Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs can be used to support a wide range of health concerns. They’re often used to help with issues like digestive problems, stress and anxiety, sleep difficulties, auto-immune conditions, pain and inflammation, hormonal imbalances, respiratory conditions, and fatigue. Chinese herbs work by addressing the root imbalances in your body’s energy, helping to restore harmony and promote overall wellness. Because formulas are personalized, they can be tailored to your unique 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.

Chinese herbs contain a diverse range of natural compounds (such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and polysaccharides) that have measurable effects on the body. Research shows that these herbs can help regulate the body’s stress and hormone systems (including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -ovarian axes), modulate immune activity, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Many formulas also improve circulation and support healthy digestion and metabolism. By influencing these interconnected systems, Chinese herbal medicine helps restore balance and promotes the body’s natural capacity for healing and resilience.

Yes! I source Chinese herbs through a trusted online dispensary for licensed acupuncturists that offers a wide range of high-quality formulas tailored to your specific needs. All the herbs I provide, whether from my office or the online dispensary, are guaranteed to be heavy metal free and produced following strict good manufacturing practices to ensure safety and effectiveness.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a single herb (like turmeric or ginger) can be helpful, especially in teas or supplements. But true healing comes from carefully crafted formulas that combine 3 to 15 (or more) herbs in precise amounts. Each herb plays a specific role: addressing the root cause, relieving symptoms, guiding or balancing the other herbs, and supporting your overall health. This teamwork creates a powerful synergy that makes formulas effective for complex or chronic issues, something a single herb or low-dose supplement can’t achieve on its own.

During your consult, I’ll assess your symptoms, document your tongue or pulse (if in-person), and determine the best herbal formula to support your unique needs. After the consult, I’ll prepare about a week or two’s worth of your herbal prescription for you either in the office for you to take home same day or to order from the Kamwo online dispensary. You’ll also receive details about the formula, the reasoning behind the strategy, and clear instructions on how to take it.

A single herbal consultation is a standalone session where you can ask questions, request refills, or receive a custom formula tailored to your current needs. You don’t need to commit to ongoing sessions, though regular follow-ups can help your formulas stay aligned with your changing health.

Herbal formulas are typically taken 2-3 times per day and come in various forms. These are the kinds I use the most:

• Granules (powder): Raw decocted Chinese herbs ground up into highly absorbable powder. Granules in hot water act the fastest and are the most precise to customize. This is what I use the most for my patients. Stronger taste.

• Capsules: Granuled herbs enclosed in gelatin or vegetarian capsules. Minimal taste. Faster onset than teapills/tablets, but slower than granules. Convenient, easy to take for travel/work, less taste.

• Patents (teapills/tablets): Tea pills work slowly and gently over time. Easy for regular use. Usually many small pills per dose. Stronger taste.

• Tinctures, soaks, & topicals: Liquid extracts, raw herbs, or powders for specific needs such as dermatological conditions, acute injuries or chronic pain.

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

Herbal formulas are billed separately from the consultation. The cost varies depending on the formula, its complexity, and your individual needs, typically ranging from $50–$100 for a week or two’s supply.

Yes! 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, such as blood thinners and immunosuppressants, can interact or counteract the herbs’ effects. In these cases, we might avoid using Chinese herbs to keep you safe. As a board-certified herbalist trained in pharmacology and herb–drug interactions, I carefully review your prescriptions and always recommend getting your physician’s approval before starting any new treatments.

You’re welcome to book a consultation for any herbal questions you may have. Many of my patients bring bottles from other practitioners or previous situations, and I’m happy to provide guidance on whether and when to use them.

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 two larger servings (for example, morning and evening). While not ideal, this option is still effective and better than skipping doses.

Most people start noticing changes within a few days to a few weeks, but substantial improvement on chronic conditions often takes about 3–4 months of consistent treatment. As your health improves, the goal is to adjust or reduce your formula every week or two so you take only what you truly need. Treatment is always focused on helping you reach balance! Not keeping you on herbs long-term.

No! Herbs in Chinese medicine are different from vitamins or supplements because they contain a natural mix of plant compounds that work together to restore balance, rather than supplying a single isolated nutrient. While vitamins usually replace something the body is missing, herbal formulas can both strengthen what’s depleted and reduce what’s overactive—often at the same time, but in different ways. They’re chosen based on your unique pattern and combined to support multiple systems at once, and in most cases, common vitamin supplements (ex. D3, magnesium, B12, probiotic, etc.) are completely fine to take alongside herbs.

No. Herbs and acupuncture can be used together or separately. Many people choose to combine them for faster, more complete results, but herbal medicine can be very effective on its own. We’ll design your treatment plan based on what’s best for your needs, goals, and lifestyle.

For best absorption, herbs are ideally taken 1–2 hours away from food, coffee, and medications. That said, if separating them isn’t realistic, it’s fine to take them with meals, your morning coffee, or alongside your regular medications. There are no harmful interactions with the common medications we’ve reviewed together. It just won’t absorb quite as well if taken together.

Consistency matters most, so take your herbs in the way that works best for your lifestyle.