Herbal Medicine

Herbs are an integral part of Chinese medicine. Very powerful in their healing abilities, herbs are an excellent way to greater health. While not every patient needs herbs, there are times when herbs will be a predominant portion of the treatment plan.

We use only the finest quality herbs - free of sulfur, dyes or other chemicals, which are used to prolong the shelf-life and improve the color of the herb, but also change the properties. Mr. Strand complies with all FDA guidelines, and is competently trained and licensed in the state of Oregon to dispense herbs.

While you are visiting the clinic, feel free to peruse through our wall of herbs - take a close look to see what may be in your formula. We carry bulk, raw herbs, granules and patent medicines. As always, please ask any questions you may have.

Bulk Versus Granule Versus Patent
Originally, herbal formulas were only prepared as decoctions (water-based, poly-pharmacological teas) to drink, or groundup, handmade pills to eat. Although this methodology is more effective, it is not always the most pleasant.

Herbs taste notoriously bad. Not all of them, mind you, just the majority. So, taste and the speed of living forced the development of what we call "patent" medicines. These are pre-packaged pill formulas that come in a nice little bottle with a child-safe top. Easy to take, and not so bad on the palate. But the formula cannot be changed.

This one fact goes against the entire basis of Chinese medicine - patient-driven, symptom-specific, pattern-based treatment. Each and every person is completely different; and each person will manifest a different pattern (a collection of signs and symptoms).

So, while patent formulas are effective, they are less so than bulk. They are easy on the taste buds, and they don't stink up your house, car, clothing and office. However, the drawback is specificity. The addition or subtraction of one or more herbs is impossible. To combat this, occasionally it is necessary to take more than one formula at a time.

Granular formulas, on the other hand are made from reducing down a specific herb and grinding the leftovers into a powder. The result is a highly intensified herb that can be tailored to a patient's specific symptom set. It does not taste nearly as bad as the bulk herbs, takes much less time and effort to prepare and is very effective.

Drawn into a table we would see that bulk herbs are the most effective, yet taste the worst and take the most time and effort to prepare. Granular formulas are less effective, take a moderate amount of effort to prepare and are less obnoxious on the tongue. Lastly, patent formulas are very easy to take, require zero preparation, are the least effective and cannot be tailored to your specific condition.