Herbal Therapy – Ming Qi Health Care Center – New York Acupuncture Clinic, Holistic Pain Management, Massage Therapy, and IVF

Chinese Herbal Therapy

Over 2,000 Kinds of Chinese Medicine
Over 2,000 Years of Recorded Clinical History
Oral or External Applications
Available in Tea, Pill, Capsule and Powder Forms

The use of Chinese Herbal Therapy as treatment for a wide range of diseases and disorders dates back thousands of years. It is one of the oldest healing arts and is actually the forerunner to Western pharmacology. The Chinese Materia Medical includes herbs, minerals and animal substances. In the US, Chinese Herbal Therapy mainly refers to the use of herbal products alone. Chinese Herbal Therapy combines a deep knowledge of human physiology with the most extensive pharmacopoeia of organic herbs and natural substances in the world. Herbal formulas are carefully prepared from plants, tree branches, leaves, flowers, seeds or vegetables. These herbal preparations come in various forms such as herbal teas, granules, pills, capsules, powders, tea bags and seasonal tonics.

Some important information should be informed while patients during herb therapy:

In the United States, herbal remedies can legally be used to alleviate many clinical symptoms. Different herbal formulas or single herb may help to enhance physical strength, regulate the immune system and balance hormone levels, but they cannot be legally referred to as the treatment of diseases.
Patients should avoid the shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crab, etc.) or hot and spicy food, Patients should also refrain from cold food or beverages and caffeine. When patients are taking Ginseng, they should also avoid eating radishes as it may weaken the efficacy of the herbs. Women should inform their herbalist if they are pregnant, nursing, or menstruating.
Herbal formula and single herbal remedy have different effects on individual case. Patients should take herbal medicines under the guidance of herbalist.
Herbal tonic should also be suitable for different physical selection, such as children are not suitable for taking Ginseng.
Overdose, inappropriate use, or incorrect use of herbs can have adverse effects on the body.
Some herbs may interact with other medicines, so patients are advised the interval between taking herbs and other medicines should be at least half an hour.

Following is an introduction to several main herbal formula type and their usage.

Raw Herbal Remedies include barks, roots, flowers, seeds and plants that the body assimilates through its digestive, respiratory and cutaneous tissues. Herbs are used for both prevention and cure – like vitamins or food supplements; they maintain our health and when used medicinally, redress acute and chronic ailments. According to FDA specifications of imports, certain herbs are prohibited from being imported or sold in the United States. Ming Qi Natural Healthcare Center observes these restrictions and keeps up-to-date on FDA regulations to make sure that the herbs sold in this clinic are safe to use. Decoction Method:

Put the raw herbs in a non-metallic container, soak it in the cold water for 10 minutes. Boil it then simmer fire to 16 ounces of herbal tea. Drink 8 ounces of herbal tea as first time then put the rest in the refrigerator. Warm the herbal tea when patient taking it as the second dose.
Take 8 ounces of herbal tea each time two times a day, half an hour after a meal.
Patients are advised to take their herbal products at least a half an hour apart from other medications.
Patient should avoid taking spicy food and shellfish, don't drinking ice water while taking herbal tea.

Herbal Granules is a relatively recent Innovation of Chinese Herbal Therapy. Granules are extracted and processed from single Chinese herbs by means of modern technology. The herbal extracts come in granule form known as Concentrated Single Chinese Herbal Granules. Herbal Granules are a great innovation. They have excellent therapeutic effect meet or exceed international standards, and offer stable, reliable medical efficacy. They are also easy to prepare and take.

Preparation: Daily granule formula is consisting of varies single herbal packets. Open and mix all bags of granules together in a mug or bowl. Add 16 oz. of hot (boiling) water, then stir well and filter. Split the herbal tea into two equal doses (8oz. of each). Take one dose in the morning and one in the evening in warm temperature a half hour after meals. Patients are advised to take their herbal products at least a half an hour apart from other medications. Patient should avoid taking spicy food and shellfish, don't drinking ice water while taking herbal tea.

