Collection: Health Concerns

Health Concerns is the first company that started manufacturing Chinese herbal products in the US for healthcare practitioners. The brand applies the science of modern chemistry (modern scientific research) to test traditional formulas (Eastern knowledge) and develop numerous TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) protocols and products to address the health concerns of Western patients. The main mission of Health Concerns is to provide pure and potent herbal formulas. The brand uses testing criteria called Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients endorsed by bodies like AHPA, CHPA, CRN, and the Natural Products Association. In 2019, the company decided to manufacture supplements in capsule forms from tablet forms.

Health Concerns: Benefits and Highlights

Brands commitment: Health Concerns uses medicinal herbs and modern science to provide Chinese herbal formulas that are high-quality, safe and effective. They offer benefits of both ancient and modern science. 

Product categories: The brand formulates herbal formulas for different categories, including Immune Support, Digestive Health, and Women's Health.

Provide health solutions to doctors: The brand is a source of providing quality and potent Chinese herbal formulas for doctors.  

Manual herbal selection: The region where herbs are grown, time of harvesting, and species types are the most important considerations while selecting herbs. The organically grown herbs are manually selected. Endangered/ sprayed/fumigated herbs are not used/ selected. The various parts of the plant have unique health properties like leaves, roots, bark, fruit, seeds, and flowers. To manufacture supplements, the brand uses only the most potent parts of the plant. 

Quality, analysis check, and lab testing: In ancient times, herbs were evaluated based on their smell, taste, and appearance. The same concept is used by Health Concerns. Their Trained herbalists evaluate herbs based on the aforementioned parameters following which analysis is done to check the percentage of active components, strength, and efficacy. Samples are also sent to laboratories where the latest and advanced technology is used to test the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, and contaminants in the sample. To get detailed information on the composition at the molecular level, techniques like electrophoresis and chromatography (high-pressure liquid, gas, and thin layer) are used. 

Popular Formulas by Health Concerns

  • Astra Isatis is formulated to support the immune system of the body naturally. It is a combination of Isatis leaf & root, Astragalus root, etc.

  • Astra Essence: This formula contains Astragalus root,  Ligustrum fruit,  Fo-Ti stem & root, and other herbal ingredients that act as an immune tonic formula.

  • Coptis Purge Fire Formula is a combination of roots, rhizomes, and fruits of different plants. Some of them are Coptis, Isatis, Dong Quai, etc. It is formulated to ease intense discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to avoid when taking Chinese herbs?

Here is a list of precautions, one needs to take while taking Chinese herbs:

  • Never drink strong tea along with Chinese Medicine.

  • When taking tonic medicines, avoid radish, tea, and coffee.

  • Avoid coffee, pepper, and chili when taking medicines with cold properties.

  • Raw and cold fruits and soft drinks need to be avoided when taking medicines with warm properties.

  • Avoid damp foods (sugary, fried), especially in summer.

What is the most powerful Chinese herb?

Oldenlandia diffusa (Bai Hua She She Cao), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), ‌‌‌‌Astragalus (Huang Qi), Fo-ti (or he shou wu), Rehmannia glutinosa, Salvia miltiorrhiza or Danshen, Ren Shen (Red Ginseng Root), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root) are commonly used Chinese herbs. Arouse Vigor, Calm Dragon, Gather Vitality are Chinese herb supplements taken for general health and wellness, energy levels, etc.

What is the basis of Chinese traditional medicine?

The basis of Chinese Traditional Medicine can be explained in the following points:

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on the integrity of the human body and  its close relationship with its social and natural environments. 

  • According to elements theory in TCM, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, divides the human body into five systems. 

  • The world is a single unit and its movement gives rise to yin and yang, which are the principles of Chinese medicine.

  • Yin and yang are the opposite. They are the negative and the positive. 

  • Yin is associated with  blood, fluids, and organs and involves night, dark, cold, negative, passive, female, solid, liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidney.

  • Yang is mainly associated with function and involves day, light, warm, positive, active, male, active, hollow, gall bladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, and urinary bladder.

  • Yin-Deficiency represents the  lack of nutrition and fluid. If the Kidney-Yang is too weak to warm the Spleen, symptoms like diarrhea and poor digestion occur. 

  • The four bodily humors (qi, blood, moisture, and essence) and internal organ systems (zang fu) balance the yin and yang.

  •  Yin and yang should be in balance to feel relaxed and energetic. Imbalance in yin and yang leads to disease, treated by herbs.

Is ashwagandha used in Chinese medicine?

An article by Michael Forman elaborated on this topic. Some of the important points are given below:

  • In Traditional  Chinese  Medicine, details about prescriptions and practices are recorded in Materia  Medica. Li Shizhen completed the first draft in 1578 AD. Owing to the communication gap, renowned herbs like Ashwagandha from India’s Ayurvedic tradition were not known or included in this Chinese record.

  • On comparing Ayurvedic and TCM herbs, Ashwagandha has properties to “Tonify Qi” and “Tonify Blood and Essence”.

  • It is an adaptogenic herb. According to the doctors of the Traditional Chinse Medicine, it is a Qi Tonic. This superior herb strengthens the defensive functions of the body and tonifies the defensive Qi.

  • Ashwagandha like Chinese herbs like Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Ci Wu Jia, Lu Rong, and Dang Gui,  is sweet, and acrid, and enters channels (Kidney, spleen, and lungs). It is superior, adaptogenic, immuno-modulating, neuroprotective, hematopoietic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. These properties suggest that it may be included in TCM Materia Medica.

Is Chinese traditional medicine similar to Ayurveda?

There are similarities between Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

  • The patient is the main focus and not the disease.

  • Involves holistic approach to promote health and improve quality of life.

  • In Traditional Chinese medicine,  water, earth, metal, wood, and fire are the five elements. In Ayurveda, akasha or ether, vayu or air, teja or fire, aap or water and prithvi or earth are the pancha mahabhutas. These are the elements that exist in the material world.

  • In Ayurveda, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three doshas that regulate the physiological and psychological processes in the human body. Any imbalance in these three dosha trigger illness and is manifested as signs and symptoms of disease.

  • In TCM, Yin and yang need to be in balance to achieve homeostasis and good health. Any imbalance in Yin and yang leads to disease.