Affordable Herbal Medicine: Why We Use Formulas Over Custom Mixes
Introduction
If you've ever wanted to learn about Chinese herbal medicine, you may imagine an herbalist individually measuring out personal herbs to craft a special formula just for you. While that classic vision has its beauty, there's another method that's just as effective and worlds simpler: time-honored herbal formulas. Here at Open Care Community of Downtown Brooklyn, we think that strong healing shouldn't cost a pretty penny, and that's why we chiefly utilize classical Chinese herbal formulas instead of personal concoctions with all of our patients save for a few exceptions.
This methodology permits us to sell high-quality herb medicine at our sliding-scale fees ($45–$90 for community acupuncture, +$15 first visit), making Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) available to all people in our diverse Brooklyn community. Opting for formulas rather than made-to-order mixtures doesn't equate to cookie-cutter care. Let's discover why old formulas can be just right for your contemporary needs for wellness.
👉Learn more about our affordable herbal consultations and discover how traditional wisdom can support your health journey.
What Is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is one of the earliest known healing systems, with its foundations in over 3,000 years of real world clinical experience and gradual refinement. Traditional Western medicine tends to focus on a discrete symptom or disease, while TCM considers your body to be a holistic whole. We consider patterns in your body—how your qi (your energy) is moving, if you have too little or too much of a warmth or coolness quality, and how all of your different organ systems are interacting with each other.
In this system, herbs aren't just "medicine for condition X." Each herb has specific properties: some are warming, others are cooling; some move energy upward, others ground you; some nourish and build, while others clear and drain. When combined thoughtfully, these herbs work synergistically to restore balance and support your body's natural healing processes.
Traditional Chinese herbal formulas in modern, accessible forms
✨The genius of Chinese herbal medicine is that it is customized to each patient. Even though two patients present with identical symptoms—which might be indigestion—they can end up with two different herbal prescriptions that take their personal constitutional patterns and root imbalances into consideration.
Understanding the Difference: Custom Mixes vs. Herbal Formulas
Custom Herbal Mixes
Custom blends of herbs are just that: individually formulated blends of herbs that are specific to your individual system of imbalance. A practitioner would bring out perhaps 8-15 different herbs, decide just how much of each to use, and formulate a brew that can't be had anywhere else. These most often end up being made out of raw herbs that you bring with you to steep with tea, or custom compounded powders or tinctures. And they can be very expensive!
Herbal Formulas (Patent Formulas)
Pre-established patented formulas, sometimes referred to as "patent formulas," consist of timeless combinations that date from over 1,000 years ago. These are not mass-market drugs you'd purchase at a drugstore, but formulas that have been perfected over generations of therapeutic use in a doctor's office. One example would be Xiao Yao San ("Free and Easy Wanderer") for stress and hormonal balance, or for early-stage colds and flu, Yin Qiao San.
Both approaches stem from the same TCM principles and diagnostic methods. The difference lies in how the final formula is created and dispensed.
Comparison of custom herbal mixes versus traditional herbal formulas
📚For more, you can read this
Myth-Busting: Are Formulas Personalised?
One of the biggest misconceptions about herb formulas is that they're "one-size-fits-all" or less individual than custom-designed formulas. Far from it. Here's how it works with a consult at Open Care Community:
Pattern Recognition: A great deal of time is devoted to recognizing your personal pattern of symptoms, considering energy, sleep, digestion, mood, and other variables.
Adaptations: Even with established formulas, we can adapt them. We can combine two formulas with each other, add specific herbs to address secondary problems, or modify dosages to suit your constitution. It's customization in a proven system.
Modifications: Even within established formulas, we can make adjustments. We might combine two formulas, add specific herbs to address secondary concerns, or modify dosages based on your constitution. It's personalisation within a proven framework.
Monitoring and Adjusting: As your patterns shift and improve, we can switch formulas or make further modifications, ensuring your treatment evolves with your healing journey.
👉Book an individualised herbal consultation with our experienced team to discover how personalised formula selection can address your unique health patterns.
Why Open Care Community Uses Formulas: Accessibility and Excellence
Making Healing Accessible
Our primary mission is to make healthcare a human right, accessible to all regardless of income level. Custom herbal blends, while valuable, require significantly more practitioner time for formulation and often involve higher raw material costs. By using established formulas, we can offer the same quality of care at prices that fit within our sliding-scale model.
Cost Comparison: A week's supply of special herbs would cost $40-60, while the same duration of therapy with proven formulas normally costs $15-25. The differential soon adds up, especially for chronic problem requiring several months of support.
Time-Tested Efficacy
These aren't random combinations—they're formulas that have been used successfully for hundreds or thousands of years. Gan Mao Ling for colds, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for kidney support, Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang for post-stroke recovery—these formulations have stood the test of time precisely because they work.
Many of these classical formulas are now backed by modern research. Studies have validated their traditional uses, documented their safety profiles, and even identified their mechanisms of action. When we prescribe Yin Qiao San for an early cold, we're drawing on both ancient wisdom and contemporary scientific validation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formula structure and hierarchy
Alignment with Our Community Mission
Using formulas allows us to serve more patients effectively while maintaining our commitment to affordable care. We can maintain detailed knowledge about a core group of proven formulas rather than managing hundreds of individual herb inventories, passing these savings on to you. Also, Cost-Effectiveness of Herbal vs Chemical Medicines:
👉Learn more about our affordable herbal consultations and discover how traditional wisdom can support your health journey.
