Herbal Medicine

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David Kaminker, LAc, MSOM, has a fully stocked Chinese herbal dispensary, as well as select, high-quality Western herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. Herbal therapy is especially effective in conjunction with acupuncture treatments.

 

David specializes in creating custom herbal formulas for each patient, based on their individual constitution and using the diagnostic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His custom formulas are made from premium granule extracts in the form of a powder that the patient mixes with warm water, taken 2-3 times per day. Tablets and tinctures are available upon request.  He also utilizes Western herbs in his practice, when appropriate. Western herbs and supplements can be helpful in targeting specific symptoms and patterns of imbalance.

 

The Unique System of Chinese Herbal Medicine

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Chinese herbal medicine is unique in its system of diagnosis and in prescribing a synergistic combination of herbs for treating patients. Each formula is customized to the patient’s symptoms and constitution. For example, a patient whose main complaint is insomnia might receive a completely different formula than someone else who also has insomnia. There are over 20 different formulas used to treat insomnia. After David identifies a formula to use for each patient, he modifies the formula and adjusts the dosages to best suit the needs of the individual. In his pharmacy, he has over 150 single herbs to choose from when making a formula.

 

A characteristic advantage of Chinese herbal medicine is the consideration of the whole person rather than isolated symptoms. The herbs used in a formula are combined to treat the underlying imbalance that causes symptoms, rather than just the symptoms themselves.

 

All the Chinese herbs used in David’s practice are GMP (Good Manufacturing Processes) certified, and they are tested by a third party for contaminants and adulterants. A Certificate of Analysis (COA), further ensures that they are of high quality and safe for consumption. David prescribes only herbs and supplements from companies that pass rigorous quality-control standards, including testing for heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, bacteria, molds, and yeast. These companies also regularly test for botanical accuracy, potency, and safety.