Acupuncture, Herbs, Chinese Medicine Articles and Information | Durham NCHeritage Acupuncture

Know Your Body; All About Muscles

Janet Lee November 25, 2025

Muscles are the foot soldiers of every action in your body. Whether it’s moving your eyes, chewing your food or walking, muscles transform energy into motion.

Most of the time, our muscles are working together to create life-sustaining function without us even noticing. Every inhalation and exhalation involves the coordination of a variety of muscles from the chest to the pelvic floor. Peristalsis is an involuntary smooth muscle movement that moves food through the digestive tract. And the heart is one big muscle that circulates blood.

Typically our awareness focuses on voluntary skeletal muscles, connecting to bones via tendons and ligaments, making possible a variety of movements and functions. These muscles represent up to 40 percent of our body mass. When they’re healthy and relaxed, skeletal muscles work with minimal sensation. It’s normal to feel sore after workouts, but prolonged muscle tension and spasms can make us painfully aware of muscle tissue.

Muscle tension is one of the most common sources of discomfort and pain. A tense muscle feels hard or wiry to the touch, There may even be knots or hyperirritable spots in muscle or fascia (the tissue layer between skin and muscle). Spasms or cramps occur when muscle tissue involuntarily contracts.

There are many reasons for muscle tension and spasms, including overuse, posture issues, nutritional deficits, medications and nutrient deficiencies. In some cases, muscle tension signals a more serious condition such as viruses, insect bites or bacterial infections like meningitis. Some diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis cause joint and muscle pain.

The more common scenario involves either over or underuse of specific muscles. Keyboard workers tend to feel muscle tension in the neck and upper back. A major source of low back pain starts with tense hamstrings and gluteal muscles referring pain to the low back.

The epidemic of back pain caused by prolonged sitting is now a trending medical topic called “gluteal amnesia” or “dead-butt syndrome.” Due to desk jobs, the average adult is sedentary for more than 60 percent of their waking hours. Among the consequences of immobility are pain, stiffness, numbness and weakness of gluteal muscles. Weak and tense glutes can not only refer pain to the low back, but also lead to tense hip flexors. Gluteal muscles can create major consequences for your spine and hip joints –two structures vital to health and mobility.

While hunting and gathering, it’s estimated that early humans walked from four to seven miles per day or up to 14,000 steps. A 2017 study found the average American walks 4,774 steps per day. (See the study here: http://activityinequality.stanford.edu/docs/activity-inequality-althoffetal-nature.pdf). Even though our activity level has changed, our bodies have not. Humans are covered in muscle tissue, which by nature needs circulation to function optimally.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terms, muscle tissue corresponds to the spleen, which is actually a digestive organ that absorbs pure food nutrients, transforming them into blood for organs, muscles and general circulation. As muscles are nourished by blood, they need healthy food intake and basic circulation to function optimally. The liver nourishes tendons, which can be damaged by long-term muscle tension.

Blood stagnation is a Chinese medicine concept that describes sluggish, obstructed or inefficient circulation. It’s a major cause of pain, disease and aging. While many healing modalities address pain and circulation, exercise is the primary prevention method for stagnation and muscular pain.

It’s not unusual for people to stop exercising when they feel pain. Although these cases must be considered individually, lack of movement often makes muscles stiffer, which leads to more pain. In general, if you have inflammatory swelling, torn tissue or a broken bone, then it’s wise to avoid unnecessary weight-bearing movement. But if you’re sore from exercise, stiff or achy from lack of movement, then moderate exercise will relax muscles by infusing them with healthy circulation.

Specific food choices that nourish the liver and spleen benefit muscles and tendons. The spleen prefers warm, cooked foods as cold substances work against the body’s natural warmth. Soups, stews and teas are great choices. The spleen is an earth organ that’s nourished by dark colored vegetables like squashes, sweet potatoes and root vegetables. The liver loves green leafy vegetables and sour foods. Think steamed beets with balsamic or butternut squash soup. Warm and aromatic spices such as ginger and cinnamon assist circulation and digestion in general.

