Blog

The magnesium you take now and then or the collagen in your smoothie still matters. Bring a full list and your herbal bottles, and tell the clinic whenever another doctor changes a medicine.

The products we forget to mention

Most people remember the tablets their GP prescribed. Far fewer think to mention the herbal tea they drink on stressful days, the collagen powder in a morning smoothie or the magnesium taken now and again. When the conversation turns to Chinese herbal medicine, those extras matter, and an accurate list makes the discussion much more useful.

Building your list

Gather the details before your appointment with Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, rather than relying on memory on the day. A photo of each label on your phone works well. Include:

• prescription and over-the-counter medicines, with doses;
• vitamins, minerals, protein or beauty supplements;
• herbal teas, powders, tinctures and products bought online;
• items you use only occasionally, and anything started or stopped since your last visit;
• roughly how often you use each one.

Bring the actual bottles

Christine dispenses herbal medicine as granules in bottles. Bringing those bottles, or clear details from their labels, means the conversation is about the real preparations rather than a vague description. If you plan to add a new product, check first; two items labelled natural do not automatically sit well together. Christine may also suggest letting your GP or pharmacist know about the herbal product.

When another clinician changes something

Once a herbal plan is agreed, keep the product name, written directions and review date with the bottle. If another doctor alters a medicine, even briefly with something like a course of antibiotics, tell Christine rather than assuming the earlier herbal plan still applies. If you notice a new symptom and are unsure whether the granules play a part, ask before adjusting anything. A short phone call is far easier than untangling a problem later.

For clients who already juggle skincare actives and supplements as part of an appearance routine, one combined list can also reveal overlaps or products that are no longer needed.

Update the note on your phone whenever something changes, and hand it over at the start of your next visit to the Lane Cove clinic.