Chinese Herbs have been used in China for thousands of years. Herbal medicine is in general an unregulated system of medicine in most parts of the country. In Vermont, acupuncturists who practice Chinese herbal medicine are required to pass vigorous national board examinations and be certified with the state, in addition to their acupuncture license. Our providers at Integrative Acupuncture are all licensed and certified by Vermont to provide both acupuncture and herbal medicine.
The History of Chinese Herbs
Chinese Herbal Medicine has a history that dates back over 5000 years. Emperor Shen Nong (2696 BC) is attributed with the origin of Chinese herbal remedies. He is considered the father of Chinese agriculture and tasted hundreds of herbs to understand their medicinal properties. Knowledge about Chinese herbs was gained and passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth until the first written records in 1200 BC.
These records are as oracle bone inscriptions, the original way ancient Chinese people recorded events and knowledge. It wasn’t until 2,000 years after Shen Nong that the Shen Nong Ben Cao (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of Materia Medica) was written. Among many others now, it is one of the major texts used today for effective Chinese herbal medicine treatment.
Do Chinese Herbs Work? A Time Tested Remedy
Chinese herbs are considered one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Effective practice of acupuncture or prescription of herbs depends on effective diagnosis of the body to understand why the symptoms have arisen. Chinese herbs have been used in formulas for thousands of years, or in combinations of several herbs, from two to twenty together.
The effect of the combination of particular herbs is what becomes useful in treating imbalance, rather than the effect of the individual herbs. In modern times, being able to examine the chemical makeup of Chinese herbs, it makes even more sense as to why they are effective at treating certain disorders.
Are Chinese Herbs Safe?
Chinese herbs are extremely safe when taken under the supervision of a trained herbalist and high quality herbs are chosen. Our passion at Integrative Acupuncture is helping patients feel better, that’s why patients travel from all over Washington, Lamoille, and Chittenden counties to see us. We are committed to using herbs that are:
- Certified Organic whenever possible
- Non Sulfured
- Non Radiated
- No Fillers
- Tested For Quality and Purity
When Chinese herbs are deemed unsafe, it is due to sulfur, fillers or hidden ingredients. The herbs carried at Integrative Acupuncture are guaranteed to be free of sulfur and fillers and have been tested for any additional ingredients.
Above and beyond USDA regulations, even above and beyond Organic certification, we take our patient’s and our planet’s health seriously and only source the best.