Exercise doesn’t have to involve heavy weights or long runs. Walking for 30 minutes is a great way to improve both lung function and circulation to muscle tissue. Stretching helps release stagnation in muscles and infuse them with healthy blood. Stretching first thing in the morning can help relieve stiffness resulting from immobility during sleep.

In other words, relieving muscle tension and nourishing muscles requires constant effort with diet and exercise. You can think of it as daily prevention and maintenance. Acupuncture is an excellent way to relieve muscular pain and cramping. Combined with a healthy daily routine, it’s possible to not only relieve pain but boost energy and keep joints functional and healthy for a lifetime.

What is Referred Pain and How is it Treated?

Janet Lee July 10, 2025

Have you ever had pain that traveled from one part of your body to the other? Perhaps an ache starting in your hip that runs down the side of your thigh? Or a headache that occurs when your neck feels stiff? While it’s commonly assumed that pain referral originates from nerves, the cause is often muscular. Knowing what’s happening and why is the first step to relief.

What is Muscular Referred Pain?

Referred pain simply means a sensation felt in a different part of the body than the cause of the pain. It may originate from muscle tension or “trigger” points, which are palpable knots caused by long-term muscle tension, repetitive motions or even lack of activity. Referred pain presents in a variety of forms. It may be sharp, dull, stabbing, constant or intermittent.

It’s not always possible to determine on your own if pain is direct or referred. Certain muscles refer not only pain but also other symptoms. For example, the neck muscle called the sternocleidomastoid can not only cause pain in the back of the head where the muscle originates, but also a sore throat, tinnitus or blurry vision.

When is Referred Pain Serious or Signaling an Organ Issue?

Often referred pain is due to muscle tension but in some cases it can signal a serious condition. If you have shoulder pain accompanied by difficulty breathing, dizziness or chest pain, it’s important to contact a health care provider immediately to rule out a heart attack or other cardiac condition.

Low back pain, especially when accompanied by fever, can signal a kidney infection. Gall bladder attacks often appear as a sharp pain in the upper right abdomen and can refer to the right shoulder blade. Communicate with your health care provider if you experience this type of symptom cluster. Your provider can ask further questions to determine if immediate care is needed.

Why Does Pain Refer?

The concept of pain referral exists in both Chinese and Western medicine. In Chinese medicine terms, muscle tension is stagnant energy or blood. Any sensation can move along meridians or channels in the body. For example, the large intestine channel starts in the hand, moves up the arms and ends on the face near the mouth. Points on the hand can relieve tooth pain or sinus pressure. This explains why channels can carry symptoms like pain and also provide relief.

In Western medicine terms, a pain stimulus carries a signal to your brain, which alerts your body to pain. This signal can encounter synapses and reflexes that alert other parts of your body to the pain signal. There may be different explanations, but in East and West pain often is not just a local sensation.

How Is Referred Pain Treated?

The key to treating referred pain is determining the source. Frankly, unless you’re a trained health care provider, most people don’t know how muscles and organs refer pain. The reality is certain health care providers are more well versed in the subject than others. The best way to handle traveling pain as a patient involves paying close attention to where you feel the pain most intensely and where it travels in your body. Take notes and be precise with your health care provider. Do certain movements or activities activate the pain? Is it worse after prolonged sitting? Does anything (aside from medications) relieve the sensation?

Keep in mind that not all referred pain needs treatment. Let’s say you decide to write a book over the weekend and barely leave the keyboard for 48 hours. Upon standing you feel an intense pain in the hip area that runs down the back of your leg. This can be a referral pattern of the gluteus minimus muscle, a fan-shaped muscle that spans from the ilium to the femur in the hip joint. In many cases, the pain will dissipate once you move around and bring circulation to the muscle. If the pain persists, the muscle may be spasming or involuntarily contracting.

Even if you’re not certain where your discomfort originates, it’s worth stretching the painful area to see if spasms decrease. Unless your pain results from an injury with swelling, heat is helpful to soothe muscle aches. Chinese herbal liniments also help relax muscle contractions and improve circulation. Please inquire at Heritage Acupuncture about our variety of liniments, or topical herbal liquids for pain relief.

