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What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is
by itself a powerful method of healing. Western drugs are
usually used to control symptoms but do not alter the disease
process. For example: antibiotics kill bacteria but do not
improve a person's resistance to infection; diuretics drain
excess fluid from the body but do not improve the kidney function.
Chinese herbs can also rid the body of disease but they also
nourish and balance the body in very specific ways, thereby
improving organ function and building up a person's constitution
and immune system.
How are the herbs administered?
Chinese herbs are traditionally given as a very strong tea.
The acupuncturist will give the patient several bags of herbs.
Each bag contains a formula of about 12 or so raw herbs that
has been prepared specifically for the patient and his or
her condition. The patient then prepares the herbs at home
by boiling them in water for about a half an hour. The benefit
of this method is that the formula can be customized to the
patient's particular condition. The acupuncturist may prescribe
herbal pills, powders or tinctures instead because these are
more convenient. However, the raw herbs are usually stronger
and always more adaptable.
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