Chinese Herbal Medicine

Healthy Home Medicine Cabinet:

At Ancient Health and Healing we recommend Chinese herbal medicine for our clients as needed. Chinese herbal medicine is safe and effective for the family. We want you and your family to be healthy, therefore, we have included some of our favorite herbs and herbal remedies that should be in your medicine cabinet ready for when you need it.

Herbs can be used alone or they can be a perfect addition to your acupuncture treatments. Katharine Stewart, L.Ac only recommends quality brands for you such as Health Concerns, KAN, Golden Flower & Plum Flower. We do not recommend that you purchase products from China unless it is one of these quality brands. Quality tested & guaranteed herb brands (cGMP) are: Health Concerns, KAN Herb Company, and Plum Flower, to name a few. Many brands have their own names for the product formulas, so we tried to give both those names, and the Chinese PinYin. The herbs that we recommend can be purchased at our Seaside, OR office or our online shop. We have made purchasing easy by matching our favorite products with symptoms on our Fullscript Store. We are here to assist you if you have difficulty ordering.

All formulas listed are safe for children, and pregnant women unless otherwise stated. Children can take between 1/4 and 1/2 adult dose depending on size. Dosages are for about a 100lb person, so adjust accordingly! All formulas are available online or at some local health food stores. 

All bottles have their own doses, listed on the bottle. The frequency to take the dose is listed. Each brand has their own names sometimes, We tried to list all variations from each company.

Acne Relief  

Margarite Acne Pills, Margarita Complexion Pills, Colorful Phoenix Pearl Combo, Cai Feng Zhen Zhu An Chang Wan. Take 1-4 times a day until skin is clear. Acne, rashes, boils, ulcers, carbuncles.

*See anti-inflammation diet below.

Contraindicated with pregnancy & nursing.

Allergies: A Combination Of 4 Formulas Works Best

 Xiao Yao Wan, Jade Windscreen, Bi Yan Pian & Ge Gen Tan. For extra help with symptoms of runny nose, take Pe Min Gan Wan every 1-5 hours as well. 

 Acute allergy symptoms including runny nose, post-nasal drip, watery, itchy eyes:

Take every 1-4 hours until symptoms are gone. During high allergy season, take regular doses, 1-2 times a day even if symptoms are gone. Some companies say to use caution when pregnant. To be 100% sure, see option below. (Still safer than pharmaceuticals!)

Allergies-Pregnancy Safe Version

Enviroshield & Head Clear, only available from KAN Herbs. Take every 1-4 hours until symptoms are gone. Acute allergy symptoms including runny nose, post-nasal drip, watery eyes itchy eyes. During high allergy season, take regular doses, 1-2 times a day even if symptoms are gone.

Anxiety

Gan Mai Da Zao Tan, Rescue Formula, OR Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan, OR Ease Plus. See which works best for you. Take every 1-5 hours until anxiety is gone. Anxiety, agitation, severe pre-menstrual syndrome, depression, withdrawal, mania. Use with caution during pregnancy, but it is much safer than pharmaceuticals. Consider acupuncture as well. It is very effective to reduce anxiety.

Colds & Flus

 Yin Chaio OR Gan Mao Ling OR Cold Away – See what works best for you.

Colds & flus, acute viruses, conjunctivitis, sore throat, fever, rashes, neck stiffness and short-term prevention of colds when traveling or exposed to sick people.

Take at first sign of illness to stop the bug in its tracks. Also gargle with salt water, and rest. Take every 1-4 hours until symptoms are gone, or up to 5 days. Not for long-term use. If the bug manages to manifest itself, into bronchitis or a sinus infection, for example, other remedies are needed.

For prevention when flying, or when exposed to sick people, take 1-2 times a day. Take 20-30 drops, every 1-4 hours, as needed, until symptoms are gone. May combine with Curing pills/Quiet Digestion for stomach flu.

Energy depletion

Power Mushrooms, OR Basic Boost, OR Myco-Forte, OR Astra Essence OR Astra 8. Weariness, weakness, difficulty rising after a full night’s sleep, fatigue, lack of endurance, difficulty recuperating after illness, surgery or childbirth, enhances physical endurance and performance. *See low carb/anti-inflammation diet below and on web site. Acupuncture can help boost energy. Take 1-5 times a day until energy returns.

Heartburn

Shu Gan Wan, Wei Te Ling. Relieves stomach pain & acidity, reduces inflammation, indigestion, gastric reflux, bloating, heartburn, epigastric pain, gastric or duodenal ulcers. Take 1-4 times a day until symptoms improve.

Hot Flashes

Two Immortals OR Three Immortals. See which work best for you. Peri and post-menopausal hot flashes, sweating, dizziness, mood swings, sleep disturbances, weakness, fatigue, dryness, back and leg pain, water retention, excessive or inhibited urination, hair loss, diminished libido, depression, anxiety, mood swings. Acupuncture can help reduce symptoms as well. Take 2-3 times a day until symptoms are better. Also, see low carb diet! Sugar, gluten & high carbs aggravate these symptoms.

Immune System

Jade Windscreen, OR Power Mushrooms.

Immune System booster, chronic allergies, colds and flus, early stages of respiratory tract infections, or during acute virus if person is weak.