Acupuncture is an excellent way to address referred pain –especially when the acupuncturist specializes in musculoskeletal conditions. In fact, treating referred pain is relatively simple. It’s diagnosing the origin of referred pain that can be tricky. Many acupuncturists focus on muscle motor points to stop spams and related referred pain. Motor points are distinct areas where nerves innervate muscles. Treating a motor point sends a signal to the brain telling the muscle to relax. Your acupuncturist may also add other points to relax muscles in general, especially for your specific target area.

Post-treatment it’s a great idea to stretch the area to solidify results. Some muscles have been spasming for so long they must be retrained to relax. Referred pain may just be a signal that your body needs more TLC. Keeping your muscles relaxed can be a team effort between you and your acupuncturist. The combination of regular treatments, targeted stretching and therapeutic movement will not only keep pain at bay, but also improve circulation, nourish muscle tissue and keep joints in optimal condition.

Welcome to Our New Office!

Janet Lee April 23, 2025

We’re just getting settled in our new Durham office and would love to share it with you! It’s peaceful and quiet with a great view — the perfect space for acupuncture and esthetic services. You can find us just five minutes from the old location on the second floor of 2828 Pickett Road in Suite 260C.

Come see our new digs and spread the word! To celebrate our new space, we have a few specials for you, your friends and family:

-Refer a friend or family member who comes in for an appointment and receive 10% off your next service.

-Receive 15% off when you try a new service. I have 24 years of skin care experience and a number of esthetic treatments ranging from corrective to purely relaxing.

-Try a new product and receive 10% off that purchase. Aside from a huge variety of skin care products, we also carry topical pain liniments, chest balm for coughs and congestion and an anti-viral room spray. If you’re interested in jade guasha tools for the face, we have a selection and can show you how to use them during a treatment.

We also have gift certificates available for any service.

Thank you for your business and loyalty after three locations in Durham. We hope to make this our permanent headquarters for your health and healing.

Tips for a Healthy Fall

Janet Lee November 25, 2024

If you’re starting to crave warm soup and day dream about a crackling fireplace, you’re clearly under the influence of fall. There’s a reason why your mood, food preferences and energy levels change seasonally. In Chinese medicine terms, fall signifies harvest, a time to reserve fuel and food while planning for winter. While in summer we must adjust to hot and damp weather, fall conditions are dry and windy. Fall energy can yield an abundant harvest, yet its essence contracts to moves inward in to prepare for cold weather.

If your allergies flare up in fall that’s partially because fall’s nature is windy, which blows dry plant material more forcefully — disturbing the sinuses. In Chinese medicine, the lungs are considered the root while sinuses are the branch. It’s no surprise that fall relates to the metal element, which signifies the lung and large intestine.

We all have organs which seem to run on autopilot and others that are more vulnerable to change and disorder. Wind itself can challenge our body’s protective energy, called wei qi. Wei qi, a protective energy on your skin surface, relates to immunity. The lungs are responsible for the health of wei qi. Therefore, the stronger your lungs are, the more intact your wei qi. As lungs are nourished by the digestive organs, a healthy diet plays an important role in immunity. Moderate exercise also ventilates the lungs and helps to clear them from pathological fluids like phlegm.

In Chinese medicine terms, wind can also transport pathogenic influences into the body, such as cold and flu viruses. These tend to enter the body from the back, whereas dryness is more likely to enter via the mouth and nasal passages. Protecting yourself can be as simple as wearing a scarf on a windy day to protect the neck. Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine, also considers excess wind a pathogenic influence. In Ayurveda, excessive wind is called vata. Vata scatters the mind, creating dryness , anxiety and insomnia.

