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Seasonal tonics carry warm family memories, but a change of weather does not mean everyone needs the same product. Here are gentle questions to raise with Christine in Lane Cove.

The comfort of a seasonal ritual

As the weather cools, seasonal herbal habits are sometimes promoted as a cosy autumn or winter tradition. For many families they carry warm memories of grandparents preparing jars of tonic in the kitchen. These customs can be a lovely starting point for a conversation about Chinese medicine, yet a change of season does not mean everyone should begin the same product.

Thinking about your own health first

If you would like to explore seasonal care with Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, at the Lane Cove clinic, it is worth discussing:

• how you are feeling now and what led you to ask;
• your medical history, including conditions such as diabetes;
• prescription and over-the-counter medicines you already use;
• any family recipe or shop-bought tonic you have been offered.

Choosing on the basis of your present needs is kinder to yourself than starting something just because the calendar has turned.

Granules rather than a family recipe

Christine dispenses herbal medicine as granules in labelled bottles. Rather than copying a seasonal paste or tonic recipe, you can talk through the exact product being considered and why. Each bottle comes with individual written directions, and it helps to ask when the plan will be reviewed.

Clear labels and a time to check in

Keep the directions with the original bottle. Whenever a GP changes your medicines, let Christine know so the plan can be looked at afresh. If you notice something new, such as an upset stomach or a rash, and you cannot tell whether the granules are responsible, seek advice instead of changing how much you take.

Adult children sometimes want to give a parent a seasonal tonic as a caring gift. An equally thoughtful gift might be offering to come along to an appointment in Lane Cove, where Christine can listen to the family tradition with respect and help everyone see whether anything herbal suits that parent's health and medicines.