Functional medicine looks for the root cause of illness instead of just managing symptoms. Shang Han Lun herbal medicine has been doing exactly that since roughly 200 CE. It reads the body through symptoms, pulse, and abdominal palpation, then uses one individualized formula at a time to correct how the body is functioning. Many patients notice changes within one to two weeks, sometimes within days.

Your herbal formula isn't trying to punish you — that bold flavor is actually part of how it works. Here's why bitter, pungent, and downright strong tastes are a sign of good medicine, not bad news.

Working with an herbalist might bring up some questions for you, like: What are my herbs actually doing?! If you’re curious to learn more about Chinese herbal medicine theory and diagnosis, and how that goes into creating your herbal formula, this is the article for you.

Holiday cooking and baking is full of medicinal herbs that not only smell and taste amazing, but they’re also good for your health. Find out which ones you need the most this year.

If you’re having any doubts about taking herbal medicine, get the facts here.

Looking to detox your medicine cabinet? Here are a number of herbal remedies that can take the place of many of the drugs you take occasionally to make you more comfortable.