Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

Boost Your Energy with Chinese Herbal Medicine

How many times a day do you look forward to your next cup of coffee, an energy drink, a nap, or even just to make it home so you can land in your bed? We are an energy-depleted society with busy schedules, poor sleep habits, and little time for proper rest. Furthermore, certain medications, environmental
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Managing Holiday Stress Naturally

Is the holiday season leaving you feeling carefree and festive…or frazzled and frosty? For many of us, the holidays marks a time to celebrate, reconnect, and soak in the warmth of loved ones. But let’s be real – behind the sparkle and cheer, there’s often a hefty dose of stress tagging along. Between gift shopping,
Read More »
Healthy Holiday Gift Guide – from Best Chinese Medicines

December is here, and if you’re like most people, you probably have one thing on your mind: holiday shopping. We’re here to make your holiday shopping stress-free and more meaningful this year with our Healthy Holiday Gift Guide! In a world filled with material possessions, why not give something more profound, more memorable, and more
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Un-Stuffed: How Chinese Medicine Can Help You Beat the Holiday Bloat

The holidays are nearly here, and that means one thing: indulgence! And after the challenging and stressful year we’ve had, don’t we deserve to have a little more fun, celebrate a little harder, and enjoy a few extra treats? But indulgence often comes at a cost – in this case stubborn bloating and weight gain,
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Lung & Chest Support: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?

Are you someone who always has a pack of tissues handy? Do you struggle with constant allergies, lingering coughs, or catch colds easily? Maybe your skin is dry and irritated, or you’ve been feeling more sad or disconnected than usual? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms could all point back to an imbalance
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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Chinese Herbal Formulas by Organ System

Chinese herbal medicine can be powerful. But if you’ve ever wanted to try a TCM formula, but gotten stuck wondering “which formula is right for me?,” you’re not alone. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers hundreds of time-tested herbal formulas, each designed to bring the body back into balance in its own unique way. But with
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Heart Health & Calm: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?

You may think of your heart as simply the vital organ that pumps blood, but Traditional Chinese Medicine sees the Heart as much more. In TCM, the Heart is the “emperor” or ruler of the entire body. It’s not only in charge of blood circulation but also housing the Shen (spirit/mind). For instance, do you
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Best Chinese Herbs for Brain Function

Finding your focus can be a challenge in our modern lifestyles. From distractions to high stress to environmental toxins, we are constantly bombarded with issues that prevent our brains from working optimally. Thankfully, Chinese herbs for brain function help you regain your concentration, restore your memory, and keep your brain sharp for years to come.
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What is a Healthy Gut? Natural Solutions to Heal our Most Stressed System

What’s with the gut? These days, it seems like everyone is talking about gut health and how important it is for total wellbeing. Ongoing research has shown that the gut is not just about digestion – it’s the essential factor to create overall health and wellness for the whole body. Without a healthy gut system,
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About the Author

Kaitlan Downes, MSAOM, L.AC

Kate Downes is a Chinese medicine practitioner with a passion for herbal medicine. In fact, it was her love for plant and earth medicine that first drew her to study Chinese medicine.

Kate has a MSAOM (Master of Science, Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) certification and practiced acupuncture in Indianapolis, IN for five years before packing her bags to roam the world. In order to stay in touch with the wellness community and continue to help others thrive with herbal medicine, she transformed her work from face-to-face patient care to spreading wellness through words. Her life as a remote herbalist and writer has allowed her to work with a variety of wellness brands, health pioneers, and her wonderful clients. She has a special interest in working with women’s health.

Kate thoroughly enjoys writing educational and useful pieces for Best Chinese Medicine. Her goal is to help the public gain a better understanding of the wonders of Chinese herbal medicine so they can be empowered in their own quest for natural, vibrant health.

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Articles Related To Author: Kaitlan Downes, MSAOM, L.AC

Boost Your Energy with Chinese Herbal Medicine
December 26, 2025

How many times a day do you look forward to your next cup of coffee, an energy drink, a nap, or even just to make it home so you can land in your bed? We are an energy-depleted society with busy schedules, poor sleep habits, and little time for proper rest. Furthermore, certain medications, environmental…
Managing Holiday Stress Naturally
December 19, 2025

Is the holiday season leaving you feeling carefree and festive…or frazzled and frosty? For many of us, the holidays marks a time to celebrate, reconnect, and soak in the warmth of loved ones. But let’s be real – behind the sparkle and cheer, there’s often a hefty dose of stress tagging along. Between gift shopping,…
Healthy Holiday Gift Guide – from Best Chinese Medicines
December 12, 2025

December is here, and if you’re like most people, you probably have one thing on your mind: holiday shopping. We’re here to make your holiday shopping stress-free and more meaningful this year with our Healthy Holiday Gift Guide! In a world filled with material possessions, why not give something more profound, more memorable, and more…
Best Chinese Herbs for Hair Loss
December 5, 2025

Have you been noticing dozens of hairs on your pillow, or clogs in your shower drain? While losing a few hairs is normal, pulling out clumps or thinning patches could be a sign of hair loss. Before you reach for invasive treatments, consider Chinese herbs for hair loss. Chinese medicine can help slow or stop…
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (and Related Formulas) in Chinese Herbal Medicine
November 28, 2025

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Teapills or Six Flavor Rehmannia) is a traditional Chinese formula originally created as a gentle and gradual way of building up the strength and vitality of infants and children with what we might now call (generally speaking) developmental delay issues (e.g. failure to thrive, fontanels not closing, and…