As your health counselor an western trained physician it is necessary for me to expose you to the current guidelines that I myself follow in searching for effective and reliable holistic medical care. 

Herbal Medicines:

Although the vast forms of herbs are relatively safe, the packaging and manufacturing of herbs can create high variability among one company to another. The climate, extraction, purification, and numerous other factors all affect the dose and quality of an herb;  the primary problem with this is that the manufacturers do not need to engage in pre-market safety and toxicity studies the way that pharmaceuticals need to. Though great roads still need to be taken to ensure greater restriction and regulation in a highly unregulated industry, a few caveats can help ensure greater confidence in picking the proper product. TOP

2) Make sure the label also contains a website, contact number, and other sources of reference. Large well-represented companies  (Nature’s Way, GNC, Centrum, Quanterra line) have too much at stake if their products are shams.  TOP

     The products of these companies will most likely be a bit more costly, yet the quality is usually higher than in cheaper, lesser-known companies.

¨   3) Buy your products from a well-recognized pharmacy or health food store. These stores will allow you to reference either a pharmacist of specialist who is well-understood in the products should you have any questions. If they can’t answer you directly, at least they should provide you with resources (such as books, manuals, etc) that can answer your questions. A smaller store that doesn’t provide you with the information you demand is not worth your time, or your business.

¨    4)  Most of all, if it looks too good to be true (promises wonders, without listing possible side effects or contraindications), keep looking! TOP

Acupuncture/Acupressure Regulation

It is important to note that acupuncture/acupressure is s treatment modality to reconfigure imbalances in the body that create dysfunction. As such, it is important that a complete medical diagnosis and workup by a state-licensed acupuncturist be undertaken. These modalities are highly affective, however, they, like herbs, are not harmless. Infection, bleeding, surgical emergencies from puncturing the lung and other tissues can occur if the treatment is not administered by a competent practitioner. Licensure is grated in 27 states. TOP

For more information about acupuncture licensure and requirements in each particular state, contact:

1. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture
   and Oriental Medicine. 301-608-9576.

2. American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and Medical Acupuncture Research Foundation. 213-937-5514

3. National Certification Commission for Acupuncture
    and Oriental Medicine 703-548-9004