Chinese herbal medicine is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses customized blends of herbs to support your body’s internal balance.

It can help with a wide range of concerns, including digestion, stress, sleep, pain, hormonal imbalances, and immune or respiratory issues.

Unlike acupuncture, which works more externally, herbal medicine works from the inside—addressing underlying patterns and supporting deeper, systemic change. Each formula is personalized to your specific symptoms and health goals.

Chinese herbs come mostly from plants: roots, leaves, flowers, and stems. Some traditional formulas include small amounts of animal or mineral ingredients, but many today use only plants.

If you have allergies or follow a vegan lifestyle, I’ll always customize your formula to fit your needs.

A Chinese formula is a thoughtfully crafted blend of herbs designed to work together—each one playing a role—to address a specific pattern in the body and support deeper, more effective healing than a single herb alone.

Chinese herbal medicine works by addressing underlying patterns of imbalance in the body, rather than just treating symptoms.

Formulas are carefully selected to support digestion, regulate the nervous system, strengthen immunity, and restore overall balance. Because each blend is customized, the herbs work together to target your specific symptoms while supporting your body as a whole.

Research has shown that many Chinese herbs contain active compounds that can have anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and regulatory effects on various body systems. Over time, this approach helps promote more stable, long-term improvement rather than temporary relief.

Yes. I source Chinese herbs through a trusted dispensary for licensed acupuncturists. All the herbs I provide are guaranteed to be heavy metal free and produced following strict good manufacturing practices to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Chinese herbal medicine is generally well tolerated when prescribed appropriately.

If you are new to taking herbs, you may notice mild digestive changes such as slight discomfort or loose stools. This is a common, temporary response when introducing a new formula.

If symptoms persist or feel uncomfortable, discontinue use and contact me. An adjustment to your prescription may be needed.

Herbal formulas are typically taken: 2-3 times per day, the amount you take at each time will be specific to your case. In my practice, rather than use teapills, tablets, or capsules, I use granules. Granules are concentrated Chinese herbs that have been decocted and then ground into a highly absorbable powder. Granules act quickly and allow for the most precise customization, which is why they’re my primary choice for most patients.

They can be taken quickly with 4–6 oz of warm water or sipped slowly like a tea. Alternatively, you can place the powder directly in your mouth and swallow it with a gulp of water.

I don’t recommend it. The most effective way to take herbs is 2-3 times per day (depending on the formula), since this provides steady support for your body. If your schedule makes that difficult to accomplish 3 doses per day, you can divide the total daily dose into 2 larger servings (for example, morning and evening). While not ideal, this option is still effective and better than skipping doses.

Substantial progress for most chronic conditions typically takes about 4 months of consistent treatment, after which we transition into a maintenance phase. As your health improves, formulas are adjusted regularly so you’re only taking what your body truly needs. The goal is always to help you reach balance—not to keep you on herbs longer than necessary.

While symptoms can improve dramatically in the first month or two (often 50–80%), that progress still needs to be stabilized. Months 2–4 are where we focus on holding those gains—you are getting better.

The body naturally tends to follow the path of least resistance, so if treatment is stopped too early, there’s a chance symptoms can gradually return. Continuing care helps retrain the body to follow a healthier pattern and supports more lasting results.

Month 4 and beyond is about maintaining those improvements and continuing to stay well. While I don’t recommend stopping early for this reason, treatment is ultimately a month-to-month program, so the decision is always yours.

Most common medications like those for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, mild pain relief, and antidepressants are generally safe to take with Chinese herbs. However, some medications, might need closer monitoring. In some rare cases, we might avoid using Chinese herbs all together to keep you safe. As a board-certified herbalist trained in pharmacology and herb–drug interactions, I carefully review your prescriptions.

Chinese herbal medicine is not the same as vitamins or supplements. Vitamins typically provide a single nutrient your body may be lacking—like vitamin D, magnesium, or B12—while Chinese herbal formulas are blends of multiple plants designed to help rebalance how your body is functioning overall. Instead of just adding something in, herbs can support what’s low, calm what’s overactive, and help different systems work together more smoothly at the same time. They are also customized to your specific pattern rather than being one-size-fits-all. In most cases, it’s completely fine to continue common supplements alongside herbs.

Yes—this is totally fine. For best absorption, herbs are ideally taken about 1–2 hours away from food, coffee, and medications. That said, if spacing them out isn’t realistic, it’s perfectly okay to take your herbs with meals, your morning coffee, or alongside your regular medications. Consistency matters more than perfect timing. Based on what we’ve reviewed together, there are no known harmful interactions with your current medications, but always keep me updated if anything changes.

It depends on your needs and goals. Acupuncture primarily works externally, targeting pain, muscle tension, and circulation, while herbal medicine works internally to address digestion, inflammation, hormones, and systemic patterns. Many people use both together for faster, more complete results, but herbs can also be very effective on their own. Your treatment plan will be personalized to what’s best for your body, your goals, and your lifestyle.

Yes. This is to ensure your formula stays safe, effective, and tailored to your current needs, each weekly refill or new herbal formula requires an herbal consult. This allows me to adjust your formula regularly based on how your body is responding.