Real Patient Success: From Fatigue to Focus
At Open Care Community, we see firsthand how personalized acupuncture care can transform how patients feel, from the tips of their toes to the clarity of their thoughts.
Below are a few anecdotes of real patients in the Open Care Community:
💬 “ Paid $35 for community accupuncture as a returning customer. They do have a $45 special for new customers. The place requires you to wear a health mask. I love that they have different beds to lie in. My favourite is the heated bed. Although it's done with other people in the space, I have never felt uncomfortable. They have someone who works for the company in the room. I've tried cupping and gua sha here as well. They do sell products and have an area in the entry where they provide water. I will continue to come here”.- Samantha C
💬“This was my first time trying acupuncture, and I had to immediately post a review. Jenny (the owner) was my practitioner, and she made me feel so comfortable and well informed about the whole process. I, of course, feel sore, but as I was walking to the train, I realised how straight my posture was for the first time in years! The space is calming and COVID-safe, which shows how much they truly care about the community. ” Linden Ela
💬“Incredible! Highly recommend this newly opened clinic. Alice has treated me a few times in the past, after several incidents of shoulder pain/injury, as well as herbal treatments and cupping, all of which have been helpful, relaxing, and healing. I'm thrilled to see her offering acupuncture in this beautiful space. Queer friendly, and would highly recommend to folks new to acupuncture or those looking to check out a powerful new healing space.”Greg Fay
Most patients experience improvements in:
Mobility and flexibility.
Pain, soreness
Stress, sleep, and energy
A feeling of general relief and being grounded
👉Learn more about our affordable herbal consultations book an appointment today
The Bigger Picture: Formulas as Tools for Community Wellness
Our approach to herbal formulas reflects a broader philosophy about healthcare accessibility. When treatments are more affordable, patients can:
Continue care longer: Chronic conditions often require months of support. Accessible pricing means you can stick with treatment long enough to see real results.
Focus on healing instead of finances: When you're not worried about the cost, you can concentrate on your health journey.
Bring family members: Partners can address fertility concerns together, and elderly family members can access support for age-related health challenges.
Simplified education also empowers patients. When you understand that you're taking "Free and Easy Wanderer" for stress-related digestive issues, you become an active participant in your care rather than passively consuming a mysterious custom blend.
Our sliding-scale model means that whether you can afford $45 or $90 for your session, you receive the same quality care and attention. Healthcare equity isn't just an ideal—it's how we practice every day.
Frequently Asked Questions: Herbal Formulas at Open Care
Q: Can I take formulas while on medication?
A: In most cases, yes, but we always review your complete medication list before making recommendations. Herbal formulas are generally safer to combine with pharmaceuticals than individual herbs because their balanced compositions reduce the risk of interactions.
Q: How long does it take for formulas to work?
A: This varies by condition and individual constitution. Acute issues like colds might improve within 1-3 days, while chronic digestive problems or hormonal imbalances typically require 4-8 weeks of consistent use to see significant changes.
Q: What happens during a herbal consultation?
A: We spend 45-60 minutes understanding your health patterns, including detailed questions about energy levels, sleep, digestion, emotional state, and any specific symptoms. We may also examine your tongue and take your pulse—traditional diagnostic methods that guide formula selection.
Q: Can formulas still be modified even if they're not custom?
A: Absolutely! We commonly combine formulas, adjust dosages, or add individual herbs to address secondary concerns. Think of it as personalisation within a proven framework.
Q: Are the herbs vegan/vegetarian?
A: The vast majority of Chinese herbal formulas are plant-based. When animal products are included (which is rare in the formulas we commonly use), we always discuss alternatives with our patients.
👉Curious about how herbs can help you? Let's explore your options together in a personalised consultation.
Preparing Herbal Medicine for Daily Life
Open Care Community knows that healing takes place in the natural environment of your real life—your schedule, your financial means, your family obligations, and personal taste. Our herbal formulas are easy to fit into busy Brooklyn lives:
Convenience: Teapills (small, easy-to-swallow tablets) or granules (extremely fine powder that instantly dissolves in boiling water) require no preparation time. No brewing, no mess, no finicky timing.
Convenient travel: Your herbs can be conveniently carried with you on family or business journeys when in standardized shelf-stable presentations.
Uniform dosing: You're never in doubt how much to take and when, which is something that simplifies forming good habits.
✨These real world realities matter. The best ideally formed custom formula doesn't matter unless it is simple and affordable enough to implement regularly.
Conclusion: Accessible, Powerful, Herbal Care for Everyone
Herbal medicine shouldn't be a luxury available only to those who can afford premium customisation. The centuries-old formulas we use at Open Care Community represent democracy in healing, time-tested combinations that have helped millions of people across cultures and generations.
Trust in tradition + customized expertise + affordable pricing = healing that works and suits your lifestyle.
Whether you're managing chronic stress, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, or convalescing from illness, chances are that there's a classical formula for you that corresponds to your symptomatic pattern. Our task is to carefully listen, learn about you and your circumstances, and find yourself the most suitable formula, and then help you as you regain good health.
We believe that everyone deserves to access safe, natural healthcare. By our use of proven formulas rather than made-to-order products, we can serve our multiculturally rich Brooklyn community without having to sacrifice quality or safety.
👉Ready to explore how herbal medicine can support your health?
📍Address: 44 Court Street, Suite 1000 (10th floor), Brooklyn, NY 11201
📧Email: info@opencarecommunity.com
📞Phone: (917) 426-1138
Booking: Book Online Here
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