1. How a TCM diagnosis is made?
2. Is an appointment always necessary?
3. Is acupuncture painful?
4. Have herbs been processed before use by patients?
5. Can you tell me the difference between Chinese patent and prescribed herbs?
6. Can I buy Chinese patent herbs directly?
7. Why Chinese herbs are always mixed in formula to use?
8. Could you offer me some precautions while I take herbs?
9. How should I prepare my herbal tea generally?
10. How should I prepare my herbal wash generally?
11. Refund Policy?
12. What if I do not like the taste of your herbal tea?
13. What is the main difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine?
14. What will happen on my first visit?
15. Does TCM conflict with conventional Western medicine?
16. What should I do before Acupuncture treatment?
17. How long will I need treatment?

Diagnostic information of TCM is gathered mainly through four examinations – Looking; Listening, Asking; and Touching. The most important examinations are tongue examination and wrist pulses examination. Different texture, color and coating of tongue and various rhythms of pulse can be identified by experienced Chinese doctors to tell the internal conditions.

Not really. You are welcome to call in at any time during our opening hours. In most cases, you just need to wait for a short while if we are busy. In the case we could be engaged by customer with appointments for a long time, we will arrange a suitable time for you to come back. At Good For Life customers with appointment always has the priority.

Chinese herbalists usually do not prescribe single herb for their patients. Chinese herbs usually are used in combinations of 8 to 18 herbs. There are three major reasons to support the combination practice. Mutual Reinforcement involves combining two or more very similar herbs together to create a stronger effect. Mutual Assistance is the way to use one herb to help another work better. Mutual Restraint is meant to use one herb to reduce or eliminate side effects of another herb in the combination.

All of these demonstrate that a herbalist should be experienced and knowledgeable about herbs before attempting to combine them. Otherwise, Mutual Inhibition occurs when one herb reduces another's Effectiveness; Incompatibility occurs when the combination of certain herbs produces side effects or becomes poisonous.

1. Place a bag of mixed dry herbs into a deep pan
2. Cover the herbs with enough cold water usually 1-2 pints.
3. Soak the herbs in the cold water for at least 1 hour. Overnight is ok.
4. Bring to boil in the same water for 5 minutes.
5. Simmer for 15-30 minutes until the water runs down to approximately a cupful left.
6. Drain the herbal decoction into a container using gauze filter if needed. Keep the herbs for the second boiling.

Second Boiling

1. Add roughly same amount of cold water.
2. Boil it again straightaway and simmer in the same way as first time.
3. Drain the tea out and throw the boiled herbs.

How to use

1. 1 bag of dry herbs is enough to make 2 cups of herbal tea usually.
2. 1 cupful in the morning before breakfast usually.
3. 1 cupful in the evening after supper usually.
4. Drink it slightly warm.
   * Herbal tea can be warmed in microwave.

Cautions

• The tea does not taste nice. If you feel sick with it, you can drink less each time for more times. However, DO NOT put in sugar without doctor’s permission.
• Be careful not to burn the herbs. If so, Do NOT use it. ?
• Looser bowel movement could possibly happen and is normal.
• Reduce or stop taking iced food or drink.
• Reduce spicy food, seafood for skin problem.
• No alcohol for skin problem.
  
  

Boiling

1. Put a bag of dry herbs into a deep pan
2. Cover the herbs with 1-2 pints of cold water
3. Soak herbs in the cold water for at least 1 hour
4. Bring to boil in the same water after soaking
5. Simmer for 5-15 minutes usually
6. Drain the herbal decoction into a container
7. Keep the herbs for the second or third boiling if it is suggested

How to use

1. Use cotton balls or towel to dip in the herbal decoction and dab the affected area.
2. Apply the herbal wash for 15 to 30 minutes each time
3. Apply the herbal wash cold 1-3 times a day.
4. Soak affected area in the herbal residues for a number of times before you throw the herbs away.

Cautions

1. Always use it when it is cool
2. Avoid contact with eyes especially when washing face
3. If irritation occurs, discontinue use and ask further advice
4. Avoid or reduce taking spicy food, fishy food and iced food or drink

Once the herbal tea is assembled it is not refundable. Ready-made herbal product is refundable within 7 days as long as the whole package remains unopened. The course of treatment such as acupuncture course is refundable for the sessions that have not been done. This is also subject to whether there is spare money after deduction of cost of sessions completed at its standard price.

Your statutory right is not affected.

Good For Life 4.2007

It is true that our one-to-one herbal tea does not taste nice. Not only this herbal tea can also smell very strong. Almost nobody would really enjoy having it. But what you want is to get rid of your problem. In order to help you, we cannot just give you what you like. In stead we must give you what works for your particular problem. Depending on the formula of the tea (ingredients in your prescription), most of the herbal tea taste quite bitter, but not all of them, some do taste nice. All in all, it is generally accepted that the effects of the medicine far outweigh the sometimes bitter taste.

To be able to get used to its taste, first of all, you should drink it slightly warm quickly and rinse your mouth with small amount of water or juice when you finish. Secondly if you really feel sick or tend to vomit after taking the tea, you should drink less each time for more times than normal. Even though you should finish your daily dose as advised. Remember, Do Not add sugar or honey before you are instructed to do so.

Chinese medicine treats the cause of the disorder, and Western medicine the symptom of the disorder. For example, two people may have the same symptoms of eczema, but the cause of the complaint may be completely different: one patient may have an imbalance of his or her liver, the other an imbalance of his or her spleen. A Western doctor may prescribe the same medicine for the ailment, but the Chinese doctor will treat the underlying cause of eczema and in this case, one patient will be treated for a liver imbalance and the other for a spleen imbalance.

Please also see Why Try Chinese Medicine.

Your first consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far. You will also be asked about your medical history and that of your close family. The practitioner will also ask you about your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and your general emotional state.

To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist is likely to feel your pulse, noting the quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, color and coating of your tongue also gives a good guide to physical health.

Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the appropriate treatment. The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.

You must not have empty stomach before having acupuncture. However, try not to have a big meal within a hour of your appointment as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse.

Also avoid alcohol and food and drinks which alter the color of your tongue just before you have your consultation.