Herbal Consultations

Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies has a strong commitment to herbalism as a healing modality - by itself or in conjunction with acupuncture, massage and hypnotherapy. We have a full-time herbalist on staff, Robert Linde, AP, RH (AHG), backed by an extensive in-house herbal pharmacy including more than 300 Chinese herbs, 70 western herbs, and 50 locally grown herbs. We also stock a wide range of Chinese patent herbal formulas and special teas.

We have spent years researching the best quality herbs available. We buy herbs that are regularly tested by the wholesalers for heavy metals and pesticides to meet California’s and the FDA’s high purity standards and, when available, we buy organic or ethically wildcrafted herbs.

Our herbal consultations are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostics. This approach to herbal therapy is not the typical allopathic approach to herbs that you find in the health food store (i.e. take ginseng for energy), but a more specific way of balancing the body by tonifying deficiencies, reducing excesses, cooling heat conditions and warming cold conditions. You will find that the TCM diagnostic technique works to alleviate symptoms of most western disease by balancing the body energetically.

Your initial herbal consultation can take between 30 minutes to two hours depending on the type and severity of your problem. After filling out a questionnaire detailing your past and current medical history, the herbalist will review and discuss this information with you. He will ask questions about your health and lifestyle, then look at your tongue and feel your pulse. With this information, the herbalist will determine your imbalances based on the TCM Eight Principle Theory. With this, he will come up with herbal, dietary, lifestyle and exercise suggestions.

Clients have a few choices on how to take the herbs including: decoctions, teas, congees, tinctures, capsules and patents herbs.

Decoctions are very thick teas made from boiling whole herbs. Decoctions are beneficial because they allow the herbalist to custom blend a formula that is specific to your diagnosis. This method is the strongest and quickest approach toward balancing your system. The drawbacks include the inconvenience of boiling the herbs for 30-60 minutes every few days, and the resulting herbal decoction generally does not taste very appealing.

Herbal teas are often more palatable and less time consuming, and are used for less severe problems or as a maintenance program.

Herbal congees offer a way to take your herbs as food. They consist of rice porridge cooked with herbs. Congees are most effective for severely debilitated people, the very young or elderly, or for digestive problems.

Tinctures are alcohol extracts of various herbs. Tinctures can be custom blended, like a decoction, and are conveniently taken at any time with no preparation on the part of the client. If desired, the alcohol can be evaporated prior to use by heating the tincture for a few minutes in boiling water.

Herb capsules are powdered herbs that are custom blended to the clients needs. This is a convenient way to take herbs, and very effective.

Patent herbs are pre-made formulas that address specific TCM syndromes. They are convenient to take, and although they are not custom made for the individual, they very effectively clear specific TCM syndromes.

Your herbalist will discuss all of these options with you and work with you to find the best, most effective approach for your needs. Fees for an herbal consultation are $80 plus the cost of herbs for the first appointment and $35 for each follow up plus the cost of herbs. Call today to schedule an appointment!