Metal organs receives nourishment from earth organs, meaning the spleen and stomach. Therefore, your diet plays a pivotal role not only in immunity, but energy and overall health. As the weather gets dryer and cooler, you can tweak your diet to ward off seasonal discomforts. If you’re more prone to dry skin and itchiness, moistening foods like spinach, pear, apple, almond, honey and eggs can help. Fall is an ideal time for baked apples and pears, with warming spices like cardamom and cinnamon.

Seasonal root vegetables like squashes and pumpkin provide healthy fiber for the large intestine. Yellow and orange relate to the earth, signifying these foods’ affinity for your digestive organs. Root vegetables also have a grounding effect on the body, a good balance with the windy season.

In general, you’ll want to eat less raw foods as the temperatures cool. Fall means longer cooking times and heartier ingredients to nourish the body and support the immune system. Soups and stews make the perfect fall meal. This also is a great opportunity to make warm, nourishing drinks. Try this Korean tea for a perfect blend of sweet and spicy fall flavors. Asian pears are larger than regular pears and taste like a blend of apples and pears. Pears are actually a Chinese herb that nourishes the lung. The tea also contains cinnamon, which benefits circulation and ginger, a digestive tonic. It’s healthy, delicious and perfect for fall.

Asian Pear Tea

-1 Asian pear

-3 cups water

-3″ fresh ginger root

-1 cinnamon stick

Cut the pear into thin wedge-shaped slices. Cut a three-inch slice of ginger and pound slightly with base of knife to release juices. Add both ingredients along with the cinnamon stick to three cups water in a pot. Set heat to medium high and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to simmer and continue cooking for 60-90 minutes. Add honey if desired.

Heritage named Best of Durham in Acupuncture!

Janet Lee July 16, 2024

best of durham 2024 heritage acupuncture

Heritage Acupuncture made the list of Best of Durham for 2024, and I’d like to thank each and every one of you who voted! I love the idea of this list as it’s a great way to showcase local businesses. One of the first things I noticed about Durham upon arrival in 2014 is the respect for small businesses. Helping community businesses find recognition is not only good for owners, it also helps people find the services they need.

Acupuncture has always been by nature a small business. While there are hospital staff practitioners, acupuncturists in China typically work alone, perhaps with an assistant or two. Regardless of the business model, Chinese medicine lends itself to personalized care and customized treatments. We want to know about your pain, your digestion and your emotional state. Chinese medicine practitioners are trained to take detailed histories and watch for signs and symptoms that most people never notice about themselves. Is the patient pale? Are their hands and feet cold? Does the cold exist just in fingertips or extend to the forearm? Do they dream? Is their personality dominant in one emotional state? All these symptoms signify specific issues and inform the treatment.

Chinese medicine also can fill multiple needs. One of the most challenging aspects of my career has been informing people all this medicine is capable of. In this culture, we’re not accustomed to a single medical professional who can assist us with contagious illness, musculoskeletal pain, organ issues and emotional conditions. While Chinese medicine excels in acute and chronic conditions, acupuncturists do recommend regular maintenance, as enhancing your health regularly can optimize longevity and vitality. This doesn’t mean you’ll never get ill, but people who receive regular care are more resilient and less affected by accidents and illnesses.

We’re all born with raw material, meaning DNA inherited from parents and ancestors. Life can certainly throw some curve balls,but if we focus on the things we can control — diet, exercise, self-maintenance and rest — we can make every day more comfortable and enjoyable. It takes time and commitment to get there, but nothing is more important than our health and vitality. The sooner you start the more you can save in your personal health bank. As the Chinese sages say, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

It’s easy to practice a system you believe in, that you’ve seen work countless times personally and professionally. To me, this seems less like a business and more like a discipline and belief system. If I can do anything to share the practical brilliance of Chinese medicine that itself is the reward.

Not All Pain is the Same

Janet Lee August 14, 2023

What Your Body is Trying To Tell You When it Hurts

Being in pain is not unlike being hangry (hungry + angry) — you’re not in the mood to reason and you just want it to stop. While that’s understandable. there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to pain. And the more you know, the less you have to worry about the cause or severity of your pain.

