Although it is called Chinese herbal medicine, the Chinese materia medica does contain some animal and mineral medicinals. However, the vast majority of herbal formulas do not contain medicinals derived from animals, and vegan patients can easily be accommodated by the use of herbs to substitute for the animal product.

While the majority of herbs are from roots, rhizomes, tubers, leaves, flowers, bark, and twigs, the "material medical" of Chinese herbal medicine includes substances of animal and mineral origin as well. Many modern herbalists will not use animal substances such as tiger bone, or rhinoceros horn, due to problems with extinction and animal cruelty, but it is always recommended that you ask your herbalist what is being used in your formula.

There are many options now available. Traditionally, most Chinese herbs are given uncooked to the patient who boils them and drinks the resulting broth. As many people may find this to be time-consuming, there are easy alternatives. We use concentrated herbal powders that can be combined specifically to suit each patient's needs. The powders are simply mixed in warm or hot water and consumed two to three times daily. The powders can also be put into capsules.

The most common method of taking Chinese herbal medicine is as a decoction. This means that the herbs are boiled for 30 minutes to an hour or more and then strained and drunk 2-3 times per day. However, there are also herbal pills tinctures, and powdered extracts for those who do not have the time or taste for drinking traditional decoctions

Chinese herbs are medicines Chinese people have been relied on for their health for thousand years. While some of them are outdated, lots of them are still proven effective and widely used in modern days. In many ways, they complement with modern medicine and may address health concerns modern medicine falls short with. Please refer to Herbal Medicine: Does it Work? for more discussion.

Nutritional supplements have been specifically designed to provide a broad range of nutritional support for multiple organs and glands including the liver, kidney, heart, and adrenal glands. In addition, some of the products provide broad-spectrum support for the immune system, skin, and the body as a whole. Chinese herbal formulas are centuries-old and have been shown over the years to have many positive effects on the body’s ability to heal and resolve symptoms.

Although it is called Chinese herbal medicine, TCM practitioners use animal, vegetable, and mineral ingredients. A majority of the substances are from plants and can include leaves, flowers, stems, twigs, barks, roots, tubers, and rhizomes. If you do not want animal products in your formula, your practitioner can substitute plant materials instead.

Herbs that are classified as Chinese Herbs have been discovered as medicinal and tested by Chinese herbalists centuries ago. Most of the time, the herbs' origin is in China. It is a common mistake to believe that everything natural that comes from the earth is safe and beneficial. This certainly is not true. Centuries ago, traditional Chinese herbalists would test the herbs on themselves and have poisoned themselves with herbs in order to document its true nature.

Yes, if prescribed by a professional TCM practitioner. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for over 2,000 years to treat more than two score of diseases and symptoms occurring during pregnancy without harm to the fetus. Likewise, lactating mothers can take Chinese herbal medicine safely as long as they are prescribed by a trained practitioner.

Yes. Herbal formulas can act very fast. For example, ColdsignoffTM acts within hours to contain cold symptoms as they appear.? The problem does exit that some herbs imported from China may sometimes contain a trace amount of toxic heavy metals and frankly that problem can happen for herbs grown anywhere including in the USA. In fact, most herbs currently used in USA are grown and imported from China. The challenge is how to find good quality and trusted source of herbs.

Like any medicine as a whole, some Chinese herbs may have undesired side effects. This is just like what you might have read about the very popular Vioxx, the pain drug withdrawn last year by Merck that doubled the risk of heart stroke. It all depends on what you take no matter it is an herb or a pharmaceutical. In fact, in China available statistics show that many more adverse drug reactions are reported for chemical drugs than Chinese herbs.

Sometimes the prescription of Chinese Herbal Medicine is chosen by the knowledgeable veterinarian as a support for the acupuncture, or on occasion, in lieu of it. Herbs are frequently used in situation that have not responded to traditional western veterinary medical practices. Information obtained from “FAQ for Veterinary Acupuncture” printed by the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine.

Several American companies produce some popular Chinese herbs such as Dong Gui (Dang Gui), Shou Wu (Fo-Ti). These herbs are produced by simply grinding the single herbs into powder and no extraction procedure is used to separate the active ingredients from the inactive ingredients, which may potentially cause undesired side effects and compromise the efficacy of the herb.

Because the properties of each herb are inherent on the soil in which they are grown, it is important that they are grown in the right region to optimize their medicinal benefits. Thus, most of the herbs are grown in various areas of China. To ensure their quality and safety, the herbs are tested, processed, and packaged in plants that comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements.

Yes, empirical evidence has proven that Chinese herbal medicine works for Westerners just as well as for Chinese. Chinese herbal medicine has been used successfully in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all throughout Asia.

This method allows the practitioner maximum flexibility in writing a prescription. They can put in just what is necessary in just the right amounts, The formula can be changed even on a daily basis if necessary and decoctions tend to be more potent then other means of administration,