WHAT CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE IS — AND ISN’T

Chinese herbal medicine is not the same as walking into a health food store and grabbing a bottle labeled “immune support” or “stress blend.” Those products are built for mass markets. Chinese herbal medicine is built for you.

Here’s what makes it different:

It’s formulated, not sold in singles. Chinese herbs are rarely taken alone. They’re combined in formulas — usually 6 to 15 herbs at specific ratios — where each herb plays a role. One herb leads. Others support. Some temper side effects or direct the formula to a specific part of the body. This is the difference between throwing ingredients in a bowl and writing a recipe.

It’s matched to your pattern, not your diagnosis. Two people with the same Western diagnosis — say, insomnia — can need completely different formulas because the root pattern is different. One person’s insomnia may come from anxiety and liver qi stagnation; another’s from blood deficiency and a spent nervous system. Same symptom. Different medicine.

It’s refined over time. The formulas I work with haven’t survived because of marketing. They’ve survived because they work — documented in clinical texts for centuries and continually updated by modern practitioners based on what they see in their patients.

HOW I PRACTICE

Every herbal consultation I do starts with a thorough intake. I want to understand:

• Your symptoms and how long you’ve had them
• Your medical history and anything you’ve already tried
• Your medications and supplements — all of them
• Your diet, sleep, stress, digestion, energy, and mood
• Your pulse and tongue (core Chinese medicine diagnostics)
• The patterns I’m noticing across all of it

From there, I design a formula specifically for you. It may be a classical formula from the Chinese medical canon, a modified version of one, or something built from the ground up for your particular constellation of symptoms.

I’m also screening for safety. Before recommending any herb, I review your medication list for known interactions — between herbs and pharmaceuticals, herbs and supplements, and herbs and your particular medical history. This is one of the most important parts of my work, and it’s something a bottle off the shelf cannot do.

THE FORMS I WORK WITH

Chinese herbs come in several forms, and I’ll recommend what fits your life:

Granules (concentrated powders) — Dissolved in hot water. The most common form I prescribe — easy to take, easy to adjust, and well-tolerated.

Raw herbs — The traditional form. You cook the herbs as a decoction at home. Strongest and most customizable, but more labor-intensive. I reserve these for specific cases.

Patent formulas (pills and capsules) — Pre-made classical formulas in pill form. Convenient for travel and for patterns that match a well-established formula closely.

Tinctures — Alcohol-based liquid extracts, often used for acute conditions or for patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

Topical preparations — Liniments, salves, and plasters for pain, injury, and skin conditions.

For each patient, I choose the form that matches the pattern, the timeline, and what you’ll actually be willing to take consistently. The best formula is the one you’ll stick with.

WHAT WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER

Herbs can support a wide range of patterns. Some of what I commonly formulate for:

Digestive issues — bloating, reflux, irregular digestion, IBS-type patterns, food sensitivities

Sleep — trouble falling asleep, waking in the night, unrefreshing sleep, vivid dreams

Stress, anxiety, and nervous system overload — racing mind, chronic tension, post-traumatic patterns, burnout

Hormonal patterns — irregular cycles, PMS, fertility support, perimenopause and menopause

Energy and fatigue — chronic tiredness, post-illness recovery, post-viral syndromes

Pain — chronic pain, headaches, musculoskeletal issues (often alongside acupuncture)

Immune function — recurring illness, slow recovery, seasonal support

Recovery — from illness, from surgery, from medications, from a difficult season of life

I don’t treat diseases — I support patterns. If you have a diagnosis, we’ll work with it. But my starting question is always: what is your body actually doing, and what does it need to come back into balance?

SAFETY & SOURCING

Herbs are medicine. That means they can do real good, and when used incorrectly, they can do real harm. A few things I want you to know about how I practice:

I only work with reputable suppliers. The herbs I prescribe come from companies that third-party test for heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens, and correct species identification. I won’t prescribe from sources I don’t trust — which is one reason I don’t recommend Amazon-sourced Chinese herbs to my patients.

