Acupuncture and herbal medicine
Herbal formulas, written for one person and filled in-house
Mortar is an acupuncture clinic with its own herb pharmacy in Stafford, just southwest of Houston. Three licensed practitioners see you; every formula is written after a visit and weighed at our counter.
The clinic
Acupuncture is the visit. Herbs join the plan when they fit.
Most people start with acupuncture. If a formula suits your pattern, Quang writes one after your visit and the pharmacy fills it that week. If one doesn't, you simply come for acupuncture. You choose each step, and we put the plan and the fees in writing first.
Every visit is with a licensed acupuncturist
Quang writes each formula; Araxi and James practice acupuncture
We ask for a list of everything you take, every time
A written estimate comes before any herbs are packed
Step by step
How a formula is written
A formula is a short list of herbs chosen together for one person, never a bottle taken off a shelf.
- 01
Step 1: Pattern assessment
Quang asks about your sleep, digestion, energy and temperature, looks at your tongue and feels both pulses. In Chinese medicine this adds up to a pattern assessment: a description of how you are doing, not a medical finding.
Everything you take now, vitamins and teas included
Your tongue and pulse
What you hope care will do
- 02
Step 2: The formula
He starts from a classical formula, often one from the Shang Han Lun or the Jin Gui Yao Lue, and adjusts it for you: an herb added, one left out, the amounts changed. You get the herb list in writing.
Each herb named in common, pinyin and Latin names
Any herb that clashes with your medicines is left out
- 03
Step 3: How it is prepared
The pharmacy weighs each herb at the counter. You choose the form that suits your week: raw herbs you simmer at home, concentrated granules you stir into hot water, or a tincture.
Quoted in writing before it is packed
Ready in a few days
- 04
Step 4: Follow-up
At your next visit we ask how the formula went down: taste, digestion, sleep, anything new. Quang changes it or stops it. If you feel unwell, stop and call us the same day.
Tell your prescriber about the formula too
For an emergency, call 911
The pharmacy
Drawers, jars and a scale
Every herb has its own jar or drawer and is weighed by hand at the counter. Ask to see the pharmacy on your first visit.
Showing 6 of 6
Sample photos.
Quang Ngo
Owner, herbalist and licensed acupuncturist
Quang writes every formula at Mortar, and he is at the pharmacy counter most days.
He keeps formulas short, writes each herb down in plain words, and asks you to bring a list of everything you take, prescriptions and vitamins included, to every visit. Araxi Garabedian and James Lundgren, both licensed acupuncturists, see patients for acupuncture and send you to Quang when a formula may fit.
What Quang does
- Classical herbal formulas
- Pulse and tongue assessment
- Checking herbs against your medicines
- Acupuncture alongside herbs
Credentials
Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (Dipl. C.H.), NCBAHM, formerly NCCAOM
Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) · TX Lic. 000000
Herbs and your medicines
Questions to ask before you take a formula
More are on our herb safety page.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring us a list of everything you take: prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and teas. A photo of each label works if a list is hard to make. We check the list against every herb before a formula is written, and we ask for it again whenever something changes.
Can herbs interact with my medicines?
Yes, some can. Certain herbs change how blood thinners, diabetes medicines, blood pressure medicines and others work. That is why Quang reviews your list first, leaves out any herb that clashes, and asks you to tell your prescriber about the formula.
Do I have to stop my medicine to take a formula?
No. Never stop or change a medicine because of a formula or an acupuncture visit. Tell your prescriber about everything you take, and ask them before you change anything.
Can I take a formula while pregnant or nursing?
Some herbs are not used in pregnancy, and some are not used while nursing. Tell us before your first visit if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or nursing, and we will say what we can and cannot offer. Your own doctor or midwife should know about anything you take.
What if I get a rash, an upset stomach or something new?
Stop the formula and call us the same day. For trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or any emergency, call 911. Tell your prescriber too.
Does a formula replace my doctor's care?
No. Herbal medicine and acupuncture sit alongside your doctor's care. If something is new, severe or getting worse, see your doctor first.
How fees work
Plain answers before you book. Visits and herbs are priced apart, and we quote both in advance.
Insurance we work with
We are out of network and don't bill health plans. Some plans pay part of an acupuncture visit back to you when you send in a receipt, and some don't cover it at all. Herbal formulas are usually not covered. Plans differ, so ask yours.
We are out of network with every plan
Ask your plan about out-of-network benefits
If you pay yourself
Most people pay at the visit by card. The fee depends on the kind of visit, and herbs are priced by what is in your formula and how many days it lasts. We tell you both before you decide, at the front desk or by phone. HSA and FSA cards can often be used: ask your plan administrator. We keep a few reduced-fee spots each week; ask the front desk.
Receipts for reimbursement
After every visit you get an itemized receipt. It is called a superbill, and your plan may pay part of it back or none of it; your plan decides. Before you send one in, ask your plan:
Is there an acupuncture benefit?
How many visits does it cover?
Is there a copay or a deductible?
Do I need a referral?
An estimate in advance
If you are not using insurance, we give you a written estimate before your first visit, and a new one if your plan of care changes. A formula's estimate comes with its herb list before the pharmacy packs anything. If a bill ever comes in at $400 or more above your estimate, you have the right to dispute it.
Your rights under the No Surprises ActChecking your benefits
Because we are out of network, we can't check your benefits for you. Call your plan before your first visit and ask the four questions above. We are glad to answer anything about our receipts.
What the first visit includes
About 75 minutes: a conversation about your health and your medicines, a look at your tongue and pulse, a first treatment, and a talk about whether a formula fits. If it does, Quang writes it and we quote it in writing. Return visits are about 45 minutes, and picking up a formula takes about 15.
Contact
Book a first visit
Tell us how to reach you and when you are free. The front desk calls to find a time.
- Monday – FridayToday
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- SaturdayToday
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.