Herbal Therapy



In the course of your treatment Chinese herbal remedies may be prescribed.  They may be dispensed as raw herbs or in pills, capsules, granules, or tinctures which make them easier to ingest.  Most herbal formulas can treat a wide variety of symptoms while stimulating the body’s natural healing process.



Acupuncturists are the only licensed health care professionals in California that are required to be trained and tested for competency in prescribing herbal medicine. 
Chinese herbal medicine has been practiced safely and effectively for centuries and has the greatest potential for beneficial results when prescribed by a trained professional who recognizes both the benefits and risks.



In recent years, herbs have become very popular to self-treat many conditions. They are available in health food stores, supermarkets, and on the Internet.  While herbs are promoted as safe, gentle, inexpensive, “natural” alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs, many health care professionals have concerns about safety, effectiveness, and potential misuse of herbal products, especially when self-prescribed.  There are also questions of purity, strength, and standardization of herbs. 




The California Acupuncture Board strongly recommends consulting an acupuncturist before beginning any herbal therapy.  It is also very important to inform both your physician and acupuncturist of all the products you are currently taking (drugs, herbs, other supplements) so they can monitor effectiveness, ensure safety from adverse reactions, and watch for possible interactions. 

Thank you to Robin Green for creating this video