What do I get for my diagnostic assessment fee? ($115.00)
Why can't I get more than a ten day supply of herbs after my first consult?
Why is the diagnostic assessmnet so long?
What if I do the diagnostic assessment and you can't help me?
I don't understand something on 'My health Plan'
What conditions can Chinese or holistic medicince help with?
Are the herbs dangerous, are there any risks to taking herbs?
How often will I need a follow up visit?

General Herb Questions

How long will I have to take the herbs for?
I am allergic to lots of things, will I be allergic to herbs?
Where do the herbs come from, How do we know they have been identified properly?
What do the herbs taste like?
How will I know if the herbs are working, How long will it take for the herbs to work?
What form do the herbs come in?
Can pregnant women take herbs?
Can nursing mothers take herbs?
How should I store my herbal extract powders/capsules?
Can i take my herbal formula with my pharmaceutical prescription?

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT FEE?
1. Your initial diagnostic assessment will be evaluated by a nationally board certified Herbologist and licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine. (Go to About Dr. Moore)

2. A “My health plan” report completed by the doctor. (Go to sample Health Plan)

3. The ability to ask free follow-up questions via E-mail.

4. A 5% discount off all products, all the time, forever.

5. A ten-day supply of custom made, personalized, concentrated, herbal extract powder shipped to wherever you tell me. Shipping charges will still be applied. (See FAQ below about the powder)

6. 50 % off any follow up consults! ($40.00) Herbs cost an extra $ 35.00 per 10 day supply.

7. Advice on which of the other products might be right for you.

WHY CAN’T I GET MORE THAN A TEN DAY SUPPLY OF HERBS AFTER MY FIRST CONSULT?
This is because a persons’ condition is very likely to change after 7-10 days of starting herbal therapy and undertaking the other lifestyle changes recommended here. This way we are able to check your progress and modify the herb formula, as your condition requires it.
WHY IS THE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT SO LONG?
This is done so that we can provide you with the most complete and accurate information about your health and healthcare. It gives us an accurate picture of who you are and what your state of health and disease is. It is the only time you will ever have to fill it out. A standard follow up form will only contain a few pertinent individualized questions. When you come to my office or to any top-notch doctors office you are required to fill out several pages of questions similar to this and then you discuss your health with your doctor; this form takes the place of both of those. It is truly an indispensable tool.

WHAT IF I DO THE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT AND YOU CAN’T HELP ME?
Then you get your money back!!! It is extremely rare that any health condition cannot be helped in some way, however, if this happens you will receive an E-mail stating why you could not be helped (instead of the “my health plan” page). You will receive a 100% refund no matter what the reason was that we could not offer any advice!!!

I DON’T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING ON ‘MY HEALTH PLAN'.
E-mail us! Right away. We will be happy to answer any questions within 24 hours.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN CHINESE OR HOLISTIC MEDICINE HELP WITH?
A natural or Traditional Chinese approach to your health may help anyone in any state of health or disease. Any problem you would consider asking your family physician about, or any disease found in a textbook of internal medicine can benefit from a holistic approach. It should not be applied instead of surgery or drugs. However, I have seen many patients reduce their dosage of a drug or wean themselves from a drug many times using alternative techniques. I have also seen many of my patients try to avoid surgery using traditional techniques with varying degrees of success; but the consensus among patients seems to be “why not at least try to avoid the surgery”. We need to remember that these natural medicines are gentle, and slower acting than modern drugs. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a “magic bullet” cure. That is not to say that miracles don’t happen or that I have not seen spontaneous healing. Sometimes a natural approach can be used in conjunction with surgery and drugs, in fact I don’t know of an instance where someone who will undergo surgery and/or drug therapy would not benefit from integrating the approaches together. In China this is the norm. Other times we can apply these traditional techniques to palliative care to help make a person who has no other options comfortable. Often times Chinese medicine is employed apart form surgery and drugs to bring about a more balanced state of health. Chinese medicine is more than merely a different type of healing to try; it is a way of life steeped in Taoist philosophy. It is perhaps best used as a lifestyle to prevent disease, promote longevity, and bring about better health to our minds, bodies, and souls.

