Western pharmaceuticals are highly refined chemical substances designed to influence very specific processes in the body. Broadly speaking, most pharmaceutical drugs are used to replace a function that the body is not performing properly, or to counteract the functioning of the body in a specific way.

For many serious medical conditions, this type of therapy can be life-saving. However, because these drugs are so potent, they often cause many undesirable side-effects.

The majority of pharmaceutical drugs are not intended to re-establish the body’s own healthy functioning, or to enable the body to function symptom-free without the use of medications. Often, patients are prescribed pharmaceutical drugs for long-term use, or for life.

In contrast, Chinese Herbal Medicinals work differently than Western pharmaceuticals. Western pharmaceuticals work on, or replace, very specific chemicals in the body to relieve symptoms and illness.

Many Chinese Herbs have been shown to effect the same biochemicals as Western drugs, yet Chinese Herbal Medicine takes a more systems oriented approach to treatment.

Chinese Herbal formulas are designed to correct the systems within the body that are not functioning properly. As a more gentle treatment method, herbal medicines influence the body to return to it’s own normal and healthy activity.

Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, Chinese Herbs are not extracted from their whole source, and when used correctly, are very low in undesirable side effects. Herbs are added to formulas to counteract and minimize any potential side-effects from arising.

Chinese Herbal formulas are comprised of multiple herbs to work towards healing the cause of symptoms in the body as well as to provide relief from symptoms.

Chinese Herbs are only taken to support and influence the body in regaining a healthy systems balance and are discontinued once the desired results have been achieved.