I opted to work with her long-term as we discovered that the two challenges I've been facing are likely related. In working with her in just six weeks I have seen very fast results and am happy to report no tension headaches since our work together began.
Chinese herbal medicine has the longest continuous clinical record of any medical system in the world. It is most effective for chronic conditions that haven't responded well to standard care — digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune patterns, chronic fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and inflammatory conditions. If you have been told your labs are normal while feeling anything but, this is often where herbal medicine does its best work.
A supplement targets a single compound or symptom. A custom herbal formula is a synergistic combination of herbs selected for your specific constitutional pattern — addressing multiple imbalances simultaneously and treating the root rather than the individual complaint. It is also adjusted over time as your pattern shifts, which no off-the-shelf product can do.
Most patients notice meaningful changes within the first four weeks. Complex or long-standing conditions may shift more gradually. The herbs work cumulatively — they build rather than spike — so consistency matters more than anything else in the early weeks.
Every formula at Being is screened against your current medications before it is dispensed. Herb-drug interactions are real and we take them seriously. If your medication situation is complex, that conversation happens at the Blueprint before anything is prescribed.
There is a common belief that natural medicines don't have side effects. That isn't entirely true. Any medicine, prescribed poorly or used improperly, can cause side effects. The reason this isn't seen more often with herbal products is that most over-the-counter supplements simply aren't strong enough to make meaningful physiological changes to the body.
The herbs we use are. That's the point.
It is worth distinguishing between side effects and treatment effects. Some herbs are designed to move fluid, improve circulation, or stimulate digestive function — which can cause temporary loose stools or increased urination in the first week. These are the medicines working, not something going wrong. True adverse reactions are rare when herbs are prescribed correctly by a trained practitioner and screened for your specific situation. In the hands of a well-trained herbalist, side effects are uncommon.
Most insurance plans do not cover Chinese herbal medicine. HSA and FSA funds are generally eligible for herbal medicine consultations when treatment is for a specific diagnosed medical condition — which is how we practice. Herbs prescribed as part of a treatment plan for a named condition are not the same as general wellness supplements, and receipts can be itemized accordingly. If your HSA or FSA provider requires additional documentation, we can provide a Letter of Medical Necessity upon request.
Yes. Intake appointments and herbal check-ins are available by video, and herbs can be mailed directly to you. If you are primarily working with herbal medicine, your entire program can be managed remotely.
Acupuncture requires an in-person visit to our Milwaukee clinic. Patients traveling from the surrounding area — including Delafield, Oconomowoc, Madison, and throughout southeastern Wisconsin — are welcome. For patients who combine herbal medicine with occasional acupuncture, we can structure your program around in-person visits as needed.
