need a second opinion

I need a second opinion on one of the medicines my 2 year old daughter got from a TCM Doctor for exema and food allergies. The doctor prescribed Armadillo Counter Poison Pill and Royal Jelly extract for her. I found some info on the Armadillo Pill, but can't find enough on the Royal Jelly syrup we have. I tried to look up individual ingredients and some of them just seem like a bizarre choice for a 2-yr old girl - but then again, I found only very little info. It has the following ingredients:
Royal Jelly
Semen Euryales
Semen Nelumbinis
Radix Glehniae
Rhizoma Atractylodis
Fructus Hordei
Poria Cocos
Semen Dolichoris

The extract is made by Jian Min Herb Manufactory, Wuhan, China. Could you tell me if you think it's a right medicine for a small child with exema and food allergies?

Thank you,
Magda

Hi Magda,
It is true that we need to see your child to be able to make a proper diagnosis and to give a proper treatment plan.
However I will say a thing or two about the treatment your child is on. FIrstly, I never recommend the standard chinese herbal patents that you recieve in china town. It is really hard to judge the quality of the herbs and if they are contaminated with other things like heavy metals or even western drugs. The armadillo pill you described actually contains an endangered species- the scaly anteater. I think it is not right to prescibe this type of medication, especiall when there are lots of other choices for herbs that are just as effective.
The other problem with the patent pills is that they are too general and I don't think give the long lasting results that chinese medicine is known for. Herbal formulas are usually a mix of 8-20 herbs with specific ingredients and dosages particular to the individual being treated.
If you ask me, I would go see a different practitioner who uses good quality herbs and avoids endangered species. This practitioner should have a background in treating children and skin disease. You can always ask about their experience and training.
Let us know if you need to locate someone for your area.

Kind regards,
Trevor
www.acubalance.ca
www.skin.health-info.org