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I am editing this question since I cannot delete it.

The reason why herbs were helping me for a while (I no longer take them) is because they offer some very important anti-oxidants and stimulants. So in a way, they work like a natural multi-vitamin.

However, herbs do not provide 100% cure. Only nutrition will. If you take herbs but do not stick to an anti-inflammatory diet (a high nutritional density low carb version of Paleo) no herbs in this world that would help you.

So... Chinese herbs really do help, but they won't cure you. If you want to restore your health completely, you need to eat well meaning stick to your diet and stay healthy.

My question now is - what is your herbal experience?

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1 
 Upvote from me! Congrats on your recovery! Paleo got me half way there as well and I'm still struggling through the other half of the journey. Now I'm thinking I should try an herbalist since all the other docs I've seen have let me down. You're not in Austin by chance?? – MeepsIsWellfed May 3 2012 at 23:59
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 No, I don't even live in the US. But the doctor is from the States (I think he is from Colorado). And the herbal supplements come from CA. I highly highly highly recommend him. I regret not doing it sooner. I have wasted so much of my time being sick. – VB May 4 2012 at 0:24
1 
 VB, I wish I could upvote this multiple times. I'm glad you've found some relief, and I hope it keeps getting better. :) – Sara S. May 4 2012 at 0:46
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 I want to make sure everyone here knows this treatment came from a licensed doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, not simply an "herbalist" of some sort. The degree has various different letters attached to the end, but it is a doctorate-level degree that requires years of intense study. Don't see an "herbalist," see a doctor (DAOM, DOM, OMD, CMD, et al.). – interrobung May 4 2012 at 3:00
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 He is a licensed doctor. And a US patent holder. And he is from Ohio, I found out. – VB May 4 2012 at 4:30
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7 Answers

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Without listing the herbs in question, no one can answer question 1. Even if you were to list them, it's quite likely only a DOM (or equivalent degree) could answer fully. Perhaps you should ask the doctor you saw, as he fits that description c:

This site is primarily focused on diet and lifestyle changes, and while there are lots of discussions with, from, and by folks with serious disease, most of it is run-of-the-mill tweaking of the n=1 experience. Paleo is a long-term and lifestyle change that enhances the body's ability to handle its own issues, not a medical (and herbs are medicine) treatment to cure a pathological problem.

I know this doesn't aswer all your questions, but I don't think they're all answerable, given the information you've shared, and I certainly can't answer any of the specifics about the herbs even if you were to share them. But I do hope it helps you to understand why you didn't get the specific advice nor results you wanted from our little community.

And I'm glad you're better. I've only had incredible experiences with traditional Chinese medicine over the last fifteen years; and as a medical student myself, I'm unsurprised you found relief there that standard Western medicine could not provide. Though I AM surprised your treatment was so effective despite no physical meeting or examination.

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1 
 As a future doctor, I BEG YOU - recommend your patients herbal treatment, because my doctor never told me anything about it. – VB May 4 2012 at 0:19
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 As a patient who has benefited from periodic treatment for years, I plan to have traditional Chinese medical doctors on my referral list, and would prefer even to run a joint or collaborative practice. So no worries here c: – interrobung May 4 2012 at 3:02
Way to go! Just pick good ones! – VB May 4 2012 at 4:39
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The short answer:the theory behind Traditional Chinese Medicine is about restoring balance in the body. The elements/ organs sound very metaphorical to us coming from a rational/ empiricist model of medicine, but the diagnostic methods are thorough and the remedies powerful where other methods failed. I too am impressed he did not need to see you in person and observe you. I've heard it said that herbal remedies are much more effective when the diet is clean from wheat, sugar, dairy, processed foods etc. So you may have been laying the groundwork for the herbs to work. Congrats on your recovery. TCM is very big on eating meat to build blood and strengthen the body by the way.

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Thank you for your answer. I hope this is the case, except for when before I contacted him I felt like I was dying. That was my last resort. – VB May 4 2012 at 4:37
Almost certainly the groundwork was laid by clean intake. Great insight! – interrobung May 4 2012 at 6:06
Except that people who are not Paleo (my friend) got the same results. I believe in Paleo as a preventative measure, I agree with the principals, but in my experience herbs are much stronger for people with health issues. Come to think of it, what would they do for a healthy person? – VB May 4 2012 at 6:13
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Wow! Congrats! I'd like to know this "herb doctor"! No side effects other than sleepiness? That's a miracle in itself!

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 Notice also that VB said the sleepiness was only at first. I'll take that. – MeepsIsWellfed May 4 2012 at 0:00
Sleepiness has stopped after the second day, I don't have it anymore. I am really alert now. – VB May 4 2012 at 0:17
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Have you been to an endocrinologist?

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Yes, and I was told to lose weight. – VB May 4 2012 at 0:18
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Maybe what you're doing could be better defined as naturalist. Hardcore paleo people won't tout herbal supplements because supplements were not around in Paleolithic age.

I will say though that I had all of your symptoms and went to a naturopath who told me to go paleo. Those symptoms were a result of hypothyroid and autoimmune problems. You might want to seek an endocrinologist or naturopath. If your problems are thyroid or autoimmune related, monitoring that may be beneficial.

If you feel good that's wonderful. I take some too and they help. You just may want to look further in to what herbals you're consuming. I'd want to know exactly what I'm putting in my body.

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 You mean, herbs were not known to tribal people? This is not true. They all use herbs. All of them, and on a regular basis. Even animals use herbs when they are sick. – VB May 4 2012 at 0:12
I know all the ingredients. I have no prior knowledge about them, as long as I feel good - that all that matters. Even if one of the ingredients would be "rat poison", I would still be taking them because they make me feel so good. – VB May 4 2012 at 0:20
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 Well I'm glad you're feeling that much better. My point was for example, vitamin D makes me feel better but too much of it can hurt me. Yes I realize it would have to be a lot, but it is possible and just an example. I didn't say they wouldn't eat herbs I just said they wouldn't supplement. – Sblueyez May 4 2012 at 0:38
As for Paleo wouldn't supplement - it seems to me (I could be wrong though) that many people on Paleohacks supplement. I don't, too sensitive for it. However, I believe in herbs now :) – VB May 4 2012 at 5:24
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 There may not have been supplements in the paleolithic but you can bet your boots people took advantage of herbs and their healing properties. Chinese medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine on the planet, and it works for a reason - it's been around a really long time and there's been plenty of fine tuning in the process. – gydle May 4 2012 at 5:50
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hair loss and brittle nails is low stomach acid, you had it way before going on PPI. The herbs healed your gut. Some people need to take HCl tablets.

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Maybe... I don't know... but in three days? – VB May 4 2012 at 4:34
why not? a simple correction can turn the body's normal processes back on as long as the damage wasn't permanent. – Lisa May 8 2012 at 0:32
Lisa, I quit work because I was felt so bad. I had horrible stomach ache. I could not eat anything but steamed vegetables. And in three days I am cured? How can it be a simple correction? – VB May 12 2012 at 9:44
Oh and I was totally fatigued out - I slept through most of the day. – VB May 12 2012 at 9:44
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That is really interesting! I'm so happy for you, that you are feeling better. I wonder if there is a Chinese medicine doc in my area...

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