Herbal treatment is based on the principle of TCM. Prior to the treatment, an evaluation would be preformed to obtain information for prescribing herbal formulas. The practitioner will examine your tongue, check the quality of your pulse, and perform general evaluations. You also have to give information about your medical history, general health status, lifestyle, and current complaints. An herbal formula usually consist of 4-15 kinds of herbs. You can choose to have it in the forms of dry herbs or concentrated granules. Some standard formulas are available in pill forms. Dry herbs need to be simmered for a long time to make a strong decoction, preferably to be cooked in a clay or glass pot. Concentrated herbal granules do not require cooking, which is added into hot water to make a drink.
For an acute problem, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and flu, immediate results are not uncommon. For chronic ailments and rejuvenation, decoction needs to be taken for weeks to months but in less frequency.
Herbs are much safer and have less side effects as compared to modern medicine. In addition, any side effects of an herb would be diminished or canceled out in a formula, which combines herbs that work synergestically.
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