Chinese Herbal Medicine

All of our herbal prescriptions are tailored especially for the individual. The herbs we choose for you will mirror the imbalances occurring in your body. We will spend time in each consultation speaking with you about your symptoms, and as your condition changes over time your herbs will change to reflect this.

What to expect

We use a range of dried natural substances, such as leaves, bark and roots as well as some minerals as part of our herbal medicine prescriptions. We occasionally prescribe animal-based medicines, so please let us know if you are vegetarian or vegan – we can accommodate you.

Chinese herbs can be taken as a herbal ‘decoction’ (see below), in powder form or in pill form. Your practitioner can advise you about which method will yield the best results for you.

Why take Chinese herbs

Chinese herbal medicine has a wide application. We often prescribe herbs along with acupuncture treatment. Chinese herbal medicine is a tangible form of medicine with the advantage of:

  • Replenishing the body in a material way

  • Engaging with the body on a microbial level

  • Directly impacting the digestive tract.

The therapeutics of taste

According to Chinese medical thinking, the flavour of the herbs is used to create dynamic change within the body.

  • Sweet herbs such as red dates and angelica have an centering effect, and are used to supplement the blood and calm the heart

  • Pungent herbs such as cinnamon, ginger and mint have and dispersing effect, and can be used to promote sweating, increase blood circulation and stimulate digestion.

  • Sour herbs such as Japanese plum, arrowroot and peony root have an astringent effect are used to hydrate tissues, soothe tense and cramped muscles and reduce stress.

  • Bitter herbs such as violet and dandelion have a strong downward pull are used to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, and facilitate the opening of detoxification pathways. Many bitter herbs are antimicrobial.

  • Salty herbs such as oyster shell have a softening effect are used to soften hardened tissue and replenish lost minerals.

How to they taste? We have heard everything from ‘really enjoyable’ to ‘horrible!’ We do find may patients who initially have trouble getting their herbs down become accustomed to the taste as their body adjusts. It is also worth noting that your herbal prescription will change over time, and that some will be more pleasant tasting than others.

High quality

At Thornbury Acupuncture Studio, we only prescribe high quality herbal medicine. All of our herbs are free of pesticides and heavy metals, and are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). We never prescribe endangered species.

Boiling a herbal decoction

At your consultation your practitioner will put together 2-3 bags of raw herbs for you to take home with instructions for boiling your own herbal decoction. There will be approximately 600 ml of liquid to drink over two days. Typically, herbs are taken twice a day before eating.

Handmade powders and pills

Our herbal powders are handmade here at the studio from high quality raw herbs. You simply mix them with warm water, so they are a good option for convenience. We also have a small range of honey pills that are handmade in NSW by Imperial Health.