Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

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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A Very Herbal Valentines Day – Medicinal Flowers in Chinese Herbal Medicine

It’s February and that means Valentine’s Day is on its way! Valentine’s Day is all about love, treats, pampering, chocolates, and flowers of course! Flowers can brighten up any room, but did you know they can work wonders on our health as well? Flowers have long been a part of the Chinese healing tradition and…
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The Best Chinese Herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, fatigue, weakness…we’re not just describing arthritis, but a unique type of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis (RA). If you’re among the 18 million people worldwide who have struggled with RA and want to find effective relief for your RA symptoms, Chinese herbal medicine could be the natural and holistic solution you’ve been…
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Best Adaptogens for Energy

Do you struggle with fatigue? Or want to wake up each day with more “pep in your step?” If so, adaptogens for energy could help you gain the energy you crave. Adaptogen herbs are a natural way to relieve stress, boost your energy, and live with more vitality. They can help nearly anyone have a…
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Back Pain Solutions – Chinese Herbal Medicine

With over $50 Billion spent on back pain relief, surgeries, medications, and other “cures,” it’s no surprise that we are still in search of a way to heal our backs, for good. Frustratingly, many who take the leap and undergo costly and traumatic surgeries still report back pain – even a worsening of their symptoms – after the procedure. Medications like…
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Best Chinese Herbs for Alopecia Areata

Hair loss is frustrating, no matter the cause. But when you’ve been diagnosed with alopecia areata, you may feel like there’s nothing that can help. But with Chinese herbs for alopecia areata, you may be able to slow the rate of hair loss, all while boosting your overall health. Read on to find out how…
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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

Liver Support & Flow: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?
April 4, 2025

Have you ever felt like stress is getting the best of you? Or maybe your digestion seems off, your sleep is disrupted, or you’re experiencing headaches that won’t go away? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms often point to an imbalance in one of the body’s most crucial organ systems: the Liver. Blaming your…
Chinese Herbs for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
March 14, 2025

Sometimes fatigue goes beyond just feeling tired. If you are living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), the persistent exhaustion, brain fog, and inability to feel truly rested make even simple tasks seem monumental. While Western medicine offers limited solutions to those with CFS, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can step in to offer some much-needed support.…
Chinese Herbs for Andropause (Male Menopause)
March 7, 2025

When we think about midlife changes, menopause often takes center stage. But women aren’t the only ones who experience significant shifts during this stage of life. Andropause, often referred to as “male menopause,” is the male counterpart—a gradual decline in testosterone and other hormones that can bring noticeable changes to energy, mood, libido, and overall…
Herbal Hacks for Headaches & Migraines
February 28, 2025

We’ve all had a headache before. While some are mercifully mild and short-lived, others can completely debilitate you for hours or even days. For most of us, headaches are just an occasional inconvenience. But for the over 39 million Americans who suffer from more severe migraines, they can be a major struggle that interferes with…
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…