“Sandra has a multiple range of skills I appreciate. I require physiotherapy treatment and I trust acupuncture. Sandra has these skills and is able to provide me with advice on most aspects of natural medicine.”
Professor Neal RyanGoogle review
Chinese herbal medicine: natural support for whole-body healing.
Personalised herbal formulas, safe and tailored, at our Highgate Hill clinic in Brisbane.
We believe in treating the root cause of health concerns, not just the symptoms. Alongside physiotherapy and acupuncture, carefully prepared herbal formulas help restore balance and support the body to heal naturally.
Conditions herbal medicine may help with
- Women's health & fertility: PCOS, irregular cycles, IVF support, alongside acupuncture
- Pregnancy & postnatal care: morning sickness, fatigue, recovery after birth
- Digestive issues: bloating, IBS, reflux, constipation, matched to your specific pattern
- Stress, sleep and emotional balance, nourishing the nervous system directly
- Chronic pain and inflammation: arthritis, joint pain, long-standing injuries
- Immune health: recurrent colds, allergies, and low immunity that keeps returning
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is part of the broader system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, using specific combinations of plant-based ingredients to address imbalances within the body. We do not use any animal products. Rather than one herb for one symptom, formulas are built as a combination, usually somewhere between six and fifteen herbs, each playing a specific role: a chief herb targeting the main issue, supporting herbs strengthening its effect, and other herbs balancing the formula so it's gentler on your system.
Each formula is personalised, taking into account your symptoms, your general constitution, your lifestyle and your wellbeing goals. Two people with what looks like the same problem on the surface, say, ongoing fatigue, can walk away with genuinely different formulas, because the underlying pattern driving that fatigue isn't always the same.
- Herbal synergy
Every formula combines multiple herbs that work together to enhance effectiveness and minimise side effects, rather than one herb working alone.
- Modern research
Many Chinese herbs contain compounds shown in modern studies to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hormone-regulating effects.
- Easy to take
Formulas are provided as capsules, not raw herbs to boil at home, so they fit into your actual daily routine.
A full assessment process
Chinese herbal medicine relies on a genuinely thorough assessment. Comprehensive case history, observation, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and symptom pattern analysis are all combined to understand the root cause of imbalance, not just to match a symptom to a standard formula, before your personalised treatment plan is built.
Book now- Case historyYour main health concerns, medical history, lifestyle, diet, sleep and emotional wellbeing.
- Tongue diagnosisIts shape, colour, coating and moisture level can reveal internal imbalances long before you'd otherwise notice them.
- Pulse diagnosisQuality, depth, rhythm and strength, checked at different positions along your wrist.
- PalpationGently pressing specific areas of the body to detect tenderness or areas where circulation feels sluggish.
- Pattern analysisConnecting your symptoms together within the Traditional Chinese Medicine framework, so treatment addresses the whole pattern, not one symptom in isolation.
- A personalised planRecommended therapies spanning herbal medicine, acupuncture, diet and lifestyle.
Quality, safety and interactions
"Natural" doesn't automatically mean "no interactions", and being upfront about that is part of doing this properly. Some herbs can interact with prescription medications, particularly blood thinners, and some aren't appropriate during pregnancy or alongside certain medical conditions. That's why your full medication list and health history are always checked before a formula is prescribed, not treated as an afterthought.
Formulas use practitioner-grade herbal medicine, sourced and tested for quality and purity, not the same as picking something off a supermarket shelf. If you're a competitive athlete under drug-testing rules, tell your practitioner, since a small number of herbal ingredients need to be avoided or substituted to keep you compliant. Always tell us about every medication and supplement you're taking, including ones that feel unrelated, so your formula can be built around them safely.
What to expect in your consultation
- A comprehensive health assessment
Exploring your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, current medications and wellbeing goals in real depth, not a quick checklist.
- A personalised herbal prescription
Tailored to your specific pattern, using practitioner-grade Chinese herbal medicine, provided as easy-to-take capsules.
- Ongoing support
Your formula is reviewed and adjusted as your body responds, since what you need at the start often shifts as you improve.
Chinese herbal medicine is ancient healing for modern wellness, restoring the foundations of health, not just relieving symptoms.
- Over 20 years of clinical practice in Chinese medicine and modern healthcare
- Individually prescribed formulas, never a pre-mixed, off-the-shelf blend
- High-quality, TGA-listed herbs, tested for safety and purity before they reach you
- Combined with acupuncture, physiotherapy or clinical Pilates when it genuinely helps, not by default
What our patients say
“Fully recommended! Excellent at explaining your injury in simple terms and setting strategies to heal and prevent reinjury. Great combination of traditional physio and eastern medicine.”
Ryan SvarcGoogle review
“Sandra understood my condition immediately and set to work stabilising my body. I began an anti-inflammatory diet and did the physio exercises she prescribed, and the end result has been nothing short of miraculous.”
Sheila ParsonsGoogle review
Ancient wisdom, modern wellness
Herbal medicine doesn't just relieve symptoms. It's a reconnection to your body's natural rhythm and resilience.
Good questions
Trying herbal medicine for the first time raises real questions. Here are the common ones.
Is it safe to take with my other medications?
We take a full medical history before prescribing, including any medications you're on, and formulas are chosen to work safely alongside them.
Will the herbs be unpleasant to take?
Formulas are provided as capsules, so there's no bitter tea to choke down, just part of your normal routine.
How long until I notice a difference?
Herbal medicine works gradually. Many people notice initial changes within a few weeks, with fuller benefits building over a couple of months.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
Some formulas are appropriate during pregnancy and some are not. This is always discussed individually based on your stage and health history.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, you can book directly. A referral is only required for WorkCover, Veterans' Affairs, CTP or a Medicare chronic condition management plan.
Can I claim on my private health fund?
In most cases, yes. The clinic is registered with all major health funds for physiotherapy, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, so most policies allow you to claim on the spot through HICAPS and just pay the gap. Check with your fund to confirm your level of cover.
Will Chinese herbal medicine interact with my other medications?
It can, which is why your full medication and supplement list is always checked before a formula is prescribed. Blood thinners and certain other medications need particular care. Always tell your practitioner about everything you're taking, including over-the-counter supplements, so your formula can be built safely around them.
Book your herbal medicine consultation.
If you are searching for Chinese herbal medicine in Brisbane, we welcome you to Holistic Physio in Highgate Hill.
OPEN HOURS
Mon 10am–6:30pm
Tue 1:30–5:30pm
Thu 10am–6:30pm
Closed Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun
Tue 1:30–5:30pm
Thu 10am–6:30pm
Closed Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun
- Visit
- 26 Gladstone Rd (Cnr Brook St)
Highgate Hill Qld 4101On-site parking via Brook St - Call
- 07 3844 8202