Over the past decade, Cleveland Clinic has made significant advancement toward the integration of herbal medicine into its treatment offerings. The renowned leader’s initiative aimed to provide patients with holistic care by complementing conventional Western medicine with evidence-based alternative therapies.
Through its herbal medicine program, Cleveland Clinic empowers patients with greater autonomy and expanded treatment options. This article explores the history, methodology and impact of this program, which may serve as a model for integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into mainstream healthcare.
History and Background
The late Dr. Tanya I. Edwards, a compassionate physician, gifted teacher, and innovator, founded Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine. This innovative facility offers various alternative therapies, including herbal medicine. It was designed as a hub for patient care, but also for research and education.
The center offers many complementary therapies, including herbal medicine, yoga, myofascial release, acupuncture, reiki, and more. It provides patients with the opportunity to explore alternative health and wellness options that may not be available in a conventional medical setting, giving them greater control and autonomy over their own treatment choices.
In 2013, the State Medical Board of Ohio started to regulate the practice of Oriental medicine,1 a term historically used, but now evolving to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), beyond just acupuncture. This created new opportunities for medical facilities to incorporate herbal medicine into their practices. Recognizing this shift, Cleveland Clinic launched its Chinese Herbal Therapy Clinic the following year, further cementing its commitment to integrative care.
Cleveland’s Chinese Herbal Therapy Clinic
Established in 2014 as a part of the Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine, the Chinese Herbal Therapy Clinic provides personalized herbal treatments for conditions such as chronic pain, fatigue, digestive disorders, infertility, and sleep disturbances. With a physician referral, certified herbalists collaborate with physicians to ensure safe and effective care.
The clinic, sometimes referred to as the herbal medicine program, incorporates rigorous scientific research and testing to ensure the quality and efficacy of the herbal products used. Cleveland Clinic ultimately chose to collaborate with a Kaiser Pharmaceuticals subsidiary as its supplier for pharmaceutical-grade herbs.2
Key Features of the Clinic
While the Chinese Herbal Therapy Clinic is not the only clinic of its kind, it is a pioneer within a respected Western medical system. The features of the clinic reflect the high standards of Cleveland Clinic as a whole.
Personalized Herbal Treatments: The clinic provides customized herbal formulas tailored to individual health needs. These treatments address conditions such as chronic pain, digestive disorders, fatigue, infertility, sleep disturbances, and stress-related issues, ensuring a personalized approach to symptom relief and overall well-being. Patients are also given access to education about their own care, empowering them to take an active role in their healing process.
Certified Herbalists & Medical Collaboration: Licensed herbalists collaborate closely with Cleveland Clinic physicians to ensure the safe and effective integration of herbal medicine with conventional treatments. This multidisciplinary approach enhances patient care, prioritizing both safety and efficacy. A physician referral is required before beginning treatment to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s health history.
This collaborative effort supports the future integration of TCM into conventional medical settings, offering reassurance to patients unfamiliar with herbal medicine.
Focus on Safety & Quality: Cleveland Clinic upholds strict safety and quality standards, and the Chinese Herbal Therapy Clinic is no exception. The herbs are carefully sourced from trusted suppliers with the highest quality standards, ensuring that patients receive the best possible products. Herbalists carefully assess potential interactions between herbs and prescription medications, minimizing the risk of adverse effects – and ensuring safe and effective use for every patient.
Holistic & Integrative Care: As part of Cleveland Clinic’s integrative medicine program, the clinic offers a holistic outlook that includes acupuncture, functional medicine, lifestyle medicine, chiropractic care, and nutritional counseling. This whole-person approach addresses both symptoms and underlying causes, promoting long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Benefits and Implications
Cleveland Clinic’s integration of herbal medicine into its Western medical practices has several benefits and positive implications for individual patients; and more broadly, advancements in medicine and medical research as a whole. These benefits have the potential to extend beyond Cleveland Clinic itself to have a positive impact on the future of medicine in the West.
Patients gain access to a broader range of treatment options, including natural and holistic perspectives that were previously inaccessible in conventional settings. This allows the patients to make informed decisions about their own care, resulting in more control over their health.
The combination of conventional and herbal medicine may lead to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction. While those with chronic conditions often find the nature of conventional medicine to be restrictive, an integrative approach can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with both chronic and acute conditions.
Cleveland Clinic’s program contributes to the growing body of research in integrative medicine, helping to establish its credibility and effectiveness. When a high-profile medical facility such as Cleveland Clinic endorses these traditional practices, it sets a precedent for other medical institutions to follow, potentially increasing opportunities for research funding.
Cleveland Clinic also accepts students for clinical hours at its Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine.3 This initiative ensures that the principles of integrative medicine will continue to evolve and expand in the coming years.
Leading the Future of Integrative Healthcare
Cleveland Clinic’s integration of herbal medicine into Western medical practice reflects a growing recognition of the value of evidence-based complementary therapies. By combining modern scientific research with traditional healing practices, the clinic is expanding treatment options, improving patient outcomes and influencing the future of healthcare.
As more institutions consider incorporating integrative medicine, Cleveland Clinic stands as a leader in bridging the gap between conventional and holistic care.
References
- Townsend A. “Chinese Herbal Therapy Debuts at Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals.” Cleveland.com, March 5, 2014.
- Sifferlin A. “Cleveland Clinic’s New Medicine.” Time.com, April 17, 2014.
- Barbuto D. “‘Wonderful Opportunities’: New England School of Acupuncture Teams Up With Cleveland Clinic.” Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Jan. 1, 2024.
