Chinese Herbal Pharmacy - Hood River

Extensive Chinese Herbal Pharmacy, specializing in Custom Formulas

We currently stock over 200 Traditional Chinese Herbal Formulas and Single Herbs in our extensive Chinese Herbal Pharmacy. It is our honor to be able to offer this service which helps people in the Columbia Gorge to get well naturally! One client told us: “Thank you so much, now I don’t have to drive to Portland any longer for my Custom Chinese Herbs!”

All of our clients have access to the Pharmacy, with a minimal wait time; we will mix and deliver our Custom Formulas to either clinic location, in Hood River or The Dalles, within three days.
If you are interested in trying a custom herbal formula for your health concern needs, or if one of our Acupuncturists suggest the inclusion of one as part of your treatment plan we will:

First schedule an extra visit, called an Herbal Evaluation. During this appointment we will perform a Chinese Medical Pulse Diagnosis, and conduct a medical intake to discuss the focus of your Custom Chinese Herbal Formula. All three Acupuncturists at Cascade Acupuncture Center have been trained in the specific Chinese Medical Pulse Diagnosis with Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang, LAc.

Second we will prepare your Custom Chinese Herbal formula. This involves using four to seven different Classical Chinese Herbal Formulas or Single Chinese Herbs from our Pharmacy. These ingredients will be prescribed in different dosages, according to your Chinese Medical Pulse, your progress and medical focus of your formula. The resulting Custom Chinese Herbal Formula is designed for your specific needs and is valid for only for the next few weeks; as your condition improves, you formula will be adjusted to meet you changing needs. Please consider comparing our approach to prescribing medicine with over the counter or prescription pharmaceuticals.

After two or four weeks, we will evaluate your progress again with another Herbal Evaluation visit and will prescribe your next Custom Chinese Herbal Formula.

This form of practicing Chinese Herbal Medicine is the most customized and most effective way to attain lasting results. Please call or email us if you have any questions.

Testimonial: “I cannot believe how much better I feel overall after starting my Custom Chinese Herbal Formula! I have more energy, sleep better, my digestion is better and I don’t feel so stressed. I am excited to see how I feel after my next formula.”


CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE - A Natural Choice
Extending back thousands of years, Chinese Medicine offers a rich heritage and history in healthcare and healing. Offering a root-level attack rather than a symptom cover, Chinese Medicine provides an added layer of client safety. It carries fewer, if any side effects, treats the actual cause of illness, rather than suppressing the symptoms, and provides a more affordable treatment option.

Please read more about our choice of using Evergreen Herbs
at the bottom of this article, as well as FAQ’s. Much of the following information is available on their site as well.

STEPS TO WELLNESS
There are 3 unique steps to wellness. The rate at which you move through these stages depends on your unique situation. A good rule of thumb is one month of care for every year you have had a certain medical condition.

The modalities we offer at Cascade Acupuncture Center include Acupuncture treatments and Custom Chinese Herbal Formulas. Many clients choose both, which allows them to achieve the best results. . Some clients prefer to only use Acupuncture treatments, others only use Chinese Herbs. We are happy to work with your preferences and financial situation.


Step 1: Relief Care
During this stage we are concerned with alleviating the symptoms causing you to seek our care. Once your symptoms are relieved, you will move on to Step 2, Corrective Care.

If this is difficult to understand, think of replenishing an overgrown garden. The first step in cultivating the space is to cut back excess growth and weeds; think of your symptoms as being the weeds.

Step 2: Corrective Care
In order to restore your health, we will determine the underlying cause of your illness, from a Chinese Medical Perspective, rather than simply addressing the symptoms. This may involve a different Custom Chinese Herbal formula, as well as Acupuncture Points, uniquely positioned and carefully prescribed to address the root of your concerns.

Continuing with the garden analogy; we now must take complete care to remove the weeds from the soil and prepare the soil for new seeds to plant. Using appropriate tools, the roots are extracted, leaving healthy plants and rich earth behind. Step 2 heals what is creating and causing your pain and other symptoms, setting the stage for healthy living.

Step 3: Maintenance Care
The final phase of your care is Maintenance Care. We will prescribe appropriate herbs and Acupuncture Points to keep your immune system strong and healthy, so it will protect the body as it should. The final phase of treatment is ongoing. After all, a relapse is simply unacceptable when such high-quality herbal supplements are so readily available.

