FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHINESE HERBOLOGY

What Is Herbology / What Is An Herb / What Conditions Can Be Treated With Herbs / Are There Any Side Effects / What If I Am Taking Medications / Are Herbs Regulated By The FDA / Are Herbs Safe For Children / What If I Am Pregnant / How Quickly Do Herbs Work / What Form Do The Herbs Come In / How Much Do Herbs Cost / What Sort Of Training Is Required / Can I Buy Herbs At The Healthfood Store

WHAT IS HERBOLOGY
Herbology, or herbal medicine, is the administration of medicine derived from natural materials for the treatment of various health conditions. Herbology is the primary method of internal treatment in Chinese medicine.

WHAT IS AN HERB
Chinese medicine uses the word “herb” to refer to medicinals derived from natural materials in the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. Most Chinese herbs are plants.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED WITH HERBS
Most conditions can be treated in some way with herbs. Acute conditions such as colds, flu’s, sinus infections, headaches, and injuries respond extremely well and quickly to herbal treatment. Herbs can also be used to safely treat chronic conditions that are unresponsive to other therapies. These conditions include digestive, gynecological, metabolic and immune disorders.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS
Used properly, Chinese herbs are very safe. Compared to conventional pharmaceuticals, the incidence of adverse effects from herbs is extremely low and is typically minor. Negative responses to any ingested medicinal, including herbs, is considered to be an indication of improper prescription and is not allowed in Chinese medicine. The science of Chinese herbal medicine concerns itself with proper prescriptions that are individually chosen for each individual.

WHAT IF I AM TAKING MEDICATIONS
Most herbs can be safely used along with most medications, but there are situations when this is not appropriate. The use of herbal formulas that affect clotting is the most frequent concern, for people who take blood thinners or are having surgery. Herbs will not be prescribed if their use is contraindicated.

ARE HERBS REGULATED BY THE FDA
At this time the FDA oversees but does not regulate the sale of herbs or the practice of herbal medicine. The FDA does ban or limit the sale of certain herbs which it considers to be questionable with regards to safety. Almost all Chinese herbs are allowed for internal use by the FDA, and even some herbs that have been banned due to improper usage in other settings are allowed to be prescribed by Chinese herbalists. This is due to a long history of safe, effective, and appropriate use of hundreds of herbal materials.

ARE HERBS SAFE FOR CHILDREN
Herbology is the primary treatment modality of Chinese medical pediatrics, which is a specialty within Chinese medicine. Children are generally given frequent small doses of herbal liquids. The course of treatment for children is usually much shorter than for adults, and treatment is discontinued as soon as improvement is evident.

WHAT IF I AM PREGNANT
Like pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology is a specialty within Chinese medicine. Pregnant women can be safely treated for conditions either related to or unrelated to pregnancy.

HOW QUICKLY DO HERBS WORK
For acute conditions Chinese herbs may work immediately. Chronic conditions may require treatment over the course of weeks or months, or years for very serious ailments.

WHAT FORM DO THE HERBS COME IN
Chinese herbs are prepared for internal usage as teas, pills, tablets, and powders. Herbs are also applied externally in the forms of compresses, salves, plasters and liniments.

HOW MUCH DO HERBS COST
Prepared formulas in pills or tablets typically cost $1 to $2 per day. Teas, or decoctions, average $4 to $5 per day.

WHAT SORT OF TRAINING IS REQUIRED
The professional practice of Chinese herbology requires specialized training in Chinese medicine, including the study of individual herbs, herbal formulas, and herbal treatment strategies and related issues. Professionally trained and qualified Chinese herbologists may become nationally board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The designation for this is either Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM) or Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM).

CAN I BUY HERBS AT THE HEALTHFOOD STORE
Although many herbs are available at healthfood stores, most Chinese herbs are not. Chinese herbs are prescribed as individualized formulas, rather than as single herbs for symptom alleviation. More knowledge is required for proper usage than is available in a retail store.

For more detailed information regarding herbology, please refer to the About Herbology section of this website.