http:// Map from PlanetWare.com Michele Collins, RH (AHG), MPH and Andres Vergara, L.Ac., M.Ac. China’s Sichuan province is an area widely known for its spicy foods. More important for herbalists is that Sichuan province is also well regarded for the quality and variety of herbs that are grown there. Over 4300 herb varieties are grown in Sichuan, cultivated on over 1.4 million acres of land. The purchase of Chinese herbal medicine in Sichuan is ranked first in China. Sichuan Continue Reading
The Treatment of Pain with Herbs and Acupuncture
Andres Vergara, L.Ac., M.Ac. and Michele Collins, Rh (AHG), MPH Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are highly effective treatments for the relief of any and all types of pain. Pain and debilitating chronic pain transcend the simple sensation of hurt. Chronic pain can limit one's activities and deeply affect one's mood. Using Chinese medicine, which is one of the oldest and continuously practiced systems of medicine in the world, we have been immensely gratified to help a wide variety of Continue Reading
Modern Western and Chinese Research on Acupuncture and Herbs
by Andres Vergara, L.Ac, M.Ac. and Michele Collins, RH (AHG), MPH Chinese medicine is a broad umbrella term that refers to many different modalities which use similar diagnostic theories and understandings to address a wide variety of conditions, most notably acupuncture and herbs. In the January 22nd internet radio show episode titled Into to Chinese Medicine Medicine: Chinese Medicine 101, of Holistic Healing with Herbs and Chinese Medicine, we offer an overview of Chinese medicine in which Continue Reading
Demystifying the Practice of Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of healing. In fact, herbs are often called the “people’s medicine” because they offer a convenient and affordable source of medicine, and in some parts of the world, may be the only medicines available to people. With the growing use of and interest in natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, there is a consequent need for healthcare consumers to have more information about the healthcare practitioner who specializes solely in the medicinal Continue Reading
My Path to Herbal Medicine
I have always wanted to pursue work that could help people live their lives as healthily and sustainably as possible. Initially, it seemed the best way to do this was to help people transform their external environment, literally their communities and workplaces to support them in their quest for health and balance. I started out with a Master of Public Health (MPH) to test out my theory in a number of different settings. One of those settings was as a health educator in a local health Continue Reading
Learning about the Healing Properties of Individual Plants
In this blog, I have been writing about individual herbs and the ways they help the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual body heal. There are several different ways that I learn about individual plants and their healing properties. One of the first things I do is I read all I can find from as many different sources and as many different perspectives so I can learn more about how a western herbalist, Chinese herbalist, homeopath, a practitioner of flower essences uses it and Continue Reading