Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

How to Reduce Hypertension (Blood Pressure) with Chinese Medicine

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects nearly half of all Americans. Unfortunately, high blood pressure often leads to more serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (also called hypertension), don’t worry. There are many ways you can reduce your blood pressure…
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4 Ways Medicinal Mushrooms Can Improve Your Productivity

Medicinal mushrooms have long been touted for their many health benefits. From boosting our energy to preventing cancer, it seems like there’s nothing that medicinal mushrooms can’t help. So, what other areas of life, like our work or hobbies? Can medicinal mushrooms improve our productivity? The simple answer is yes. The physical and mental health…
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Which Mushrooms are Adaptogens?

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to promote healing and wellness. More recently, “adaptogens” have gained popularity as powerful substances that can help us supercharge healing and kick stress to the curb. With mushroom adaptogens, you can have the best of both worlds. But, while many mushrooms are good for you, not…
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Unlock the Power of Adaptogenic Powders for Stress Relief and Wellness

In today’s wellness world, adaptogenic powders have taken center stage as a must-try supplement. Unlike fleeting trends, these stress-fighting superfoods are backed by science and trusted by ancient traditions. Let’s dive into why adaptogenic powders deserve a spot in your health routine. What Are Adaptogenic Powders? Adaptogenic powders are concentrated extracts of plants and fungi…
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Best Adaptogens for Memory

It’s normal to forget where you’ve placed your keys once in a while or struggle to remember what you had for dinner last week. But if you regularly find yourself forgetting important information or feeling foggy-headed, your brain may be calling out for help. Thankfully, adaptogens for memory offer a natural way to support your…
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Spring Weight Loss with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Swimsuit season is nearly here – are you ready? If you’ve put on a few extra pounds over winter, you’re not alone. But, spring is here, and this is the perfect time to get back on track with your weight loss or fitness goals! Chinese medicine is full of healthy weight-loss wisdom, including how to…
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Best Adaptogens for Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining good health and performance. However, many people struggle to get the quality sleep they need. While several medications and supplements are available to improve sleep, adaptogens for sleep offer a natural and effective alternative. Adaptogens are a group of herbs and plants (many of them are…
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Happy Hearts: Chinese Herbs for Cardiovascular Health

Modern life moves fast – sometimes too fast for the well-being of our ever-beating hearts. The heart is a tireless organ that works ceaselessly to pump blood, nutrients, and oxygen through our bodies so we can live. Caring for our hearts is not just a matter of ticking a box on the health checklist; it’s…
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Chinese Herbs for Dementia Diseases

Forgetfulness and memory loss can have a big impact on your quality of life. With Chinese herbs for dementia diseases, you can help the brain function better and may help prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Let’s take a closer look at why dementia diseases occur from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, and…
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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

9 Chinese Herbs to Enhance Sexual Wellness and Pleasure
February 21, 2025

Let’s face it—when your sex life is out of sync, it can throw everything else off, too. Sexual wellness is about more than just reproductive health or physical intimacy. It can act as a foundational part of your overall health, emotional balance, and energy. Yet, issues like low libido, hormonal imbalances, and emotional stress can…
Chinese Herbs for Male Fertility
February 7, 2025

When it comes to infertility challenges, much of the focus often falls on the female side of things – uterine lining, egg quality, and female hormone balance. Yet, male fertility challenges are more common than you might think, and they play an equally important role in conception. If you and your partner have been trying…
6 Ways to Leverage Chinese Medicine and Reach Your Health Goals
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Starting a new health journey is exciting. You set your sights on goals like better energy, improved focus, or simply feeling good in your body. You imagine how you’ll feel in a few months or even this time next year and start to feel unstoppable. That is, until that early motivation wears off. As the…
5 Lifestyle Shifts to Reach Your Wellness Goals in 2025
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New Year’s resolutions are motivating in January, when the excitement of a new start is fresh. By February, however, that initial excitement of those goals you set often starts to wane. But who says meaningful change has to be tied to January 1st? True transformation comes from consistent, sustainable shifts in how we live every…
The Best Chinese Herbs for Men’s Health
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For many men, health often takes a backseat until something starts to feel “off.” From energy dips to changes in sexual performance or concerns about prostate health, many men chalk up these issues to aging or stress. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to settle. With Chinese herbal medicine for men’s health, you…