Near Surry Hills
Josephine holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS). She is a member of FCMA and ACCMA, and is registered with AHPRA as a Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner.
Safety is a paramount concern in Chinese herbal medicine, and responsible practitioners always assess potential interactions between herbal prescriptions and pharmaceutical medications. While Chinese herbs have been used safely for millennia, the widespread use of modern pharmaceuticals creates combinations that have no historical precedent, requiring careful clinical judgment and an understanding of both systems.
Several well-documented interaction categories require vigilance. Herbs affecting blood clotting — Dan Shen (Salvia), Dang Gui (Angelica), Tao Ren (peach kernel), Hong Hua (safflower), and Chuan Xiong (lovage) — may potentiate anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel), increasing bleeding risk. Gan Cao (licorice) can interact with antihypertensives, diuretics, and corticosteroids by affecting potassium and sodium levels. Ma Huang (Ephedra) can interact with stimulants, MAO inhibitors, and cardiovascular medications. Herbs with hypoglycaemic effects (Huang Qi, Ren Shen) may enhance the action of diabetic medications, requiring dose monitoring.
Responsible herbal practice requires that practitioners take a full medication history before prescribing, space herbal and pharmaceutical doses apart (typically 1-2 hours), monitor patients on concurrent therapies more frequently, and communicate with the patient's medical doctor when appropriate. Patients should always inform both their herbalist and their doctor about all medicines and supplements being taken. The classical "eighteen incompatibilities" and "nineteen antagonisms" of TCM also guide herb-herb safety within prescriptions. Quality sourcing from reputable suppliers with heavy metal and pesticide testing further ensures patient safety.
Many people safely take Chinese herbs alongside medications, but potential interactions exist. Always inform your herbalist about all medications and supplements, and tell your doctor about any herbal medicines. A qualified herbalist will assess interaction risks, time doses appropriately, and adjust the prescription to avoid problematic combinations.
Reputable suppliers in Australia test herbs for heavy metals, pesticides, sulphur dioxide, and microbial contamination in accordance with TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) requirements. Practitioners should source from suppliers who provide certificates of analysis. Australian-registered Chinese herbal medicines meet TGA standards for safety and quality.
Josephine Zhuo (TCM) is an AHPRA registered health practitioner — acupuncturist and herbalist.
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Root-cause diagnosis for each patient's body constitution and health condition.
All seasons of women's health, from menarche through pregnancy to menopause.
AHPRA registered. Individualised care through acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Acupuncture, cupping, moxa and herbal medicine used in combination.
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