Take 1-3 times a day. Take regularly 1-3 months prior to cold and flu season to help prevent getting sick. Also can be taken when just feeling run-down in general, and not necessarily fighting specific symptoms.

Low Back Pain & Sciatica 

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, OR Backbone, OR AC-Q Tabs. If not enough for pain, add Corydalis Pills. Low back pain, sciatica, pain in the lumbar area, aversion to cold, weakened tendons due to tendons or overwork. Take every 1-4 hours for pain. Go to www.functionalbackpain.com for more natural back pain relief, plus acupuncture.

Mood Swings

Xiao Yao Wan,OR Rescue Formula, OR Ease Plus. Attacks of crying, melancholy, depression, irritability, emotional imbalance, pre-menstrual syndrome. Take every 1-5 hours until symptoms are gone. Acupuncture has been proven to help decrease mood swings. Diet is super important here too!

Morning Sickness or Motion Sickness

Quiet Digestion, OR Curing Formula. Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, lack of appetite. Take every 1-5 hours as needed. Acupuncture can greatly help morning sickness.

Nasal Emollient

Any kind of sinus congestion or discharge helps prevent sinus infections. Helps open the nose so you can breathe. Great when you would rather not take an internal formula. Take 1 squirt each nostril as needed. *If this is chronic, see below. Organic sesame oil, 20 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint & thyme essential oils, per 2 oz. bottle.

Neck & Upper Back Pain 

 Ease 2. Pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, tension and tightness. Take every 1-5 hours as needed. Acupuncture can help.

Also, see www.functionalback.com for additional natural back pain solutions.

Pain

 Resinal K, OR Resinal E, OR Corydalis. Arthritis, all types of traumatic injury, bruising or swelling after injury, dysmenorrhea, “50 year old shoulder,” sciatica. Take every 2-4 hours until pain is gone. *If any pain is chronic, it is a symptom of imbalance. Seek additional help to get rid of it, and ** see below.

Contraindicated in pregnancy or with bleeding disorders.

Phlegm

Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan if thick or yellow. Er Chen Wan if thinner. Phlegm in the head, throat and lungs that is thick, yellow or stuck. Sinus congestion, cough and nausea from excessive phlegm.Take every 1-4 hours until phlegm is gone. Combine with Nasal Emollient for best results. Also, no dairy until phlegm is gone.

Sinuses 

 Bi Yan Pian or Head Clear if pregnant. Sinus Infection, sinusitis, rhinitis, sinus headache, yellow, or thick nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, earache.Take 1-4 times a day until sinuses are clear. Combine with Nasal Emollient for best results. *If this is chronic, see below.

Smoking or other drug withdrawal

 Ease Plus, OR Rescue, or Calm Dragon. Help with stopping smoking, or other withdrawal symptoms. Relieves anxiety, depression, confusion, poor memory, insomnia. Take every 1-4 hours as needed. Acupuncture is a great adjunct to help feel better while quitting substances. For smoking, see phlegm or cough formulas as well.

Stomach Problems

Curing Formula, OR Quiet Digestion, OR Chzyme. Nausea, Vomiting, Motion Sickness, Food Poisoning, Stomach Flu, Diarrhea, Flatulence, Bloating, Acid Regurgitation and Stomach pain. Take every 1-4 hours until symptoms are gone. If this is chronic and the herbs are not very effective, consider **anti-inflammation diet.

Tension Headache

Head-Q, OR Subdue Headwind, OR Rescue. Headache anywhere on the head, or neck that is primarily due to stress. Usually accompanied by irritability. Take every 1-4 hours, as needed. Get a massage, or acupuncture. Not for chronic conditions.

Thick Cough

Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan, Pinellia Expectorant Plus Dispel Cough. Strong, loud cough with thick, ropy mucous that is hard to expectorate. Bronchitis, smoker’s cough, bronchial congestion, sinus congestion, nasal discharge, sticky or slightly yellow phlegm. Take every 1-4 hours until cough is gone. * see below. NO dairy! If cough becomes loose & copious, change to Er Chen Wan.

Thin Cough

ER Chen Wan Plus Dispel Cough. Loose, copious cough, with white or clear phlegm. Also with digestive weakness, loose stool, morning sickness, vomiting, dizziness.Take every 1-4 hours, until cough is gone.*

Vaginal Discharge/yeast/fungal infection/HPV/Early stages of cervical dysplasia

 Vagistatin ONLY by Health Concerns brand. Take 1-2 capsules & gently dissolve in warm water. Insert into vaginal canal, close to the cervix, at bedtime. It will give a slight brown discharge. Use from 1-3 months, until symptoms are gone.

Also may be used topically for thrush & diaper rash. Open capsules.

*It is recommended to not eat dairy, excessive fruit or juice, sugar or gluten as they can increase phlegm, and inflammation. Aromatic foods like garlic, onions and peppermint can help open the sinuses and clear phlegm. Also, using Nasal Emollient and breathing steamed air with eucalyptus helps clear the sinuses & lungs. Stay away from cold drafts and bundle up in the cold air (no flip-flops in winter!)

 **An anti-inflammation diet is basically no gluten, no gluten whatsoever, no dairy, no sugar, no grain. Please see website for more information.