What You Should Know About Chinese Herbs

Author : Nichols Robbins | Published On : 21 Jul 2026

Listening involves listening to the patient’s breathing, the characteristics of the voice and coherence of the speech, and palpating involves palpating the pulse at the radial arteries on each wrist and pressing the alarm points in the body. Examples of questioning involve asking the patient about causes, onset, duration, symptoms, previous treatment results, appetite, diet, energy, memory, mood, liquid and solid excretions, and sleep. Although some of the previous variables seem to be easy to gauge and common to Western medical diagnosis, others, such as TCM pulse diagnosis, are complex, skill-dependent, and based on TCM physiological concepts. Pulse diagnosis involves feeling the pulse at the radial arteries of both wrists, in three gauging sites, at two or three depths, individually or simultaneously, depending on the practitioner’s training and experience. This represents an obvious challenge in research, as mainstream science demands the accurate parameterization and standardization of procedures and protocols to promote reproducibility and validate results. Hypertension is a worldwide transversal concern, especially in the elderly population, as aging may decrease the blood vessels’ elasticity and increase the risk of other hypertension-related comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes and kidney disease.
Each herb has its own unique properties and functions, and they are often combined in formulas to address specific imbalances in the body. Herbal remedies can be taken in various forms, including teas, powders, and pills, and are tailored to each individual’s specific needs. In conclusion, Herbal Medicine for Tendonitis herbal remedies are an essential component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are used to restore balance and harmony within the body, addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes of health conditions.

The first written description of diagnosis and treatment using acupuncture needles appears in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, written around 300 BC in China. The Chinese developed the practice, creating needles with bamboo, and metals like copper, silver, iron, bronze, or gold. There is some suggestion that the hypodermic needle so often used in Western medical practice was inspired from these early acupuncture needles. Contemporary acupuncture uses needles made of stainless steel, silver and gold which are considerably thinner (ranging from 0.12 to .3mm) and more flexible than their predecessors. You can make yourself more attractive to admissions officials at acupuncture schools by showing your interest and commitment to the field. You can demonstrate this by having a “shadow experience” – spending time in an acupuncturist practitioner’s office in order to understand if this is the right career for you.
Furthermore, the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi can boost acupuncture’s effects, leading to enhanced overall wellbeing. Professional collaboration extends the reach and effectiveness of integrated treatments while building bridges between conventional medicine. This collaborative foundation supports the implementation of comprehensive treatment approaches that incorporate Chinese acupuncture and other complementary modalities for optimal patient outcomes. Acupuncture treatments are uniquely designed for each patient and their specific health challenges. Likewise, herbal regimens are formulated for the individual based on their unique body condition and symptoms. Practitioners begin by conducting a comprehensive consultation to determine individual needs and create a customized treatment plan combining modalities.
APPOINTMENTS Contact your nearest clinic for all appointment and treatment enquiries. Your MAc-HM degree from NUHS will allow you to take national board exams to become a licensed acupuncturist in most states. It started in India more than 3,000 years ago and is still widely used in that country today. Unfortunately, herbal supplements can be sold without being proven to be safe or effective.

Details about both courses and how to register can be found by clicking the "Learn More" button below. Please contact AACMA if you would like the contact details of qualified TCM practitioners in your local area or alternatively click here to find your nearest practitioner. Qi Gong (chee goong) with roots in Chinese medicine literally means energy work and can be practised in 3 ways. RePORTER is a database of information on federally funded scientific and medical research projects being conducted at research institutions. Reports and studies of herbal products used in TCM have found a variety of safety issues.
Moreover, challenging experience is crucial to promoting continuous scientific innovation and breakthroughs. As part of the “orbs”, breathing patterns are directly connected to the five primary emotions significantly affecting the “qi” circulation. Breathing is a connection between mind and body, with effects on physiological functions and emotional balance. Anger or “Ira”, which belongs to the Wood Phase, increases the “qi”, making the exhalation more vigorous than the inhalation. Sadness, grief and pain (“maeror”), which belong to the Metal Phase, deplete the “qi”, making the inhalation more substantial than the exhalation. Fear and shock (“pavor”), which belong to the Water Phase, decrease and disperse the “qi”, inducing a short and superficial breath, as a result of the kidney’s incapacity to retain the “qi”.

The inclusion and exclusion criteria were carefully selected to align with the study’s primary objective, assessing the effectiveness of EATM as a complementary treatment for couples undergoing ART treatments, such as IVF and ICSI. By focusing on RCTs, the study aims to provide high-quality evidence on key outcomes like the CPR and LBR. In summary, this special issue provides up-to-date and valuable information about the role of acupuncture and Chinese herbs in the life science.
Yunkuo Wang was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in China for more than 15 years before he immigrated to Australia. We look beyond symptoms alone, considering the broader patterns that may be affecting your health and wellbeing. Support for hormonal balance, fertility, menstrual health, and overall wellbeing. Most colleges require students to have a bachelor’s degree before entering a master’s program. But at SCU, if you have just 48+ credits, you may enter our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Eastern Medicine, and then transfer directly into the master’s program. Click on the image above to see our Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program in action.
National University offers “shadow experiences” before and/or after you apply with a network of practicing graduates nationwide. The goal of acupuncture is to promote healing through rebalancing the patient’s Qi (or chi) energy. This type of research informs physicians' decisions about referral, as well as helps patients to make treatment choices. Further, this comparative effectiveness design allows assessment of relative cost of the treatment options. There is similar research on many of the other TCM treatments, such as herbal remedies and moxibustion. But once again, it is worth considering the limitations of research that focuses on one aspect of TCM instead of the system as a whole.

According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture is used in 103 of 129 countries that reported data. People may feel a very brief stinging or tingling sensation upon needle insertion. An acupuncturist will examine a person and assess their condition, insert one or more thin, sterile needles, and offer advice. A 2017 review suggests that many acupuncture points are at sites where stimulation can affect the activity of multiple sensory neurons.
If you’re considering acupuncture and herbs, finding a qualified practitioner is crucial. Look for professionals who are licensed by a recognized body, such as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)17 in the United States or The British Acupuncture Council in the UK18. It’s equally important to verify that your herbalist or acupuncturist uses high-quality, regulated herbs to ensure safety. To avoid these risks, herbal treatments should always be prescribed by a trained herbalist who understands the complexities of TCM and modern medicine. Using both acupuncture and Chinese herbs together is a common approach for addressing a range of conditions17, from chronic illnesses to acute pain.
The approaches that make up traditional Chinese medicine (such as acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal products) have been the subjects of many clinical studies and scientific reviews. Each person is unique, which is why our Chinese Medicine Practitioners carefully tailor herbal prescriptions to your specific needs. Whether you are seeking support for menstrual health, fertility, gut health, stress, or general wellness, we ensure that your prescription is safe, effective, and suited to your lifestyle. We also provide guidance on how to safely take Chinese Herbal Medicine alongside pharmaceutical medications, ensuring a fully integrated approach to healthcare. Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has gained significant global recognition over the years.