Muscular tension or spasming is responsible for most of the pain people experience. Muscles respond to your activities or lack thereof. If your daily routine includes repetitive movements, long-term sitting or sports, muscle tissue will respond with visceral feedback.

Pain that comes on suddenly feeling tight, constricted or crampy is typically muscular. Muscles literally need to be fed and watered to stay relaxed and pain-free. Along with organs and skin, blood nourishes muscle tissue, rendering it supple and relaxed. A tense muscle literally feels knotty or stringy under your fingers, whereas a relaxed muscle feels soft and flexible.

Sitting at a desk all day makes the muscles in your gluteal and hip area tense, which often sends discomfort up the chain to the low back. You also may feel sitting-related pain on your hamstrings or even hip joint. As many gluteal muscles attach at the hip joint, tight glutes tug on the hips.

A spasming muscle involuntarily and forcefully contracts, causing mild discomfort to intense pain. Spasms are typically harmless and could indicate overuse, dehydration, lack of nutrients and, in some cases, underlying medical conditions. Some medications, such as statins, are associated with muscle spasms.

Conversely, muscular pain or cramping may be due to overuse. Say you ran a marathon yesterday on a hot day and went straight to bed without properly hydrating. If you wake up at night with leg cramps, that’s just your muscles saying they need more fluid as dehydration can decrease blood volume. Leg cramping at night can point to many conditions, so if symptoms persist it’s best to contact your physician.

If your pain is associated with swelling then most likely there’s more involved than just a tight muscle. Swelling can indicate a strain, tear or even a fracture. Only a medical professional can determine exactly which type of injury is involved. Sometimes orthopedic exams can yield enough information to rule out fractures. But you may need an X-ray or MRI to determine the extent of your injury. Both tendons and ligaments can tear. If you’ve torn these tissues, the next step is to determine the extent of the tear. Less severe tears can heal on their own while severe tears or ruptures may require surgery.

If a nerve is impinged or injured, you may feel pain but it’s often different than muscular pain. Nerve-related pain can feel stabbing, shooting or burning. Some nerve issues don’t manifest in any pain. Neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the affected area. Neuropathy has many causes, including diabetes, bulging discs and muscular issues. If you’ve ever felt tingling down the back of your leg after long-term sitting, this may simply be gluteal muscles squeezing your sciatic nerve. The same nerve can be affected by a bulging or ruptured disc.

How can acupuncture help? If you’re experiencing neuropathy, most acupuncturists are trained to distinguish between a muscular vs. internal issue. It may not be possible to pin point the exact internal cause — whether it’s diabetes, multiple sclerosis or other conditions — but experienced providers can identify enough symptoms to know how to refer.

If muscular tension or spasming is causing your pain — which is far and away the most common cause of back pain — acupuncture treatments can provide substantial and, in many cases, immediate relief.

When swelling is part of your pain picture, acupuncture also excels at not only at reducing swelling, but also guiding healing nutrients to an injury site. Whether you have a sprain, strain, tear or fracture, with acupuncture you’ll heal more quickly, with less pain and less scar tissue.

You can’t always diagnose your own injuries, but knowing what’s behind certain symptoms can remove the fear factor. When you’re in pain just remember it doesn’t always mean drugs or surgery. Even if you do need biomedical intervention, acupuncture can dramatically improve your recovery in every stage of the healing process.

Announcing Purigenex Collagen Facial

Janet Lee October 31, 2022

If you think all collagen masks are the same, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn about the medical and cosmetic breakthrough that is Purigenex. This one-of-a-kind mask was formulated in Korean labs to heal burn wounds by regenerating skin cells.

At Heritage Acupuncture, we just added the Purigenex Collagen Facial to our skincare menu. The mask also may be combined with such skin care services as Microneedling, Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation or Facial Rejuvenation Massage.

In esthetic treatments, this premier collagen supports and builds connective tissue integrity to rejuvenate skin weakened by aging, sun damage and acne. Collagen of this type has never before been offered in transdermal cosmetic preparations.

Purigenex humanely harvests collagen from live porcine sources as pigs are the closest DNA match to humans. Scientists also removed the end strands or telepeptides of the collagen molecule to make it more absorbent and less likely to cause allergies. To ensure absorption, Purigenex’s bio-active collagen is negatively ionized and refrigerated to maintain vitality. When applied to positively charged skin, this interaction propels collagen into the dermis.

This mask not only deeply revives collagen, but also detoxifies skin and hydrates while reducing inflammation and discoloration. This facial is good for any skin type. With no down-time, it’s the perfect prep for special events and celebrations.

Check out this and other facials on our Web site:

Skin Care

Chinese Herbalism Part II: Medicine Made for You

Janet Lee October 6, 2022

Anyone who has ever owned a home knows you need more in your toolbox than a screwdriver. You might need a broom, drill or drywall to maintain your home. Your body is even more complex, and it’ll take a full toolbox to meet its needs and challenges throughout your life.

By now you’re accustomed to the treatment options presented by your doctor, which are typically medication, physical therapy or surgery. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also has a unique set of modalities to treat health conditions. Most people are familiar with acupuncture and related physical modalities (guasha, cupping, moxa). In many cases, especially for more musculoskeletal and pain conditions, acupuncture is the primary tool. But for more chronic, internal or complex conditions, your acupuncturist will prescribe Chinese herbal medicine.

Chinese herbs consist primarily of plant, mineral and resin sources. Many are common household foods and spices (fennel, clove, ginger, cardamom, watermelon, etc.). It’s important to procure herbs from a trained and licensed acupuncturist to guarantee safety and authenticity. Herbs imported from China or Taiwan must be FDA-approved and adhere to strict safety guidelines. Licensed acupuncturists use professional herbal products with extensive testing and quality control. Please see Chinese Herbs: Fact and Fiction on the Heritage blog for more information on safety issues. (https://heritageacupuncture.com/chinese-herbs-fact-and-fiction/).

The 300-plus single herbs in the Chinese materia medica are used to create formulas or classical herbal combinations for specific conditions. Many formula compositions have existed for thousands of years. At Heritage Acupuncture, we practice a classical form of Chinese herbalism that originated in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.). Your specific prescription is based on not only the chief complaint, but other accompanying signs and symptoms, overall health and digestive function and the progression of your illness. Formulas are completely customized according to your unique presentation. There are no “one-size-fits-all” remedies in Chinese medicine.

For example, if three people seek treatment for asthma, each might receive a different herbal formula. One person may be experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue. The second may be coughing up thick phlegm and the third may have chronic post nasal drip and allergy symptoms. Each person needs a different herbal remedy and acupuncture point combination.

Even one herb can have different forms that treat precise variations on symptoms. For example, sheng jiang, or fresh ginger, might be included in a formula to treat an acute cough. With a chronic cough, your acupuncturist may change the ginger to pao jiang, a blast-fried ginger recommended for long-term lung conditions. If the cough has mostly healed and you’re left with general weakness, then gan jiang or dried ginger is the best fit. It takes years of training and practice to know the variations and when to use them.

As a patient, you can be assured that your symptoms and overall health matter to a practitioner of Chinese medicine. There’s virtually no way to prescribe an herbal formula unless the provider understands your condition in detail.

If you’re looking for a medical experience where the practitioner is concerned about not only your current symptoms, but your general well-being, Chinese medicine is an excellent choice. Chinese herbal formulas are a powerful health ally that work gently and holistically. The “side-effects” are typically better sleep, improved digestion and more energy. All you really have to do is show up consistently and let the practitioner take it from there.

Microneedling — Gentle, Rejuvenating and now On Sale!

Janet Lee August 15, 2022

Microneedling Special: Experience our gentle and
comprehensive collagen induction therapy. Microneedling Heritage-style is not only extremely gentle, but also a thorough boost to your skin’s health and appearance.

Microneedling helps improve the appearance of:
•Fine lines and wrinkles
•Enlarged pores
•Acne scars
•Discoloration
•Uneven skin tone
•Stretch marks

Each microneedling session includes LED light and a customized collagen serum. You’ll be ready to show the world your rejuvenated skin the next day.

