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If you suffer from chronic vaginal yeast infections, UTIs, or BV (and if you are reading this there is a good chance you do) you understand the absolute misery and sense of helplessness these conditions can induce.  You’ve probably tried everything - gallons of cranberry juice, tampons soaked in yogurt, not to mention over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical remedies such as antifungals and antibiotics. Let me guess: it just keeps coming back. Why? We’ll get into that

After every major injury patients are told the same thing: wait and see.   Is my broken humerus going to heal well? Wait and see. Will my ankle ever be the same? Wait and see.  What if my fracture doesn’t heal in 6 to 8 weeks? First wait and see, and then we’ll wait and see some more.  I’ve listened to these stories hundreds of times - because I’m who you come to when ‘ wait and see’  didn’t turn out well. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait! You don’t have to be the

I often get asked if I grow all the herbs I use at my clinic myself. The short answer is “no”.  I use several thousand pounds of herbs in my clinic every year, so I would have to be a full-time herb farmer in order to grow, harvest and prepare enough herbs to supply my own clinic! Much like Chinese herbal medicine practice, herb cultivation is its own art form. In China and other East Asian countries farmers have cultivated the same types of medicinal herbs for hundred of yea

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT How Chinese Herbal Medicine Works Traditional Chinese herbal medicine treatment is different from anything you’ve experienced with Western medicine, naturopathy, or functional medicine. One of the many key differences is that we use custom herbal formulas that are unique and highly specific to each individual. We also check in on your progress frequently (every 2 to 4 weeks) to make sure you are improving. As your body changes, y

Table of Contents About Chinese Herbal Medicine for Colds & Flus The Best Herbal Formulas for Immune Support Hot Tips on How to Not Get Sick “Can you recommend something for my cold? I’m sick and I have a big trip coming up!” Yes and no. There isn’t a quick and simple solution to colds and flus. We want there to be, because being sick is a hassle. It seems ridiculous to us that in this world of modern medicine we can still be brought to our knees by the common cold! That word

Does your menstrual cycle feel like a roller coaster ride from hell?  Are you looking for a solution to a smoother cycle? Let’s say one that doesn’t involve unpredictable periods, excruciating pain, canceled plans, and gobbling over the counter painkillers like candy.  Whether you’re dealing with premenstrual mood swings and emotional turmoil, irregular cycles, or painful periods - you’re in the right place. If it feels like the seven dwarves are trying to dig their way out o

“Do you have something I can take for sleep?”  This is the question on your mind, and my answer is yes.  Your next question might be, “Great! Where can I buy it? And why is this article so damn long?”  You might be expecting that this is the part where I convince you that my sleep remedy is better than all the rest. And sure, that may be true, but I’m not in this to sell you something. I’m here to help you find a  solution  for your sleep problems.  Getting the answers you se

Skin problems like acne can be physically uncomfortable, but they also have a unique psychological challenge - they are hard to hide.  People deal with health problems that can’t be seen every day, and that has its own set of difficulties. But with acne, you seldom have a choice about whether people know your business or not - our skin is the surface we show to the world. Acne is rarely a sign of serious health issues, but it is caused by imbalances that indicate our body is

This article is intended to provide more information on my treatment methods when using Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine for fertility. I know that since Chinese Medicine is unfamiliar in the US, there can be anxiety and stress around what to expect, including  what herbs I might prescribe for you. This article is to give you a little more context.  This is not intended as a guide to use for self-diagnosis or treatment. Chinese herbal medicine practice requires years of st

Vaginal yeast infections can feel the end of the world as you know it—the itching, the burning, the bloating and fatigue. They interrupt your sleep, your sex life, and your weekend plans.  You’ve tried all the over-the-counter yeast infection treatments, from Monistat to Boric acid, and somehow always ended up with a recurrence. Why, dear Lord,  why? Bad news first: a yeast infection in one area of your body usually indicates an imbalance in the whole system, not just the aff

I would love to help support you in bringing a child into the world. Traditional Chinese Medicine practice is not well known in America,...

In Western Medicine, between 10% and 50% of infertility cases are categorized as “unexplained.” In cases that do have an explanation,...

There are many reasons to consider using Chinese Medicine for fertility support - it’s natural, it’s safe, and it’s effective. But there’s also a lot more to it than that. In this article, I will introduce how we address reproductive health in Chinese Medicine, the logistics of working with my clinic, fertility preparation, and some simple things that you couples can do to support fertility. Chinese Medicine Theory and Fertility Reproduction is one of the most natural process

Over the years I’ve worked with people suffering from a wide range of ailments, and I’ve come to believe that suffering is relative; nobody’s specific type of suffering is ‘worse’ than anyone else's. Misery is misery, be it migraine headaches or chronic constipation. That being said, sinus infections are a special kind of hell. The splitting headaches, the pressure, the chronic sore throat from post-nasal drip. And the fatigue! That’s a killer. You might be dragging yourself

You have most likely found this page because you’re having some trouble with your gallbladder and your doctor has recommended that you...

Life after gallbladder removal. If you have had your gallbladder removed, there is one very important piece of post operative advice that you should have been given, but likely were not.  So here it is: when you eat a fatty meal, you should take   ox bile   along with it.  Now, I have no idea why it’s not standard medical care to give this simple piece of advice after your cholecystectomy. Most likely because the Western medical system simply isn’t built for prevention. For e

Many people have concerns about the safety and quality of Chinese herbs. The truth is, Chinese herbal medicine is incredibly safe when sourced properly  and prescribed by a skilled and qualified practitioner .  So let’s break that down. Sourcing High Quality Herbs Before I went to graduate school for Chinese Medicine, I studied botany and sustainable agriculture at UC Santa Cruz. I am well aware of the problems with chemical pesticides and environmental contaminants, so I onl

In this article I’m going to cover some of the most important things you need to know about Chinese Medicine, including what it is, why it works, and how it can help you. Let’s start with the basics: What is Chinese Medicine? Chinese Medicine is an independent medical system that was developed thousands of years before modern Western medicine. It was developed through scientific observation, systematic record keeping, and extensive clinical practice.  Chinese Medicine has a u

Hi, I’m Sean Dugan, licensed and board-certified herbalist.  This article is about how my herbal clinic works. I’ll start with the nuts and bolts of the clinical process - everything you need to know to use the system as a patient. Further down, I will dive into why I do things the way I do.  Here’s how it works in a nutshell. Getting Started 1. Schedule a consultation and complete online intake forms.  2. At your consultation I will recommend a treatment plan 3. Pay for your

There are three formula types that I use in my clinical practice: granule extracts, raw herbs, and capsules. The formula type that we...