Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine has always been considered pre-eminent amongst the various methods of healing within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is practised extensively throughout clinics and hospitals in China alongside Western medicine. Its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness has had the most profound influence on the practice of medicine all over the Far East. Countless generations of doctors over thousands of years have carefully observed patterns of illness and have used powerful natural remedies to alleviate these conditions and restore good health.

Avicenna's Herbal Medicine practitioners

Mazin Al-Khafaji

Mazin started his studies in Chinese medicine and the Chinese language in 1979, and gained his Doctor of Chinese Medicine from Shanghai College of TCM in 1987.

He is  respected worldwide as an inspirational  teacher and clinician and co-author of the textbook Manual of Acupuncture.

Mazin specializes in: Dermatology, auto-immune & allergic disease.

Read full biography & Fees


Qin Li

Qin Li graduated from the Cheng Du College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1983. Between 1996 and 2000 she worked as a consultant in gynaecology and internal medicine. She has been in practice in the UK since 2001.

Qin Li specializes in:  Gynaecological disorders including menopause and fertility as well as anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders.

Read full biography & Fees


Andrew Flower

Andrew graduated in 1992 in herbal medicine and acupuncture and undertook further clinical training in Taiwan and China.

Andrew specializes in: supportive care for people living with cancer, mental health problems, gynaecological disorders and pain management.

Read full biography & Fees


Robin Burby

Robin graduated in 2008 with a 1st class honours degree as well as receiving an award for excellence in studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has experience working in pain clinics and cancer support.

Robin specializes in: chronic pain including lumbago, sciatica, neck, knee & shoulder, stress, depression, fatigue, migraines and insomnia as well as gynaecological disorders.

Read full biography & Fees


TCM combines a detailed analysis of signs and symptoms with a unique system of pulse and tongue diagnosis to develop a detailed picture of the course and process of disease. After diagnosis each person will be prescribed an individual herbal formula, tailor made to their specific requirements. This allows for a subtle but powerfully effective form of treatment with minimal side-effects. Considerable research into many aspects of TCM has been conducted in China and the West proving beyond doubt its efficacy and merit. People of any age and constitution can benefit from Chinese herbal medicine.

...Chinese herbal medicine allows for a subtle but powerfully effective form of treatment with minimal side-effects.

Chinese herbal medicine remedies may influence a wide range of acute and chronic disease, including:

  • Skin disease: Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria, lichen simplex, lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, fungal & yeast infections, bacterial & viral disease such as herpes simplex, impetigo, polymorphic light eruption (sun allergy), etc
  • Allergic and Auto-immune disease: Hay fever, asthma, thyroid disease such as Grave's & Hashimoto's disease, myasthenia gravis, Sjogren's syndrome, multiple sclerosis MS
  • Gastro-intestinal disorders: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, diarrhoea, persistent nausea & vomiting, stomach ulcer (duodenal & peptic), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease.
  • Gynaecological & Obstetrics: Pre-menstrual syndrome, painful periods, endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, habitual miscarriage, fibro-cystic, morning sickness, insufficient lactation (breast milk), post natal depression, post natal weakness and debility.
  • Male disorders: Infertility, low sperm count & motility, impotence, chronic prostate problems
  • Respiratory conditions: Asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis
  • Rheumatologic conditions: Osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, ankylosing spondylitis
  • Urinary conditions: Chronic cystitis, interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome
  • Psychological disorders: Insomnia, depression, anxiety
  • Supportive therapy in the treatment of cancer: Side effect of chemo and radiotherapy, fatigue, nausea, low blood count etc.
  • Neurological conditions: Headache, migraine, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy
  • Cardio-vascular disease: Angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irregular heart rhythm
  • Children's diseases: Bed wetting, glue ear, reoccurring tonsillitis, asthma, eczema etc.
  • Other: Hepatitis A, B, C, chronic fatigue syndrome ME, symptoms associated with HIV infection

Last Herbal Medicine news

Hu Tao Ren - The Walnut

The Walnut has been in the press recently for it's medicinal qualities. TCM has been using them for centuries!

Liver fibrosis & Chinese Herbs

Liver fibrosis is a condition of abnormal proliferation of connective tissue due to various types of chronic liver injury often caused by viral infection and chemicals. Effective therapies against liver fibrosis are still limited. In this review, the authors focus on research on Chinese medicines.  

Red Yeast Rice an alternative to Statins for people with high cholesterol & statin-intolerance

High cholesterol. An alternative - In a study held at the University of Pennsylvania scientists have discovered that the Chinese Medicine Red Yeast Rice (Hong Qu) has similar benefits to the statins but without the risk of the side effects.

The effectiveness of mint tea as a painkiller.

A team working out of Newcastle University has proved that a cup of Brazilian mint tea has pain-relieving qualities matching those of commonly available painkillers. Hyptis crenata (Brazilian Mint) has been prescribed by Brazilian...

Chinese Herbs for Endometriosis may have comparable benefits with fewer side effects than conventional drug treatment

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may relieve symptoms in the treatment of endometriosis, according to a study published today. A systematic review by researchers at the University of Southampton found some evidence that women had...