Expert: Tamsen Staniford, L.Ac. - 2/22/2009

Question
Hi Dr. Brendon,
I frequently get episodes of extreme itching throughout my entire body (scalp, back, chest, arms, legs, buttocks, face, ...) on average three times a day, and they can last for as much as five minutes. It's unbearable, and it has been increasing in severity throughout the four years that it first started. I'm 16 now. The itching does not come with any rashes. My nose is also always stuffed (for as long as I can remember), 24/7, 365 days a year. It is extremely hard to breathe through my nostrils, and I have to use my mouth. Anyway my doctor didn't give me a proper diagnosis, but gave my antihistamines, which does little help. She then suggested Traditional Chinese Medicine. I have no say over the matter, and my parents brought me to this unlicensed acupunturist. He glanced at my toungue, felt my wrist, and briefly asked me about my condition. He then gave me (my parents) a bunch of herbs and told me to brew and drink them twice a day, for as much as a year. When asked if I would have to stop taking any medications, he said that I could take ANY medication with the herbs, as they're different types of medicine. He's unlicensed by the way. Will this work?

Answer
Licensing regulations wary from state to state in the US.  There is a national board that offers their certification and many states use this as their standard.
You can search for nationally certified acupuncturists and herbalists in your area at their website:
www.nccaom.org
You can also check your state's acupuncture board website (if they have one) to find a licensed acupuncturist near you.
The exam that the practitioner performed is fairly typical.  Practitioners are looking at your pulse and your tongue to gather information about the health of your internal organs, your lifeforce energy (qi), and what pathogenic influences are causing your disease.  They correlate all that information to arrive at a pattern diagnosis and then prescribe herbs to treat that pattern.  
There are some medications that require caution when taken with Chinese herbs, the most common being blood thinners, diabetic medications and some antihypertensive drugs.  Trained professionals are aware of these contraindications and should make every effort to avoid possible complications between drugs and herbs.
The length of time taking the herbal formula that your practitioner stated is also based on the information gathered during their assessment.  Being young and having a chronic condition that has not improved with previous treatment indicates the probability that successful treatment will take a long time.  
If the boiled tea gets to be too much for you, herbal formulas can also be made from powders that are a bit easier to stomach.  If your current practitioner does not offer that, or you are uncomfortable with them in any way, find a new practitioner.