I screen for drug-herb interactions. Your full medication list, including supplements, is part of every intake. If an interaction exists, I’ll either modify the formula or recommend we don’t use herbs at that time.

I collaborate with your other providers. If you’re on blood thinners, chemotherapy, hormones, psychiatric medications, or any medication where interactions matter, I communicate with your prescriber with your permission.

I don’t recommend herbs during pregnancy without specialized review. Some herbs are pregnancy-safe. Many are not. If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, we’ll have a specific conversation about that.

I reassess often. A formula that’s right for you today may not be right for you in six weeks. Your body changes. The formula changes with it.

HERBS + ACUPUNCTURE = THE COMBINATION I LOVE

Acupuncture and herbs are the two halves of Chinese medicine. Acupuncture moves qi and blood in the moment. Herbs work over time — building, clearing, nourishing, and extending the effects of treatment between visits.

For most of my patients, this combination is where the real momentum happens. Acupuncture creates the shift. Herbs hold it. Each makes the other more effective.

That said, herbs are also available as a standalone. If you can’t make it in person for acupuncture, or you’re traveling, or you just want to work with me herbally — that’s a path I offer, including by telehealth for patients in Colorado.

WHAT A FIRST HERBAL CONSULTATION LOOKS LIKE

Duration: 30 minutes 

Format: In-person in Boulder, or virtual for Colorado patients 

Cost: $150

Includes: Thorough intake, pattern assessment, pulse and tongue diagnosis (in-person) or detailed symptom review (virtual), a custom formula prescription, and guidance on how to take it.

Your herbs are ordered separately through the dispensary I partner with and shipped directly to you. Follow-ups to adjust your formula are usually 30 minutes.

WHY WORK WITH ME

• Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)
• Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc)
• Licensed Herbalist
• Licensed Natural Medicine Facilitator (Colorado)
• 20+ years of clinical practice with thousands of patients
• Trained in both classical formulas and modern clinical herbalism
• Formulator for Supplements for other companies
• Formulator for Supplements for my own company

Herbal medicine is not an add-on for me. It’s a core part of how I practice — and I approach every formula with the respect it deserves.

FAQ

Will Chinese herbs interact with my medications? They can — which is why I screen every patient’s medication list carefully. I’ll either formulate around the interaction, modify the formula, or let you know if herbs aren’t the right tool at this time. This is one of the most important reasons to work with a licensed practitioner rather than sourcing herbs on your own.

How quickly will I feel a difference? It depends on the pattern. For acute issues (a cold, acute digestion flare, acute stress), you may feel something within days. For chronic patterns, I typically ask patients to commit to at least 4–6 weeks of consistent use before we evaluate. Herbs work with the body’s own pace — not instantly, but deeply.

Do Chinese herbs taste bad? Some do. Granules dissolved in water have an earthy, sometimes bitter taste — most of my patients get used to it within a week. If taste is a real barrier, we can often use pills or capsules instead.

Are the herbs safe? How do I know they’re clean? I only prescribe from suppliers who third-party test for heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens, and correct species identification. This is an area where cheaper is absolutely not better — contaminated herbs are a real problem in the industry, and it’s why I don’t recommend sourcing from Amazon or big-box supplement stores.

Can I take herbs if I’m also seeing my primary care doctor? Yes, and I encourage it. Integrative care works best when your team is coordinated. With your permission, I’m happy to communicate with your MD about the formula I’ve prescribed.

Can you help with a specific condition I have? Maybe. The best answer comes from a discovery call where we can talk through what you’re working with and whether herbs are the right tool.

Are your herbs FDA-approved? Chinese herbs are regulated as dietary supplements in the United States — not as drugs. That means they are not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any statements about herbal medicine on this page are educational. Decisions about your care happen between you and your licensed practitioner.