Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

Chinese Herbs for a Healthy Period

Can Chinese herbs help you have a more comfortable, regular period? Thousands of years of holistic gynecology practice and modern research says “yes”! Whether you’re riding waves of discomfort each month, looking to enhance your fertility, or simply aiming to boost your overall well-being, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a natural approach to improving your…
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The Best Chinese Herbs for Stress Relief

According to the American Institute of Stress, 94% of Americans claim to experience chronic stress. Can Chinese herbs for stress help with this overwhelming epidemic? From work deadlines to family commitments to financial challenges, stress seeps into our daily lives from all angles. While triggers can span from mild issues like your traffic-heavy commute to…
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The Best Chinese Herbs for Dental and Oral Health

Oral health is not just about keeping your pearly whites sparkling; your mouth is a gateway to the health of your whole body! But when was the last time you focused on improving your oral health? Beyond daily brushing and flossing, there are many ways to heal your mouth – including Chinese herbs for oral…
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15 Herbal Formulas to Conquer Spring Allergy Symptoms

Winter’s chill is fading, allowing Spring to burst through with new life. Unfortunately for many people, this change in seasons also signals the start of sniffling noses, congested chests, itching eyes, and relentless coughs. It’s allergy season. As we embrace the beauty of the spring season (with tissues in hand), it’s also time to explore…
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The Best Chinese Herbs for Hay Fever

Have you ever found yourself sniffling and sneezing with watery eyes as the flowers begin to bloom and the trees regain their leaves? If so, you’re likely one of the many experiencing the seasonal affliction known as hay fever. Hay fever (also known as seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis) affects over a quarter of all…
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The Best Chinese Herbs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, oh my! These may sound like the symptoms of a stomach bug, but for the 45 million Americans who struggle with IBS, they are a common part of daily life. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is more than just occasional digestive discomfort. It is a chronic condition that can significantly impact your…
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The Best Chinese Herbs for Bloating, Nausea, and Vomiting

Feeling “sick to your stomach” once in a while might be just a part of life – but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer through it! Nausea, or an upset stomach, is one of the most common digestive issues with a range of potential causes including motion sickness, acid reflux, pregnancy, indigestion, or as…
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Best Chinese Herbs for Juvenile Arthritis

No parent wants to see their child in pain. But what can you do when your child develops a chronic pain condition and other treatments just don’t work? If you haven’t considered using Chinese herbs for juvenile arthritis, you may have found your new solution. Childhood pain conditions have been treated successfully with Traditional Chinese…
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The Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms support health, vitality, and longevity Medicinal mushrooms have been supporting health, vitality, and longevity for thousands of years in China and Japan, but the trend is just heating up here in West. With new scientific research surfacing on the amazing benefits of mushrooms, many people are rushing to get their fungus fix –…
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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

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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
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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…
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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…
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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…