Receive 20 percent off first session when booking before 9/15! Uncover your skin’s beautiful potential!

Chinese Herbs: Fact and Fiction

Janet Lee July 20, 2022

If your acupuncturist has ever prescribed a Chinese herbal formula, you probably wondered about the unfamiliar ingredient names, not to mention the interesting smell and taste.

Although patients often don’t know the ingredients of their pharmaceutical prescriptions, it’s natural to be curious about foreign words and flavors. If you’re new to herbal medicine, your only exposure to it may have come from articles in the mainstream media that don’t distinguish between culinary traditions and folkloric treatments in China and the very regulated products used by licensed practitioners.

You’ll be relieved to know that prescribed herbs from a licensed and trained acupuncturist are far from the free-for-all depicted in news stories. In fact, they’re subject not only to FDA approval, but also strict laws regarding sanitation and quality control.

Nowadays most Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed in pill or granule (powder) form. At Heritage Acupuncture we use granular herbal powders because it’s easier to customize individual formulas by adding or subtracting ingredients.

So what are Chinese herbs? The Chinese materia medica, or catalog of individual herbs, is comprised of entirely natural substances, many of which already occupy space in your fridge or kitchen cabinet (examples include ginger, cinnamon, pepper, chives and cloves). Some are roots, barks or resins such as frankincense or myrrh. This natural herbal pharmacy also contains plant roots, seeds and even flowers.

In order to prescribe an herbal formula, your acupuncturist has received at least four years of formal training and taken a national exam with material on both acupuncture and herbalism. Acupuncturists also must hold a valid license and receive ongoing continuing education.

It’s important to understand that some substances which licensed, trained Chinese herbalists prescribe professionally have been misused by commercial enterprises unrelated to Chinese medicine. For example, ma huang or ephedra has been erroneously used in the supplement industry as a stimulant, typically for sports performance. This is a misuse of ma huang and not condoned or practiced by trained acupuncturists.

Nor do modern Chinese herbalists use substances from endangered species, such as shark cartilage or tiger bones. While these substances may be bought and sold in China, usually for culinary or folk remedy purposes, herbalists trained in the U.S. do not use them, nor are they available from practitioner herbal suppliers.

Your licensed practitioner also is not permitted to use herbal ingredients containing pharmaceuticals or toxic ingredients. In fact, the herbal suppliers for licensed practitioners must comply with FDA approval and other strict quality control. At Heritage, we purchase most herbal ingredients from Legendary Herbs, a Colorado-based distributor importing herbs from Tianjiang Pharmaceutical. This is a $100 million factory that supplies over 10,000 Chinese medical clinics and distributes to over 20 countries.

Every herbal batch is tested for heavy metals, microbial contaminants, yeasts and molds. The factory uses gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to test for pesticides, enhanced with third-party testing in the U.S.

Tianjiang Pharmaceutical was the first granule factory in Chinese to receive GMP (good manufacturing practice) certification, a standard established by the FDA to ensure safety and quality control in supplements and pharmaceuticals.

Click here to read more about Legendary’s quality control policies:

https://legendaryherbs.com/quality-control-at-legendary-herbs-a-visual-guide-to-our-granules/?v=7516fd43adaa

Our intent is to reassure patients and prospective patients that Chinese herbs, when prescribed by a trained and licensed provider, are safe and produced according to U.S. pharmaceutical standards. As gentle as these raw materials are, they’re able to create profound healing in your body when properly prescribed. They’re effective not only in chronic conditions like migraines but also in infectious conditions. You deserve accurate information about this important health modality from an informed and experienced source.

Stay tuned for Chinese Herbs, Part II — how Chinese herbal formulas can support and transform your body.

Traditional
Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture • Herbology
Esthetician Services
Microneedling
Facial Acupuncture
Nutritional Counseling

Traditional Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture • Herbology
Esthetician Services • Microneedling
Facial Acupuncture • Nutritional Counseling