There are hundreds of individual herbs in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. They span from commonly known substances like licorice root and goji berries to obscure items like poria bark and uncaria vine. Each individual herb has specific properties including tastes, temperatures, and actions. These properties guide how they are used in formulas.  

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There are hundreds of patented formulas utilized by Chinese medical practitioners. Each one is designed for specific patterns of symptoms. And each one can be customized for the individual who is taking it.

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Herbs are amazing. Chinese practitioners have spent thousands of years researching and fine tuning the base herbal formulas that I use today. Not all acupuncturists employ herbs, but they are a passion of mine. And here’s why…

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Acupuncture is great because its effects are often immediate. You can feel it working. But most of us aren’t going in for a session every day. So it can take a while for the treatments to build up and cause a lasting change. Herbs, on the other hand, are taken every day. That means that when you use them properly you’re getting a treatment every day! It’s the perfect compliment to your acupuncture sessions; something to keep your healing journey on track in between needles.

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And as I said before, herbal formulas can be customized. When we do our intake the information I gather is used to come up with an acupuncture treatment plan, but also for an herbal treatment plan. I start with a base formula chosen through the diagnosis of your general constitution. Then I add single herbs as needed according to your specific signs and symptoms. And voila! It’s a custom formula, just for you!