SUPPLEMENTS
There are conflicting opinions about the value of nutritional supplements. The best sources of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, of course, come from nutrient-dense foods. However, because we can’t always eat healthfully or absorb nutrients efficiently, supplements can be valuable substitutes.
To help me determine if supplements are necessary, I assess both dietary habits and troubling symptoms. Many nutrient deficiencies can also be measured with simple lab testing.
A classic example of the value of supplements is the use of digestive enzymes that maximize nutrient absorption and minimize problems like heartburn, burping and gas. Another example is the use of magnesium glycinate for people with sleep problems and/or muscle spasms.
Over-the-counter supplements vary widely in quality. Because many of them use fillers and questionable ingredients, I stock only supplements specifically designed for health professionals. I will always be conservative in the number of supplements I recommend and conscientious about their prices.
HERBS
After acupuncture, the use of herbs is the most common therapy in Eastern Medicine. The earliest known text on Chinese herbs, written nearly 2,500 years ago, listed 250 substances. Today, more than 5,000 are described in the Chinese Herbal Materia Medica. Over the centuries, physicians perfected herbal combinations that still provide relief today.
Herbal Formulas fall into 3 principle categories
Tonic formulas help restore depleted body resources.
Regulating formulas decongest and restore balance to organ systems.
Purging formulas eliminate pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites.
Both symptoms and the individual’s constitution are taken into account when choosing a formula. Chinese herbs are usually combined to enhance their efficacy.
Traditionally, patients cook raw dried herbal formulas for hours. However, today’s liquid extracts, capsules and powders are more convenient and just as productive. When prescribed correctly by a trained acupuncturist, herbs are safe, effective and rarely cause side effects.
