Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

The Ultimate Guide to Dit Da Jow: Topical Chinese Herbal Medicine for Pain Relief and Healing

Whether it’s a nagging muscle ache, a fresh bruise, or persistent joint pain, these everyday aches can make even the simplest tasks feel like a mountain of a challenge. But before you reach for the OTC pain killers, your best solution may lie in an ancient natural concoction: Dit Da Jow. For centuries, people have…
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Chinese Medicine vs. Western Medicine

How Chinese Medicine treats dysfunction, disease, health and wellbeing is complementary to Western Medicine Even at a glance, Chinese Medicine is quite different from Western Medicine. Earthy herbs are favored over laboratory compounds, mind and body are considered one, and diet and lifestyle take center stage. Chinese Medicine is an ancient system developed thousands of…
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10 Things Everyone Should Know About Yunnan Baiyao

If there’s one Chinese herbal formula that has caught attention worldwide, it’s Yunnan Baiyao. Yunnan Baiyao is a famous trauma formula that is now used for a wide range of health conditions like pain, tumors, abdominal pain, menstrual pain, muscle aches, dental issues, and more. In fact, Yunnan Baiyao is so popular that it is…
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Chinese Herbs for Erectile Dysfunction

Is your sex life feeling a little…deflated? You’re not alone. Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects as many as 30 million men in the U.S. and can impact your confidence, relationships, and overall quality of life. While Western medicine often turns to quick fixes like pills, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a different approach—one that goes beyond…
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Best Chinese Pain Patches

When stubborn pain keeps you from doing what you love, a Chinese pain patch may be just what you need to get moving again. While herbal teas and pills are the most recognizable form of Chinese herbal medicine, there are many topical applications of herbal medicine as well. Topical herbal medicine (in the form of…
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Sore Throat in Summer? Yin Chiao (Yin Qiao) to the rescue!

We tend to think of colds as a winter woe, but can you get a cold in summer? Unfortunately, yes. “Summer colds” are similar to winter colds, but tend to have hotter, drier, and longer-lasting symptoms. Thankfully, Chinese medicine has a simple solution in time-tested Yin Qiao San. Read on to learn more about summer…
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Chinese Herbs for Atrial Fibrillation

Ever feel like your heart is dancing to its own beat? You may be experiencing Atrial Fibrillation (commonly known as AFib), which is a condition that causes irregular heartbeats. Having frequent palpitations or an irregular heartbeat can be quite unsettling, plus it may bring potential health risks along with it. While modern medicine offers various…
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Chinese Herbs for Asthma

Struggling to breathe? That’s a feeling no one wants to experience. Unfortunately, for over 262 million people across the world, conditions like asthma can quite literally “take your breath away.” But beyond inhalers and mediations, is there anything you can do to reduce asthma attacks – or even stop them from occurring altogether? Asthma is…
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Chinese Herbs for Fall Allergies

Ah, fall – the season of vibrant leaves, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-spiced everything. But for many, it also brings the less-than-pleasant arrival of fall allergies. If you’re one of those people sneezing and sniffling your way through the autumn months, you’re not alone. The constant sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose can make it difficult…
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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…