Herbal Pills / Capsules often referred to as Tea Pills, Honey Pills or Patents, Herbal Pills generally consist of extracted condensed pills which are usually small, spherical, and black, appearing like black pearls. They are called tea pills because the herbs are cooked into an herbal tea to make the pills. Honey or water pills made from ground raw herbs are also a popular format in China and tend to be bigger and slightly to significantly softer than tea pills. Capsules can be made up of pulverized raw herbs or encapsulated granules. Herbal Pills and Capsules are convenient, portable and a viable option for those who can’t tolerate the bitter taste of raw herbal tea decoctions. The standard dosages of herbal pills and capsules are normally around 5-10 pills, 2-3 times daily. Herbal pills are easy to swallow and slow in absorption and are therefore good for chronic or deficient health conditions. Patients should swallow the pills/capsules with warm water at least a half an hour after meals. Patients are advised to take their herbal products at least a half an hour apart from other medications. Patient should avoid taking spicy food and shellfish, don't drinking ice water while taking herbal tea.

Herbal Tea Bags are a combination of raw herbs making up formulas that are steeped in hot water and drunk as a tea. The concentration of the tea can vary depending upon the length of time steeped. The strength can be adjusted as symptoms change while following the Doctor’s instruction.

Tea bag, used to control blood sugar, is often taken before meals; laxative intestine, usually taken after meals; soothing throat and help voice, particular tea bag can be taken all day long. Ginseng tea enhances physical strength and can be used when it is tired in the afternoon. Lingzi tea helps sleep and can be taken two hours before bedtime. There are many types of herbal teas, such as ginseng tea, chrysanthemum tea, rose tea, glutinous rice tea, summer grass tea, mint tea, etc., which can be taken as a hot drink or as an herbal tea.

Preparation: Place one tea bag in a cup of hot water and steep for 5-10 minutes as recommended by your Herbalist. You can adjust the tea concentration by the length of the time the tea bag in water.

Herbal Tonics –Da Bu Gao is a classical herbal formula in tonic form. It is an extract, reduced from a solution of herbal tea to a concentrated syrup. It is made up of a combination of 50-60 different herbs chosen according to the patient’s specific individual health condition. according to the patient’s individual needs.

Da Bu Gao is a natural and healthy way to balance the body’s Yin and Yang, boost Qi, and enhance the blood, Jin (body fluids), and Jing (bone marrow), thereby preventing disease and promoting longevity. Additionally, it can stimulate hormone production and therefore is commonly used for boosting growth from childhood through adolescence, enhancing male sexual energy, and renewing skin tone and youthful vitality in women.

We suggest that patient should take one tablespoon of tonics mixed with hot water on an empty stomach, once or twice per day. Before and after the dose of tonic, it is inadvisable to drink cold water or other liquids, eat greasy foods, or overeat, as this will adversely affect the absorption of the herbal medicine. Da Bu Gao is tasty, easily ingested and suitable for all age groups.

External Herbal Therapy can be used in the treatment of various conditions in the areas of Internal Medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and dermatology. Examples of External Therapies include:

Wash/Soak: Dissolve herbal powder in hot water. Add cold water to room temperature, then soak the affected area (skin, scalp, hemorrhoids, etc.) in the water for 15-20 minutes. Or apply paper tower with herbal liquid on the affected area then rinse it with clean water after repeated use for 15-20 minutes.
Herbal Steam-Washing Therapy: the steam that is produced by heating herbal decoctions can be used to treat various types of pain syndromes and skin conditions. Employing varying herbs, such therapy can be an effective anti-inflammatory, thereby easing pain, clearing toxins, improving circulation and alleviating stress.
Paste: Herbal liniments, salves and poultices are applied directly to the joints, umbilicus, wounds, ulcers, and skin as well as directly to acupuncture points in the treatment of bone and joint disorders, skin diseases, hemorrhoids, abdominal and intestinal discomfort and chronic fatigue.
Sitting Bath/Douche: Patient is advised to prepare a Sitz Bath and Solution Bag.
1. Sitting Bath: Mix decoction or herbal powder with boiling water, then cool down to room temperature. Take sitz bath for 15-20 minutes then rinse with clean water. Sitz Bath is often used to treat female vaginal infection, male scrotal infection, perineal skin eczema, itching as well as hemorrhoids.
2. Vaginal Douche: Put the liquid of Herbs into douche bag and insert to vagina to rinse the affected area. Then refill with plain water and repeat the procedure. It can effectively alleviate the discomfort caused by vaginal infection or urinary tract infection.