Testimonials

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

For more than two years Paul Olko has provided Chinese Herbal Care for me and my son and daughter.

Paul obviously loves his work with herbs. His belief in their effectiveness is contagious. When I would ask him about a health problem I was experiencing, his response was thorough and enthusiastic. Paul has always been sensitive to my information, impressions and experience. His prescriptions never failed to help and cure my problems.

Paul has given me herbs which shrank uterine fibroids, for flu, colds, digestive problems, weight loss, lack of energy, estrogen deficiency, ear and eye irritations. Paul has successfully treated my son for asthma and nervous disorders with herbs. He has assisted my daughter in recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome. It has been an adventure for me to prepare teas from the original herbal mixtures Paul prescribes from his huge store of ingredients.

Paul is my first choice of help when I have a medical problem. He has given me faith that I can heal my body and often my mind and emotions with Chinese herbs in a safe, balanced and altogether beneficial manner without negative side effects.

—P.A.

When I first saw Paul on September 12 [1995], I had been sick since May 29 (15 weeks). I spent the whole month of June in bed because I was either too dizzy to get out of bed or the sheer will it took to be up and ambulatory was too much for me to bear. I also had incredible bouts of nausea that were so bad I thought I would throw up, but did not.

Interspersed with the dizziness and nausea were days when my whole body felt as if it weighted a ton and it took every ounce of energy to simply carry on a conversation. Or I would have days when I woke up feeling alright, go into Charlottesville (from Earlysville) to Fresh Fields and Kroger, and arrive home one and a half hours later totally physically depleted. Some days I was totally symptom-free. When I would “overdo it”—and I never knew what would be too much for my body to handle—I was so exhausted that even lying down brought me no comfort. My muscles and limbs did not hurt, per se, but I was extremely uncomfortable, so much so that often I was unable to sleep and suffered from insomnia.

Throughout all of this, I went to see many doctors and had numerous tests. It was thought that I had an inner ear infection or suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or the doctor was simply baffled. I even had an MRI to rule out MS. I finally went to see Paul and he started me on a 4-day course of Chinese herbs. During my first visit, Paul also stimulated some acupressure points and immediately I felt fifty percent better. I drank the herb tea mixtures for three weeks, at the end of which I felt back to my old self. It is now over a month later and I have had no recurrence of any of my symptoms and feel that I owe Paul my life. I could have spent the rest of my life with traditional Western medicine and never gotten any relief, much less discover what it was, in fact, that I was plagued with. I would, and have recommended Paul Olko to a lot of people to cure whatever ails them.

—M. G. K.

Colds

Hey Paul and Christina - I just wanted to thank you for the herbs for the COVID that my husband and I had! The herbs aren’t hard to boil up every day, and while they are bitter and don’t taste great – for sure, but it’s only 4 cups a day, so it is doable. We just looked forward to a lozenge as a treat after we got each cup down!

Both F and I only had colds and not even that bad. Both of us never lost our energy, never got chest stuff or a sore throat, and never got coughs. I’d say that the stuff worked, as we don’t know anyone who has had such mild symptoms with the strain that is going around now. I think it helped that we got right on it at the very start. Thanks so much! - M

For a number of years, dating back as early as 1982, I have had the pleasure of experiencing the proficiency of Paul Olko’s Chinese Herbal Care.

I have had continued success over the years with the many Chinese herbal formulas that Paul has prescribed for me, as well as for my daughter.

It is my firm conviction that the expertise and knowledge of Paul Olko in providing me with very thorough consultations, diagnoses and prescribed Chinese formulas, have been the reasons why I have experienced such success. Paul also provided a comfort that enabled me to participate in a healing process of this nature.

He has treated me for problems, from minor ones such as colds, influenza, ear and eye infections, to more complex formulas for uterus strengthening, hormonal balancing and postpartum depression.

Considering Paul operates a very high volume practice, he has always provided me with extreme quality care.

I consider myself very fortunate to have the availability of a Chinese herbalist of Paul Olko’s caliber.

—N. R.

For the last six months I have had the good fortune to be under the care of Paul Olko. I started treatment for a herniated disc in my lower back in January 1993. At first I went to Paul once a week, then three times a week, and now every other week. Early on we concentrated on my back problem. Later, however, his wide range of expertise as a Chinese Herbalist became evident as we began treating other problems (a cold, hay fever and PMS).

As a health care professional, I would like to note other aspects of Paul’s caring style. First, he gives a thorough exam, looking at the whole picture. Second, and what impresses me most, are his continuous evaluations. Paul listens to what his patients say about how they are feeling and adjusts the treatment if it is necessary.

Please consider this letter in good faith to grant Paul Olko a certificate as a Chinese herbalist.

—P. M. K., R.N.

I have been a patient of Paul Olko’s since 1984, seeing him every three weeks until his move to Virginia. During this time, he prescribed Chinese Herbal formulas often for sore throat, colds, flue symptoms, cold sores and since I am a runner, very often for sore muscles.

I found Paul to be knowledgeable and very competent in prescribing the different formulas. A few years ago, I was in training to run the New York Marathon and developed a very sore knee. After a call to Paul explaining the problem, he recommended a Chinese Herbal formula for compresses. After using the formula for a few days the soreness disappeared and I was able to complete the marathon with no further problems. This is just one example of the many successes I have experienced with Paul.

—B.R.

Cold Sores

—B.R.

Colitis

For 27 years I suffered from perhaps the worst case of acne any human being could possibly endure. So bad, in fact, that it had left one eye permanently damaged, a partially deviated septum, and premature wrinkling from scars and repeated use of Accutane.

Every dermatologist in the state of Virginia had seen my case and had treated me with a myriad of western approaches. Nothing helped. My condition grew worse and the medicines (toxins) these doctors so freely administered began to create additional illnesses, one of which became ulcerative colitis.

For this disease I was placed on the drug Azulfodine indefinitely, as my doctor-induced colitis was now deemed incurable.

One of the side effects of Azulfodine is falling hair; thus eventual balding was also “just something to be expected.” I wrestled with the thought of suicide for several years but all the while maintained hope for another way out.

That other way turned out to be Chinese medicine and Paul Olko.

After only three months of therapy with Paul Olko, he had cured my acne, and after one and a half years of drinking his herbal teas, I no longer have any symptoms of colitis whatsoever.

I still have to stay away from acid/spicy foods but then everyone should watch their diets anyway, right?

Paul has me on “Pearl Cream” for my face, which has removed 10 years from my appearance, as the wrinkles continue to vanish.

One word of advice—don’t become impatient when you undergo Chinese therapy. It takes a little longer (and each case is individualized), but the results are safe and lasting. I will never return to archaic western standards and will be forever grateful to Paul Olko for his exciting, innovative methods of treatment and his long strides in the advancement of medicine.

—A. B.

Constipation

Thanks much for the prompt shipment of the herbs—am really feeling significantly more relaxed and balanced and stable. As I told you on the telephone, I felt the effects of Chinese bupleurum dragon bone formula immediately upon drinking the tea. I became relaxed very quickly and, best of all, my stomach area has felt a relaxation that it has probably never felt before. I began to have normal bowel movements within about three and a half weeks after beginning to drink the tea—something I haven’t experienced for years. It’s been about five weeks now since I’ve been drinking the tea (and modifying some parts of my diet—no juices!—must confess I’m still eating some cookies!) and I feel stronger than I have for years.

I’ve also just begun to do some yoga daily which feels great.

So thank you, thank you, thank you! Keep up the great service you provide us with your knowledge and love!

P.S. I now live in Indianapolis, Indiana.

—C.

Green Lake Healing Center