Oakland, CA – Is Herbal Medicine Right for Me? Tips from an Herbalist.

I frequently get asked: “Would herbal medicine be right for me?” While the answer is “it depends,” the following information can be useful when considering starting herbal therapy.

1. Do you have a health condition that you’d like to work on? Many of us have either subtle or more significant health imbalances in our bodies due to our diet, our lifestyle, our emotions, and the demands on our daily lives. Carefully prescribed herbal medicine can adjust those health imbalances to address specific concerns (think of insomnia, digestive concerns, infertility, emotional issues, and more).
2. Are you interested in preventive health care? Herbal medicine also can be used for preventive care. Herbal medicine can address the body’s imbalances before you become symptomatic, thereby averting some of the problems that could come at a later point from hormonal imbalances, stress and anxiety, and more.
3. Are you already on many prescription medications? I frequently work with people who take 1-4 different prescription medications. However, if you are on five or more prescription medications, it makes sense to speak with your western doctor before considering adding herbal medicine to the mix. Using both herbs and pharmaceuticals can be helpful, and herbal medicines can often help decrease the use of pharmaceuticals; however, this must be done carefully and in coordination with your physician.
4. Are you likely to take herbal remedies on a regular schedule, typically 2-3 times per day? Herbal medicine is most effective when taken regularly. Often, providers can offer medicine in a variety of forms (pills, tinctures, powder that you mix with water, or raw herbs that you simmer) to match whichever method will be easiest for you to consume. If you can’t commit to taking your herbs every day, this may not be the best therapy for you.

Do you have other questions about herbal medicine? Send me an email or give me a call to find out whether herbal medicine might be a good fit for you.