herbs1.png

This Chinese herbal dispensary is hand-picked and premium grade.

Here, at Verdure Health, the herbal dispensary on site is stocked with the best quality Chinese herbs you can get in Canada right now. Using Organic Chinese Herbs based in Duncan, BC who source from Spring Wind Herbs, in San Leonardo, California.

With an onsite herbal dispensary patients are able to leave the clinic with a personalized herbal formula in hand after consultation and treatment.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine traditionally uses formula based prescriptions opposed to single herb remedies. Formulas are made so that the individuals herbs are able to work synergistically with one another in order to create the desired outcome and minimize side effects. Chinese herbs are often understood in terms of their main function, temperature, flavour and trajectory, these attributes are used to discern which formula is used for which pattern.

There are several factors that must be considered when considering using herbal medicine as part of treatment:

  1. the patient’s constitution

  2. the cause of disease and the symptoms presenting

  3. the root of the disease

  4. the disease location

These four aspects are what make Chinese herbalism so unique- instead of using single herbs or formulas for specific symptoms, the whole patient presentation must be considered. Sometimes, a formula for cough is the same for headache. Chinese herbalism focuses on the pathological pattern presenting, not the pathological symptoms.

It is highly recommended to consult a Registered Herbalist (R.TCMP or DTCM) before experimenting with these herbs as Chinese herbs can be very potent and have negative effects if used inappropriately.

FAQs

What form do these herbs come in?

  • Raw form: Traditionally, raw herbs are given to the patient so they can decoct a tea at home. This is considered the best way to take herbal medicine for several reasons. However, the drawback for most people is that it is time consuming. it requires a clay or glass pot (no stainless steel), and some formulas don’t taste great.

  • Granule form: The most commonly used method today, due to convenience. Granulated herbs are raw herbs which have been decocted in factory-grade machines either separately or in formula form. The decoction then goes through several processes to become a powdered form of herbs which has a stable shelf life and can be easily dissolved with hot water from the kettle. The main drawback is certain formulas don’t taste great.

  • Powdered form: The main form used at Verdure Health. This is a combination of the two above methods. The raw form is freshly ground and dispensed to the patient. Instead of decocting the herbs in the traditional method, the herbs can be steeped together overnight in a thermos. This insures the use of best quality, whole, organic raw herbs which can be individually prescribed on a case by case basis by the practitioner whilst offering a much less time consuming method of herb extraction for the patient. Lastly, this method is more cost effective and less wasteful for both the practitioner and the patient.

  • Pill/Capsule/Patent form: These are powdered herbs which have been compressed into pills or encapsulated and some have been patented. They are convenient and easy to use and bypass any poor taste. The only drawback is that you have to take upwards of 10 pills a day to get the desired dosage, and they are more difficulty to digest due to encapsulation.

  • Tincture form: Less common but becoming more commonly used- individual herbs or formulas are ground into a powder, dual-extracted, and then strained into a tincture bottle. These are convenient and can be individualized however, time consuming and much less researched.

How bad does it taste?

Not all formulas taste bad. Some are actually quite tasty. Certain conditions however, require bitter or salty herbs which may be difficult for some people to swallow. In these instances it is recommended to plug your nose, use less water and take it back as quickly as you can- or find a suitable chaser (i.e. fruit juice). For this reason, capsules, patents and tinctures have become increasingly popular. Whichever form you are recommended to take, it is always best to remember your herbs are your medicine and small moments of discomfort often lead to resolution of the symptoms that initially brought you here.

Do you use endangered species?

Verdure health does not use any endangered species.

The use of any endangered products is highly regulated. See more information here.

Most of the traditional medicines found on this list are no longer taught or used in modern TCM.

What if I’m vegan or vegetarian?

Often this poses no problems, majority of the formulas used at Verdure Health contain no animal products or by-products.


There is a small chance that a particular condition will be stubborn and require the use of animal products or by-products for successful treatment- your consent will be asked for if so.