GOOD MEDICINE
In most of my articles, you’ll hear me recommending herbs to pair with acupuncture in order to treat or cure a problem. In this article I’d like to elaborate a bit on how herbs work and why they are so effective, using war as an analogy.
When there is a problem in the body — such as knee pain — we can consider that the body is at war with something in the problematic area. If our body is a country and we use World War II as an example, we can assume that the Axis has infiltrated our knee. The Allied forces need to overtake the enemy, but to do so, there has to be a secure battle strategy (diagnosis). In order to develop this plan, we must know what the terrain of the area is like in order to send out the appropriate forces and equipment. Is it mountainous? Is it surrounded by ocean? Is it a desert landscape? What is the climate like? Hot or cold? Dry or damp? What weaponry is being used? All of these indications need to be accounted for in order to devise the best plan of attack.
The herbs serve as our soldiers. Some soldiers are stronger than others. Some are armed with guns, while others have tanks, missiles, or other explosives. Knowing what you’re fighting and where the fighting is taking place indicates which soldiers to send out.
Oriental medicine is like the strategists. To win the war, you need all the enemy’s information you can acquire to form the best strategy. Then you need the ideal weapons and equipment to attack the enemy, win the war, and return the country to peacetime. Oriental medicine is also used to maintain peacetime and avoid situations of battle; we refer to this as preventative medicine.
Western medicine has a very different approach. Often, to win the war, they skip the strategic battle and go directly to dropping an atom bomb (surgery). In this instance, the war might be over, but the land has now been altered and is no longer in its natural state. Life in this area is now forever changed.
Once a proper diagnosis (battle strategy) is made, I prescribe the various herbs that will win the war but leave the terrain intact, just as it was found before the fighting began. Some herbs are stronger than others, some are beneficial to a specific organ, and some increase or decrease an element or “weather” issue. Having the correct strategy tells me if herbs are needed to eliminate heat, dampness, dryness, etc., or which organ needs aid.
My herbs are very high quality, cleaned, and boiled together to extract the essence of each. As a master herbalist, I design the mix and have them created especially for me, tailored to the individual constitutions as well as the patient’s needs. I primarily use liquid herbs, as they are distributed throughout the body quickly and easily. I prefer them over capsules of powdered herbs because pills are slower to disperse and can often end up being wasted by the body more than they are used. Just think of herbs like a prescription that a doctor gives you. You wouldn’t expect to get better if you didn’t take the medication he prescribes. It’s the same with herbs.
Nobody wants war, but unfortunately in most generations war is inevitable, both externally and internally (illness). Peace is always the best strategy, but should your own “country” start fighting, it’s good to know that you have access to the best military for proceeding to victory.
Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment, call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021.
