Chinese Botanical Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are complementary therapeutic modalities that are often used together in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions.  Over the past 5,000 years, Chinese herbology has evolved into an art form of its own.  Ancient herbal information was gathered, compiled, formulated, tested, and handed down from generation to generation.  Today there are about 1,800 herbs in the Chinese pharmacopeia, each classified according to their energetic qualities, functions, and the different organs, meridians, and the disharmonies they address.  Individual herbs are combined into powerfully therapeutic formulas in order to enhance their actions and effects upon the body and to minimize any harmful side effects.  Within each synergistic formula, the individual herbs take on different roles:

• Chief herb – this herb has the greatest effect upon the principle problem and is the most important ingredient.  It is the energetic and therapeutic focus of the entire formula.
• Deputy herbs – these herbs support the chief herb in the treatment of the principle problem.  Deputy herbs usually address secondary signs and symptoms.
• Assistant herbs – the role of these herbs is to support, and reinforce the effects of other herbs.  They also help moderate or eliminate any harsh properties of herbs within the formula.
• Envoy herbs – these herbs harmonize, guide, and focus the action of the entire formula on certain meridians or areas of the body.

Chinese herbal formulas combined this way offer specific synergistic actions and effects upon body and mind.   The formulas can be used to expedite the healing process, and strengthen, support or tonify the body.  They have the capacity to address the underlying root cause of various medical conditions, whether acute or chronic, and when prescribed and used correctly they rarely cause unwarranted side effects.

Formulas and herbs can be prescribed in a number of ways:

• Raw herbs that are boiled into a tea
• Liquid extracts
• Pills
• Powders

Western Botanical Medicine

Western herbs offer another powerful alternative to pharmaceuticals.  Although their use differs in theory from Chinese herbs, they provide additional and unique support of the overall healing process.

Jenny offers only the highest quality herbs and supplements that she uses herself and with her family.  The herbal companies she chooses are all GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified and use repeated testing to ensure that they deliver the safest, highest quality products possible.