ARE THE HERBS DANGEROUS, ARE THERE ANY RISKS TO TAKING HERBS?

When prescribed by a trained professional, such as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (D.O.M.) there are no risks to taking herbs. I have treated thousands of patients and only on five occasions did a patient report to me that they felt a little upset stomach from the herbs. This is corrected by:

1. Taking the herbs closer to mealtime so that the herbs are not taken on an empty stomach.

2. Lowering the dose of the herbs by anywhere from 50-80% and gradually increasing the dose of the herbs over the next two weeks.

3. A change in some of the herbs in the formula. We need to think of herbs as special foods with strong flavors and actions, and filled with nutritional value.

Of course it is not wise to run into a field and start eating plants or to go into a health food store and start picking things off the shelf because you heard that a particular herb “was good for such and such a condition”. There are in fact some herbs that are mildly toxic, but when given in the proper dose, in combination with other herbs becomes quite safe. Your herb prescription is only appropriate for YOU, and just like a drug prescription should not be given to your spouse or friend – even if you think they have the same diagnosis! There are no exceptions to this rule! We should always treat herbs, the planet, and ourselves with respect.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED A FOLLOW UP VISIT?

Generally, the follow-ups are at 10 days, again at 30 days (at which point you have the option to switch to capsules), and again at 75-90 days. Some level of improvement in a condition is expected to have occurred by around day 45. We look to continue to build on that improvement over the next several months, gradually tapering your dosage of herbs and modifying the components of the formula at the 75-90 day follow up visit. Eventually the herb dosage is reduced to nothing.

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE THE HERBS FOR?

This is best addressed on a case-by-case basis but there are a few basic rules:

1. How long have you had the problem for? Generally one month for each year you have had the problem.

2. How many different health issues are you trying to treat at once? The more problems the longer it will take to treat.

3. Are you employing other methods along with the herbal therapy? For example: exercise, diet, supplements, counseling, chiropractic, acupuncture, water therapy, meditation, etc. An herbal formula is not to be taken forever.

The formula should be plastic and change with your condition and needs. It is important to follow up with all of your doctors. Remember YOU are in charge of your healthcare. I tell my patients to think of me as a coach and that they are the star player who must carry out the instructions.

I AM ALLERGIC TO LOTS OF THINGS, WILL I BE ALLERGIC TO THE HERBS?
It is always imperative to inform all of your doctors of any allergies potential or real!
However, I have never seen an instance in thousands of cases where a patient was allergic to an herb formula that I had prescribed. Even when a patient was allergic to mushrooms they had no reaction to specific medicinal mushrooms used in formula. In this instance the mushrooms were in a small dose and combined with allergy neutralizing herbs. If you think you are having an allergic reaction, stop taking the formula and contact the doctor who prescribed them. If you ever experience difficulty breathing call 911!

WHERE DO THE HERBS COME FROM, HOW DO WE KNOW THE HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED PROPERLY?
The herbs are procured from around the globe depending on the best source for each individual herb. All of our herbs our 100% natural and free of any chemicals or preservatives. Our herbs are extracted from only the finest pharmaceutical grade raw herbs. Botanical and pharmacological experts check the quality and identification of all herbs. Herbs must not only pass a visual inspection but also laboratory analysis using the most sophisticated scientific equipment available. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is used to identify the species and the presence of active compounds. The raw herbs are also checked for herbicides, pesticides, heavy metal content, and other harmful substances. Those herbs that do not pass the most stringent quality assurance tests are automatically rejected. The herbs are then processed according to Traditional Chinese medical tenets (e.g. Baked or wine stir-fried). To ensure the safety and purity of the herbal products the extraction process is performed in a closed clean-room environment using only purified water. The extraction process is tailored toward the specific nature of each individual herb in order to maximize potency. The process uses heat and pressure to extract the herbs collecting essential volatile oils in the steam, which is then added back into the extract. The extract liquid is further concentrated by low-temperature vacuum evaporation, which enables concentration without compromising potency of the herbs. Our herbs are standardized to eliminate fluctuation of potency. State of the art technology such as High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Thin layer chromatography (TLC), and Liquid column chromatography (LCC) are used for qualitative and quantitative analyses. Active ingredients are identified, analyzed, and compared to an established standard to ensure accuracy and consistency of the final products. Only with these tests can it be confirmed that the extracts are genuine. Our extracts are manufactured in Taiwan under the most stringent GMP (Good Manufacturing practice) guidelines which meet or exceed the standards of western pharmaceuticals.