In our analogy, this means the soil of our reclaimed garden is fertilized and treated to prevent the return of weeds, while building a healthy foundation to support the growth of beautiful plants and flowers. What this means for you is that your overall health is protected by Chinese herbs, just as the garden is protected by your care and allowed to thrive.

Why are we choosing Evergreen Herbs www.evherbs.com for our clients ?

·         Eco-Sensitive Farming: They seek out farmers whose first priorities are to follow eco-sensitive farming principles and routinely test both the soil and water for quality and safety from contamination.

·         Biodiversity & Sustainability: They purchase premium raw material and protect earth’s natural resources by not using any endangered animals or protected species from the wild. To recycle, herb dregs that are beneficial for the earth are transformed into organic fertilizer and returned to earth.

·         Authenticity, Purity & Safety: Herbs are verified for authenticity via advanced laboratory equipments. Pesticide, heavy metal, fungus, mold and bacteria tests are performed to ensure purity and safety. For cleanliness, Evergreen herbs are extracted with softened and purified water, and then granulated in sealed, temperature controlled, clean rooms to avoid contamination.

·         Expert Formulation: Dr. John Chen, expert consultant for Evergreen Herbs with dual doctorate degrees in Western Pharmacology and Chinese Medicine, has lectured throughout the United States and Europe and has written texts and manuals on the practical use and pharmaceutical research aspects of herbal medicines. He has played a key role in crafting the Evergreen Collections, a line of Chinese herbal formulas specifically addressed for today's ailments. With his knowledge, they are able to bring you the best of the east and west in each bottle. Dr Chen is available to us to consult about our clients upon request.

·         Quality Control: They lead the industry in its commitment to product excellence with a team of highly trained specialists ranging from senior herbalists experienced to perform organoleptic identification to microbiologists who tests for safety against harmful bacteria and biochemists who perform assays to ensure the presence and quality of active ingredients in our extracts.

·         From "seed to shelf," Evergreen ensures purity, safety and potency in their herbal extracts by following standards of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO).

·         Efforts put forth by their team of experts in chemistry, microbiology, and Chinese medicine result in a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which guarantees that we receive the highest quality product that is safe and effective.

·         Evergreen Herbs are professional-grade extracts that are available exclusively through healthcare practitioners.

FAQs about Chinese Herbs

Are There Side-Effects?
All extracts from Evergreen herbs are derived from nature. They do not contain harsh chemicals, alcohol or preservatives, and are very gentle to your system. Each batch is checked for safety against bacteria, fungus and heavy metal. Sensitive patients may experience reactions such as minor stomach discomfort. If such reactions occur, we may recommend the dosage be reduced, taken with food, or we will modify your Custom Chinese Herbal formula.


How Should The Herbal Extracts Be Served?
Herbal extracts should be taken with warm water on an empty stomach two or three times daily. If you experience stomach upset, take the herbs after meals. Herbs should not be taken with coffee, juice, soda or any other liquids as they may alter the effect of the herbs and possibly produce unwanted results.


Can I Take The Herbal Extracts With My Prescription Drugs?
Most herbal extracts may be taken by individuals who are also using prescription drugs, without problems. However, it is recommended that herbal extracts be taken on an empty stomach at least two hours apart from the prescription drugs. Please inform us if you are on any medication so we can best advise you what to do to avoid possible herb-drug interaction.


Can Children And Elderly Patients Take Herbal Extracts?
Yes, children and elderly patients may take herbal extracts. In fact, they get excellent results. We will adjust the dosages depending on age, body weight, specific illness and overall condition.

What about Contraindications for Taking Chinese Herbs?
Herbs are not recommended during pregnancy or if you are taking Coumadin (Warfarin) to thin your blood. We will also advise you to stop taking your herbs one week prior to any surgery until one week after surgery. If you are receiving Chemotherapy, do not take the herbs three days prior and three days after your Chemotherapy.


How Should I Store The Herbal Extracts?
Herbal extracts should be stored in cool, dry places away from sunlight and moisture. The UV radiation in sunlight may change the properties of the products. Storage of herbal extracts in a damp or humid environment, such as the kitchen or the bathroom, may lead to “caking” of the powder due to excess moisture.

Menstrual Cycle ~ Testimonial

Acupuncture truly is a holistic approach to Health Care. Initially, I came to Carola Stepper for upper back pain.

Not only did my back pain lessen, but my menstrual cycle was regulated as well. This was not a focus of my treatments, yet it happened. In addition, my ability to deal with stress has greatly improved.

~ K. D.