Although called “Chinese”, they are not exclusively from China, and although called “herbs”, they are not exclusively from plants. Most are from plants, some are animal by-products, and some are minerals.

They are herbs that are used according to the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This system uses a diagnostic method that gathers information through analysing the pulse and tongue (among other things) and diagnoses according to TCM theory. The treatment is then based on the TCM diagnosis, not a western biomedical disease.

This is not a problem. Tell the practitioner and they can select only plant herbs.

The traditional pharmacopoeia historically used these products. In the 21st century these products are forbidden by law. Just as substitutions can be made for vegetarians, these traditional herbs are now replaced with other herbs with similar effects. Their use is no longer required.

Shelley  retired her raw herbs in 2014. Replacing them are herbs that have already been pre-cooked and dehydrated. You don’t have to cook them yourself. You still have to prepare them with boiled water.

These pre-prepared herbs have overcome the bad taste reputation that raw herbs have.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms. If the herbs are prescribed according to a TCM diagnosis, then there should be no adverse reactions.

Sometimes as the body adjusts back towards health, there may be some slight, but predictable effects that the practitioner will explain to you.

YES you can.

“I like the ritual of cooking up the herbs, I love to look at the different barks and fruits; I love to feel their texture and smell them before they are cooked. The time it takes to prepare them is special time in my routine.”

I am glad to hear that. You are a unique person. Shelley accesses a raw herb dispensary that posts your herbs direct to your address.

You cannot cook your herbs in a metal pot. Do you have a ceramic or clay pot? The Dispensary does not post chinese cooking pots.

If you don’t have a pot, then you can still have the ritual of preparing the granule herbs in a special way- by making enough one night for the next day.  Shelley will explain how, if you choose to use granules. Many granules have the fragrance of raw herbs, but clearly not the texture. Granules are approximately 30 % more expensive than raw herbs.