I know a 16 year old girl that within the last year at least has been struggling with what sounds like plum pit syndrome. she and her mom have asked me for my opinion on somethings but have not wanted to do a full case intake. But based on what other symptoms they have described it sounds like she has GERDs, acid reflux, and other digestive issue, like maybe hypochlorhydria. They asked me about plantain leaf tea, since the mom read online that it might help. I told her that it wouldn't be a bad place to start since they seemed only interested in simples at this time. from what they have told me, the girl's doctor has only offered an antiacid (Pepcid) as treatment. They also have been working on greatly improving her diet. Any way this has led me to a few questions: 1) Is formula for plum pit syndrome safe for youth? 2) I didn't see it on the H & A website, would the formula be something a non-herbalist could commonly get? 3) Is plum pit syndrome often correlated to digestion issues? this week's case (KA) also had some mild or possible signs of digestion disharmony. And I noticed that the formula has many herbs that help with digestion. I am assuming that it's the liver clearance that cause the liver Qi stagnation to decrease. It also seems very stressed induced - would this be Chinese kidney related too. 4) I have found that when people have asked me for help, they are looking a remedy for only a few symptoms and not want to share anything else. How have you encouraged people to let you treat them as a person and not just a symptom or disease? 5) Do you direct "client" to specific resources when they want to do their own research? or do you just give them concepts to help them look things up? many people how find out that I am taking herbal classes have asked me about simples, since they are easily researched (note that my world is all about research since many of them are energies or chemist). When I talk about that we are learning about synergy and benefit of complex formulas, I am asked about a resource that would be available for them to look up on the internet. I do not trust the internet, so I struggle with this answer. I am sure that the references to the synergy class would help, but I am very slow at reading and feel like I am struggling to keep up with the material, let alone working through the references.

David said: 1) For a 16 year old, yes, but only if it actually makes sense for her energetically (not just based on the plum pit syndrome) 2) H & A does not make TCM formulas, the formula is widely available but the quality of products varies 3) From a TCM perspective it is a spleen qi deficiency caused by liver qi stagnation 4) I only work with people who want to work on their overall health, not just symptom or 2 5) I do not usually give resources beyond my protocols unless it is something like information on high oxalate foods, better diet, a FODMAP diet, etc. If they have specific questions about something we do not have time to deal with in our appointment, I may suggests book or website for the