Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

Top Chinese Herbs for Boosting Immunity During Cold and Flu Season

As the temperatures drop in autumn, we enter the dreaded cold and flu season. From missing work or social events to simply feeling miserable, these illnesses can disrupt our daily lives. But what if there was a way to not only prevent these seasonal illnesses but also recover faster if you do catch something? That’s
Read More »
October is Depression Awareness Month

It’s human nature to experience a spectrum of different emotions and moods, including feeling down or depressed. But if that depressed feeling occurs for no reason, is persistent, or significantly affects your daily quality of life, it’s time to seek some support. Whether you’re looking for a natural way to manage your depression or enhance
Read More »
Get Ready for Cold & Flu Season with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Cold and flu season is upon us, and as the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, our bodies are more vulnerable to illness. But don’t worry—there’s a natural way to stay ahead of the game. At Best Chinese Medicines, we believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers one of the most powerful, effective, and
Read More »
4 Steps to a Better Bedroom Performance with Chinese Herbal Medicine

One of the best things about being strong, healthy, and young is having a great sex life. As we age, however, performance in the bedroom gets a little more complicated. Challenges like low libido, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction can become part of the equation. While common, these issues don’t have to define your experience.
Read More »
The Intriguing History & Modern Day Healing Powers of Yunnan Baiyao

At Best Chinese Medicines, we are proud to offer the amazing Chinese medicinal, Yunnan Baiyao, to our customers. This formula has been popularized for several different uses over the years, and we are still finding ways that this formula can help both humans and animals. Yunnan Baiyao has a particularly interesting story. The miracle cure of a provincial
Read More »
Xiao Yao Wan – A Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula Everyone will Love

Chinese medicine is known for its very specific herbal formulas and ability to individualize these medicines to perfectly fit the patient. With the ease of over-the-counter Chinese medicine products, we are able to share this amazing medicine with far more people than ever. One of the brilliant things about Chinese herbal medicine is how it
Read More »
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
Read More »
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
Read More »
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
Read More »

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.

Blog Categories

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

Where to Buy Yunnan Baiyao
March 26, 2026

Learn where to buy Yunnan Baiyao online, in pet stores, and from trusted suppliers. Compare prices, costs, and retailer options for safe purchasing.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms For Dogs
March 25, 2026

Learn about turkey tail mushroom for dogs benefits, dosage, immune support, side effects, and cancer care use in this informative guide.
Eating with the Seasons: TCM Tips for Spring
March 21, 2026

Each season brings its own energy, rhythms, and needs. Living in tune with these needs by adjusting your diet is one of the best ways to help our bodies stay balanced and resilient. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring marks the shift from winter’s deep rest to new growth and movement. Just as sprouts push…
Best Adaptogens for Energy
February 20, 2026

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…
A Very Herbal Valentines Day – Medicinal Flowers in Chinese Herbal Medicine
February 13, 2026

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…