Expert: Coninyah B. Dew - 12/28/2009

Question
achalasia
I read your previous answering concerning the 8 year old.
What herbs do you also recommend with this treatment?
I would like to pass this information to the acupuncture Dr that
I'm currently seeing. Perhaps this will give her some assistance in my treatment. I'm 51 years of age and have had this condition for 5-6 years now.
Thank you  

Answer
Hello Valerie,

Thank you for your question. There are several different herbs that can assist with different causes of achalasia. The diagnosis will determine what herbs to use and what combinations of each. Chinese medicine is different from western in that there is one formula to fit all conditions. There may be several different reasons from the Chinese medicine perspective why you suffer from this condition. Below are a list of herbs for your practitioner to consider. This however is not an exhaustive list. Additionally, you may want to consider having a discussion with your practitioner around your western diagnoses as applicable.

Bai Zhu
Zhi Ke
Yu Zhu
Dan Shen
Quing Pi

From the western stand point, there are also mechanical causalities to difficulty swallowing such as strictures to name one. The most common cause is severe untreated reflux. These are much more difficult to treat and as such require much more time and intervention. I do hope this has been of assistance. Thank you for reaching out to me and trusting the alternative medical profession to support you in your well being. I do wish you the best and should have additional questions, please feel free to ask. Be well.

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices