Posted by Hombre on July 22, 2010, at 20:36:27
In reply to Re: Chinese Medicine)))Hombre, posted by Lao Tzu on July 22, 2010, at 13:42:27
Hi Lao Tzu,
I stick to the dosages on the bottle religiously. 8 small pills, 3x a day, with lukewarm or warm water. For tonics, I've read it's best 30 min before a meal. If I forget, I'll take it 1 hour after. You may want to space it out an hour or two from your regular meds, but for the most part I think you'll be OK.
I told my pdoc that I was taking vitamins and she said if it helps to do it. I told her I was taking Chinese herbs and she also said to do it if it helped.
Of course it would be a good idea to consult with a doctor, but they are often ignorant or dismissive about alternative therapies or even nutrition, since they have little to no training in those areas.
I know that in China, Chinese docs get a good Western medical background along with their TCM training. They work side-by-side with Western docs in the hospitals. I've tried to look for herb/med interactions, but for the most part they have to do with blood thinners or other non-psyche conditions. There are also nurses and MDs who have studied Chinese medicine, I don't mean short courses in acupuncture-by-the-numbers. If you are lucky enough to find someone like this you may find a strong ally. Check the national chinese medicine and acupuncture certification boards to find people in your area.
The line between foods and herbs can be blurry. I feel that herbs interact at a level "underneath" the meds. They are not nearly as singular and potent in their actions as pharmaceuticals, for better or for worse. They have affinity for certain organs and systems and these relationships have been noted over time. Your own personal constitution is also important. A hot, firy person would probably not do as well on a warm herb like Korean ginseng, for example. Neutral/cool American ginseng, on the other hand, taken on a regular basis, would create a better balance for said person.
So for my condition and constitutional tendencies, the herbs have helped a lot. No doubt. In that sense you could say I was "ready". I knew what to do with the added energy and had good habits in place (meditation, exercise, eating at regular times, positive attitude). I felt like the meds were taking me maybe 60-75% there, which is a lot and I am thankful for that, but the niggling side-effects and the unpredictable fluctuations in energy and focus didn't give me the confidence to really think I was fit to rejoin the world. I can't promise you anything, but I hope that you derive benefit that catalyzes your move to the next level of recovery.
Hombre
poster:Hombre
thread:954953
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100703/msgs/955514.html