Chinese Acupuncture Clinic

Chinese herbs

Chinese herbs and acupuncture are both an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A traditional Chinese diagnosis is made with exactly the same principles, whether acupuncture or herbs are to be used . Both acupuncture and herbal medicine can be independently effective, but very often they are used together, as they are ideal complements for each other. Acupuncture is considered particularly good for moving energy blockages in the channels, and herbal medicine nourishes the body at a deep energetic level. However, their applications overlap considerably.

Raw herbs

Traditionally a Chinese herbalist will make up an individualised prescription for the patient. After asking the patient about all aspects of his condition and his general health, a formula is prescribed and made up, selecting a few from the hundreds of herbs available. This is considered to be the most powerful form of herbal treatment. We give our patients full instructions on how to boil the herbs up into a herbal decoction.

Pre-prepared "patent" herbal medicines

Also popular and widely used in China are pre-prepared herbal products, or "patent" herbal medicines. They are usually in pill form, or sometimes as granules or as drinks, and creams may sometimes be used for skin conditions. Pre-prepared herbal pills are convenient to take, and a familiar format for those not accustomed to Chinese medicine.

Concentrated powders

Herbs may also be taken as concentrated powders. These can be individually
prescribed like raw herbs, but unlike raw herbs they do not need to be
boiled up into a decoction .