WHAT DO THE HERBS TASTE LIKE?
Each formula tastes different. Some herbs are: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent (spicy), bland, or salty. Different combinations of the flavors are used depending on the patient’s condition. Mostly the herbs just taste different to the American palate. Remember it is a medicine. It is neither “raspberry meadow” flavored nor does it taste like a sewer! Also, capsules are available, however, they cost more, you have to order a minimum of 400 capsules, and when first starting out on a course of herbs the average daily dosage is around 10 grams (about a teaspoon) of concentrated powdered extract, which is equal to 20 capsules!!! Eventually, as a patients dose is tapered and we are set on a formula it is my goal to get most patients to take capsules (by this point the dose is around 12 capsules per day total.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE HERBS ARE WORKING / HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE HERBS TO WORK?
Gradually you will see improvements in various aspects of your condition. For example: has the main problem that you sought help for improved, are you sleeping better, do you have more energy, has your digestion improved, do you experience less headaches, do you experience less PMS. I ask that all patients continue to follow up with me within the time frame that I recommend for each patient. (See “WHEN WILL I HAVE TO DO A FOLLOW-UP”) How long before you see results? I refer you above to “how long do I have to take the herbs for?”

WHAT FORM DO THE HERBS COME IN?

Herbs come in many forms:

1. Raw unprocessed herbs that you need to process yourself by either grinding them into powder to be made into pills or capsules or by boiling them into a tea (called a decoction which takes about an hour and a half to prepare).

2. An alcohol extract of the herbs (often called a tincture which can be difficult to compound and ship).

3. A concentrated extract powder (5:1 ratio).

This is the form that I favor for the following reasons:

1. Ease of preparation for the patient, the powder can be mixed into a tea form in seconds. This allows for a high level of patient compliance.

2. The taste is less strong than the decoction form.

3. It is just as strong in its medicinal properties as the tincture form and the decoction form, while being much stronger than standard pills or capsules that are not extracts.

4. The powder is easy to work with and compound into formulas, while also being easy and cost effective to ship.

5. We know the herbs have been properly identified and do not contain any contaminants (see above –“where do the herbs come from, how do we know they have been identified properly”)

CAN PREGNANT WOMEN TAKE HERBS?
My general rule is to not recommend the use of herbs during pregnancy. However, under the supervision of a professional, herbs may be employed to prevent recurrent miscarriage or in other limited instances.

CAN NURSING MOTHERS TAKE HERBS?
Under certain circumstances with the professional advise of a doctor of oriental medicine, nursing mothers may take certain formulas.

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY HERBAL EXTRACT POWDERS/CAPSULES?
Herbal extract powders or capsules should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture. They will keep on average for 3 years. But if you want them to work you have to TAKE them as recommended!!!

CAN I TAKE MY HERBAL FORMULA WITH MY PHARMACEUTICAL PRESCRIPTION?
As long as the herbs have been prescribed by a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and the doctor has been apprised of your total medical condition, including what drugs you are taking and what you medical history is -- there will be no negative interaction. Certain conditions and/or their drugs do require caution and special consideration. These include: epilepsy and seizure medication, heart conditions and blood thinners, pregnant women (see above), decreased kidney function or increased liver stress.