Best known in the West for its success with skin diseases, this is also a safe yet powerful way of treating many other conditions. These include M.E., viral infections, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, angina, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, headaches, P.M.T., menstrual and menopausal problems, cystitis, haemorrhoids, hypertension, back problems, arthritis, etc. Herbs are given along with acupuncture or separately.

Kim Wells has considerable experience using Chinese herbs to treat skin diseases. These include the various forms of eczema, atopic, seborrhoeic (‘dandruff’), pompholyx (hands and feet), nummular (discoid) and stasis (varicose) – and also psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria, herpes (oral and genital), fungal infections and warts.

Chinese herbal medicine can induce spectacular and lasting changes in many kinds of seemingly stubborn skin conditions. The National Eczema Society has funded successful trials at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and, for adults, and the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead.

Kim prescribes dried herbs that are cooked in water to make decoctions. Although more of an effort, these provide better results than powders or pills. To be effective, dosages need to be high and in chronic conditions patient may need to be prepared to undergo treatment for quite a few weeks. Some skin conditions respond more quickly and readily to treatment than others. Eczema is generally easier to treat than psoriasis for instance.

Treatments are usually given once a week initially and at longer intervals as improvement occurs. Recently acquired conditions usually required less treatment than those that have persisted for a long time. Each treatment takes three-quarters of an hour.