Treatment

Compare 27 formulas selected to address a Triple Threat winter season. This chart shows functions, indications, and tongue/pulse for formulas addressing Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Interior Heat, Interior Deficiency, and Lung Support.

Autumn is the season of metal, and pertains to the Lung and Large Intestine organs. It is the season of dryness in Chinese medicine, and as we have experienced here in California, it is also the season of wildfires. With colder weather coming, burning leaves and smoking chimneys can cause patients across the country to react to the change in air quality.

In TCM terms, we say the Lung is the “tender organ” because it is directly exposed to the environment via the respiratory process and in its role in regulating the exterior. A wide variety of external factors can affect the Lung, including the five environmental factors of Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness and Summerheat, as well as miscellaneous factors like pollen, animal dander, smoke, and environmental pollution. In this article, Mark Frost provides a deep dive on three important formulas that address specific Lung pathologies seen in clinical practice.

From the view of traditional Chinese medicine, several emotions make up what we presently describe as anxiety. On close examination four emotions stand out as comprising what we call anxiety. According to TCM theory, the emotions of fear, pensiveness, grief and anger cause the Qi to sink, stagnate, dissipate, and rise respectively.

As practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, we understand the importance of balancing emotional and psychological health. Shen disharmony not only affects our emotional experience, but can also have a significant impact on our physical health. What follows is a discussion of four acupuncture treatments to harmonize the emotions and balance the Shen.

Mark Frost, Herbal Chair at American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) joins highlights 2 important herbs for dispelling Wind Cold and Wind Heat and commonly used in Spring formulas. Cang Er Zi and Xin Yi Hua are compared including their TCM functions and how to select the best herbs for your patients.

The days are getting shorter, colder and wet. Today is a perfect day for having a warm bowl of chicken soup. Mothers and grandmothers all over the world recommend, “Give ‘em some chicken soup!” Chicken soup with Chinese herbs is particularly warming and nourishing. Here’s a traditional recipe and demo of how to create this wonderful dish for your entire family.

Since 2020, we have faced many challenges, and also many opportunities for change. Possibly at no other time in modern history has there been a greater moment for Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) to be a partner in resolving some of our most prevalent health concerns. Southern (Nan) Ban Lan Gen is one such herbal ally.

We receive many inquiries about the latest information coming from China, and for the past two years, a sizable portion of questions have been pandemic-related. This article will answer some of those frequently asked questions. Dr. Sturgeon shares his research on the first line of defense formulas, vaccines in China, current variants, prescriptions widely used in China, and what this means to practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine in the US. The research Dr. Sturgeon shares in this article can be a helpful tool to navigate these ever-changing times.

Many practitioners wonder what the differences are between these two very popular formulas to prevent and treat common wind-heat invasion. One main difference is that Yin Qiao is exclusively for wind-heat invasion, whereas Gan Mao Ling, likely due to its ability to strengthen the immune system, can also be used for the initial stages of wind-cold. Therefore, Gan Mao Ling may be safely taken by a patient before a determination is made as to the etiology of an early stage wind invasion, as well as for short term prevention of a wind invasion. However, if Gan Mao Ling does not work in the first couple of days...

Mayway Herbs is pleased to announce two extract granule products that are based upon recent clinical assessment and research from China. Although templates of these formulas are currently available in our dispensary service, we have manufactured these new products for your prescriptive convenience. Because these formulas are extracted in an enclosed, low temperature vacuum system that preserves essential oils, they are much more powerful than a decoction made at home.

Harmonizing is one of the eight treatment methods used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the contemporary practice of TCM, harmonizing prescriptions fall into four sub-categories: Shao Yang disorders, Liver and Spleen disharmonies, Stomach and Intestine disharmonies, and malarial disorders.

With dozens of formulas to choose from, selecting the best Lung Formula for your patient may feel overwhelming. We've outlined 17 of our most popular formulas in an easy to read chart so you can quickly identify the best option.

Although cooked water-based extractions (decoctions: 湯 tāng) are widely taught in TCM schools and commonly used in the administration of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, many TCM herbalists in the US report that patients are often reticent to take herbs in this way. Decoctions require attentive cooking unless one has an automatic decocting machine, and the odor of the herbs can permeate one’s home and disturb others in the dwelling. Dr. Skye Sturgeon discusses the use of prepared formulas such as teapills, honey pills, extract powders and more as alternatives to whole herb decoctions to improve patient compliance.