Chinese Herbalists

mimi1234

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with herbalists? Do you pay for the consultation or only for the herbs or pills?

Also, what are the fees like for consultations or for the herbs or pills?

Many thanks,

Mimi

A.Penny.Saved

I used s TCM herbalist from about 1992. They might not all operate the same policy with regard to charges so you would need to check. I seem to remember paying a small consultation fee and a much large charge for the cost of the herbs.

It might be worth asking for a sample of the herbs before you pay out lots of money because they can taste very strong and sometimes unpleasant. The formulas can change therefore it is difficult judging the taste which will change depending upon the herbs. Then there is the issue with the smell when cooking them.

It might be worth you indicating to the herbalist anything which you dislike the idea of consuming such as boiled beetles or any tastes you dislike. Ask what each herb is before concluding the consultation so that any changes can be made to get around any issues you have consuming certain things. I hate bugs/insects and will not consume anything containing them.

Make sure you choose a registered herbalist.

Best of luck.

Browntoa

Only time I looked into it , no fee, vague diagnosis and it's £xxx a month for some time "

Diagnosis of illness was wrong completely by the way

Wednesday2000

I went earlier this year and the Chinese doctor told me what was causing my chronic migraines. He said it was down to the bad circulation in my left foot around my toes. My migraines were always on my left side around my eye and temple. I pay attention to my foot and try not to let it get cold now. It certainly worked for me as my GP was pretty useless as he just gave me migraine medication.

I did have acupuncture, but I found it too painful. I know people who say it helps them with chronic pain issues, though.

I'm vegan so I looked for a Chinese place that didn't use any animal ingredients in their herbal medicine.:)

tacpot12

Please don't use a Chinese Herbalist. They perpetuate myths about tiger bone and rhinoceros horn being able to cure certain ailments when there is no scientific basis for this. And even if there was scientific evidence, would you want to wipe out all the tigers or rhinoceros in the world when any active component can be synthesised in the laboratory?

keithdc

What do you call alternative medicine that works?

Medicine! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Gers

keithdc wrote: »

What do you call alternative medicine that works?

Medicine! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Tim Minchin - Storm!

mimi1234

Thanks for all the advice and information. It was for my brother. He wants to give them a shot but was a bit unsure.

He has an operation coming up. The first time they did it, it made no difference so he has been trying alternative stuff since but to no avail hence wanting to give Chinese herbalists a shot.

BananaRepublic

There’s no doubt some of the remedies do work. Beetroot can lower blood pressure, chamomile helps sleep, mint helps digestion (it makes me poop), St John’s Wort helps depression, and so on. However, you have no idea about the strength as the active ingredient varies according to the weather, and the plant cultivar, and it might not even be what is claimed. And as said quite often the effects are bogus. In addition you don’t have a clue about potential side effects. St John’s Wort has some very nasty side effects. And if it’s not what is claimed, then there might be totally unexpected side effects.

There’s no harm trying alternative medicine if you know exactly what you are getting, and you check scientific studies for side effects. I found that hydration (salt) tablets cured my restless legs, helped cramp and gave me more energy.

A Google might find useful advice for your brother’s condition. Obviously online information needs to be checked, some is quackery, some is misguided, and some is good. Modern medicine tends to be very conservative, and it is evidence based, which means lots of expensive studies are needed.

keithdc

BananaRepublic wrote: »

A Google might find useful advice for your brother’s condition. Obviously online information needs to be checked, some is quackery, some is misguided, and some is good. Modern medicine tends to be very conservative, and it is evidence based, which means lots of expensive studies are needed.

I am clearly conservative- I expect medicine to be supported by evidence of clinical benefit, before I expose myself to potential side-effects and cost!

elsien

keithdc wrote: »

I am clearly conservative- I expect medicine to be supported by evidence of clinical benefit, before I expose myself to potential side-effects and cost!

Yes and no.
There are certain things (yes, homeopathy and reiki I mean you) which are never going to be on my list to try. Ditto things that need ingesting, generally.

Other practices, such as aromatherapy massage when I was depressed, I went on the basis that the massage would help me relax. and if the oils gave me an added effect, whether placebo or otherwise, I was perfectly happy with that.