News

July 2010 - New postage prices as from July 5, 2010

May 2010 - AACMAC Adelaide

We would like to congratulate AACMA for an excellent organisation of their annual symposium in Adelaide. We truly enjoyed an inspirational, professional and humorous gathering of a wide variety of individuals and organisations associated with the Chinese medicine industry.

March 2010 - Scar treatment (Ban He Gao)

Moves blood, dispels stasis, dissipates swelling & stops pain. For scars with swelling, hardening, discoloration and cicatrisation. A practitioner only product available in 20g, 50g and 100g jars.

February 2010   Contamination Levels

Any TGA approved product (patent formulas, pre-packaged) has to comply with high standards. However, individual herbs (especially raw herbs) should be tested for botanical identity and contamination levels.

Liquid Extracts(single substances, regarded as raw products for compounding) are manufactured in Belgium. European standards require correct botanic identity and investigated contamination levels for each and every batch of raw herbs. The product is only released if the levels comply. It is then issued with a COA (Certificate of Analysis).

If you prescribe, administer or ingest Liquid Extracts, you can be sure that each single substance is considered as safe according to high European standards.

November 2009

Practitoner only medical cream range now available in 20g, 50g 100g jars.

September 2009      Dutch Menopause Study

This European study researched the effect of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) on menopausal symptoms compared to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and placebo. One of the treatment methods was the usage of TCM liquid extracts  (Dutch Menopause Study).

August 2009      'Safflower Extract' (Newsletter)

Safflower now features a newsletter called 'Safflower Extract'. You may subscribe via the Login section on this website. Also, immediately available are at least 20 new substances (including a range of animal products). The updated product list can be downloaded via the Login section.

June 2009      Two new sections added to website

We have added a Login section for practitioner-only access. We have also created a What's TCM page that briefly explains Traditional Chinese Medicine and lists practitioners using TCM liquid extracts.

May 2009      Interview with James Skoien

Why did you choose to work with TCM liquid extracts?
Originally, I looked for a more pleasant form of herbal medicine for my patients; patients complained of the extra work of preparing or cooking raw herbal formulas, or, of the unpleasant taste of the granulated concentrates. For most patients, the tinctures are a more agreeable form of herbal medicine. However, the most important reason for continuing to prescribe in liquid extract form is due to many positive experiences in treating patients - the liquid concentrates work!

How can you make sure, to use the right dosage for individual patients?
Big topic! I dose often higher than standard recommendations and by acute and/or urgent conditions often more frequently. For example, with adults by many chronic conditions, I recommend a full teaspoon 3 times a day. For urgent conditions, I might recommend 4 or 5 times this dosage a day. For an infection (common cold, cystitis, etc.) perhaps 5 to 6 times a day.

After how long do you expect signs of results?
In general and depending on the condition treated, I expect an improvement with herbal medicine relatively quickly. In acute case,
there should be improvement in days. By chronic conditions (again, depending on the condition), there should be improvement within one to two weeks.

Which conditions do you treat with TCM liquid extracts? Are there any areas where they work better?
I use the liquid extracts for most internal medical conditions. I use the herbs externally (creams) for skin conditions. I‘m satisfied with the liquid extracts for most conditions treated.

What do you regard as a quality indicator for TCM liquid extracts?
Clinically, the reliable factor is the positive reaction of the patients. Symptoms treated with the herbs improve.

What compliance do you expect from administering TCM liquid extracts?
In general, I would say most patients comply with the recommended dosage and daily intake of herbs (circa 90%); patients often comply less with the powder granules 60% - mainly taking the herbs less frequently.

Do you combine TCM liquid extracts with granulated extracts, raw herbs or patent medicines?
I usually do not combine, but I‘m sure it is possible.

Why did you choose to work with a Chinese herbal dispensary and not dispense yourself?
The main advantage is the cost efficiency. It is very expensive to dispense the herb - an herbal pharmacy in the clinic costs plenty of money.

How long have you been working with TCM liquid extracts?
I believe it is about 7 or 8 years now.

What was the highlight in the years you have been using TCM liquid extracts?
The often very quick improvement in patients taking the fluids for chronic conditions is perhaps the highlight - examples: chronic depression, chronic digestive complaints, etc.

James Skoien, Herbalist and Acupuncturist, Lucerne, Switzerland

over 24 years of experience in clinical practice and international teaching

www.akupunkturluzern.ch

May 2009      AACMAC Melbourne

Visit us at the AACMAC in Melbourne:

22 - 24 May 2009

Melbourne & Olympic Park

Batman Avenue, Melbourne

Exhibition booth 11

Free tasting & samples of high quality TCM liquid extracts!

Invitation to all herbalists

November 2008 Grand Opening

On November 9, 2008 Safflower celebtrated a Grand Opening. Safflower will later annouce an Open Day for TCM practitioners who would like to visit our laboratory to get familiar with the products and services we offer.