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Before any herbal granules are suggested, Christine wants the full picture of your medicines and supplements, plus clear answers about what your bottle contains and how to use it safely.

Familiar plants, serious substances

It is easy to assume that a plant you have cooked with or seen in a tea shop must be harmless in any form. Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, approaches Chinese herbal medicine differently. She regards every herbal product as an active substance that deserves the same care you would give any other medicine. In her practice, herbal medicine is supplied as concentrated granules in labelled bottles, each with its own written directions, and one bottle is never a stand-in for another.

That is why Christine asks for a full picture before suggesting anything. Bring along a list of your prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements and anything ordered online, or simply bring the products themselves. Even items you consider minor can matter when a herbal formula is being considered.

Questions that protect you

Ask Christine what your bottle contains and what you should do if the directions ever seem unclear. Another practical question is what to do if you forget a dose or notice a new symptom. Having those answers ready means you are not left guessing at home.

A few habits also help keep herbal care safe. Resist the temptation to take more because change feels slow. Avoid passing your granules to someone else, and be cautious about using a bottle just because it looks like one a family member was given. Your formula was chosen with your history in mind, and another person's circumstances can be quite different.

Keeping your plan clear and current

A personal herbal plan is easier to follow when the essentials sit in one place. You should know the exact product name, how to measure and take the granules, how to store the bottle and when the plan will next be reviewed. Keep the written sheet with the original labelled container rather than separating them.

If your doctor changes one of your medicines, let Christine know. If you are pregnant, planning surgery or simply unsure about anything, pause and ask before continuing. And if a symptom appears that you cannot place, contact the clinic for guidance instead of experimenting with the dose yourself.

Starting the conversation in Freshwater

If Chinese herbal medicine interests you, Christine can meet with you at the Freshwater clinic to talk it through. Your current medicine list, and any bottles you already use, will give that first discussion a solid footing.