“Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.”
– Mourning Dove (Native American author)

Herbs are nature’s medicine!  If you look around your yard, you probably have dandelion roots and other natural medicines.  But how do you know which herbs you need and how to prepare them safely?  Those are important questions. Chinese herbology uses plants, roots, minerals and berries as a part of healing the body and prevention of disease. Chinese herbology has evolved as an integral part of Chinese medicine alongside of acupuncture.  In some health conditions, the foods you eat and a good herbal formula can be more important than acupuncture in regaining your health or reversing your symptoms.

How Qualified is Your Herbalist?

Did you know that not all acupuncturists are formally trained in using herbs to treat your health conditions? In the United States, when one goes to school for acupuncture there are several different types of programs from which to choose, and many do not include any herbal training.  Some states require herbal training for all licensed acupuncturists practicing in their state.  In the state of Iowa, however, one does not need to have herbal training to become a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.).  If you would like to use herbal remedies as a part of your health program and would like to make sure that your acupuncturist is trained and certified in herbs, make sure that they are NCCAOM certified as a Dipl. O.M. (Diplomate of Oriental Medicine) or a Dipl. C.H. (Diplomate of Chinese Herbs).

Katie Blair, L.Ac. is a Dipl. O.M. A Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has completed four academic years of education at the master’s degree level in an acupuncture and Chinese herbology program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).  Because she cares about the safety and efficacy of your herbal therapy, Katie makes every effort to only use the highest quality, pure herbal sources available.  If you would like to learn more about the various NCCAOM certification types, visit http://www.nccaom.org/certification-programs-fact-sheets

How it Works

Although we carry several hundred pre-made, high-quality herbal and natural supplement remedies at the clinic pharmacy, some situations are best addressed through the formulation of a specific herbal remedy formulated specifically for you in your current health situation.  

Powdered Formulas

Crane Herb Company is the herbal dispensary we use to create custom powdered herbal prescriptions. Crane uses cutting-edge technology and world-class manufacturing to prepare your herbal formula exactly as Katie has written it for you. They have two options: 1.) mix the powdered herbs with warm water and drink 2-3 times a day or  2.) encapsulated so that your formula can be swallowed in capsules throughout the day as you need it.

Learn more about the Crane Herb Custom Pharmacy.

Raw Formulas

Another option for customized herbal therapy is to use a “raw” formula using the sliced roots and berries cooked into a tea.  This is the way Chinese herbs were originally prepared.  If you would like Katie to formulate a custom recipe of herbs using the raw roots and berries (rather than the powdered herbs) she will use Kamwo Herbal Pharmacy. Visit www.kamwo.com to learn more about using raw herbs.

Here is how to cook your herbs once you have them:

Call or email us today if you are interested in learning more about how herbal therapies can help you to regain the the health and vitality you deserve to feel!