Rainbow Medicine — Dr Christine Shen
Five thousand years of botanical wisdom, individually compounded for your unique presentation. Dr Christine Shen holds AHPRA registration as a Chinese Herbal Medicine prescriber — TGA-listed herbs, ethically sourced, clinically formulated for your body's specific needs.
Years of continuous clinical tradition underpinning Chinese herbal medicine
Dr Shen is a government-registered Chinese Herbal Medicine prescriber
All herbs used are listed on the Australian Therapeutic Goods Register
Telehealth herbal consultations available Australia-wide
The Herbal Tradition
Chinese herbal medicine is one of the most sophisticated botanical pharmacopoeias in human history. More than 600 herbs — roots, bark, flowers, leaves, minerals, and animal-derived substances — are combined into multi-herb formulas that are formulated not for a diagnosis, but for a person. The same Western diagnosis of "insomnia" can present in Chinese medicine as Heart Blood Deficiency, Liver Fire, Kidney Yin Deficiency or Stomach disharmony — each requiring a completely different herbal approach.
This is the art that makes Chinese herbal medicine so distinctly different from supplement-based approaches. No formula is taken off a shelf. Dr Shen's prescriptions are composed from first principles, based on your individual pulse quality, tongue presentation, symptom pattern, constitution and lifestyle — and adjusted with each consultation as your body responds and changes.
Clinical Applications
Safety & Standards
Dr Christine Shen holds current AHPRA registration as a Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner — one of a relatively small number of Chinese herbal prescribers in Australia to hold this government statutory registration. This means professional conduct, qualifications and practice are subject to ongoing regulatory oversight.
Every herb used in Dr Shen's dispensary is listed on the Therapeutic Goods Register — Australia's regulatory framework for complementary medicines. No unregistered, unlisted or exotic substances are used. This gives you access to the same regulatory protection that applies to Australian pharmaceutical products.
Before prescribing, Dr Shen reviews your current medications and medical history for potential herb-drug interactions. This screening is a non-negotiable part of every herbal consultation. If you are taking pharmaceutical medications — particularly anticoagulants, immunosuppressants or oncology drugs — please advise Dr Shen at the time of booking.
The Prescription Process
Detailed TCM assessment — tongue, pulse, symptom pattern, lifestyle and medication review. Initial consultations are 60–90 minutes.
Dr Shen composes your individual formula from the dispensary — selecting herbs, ratios and preparation method based on your unique presentation.
Your formula is dispensed with clear preparation instructions, timing guidance, and dietary recommendations to maximise therapeutic effect.
Follow-up consultations allow formula adjustment as your body responds — most effective herbal prescribing involves iterative refinement over the treatment course.
Dr Shen offers herbal medicine consultations via telehealth for patients outside Sydney, or for established patients who prefer the convenience of remote consultations. Your personalised herbal formula is dispensed and posted to you within 48 hours of consultation. Telehealth herbal appointments are available Monday–Sunday, 9am–9pm, subject to availability.
Enquire About TelehealthAn individually prescribed formula — not a generic supplement. Dr Shen's AHPRA-registered herbal prescribing is available in-person at Lane Cove and the Northern Beaches, and via telehealth Australia-wide. Monday–Sunday, 9am–9pm.
Book a Herbal Consultation