Herbology
Herbal medicine, also known as herbalism or botanical medicine, is a medical system based on the use of plants or plant extracts that may be consumed or applied to the skin. It has persisted as the world’s primary form of medicine since the beginning of time, with a written history more than 5000 years old.
Herbal medicine utilizes both plant biochemical components, which have a physical effect in the body, and energetic actions, which have an affinity for more subtle levels of body functioning.
At Rochester Acupuncture two main types of herbal medicine are used:
Gemmotherapy:
Gemmotherapy or phytoembryotherapy uses the embryonic parts of the plants. Fresh buds, young leaf and rootlets of the plant are used because they contain undifferentiated fast dividing cells, which contain the plant’s genetic blueprint and material. These embryonic tissues are rich in growth factors, plant hormones, enzymes, minerals, and phyto-nutrients. These special components are at their highest level in the springtime when they are harvested, and are lost once the plant parts are able to produce chlorophyll.
Gemmotherapy remedies can support regeneration of tissues and organs due to the high levels of plant growth hormones. They also promote organ function, balance electrolytes and hormones, and assist in clearing toxic metabolic waste products from the cells.
Rochester Acupuncture uses Phytogen formulas by Genestra. These formulas utilize the synergy between 3 plants and are extremely powerful. These high quality supplements are easy to use because the dosages are very low ranging from 5-10 drops, two times per day.
Chinese Herbal Medicine:
Chinese herbology has a written history of 5000 years. As practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Brooke and Ferran have studied intensely over 350 herbs in the Chinese Materia Medica. Chinese herbs are prescribed in formulas. An herbal formula contains plant elements—leaf, stem, flower, root, seeds, and possibly minerals. Some animal products are also classified as herbs. Chinese herbal medicine works in tandem with acupuncture by providing the nourishing support for the energetic reprogramming efforts of acupuncture.
Each herb in a formula is chosen depending on its flavor, therapeutic property, and organ system in which it is active. Flavors include sour, bitter, acrid, salty, and sweet. Therapeutic properties span cold, cool, neutral, warm, and hot. Each herb is then categorized according to its primary therapeutic action. These include diaphoretics (cleansing through sweat), anti-inflammatories, diuretics (cleansing through urine), digestives, internal warmers, relaxants, and tonics. Chinese herbal formulas utilize the synergy between several herbs are able to accomplish several tasks simultaneously.
At Rochester Acupuncture we offer a variety of prepared Chinese herbal formulas in capsules and liquid extracts, as well as personalized formulas in concentrated powder.