because of the overuse of antibiotics and
other medications my digestion had become terrible and I was not able to tolerate
many things at all including basic vitamins, minerals, and other natural supplements
or even most foods. Through testing and discussion, Sabrina gave me an herbal formula
and taught me ways of tolerating and digesting it so that I could finally treat
the IC. They tasted pretty bad but I got use to them quickly. I was amazed at how
fast the pain and other symptoms were gone. We then worked on my digestion and I
am now able to eat real food and take any supplements I need to."
-Betsy W., Littleton, CO-
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