Time-tested formulas. Precisely prescribed. Trained at one of the most rigorous Chinese medicine programs in the country. Practicing holistic healthcare in the Santa Ynez Valley since 2004. Telehealth appointments available!
Chinese herbal medicine treating the root of medical conditions, here in the Santa Ynez Valley, or in the comfort of your home as a telehealth appointment. It requires years of dedicated study, thousands of diagnostic encounters, and a precise clinical understanding of how individual herbs interact within formulas to address the specific constitution and condition of each patient.
Herbal medicine was not something Kristi came to through school. She came to school because of it.
That distinction matters. It shows in the quality of the prescriptions, the precision of the diagnosis, and the results patients experience.
Kristi’s relationship with plant medicine began long before clinical training, while wildcrafting herbal medicine in Colorado. Learning to identify, harvest, and work with plants in their natural environment gave her a grounding in botanical medicine that textbooks alone cannot provide.
That foundation shapes how she thinks about herbs today. Not as isolated compounds but as complete biological systems with specific actions, indications, natures, flavors, channels entered, contraindications, and interactions that must be understood in clinical depth before they are prescribed.
For years, the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine has earned the #1 ranking in the U.S. for acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Many schools treat herbology as secondary to acupuncture. At OCOM, it is a clinical discipline in its own right and the most demanding curriculum of the Master’s program.
By graduation, Kristi had completed over 2,000 pulse readings to use in the forming of a differential diagnosis. This is the kind of diagnostic sensitivity that cannot be rushed or substituted and the great strength of holistic healthcare. It is built through repetition, clinical supervision, and years of careful attention to what the pulse and tongue reveal about the state of the organs and channels.
Kristi has completed substantial post-graduate training in gut-healing nutrition, amino acids, and neurotransmitters. Treating physiology, nourishing the brain, and regulating the nervous system through side-effect free supplements has brought her patients’ clinical results to the next level.
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine treats both the root and the branch of a condition simultaneously.
The root is the underlying imbalance driving the problem. The branch is the set of symptoms the patient is experiencing now. Treating only the branch may bring short-term relief but leaves the cause in place. Treating only the root may take longer to produce results. The most effective approach works on both at once.
Every herbal prescription begins with tongue and pulse diagnosis. These are not supplementary findings. They are primary clinical data that reveal the state of internal organ systems and the channels. They also surface patterns of deficiency or excess that standard testing often misses.
From this assessment, formulas are built for the individual patient. Not for a generic western medical diagnosis. For the specific person, at this specific point in their health.
Herbal prescriptions are available in the form that best suits your condition, your lifestyle, and what you will actually take consistently. Compliance matters. A formula only works when it is used as directed.
Convenient for daily use. No taste, no preparation. Ideal for patients with busy schedules or sensitivity to strong flavors.
Concentrated herbal powders that dissolve in warm water. Available for patients who have trouble swallowing capsules.
Targeted nutritional and botanical supplements prescribed alongside herbal formulas to treat physiology, nourish the brain, regulate the nervous system and balance the constitution.
Chinese herbal medicine addresses a broad range of conditions that manifest from a variety of causes. The areas below represent the strongest clinical focus in this practice.
For the full range of conditions treated in this practice, visit the Specialties page.
Herbal medicine works best when precisely matched to you. The first step is an intake.
Herbal medicine is most effective as part of a coordinated care plan. This practice works alongside conventional medicine, not in competition with it.
Patients are encouraged to bring existing lab work to their appointments. Kristi reviews labs and offers herbal and supplement suggestions that complement your current medical care.
Some herbs interact with certain medications. This is why a thorough intake is essential before any prescription is written.
Please bring a complete list of everything you are currently taking, including medications, supplements, and over the counter medications.
We begin with the intake series – two, one-hour appointments a week apart. The first starts with an in-depth evaluation and comprehensive assessment of your concerns and symptoms and review of your medical history. This is designed to uncover the root causes of your health issues and is used to create a customized treatment plan.
The second is very informative. You will be educated about the details of your treatment plan, Kristi will guide you through the planned strategies and answer questions.
Herbal Medicine & Supplement consultations are available as Telehealth appointments or office visits.
Follow up consultations are generally recommended once/week. It can take approximately 3-4 months until patients are stable on their herbal formulas and ready to move to a maintenance schedule for consultations. The speed that patients move through their treatment plan varies.
Herbal formulas are generally available as capsules or granules and can be shipped directly to you.
An online store for supplements is coming soon!
The first appointment is thorough. Beyond the presenting complaint, you will be asked about all your medical systems.
Tongue and pulse diagnosis are part of every visit.
Most patients notice something changing within two to three weeks. Acute conditions often respond faster.
Chronic conditions generally require a longer course of care. The formula is adjusted over time based on how your body responds.
Herbal medicine can be prescribed as a standalone service or combined with acupuncture and/or FSM. Combining the three modalities typically produces the strongest and fastest results.
Can I take herbal medicine during pregnancy?
Many Chinese herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy. Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs during pregnancy.
Are Chinese herbs safe?
When prescribed by a trained practitioner, Chinese herbal medicine has an excellent safety record. Kristi prescribes from professional-grade sources tested for quality, purity, and accurate identification. A thorough health intake is completed before any prescription is given, and potential interactions with current medications are reviewed before proceeding.
Will herbs interact with my medications?
Some herbs can interact with certain medications. Please bring a complete list of everything you are currently taking to your first appointment, including supplements and over-the-counter medications.
Do I need to be an acupuncture patient to receive herbal medicine?
No. Herbal medicine can be prescribed as a standalone service. That said, combining it with acupuncture and/or FSM typically produces stronger and faster results. We can discuss what makes the most sense for you at the first appointment.
Is herbal medicine covered by insurance?
It is not covered, and I don’t directly communicate with insurance companies for any service. Please see the pricing on the First Visit page for current fees and options.
How do I prepare for my first appointment?
Bring any existing lab work if you have it. Come well hydrated, in loose fitting clothes and not on an empty stomach.
Herbal medicine works best when it is precisely matched to your individual constitution and the pattern underlying your condition. That precision begins with a thorough intake.
Kristi has been practicing in this valley for over twenty years. The patients who return to refill their formulas year after year are the clearest measure of results.
Telehealth appointments are now available!
Over twenty years of holistic acupuncture in the Santa Ynez Valley. Combines naturally with herbal medicine for stronger results.
A cutting-edge technology that works at the cellular level. Particularly effective for chronic pain, nerve damage, digestive disorders, fertility support, anxiety and insomnia, injury recovery, and pre-post surgical care.