In the course of your treatment Chinese herbal remedies may be prescribed. They may be dispensed as raw herbs or in pills, capsules, granules, or tinctures which make them easier to ingest. Most herb formulas can treat a wide variety of symptoms while stimulating the body¡¯s natural healing process.
In California, acupuncturists are the only licensed health care professionals who are required to be trained and tested for competency in prescribing herbal medicine. California-approved acupuncture schools offer a minimum of 450 classroom hours of instruction in traditional Oriental herbology in addition to clinical training. Chinese herbal medicine has been practiced safely and effectively for centuries and has the greatest potential for beneficial results when prescribed by a trained professional who recognizes the benefits and risks.
In recent years, herbs have become very popular to self-treat many conditions. They are available in health food stores, supermarkets and on the Internet. While herbs are promoted as safe, inexpensive ¡°natural¡± alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs, many health care professionals have concerns about safety, effectiveness and potential misuse of herbal products, especially when self-prescribed. There are also questions of purity, strength and standardization of herbs. The California Acupuncture Board strongly recommends consulting an acupuncturist before beginning any herbal therapy. Also, it is very important to inform both your physician and acupuncturist of all the products you are currently taking (drugs, herbs, other supplements) so they can monitor effectiveness, ensure safety from adverse reactions and watch for possible interactions. If you have an allergic reaction to any herbs, let your acupuncturist know.

Methodology: There are more than five thousand kinds of herbs in TCM but California Acupuncture Board has about 240 herbs in its list after considering most common and safe materials to be used for treatment. The herb formula is combines those herbs to best treat the condition of the patient. Usually the most prescription contains 6-12 herbs but it varies based on the condition of the patient. There is almost infinite number of combination of herbs, and every herbal formula is custom-made to treat the specific needs of an individual patient. Effectiveness: Like acupuncture treatment, it should be effective within three days of intake, unless the practitioner explains differently before hand. In my clinic, I have over 150 kinds of herbs in stock to prepare for you during your visit. You can cook them yourself, or I can cook them for you. Or upon your preference, there are powder type and pill type formulas available. Please refer to how to cook herbs. Side effects: Sometimes the side effects of herbs are more serious than acupuncture if not prescribed properly or without prescription by the licensed acupuncturists. Herbs can cause nausea and, if not selected properly, worsening of the disease. Further, there can be allergic reactions to herbs. Some herbs used in China are highly toxic, and the dosage of low-toxicity herbs used in some treatments is sufficiently high to produce non-specific toxic reactions, such as dizziness, thirst, and gastro-intestinal distress. In some cases, vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating is intended consequences of the herbal therapies, indicating that the therapy is having an effect. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety