“Sciatica and low back pain are the most prevalent conditions I treat,” reported Colleen Blacklock, an acupuncturist and expert on Chinese herbal formulas. At her acupuncture clinic, she inserts needles into acupuncture points in the arms and legs to provide instant relief for chronic sciatica sufferers. To aid recovery and healing, she prescribes a Chinese herbal formula that naturally increases blood circulation and address the pain, rather than masking the pain with traditional medications like painkillers. “They can give a false sense of relief and create more problems,” she said, emphasizing why a more natural approach is necessary.

Are you thinking of creating a Chinese herbal formula at home? It is really very cost efficient and easy to do once you have the basics down! Trade in those expensive cold medicines for a home brewed echinacea elixir! Before you begin concocting a Chinese herbal formula on your own, a visit to a Chinese herbalist is always a good idea to determine your individual needs.

The best container for making your Chinese herbal formula is preferably ceramic (but glass is ok too). You should avoid cast iron or metals because some Chinese herbs create chemical reactions with those materials. Your teapot should also have a lid, which you should never lift while cooking, as it can allow the vital healing properties to escape. In ancient times, the preferred water used came from a spring, although today you can fill your pot with whatever you prefer.

For recipes and Chinese herbal formulas, you may want to pick up a book at your local bookstore. For instance, “Herbs For Beauty” by Qing Yan gives ancient Chinese secrets for face wash and skin rejuvenation. Or perhaps you want a beginner’s guide, like Sandy Maine’s “Simple Herbal Recipes” book. For a more traditional approach focused on ancient methods, check out “The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes.” There are, of course, many books on the subject so it’s recommended that you make a trip to the bookstore, rather than trying to scour the internet.

After you finish cooking, strain the tea and try some. Some people find the initial brewing of their Chinese herbal formulas unpalatable, in which case they should try adding more water (or a drop of honey if absolutely necessary) before nixing the whole brew. While the taste may be shocking at first, you’ll find that the body will warm up to it over time. Some Chinese medicine books recommend putting your tea in for a second steeping. The first steeping will affect energy/Qi levels, while the second steeping offers effects on the blood level. You can even split the batch in half, putting one half in for a second steeping to combine both effects.

Which kind of Chinese herbal formulas will you be making? For optimal effect, tonification formulas should be drank on an empty stomach or an hour before eating. Pain relievers and formulas used to treat afflictions below the diaphragm should be taken an hour before eating so the food pushes the effects down. By contrast, a Shen calming Chinese herbal formula for insomnia relief should be taken an hour after eating or two hours before bed, as the food helps direct the effects upwards to the head. Formulas for heat syndromes should be taken chilled and cold syndrome herbal supplements should be taken hot.