Chinese Herbal Medicine in Bristol

Herbal medicine has been used in China for thousands of years, and with such a rich history it’s no surprise that various styles and approaches have developed. It took a long time for me to find someone who taught the kind of approach that appeals most to me, namely an older ‘Classical’ style. I’ve come to believe that the older styles are the most effective when applied well, and I find the incredibly nuanced way health and disease was understood back then to be endlessly fascinating. Since introducing Classical herbal medicine into my practice, I’ve been astonished at how powerful they can be, especially for chronic and complex conditions.

Below are some frequently asked questions, and my own current understanding of the answers.

What can Chinese herbs treat?

Chinese herbal medicine aims to rebalance a person's whole system, so the emphasis is on restoring proper function in order to reduce or eliminate symptoms, rather than focusing on disease labels. However, it is commonly used to treat the following (list adapted from the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine website):

Skin conditions (including eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea)

Digestive complaints (including IBS, indigestion and acid reflux)

Respiratory conditions (including asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, allergic rhinitis (hay fever/allergic reactions to pet hair and dust mites) and sinusitis)

Gynaecological problems (including PMT, painful periods, menopausal syndromes, endometriosis and some forms of infertility)

Urinary conditions (including chronic cystitis)

Musculoskeletal conditions (including tight muscles, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis)

Headaches and migraines

Anxiety and depression (and other emotional issues such as anger/sadness/overwhelm).

Some metabolic disorders (including supportive treatment for diabetes and thyroid conditions)

Don’t Chinese herbs sometimes contain contaminants? Are they safe?

Side effects are possible with any medicine, but serious problems are very rare with Chinese herbal medicine. I use an RCHM approved supplier with very high safety and testing standards. The company that produces the herbs supply most of China’s top hospitals, and they are also used within the NHS. Click here for more information.

Aren’t endangered animal parts used in Chinese herbal medicine?

Traditionally some animal parts are used in certain circumstances, but I do not use any in my formulas. 

How long will I need to take the herbs for?

That’s impossible to say as everyone’s constitution and condition is different, however improvements often start happening within 2-3 weeks. This may be all that is required for simple conditions, but for more complex/chronic complaints herbs may be required for several weeks or months.

How much do they cost?

Please click here for up-to-date price information.

Is there any evidence that they work?

Please click here for information on scientific research into Chinese herbal medicine. But please bear in mind that there isn’t a lot of money available in the field of alternative medicine to pay for large scale trials, so unfortunately not everything we see in our clinics is yet backed up by solid evidence.

Do they taste OK?

Chinese herbs are not renowned for their taste! Most people get used to them, but they are a form of medicine so you shouldn’t expect them to be delicious!

How would I take them?

I usually use concentrated granules, which are a convenient way to take herbs - you simply add hot water as you would when making instant coffee. I can also supply raw herbs, which is the traditional way to do it, but these cost more and involve more preparation.