When Is It Safe to Self Prescibe Chinese Herbs?

For simple, short-term problems—such as a common cold or a minor injury—it is usually safe to choose a familiar Chinese herbal remedy yourself. Just be sure to follow the directions, check for possible drug interactions, and stop if it makes you feel worse.

But self-prescribing for a chronic, recurring, serious, or unexplained condition is a different matter entirely, and it can be a big mistake. 

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system, not a collection of folk remedies. A Chinese herbal formula is chosen according to the cause and pattern of an illness—not just the name of a symptom.  

Take headaches, for example. You can't simply say, “I have a headache. Which formula is good for headaches?” In Chinese medicine, a headache may be caused by Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Liver Yang rising, Blood deficiency, Kidney deficiency, phlegm, dampness, or blood stagnation. And that is only part of the list! Each pattern calls for a different approach. A formula that is perfect for one person’s headache may do nothing for another—or even make it worse.

A trained practitioner looks at the whole picture: your digestion, sleep, energy, emotions, temperature, medications, medical history, tongue, and pulse. All these clues help reveal what is really going on, so an accurate diagnosis can be made, and the correct herbs can be prescribed.

Chinese herbs are powerful medicines. Any medicine that has an effect can also have side-effects. Herbal medicines can interact with prescription drugs, or be inappropriate for people with certain medical conditions. Any formula can cause problems if it is the wrong one, taken at the wrong dose, or continued for too long.

So, for a simple cold or a minor bump or strain, choosing a familiar remedy may be perfectly reasonable. But if a problem keeps coming back, lasts a long time, seems serious, or has no clear cause, it is time to consult a qualified practitioner.

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