What is Chinese herbal medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine (中药) is the systematic clinical use of plant, mineral and (rarely) animal substances, prescribed in formulations rather than single ingredients. China's Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (中国药典) — last revised 2020 — lists 616 commonly used herbs and 1,607 standardised formulations. Prescriptions are individualised by TCM diagnosis and constitutional pattern.

Is Chinese herbal medicine evidence-based?

Selected formulations have substantial evidence: Artemisia annua (青蒿) gave us artemisinin, the WHO's first-line antimalarial (Tu Youyou, Nobel Prize 2015); the formula Mahuang Decoction (麻黄汤) component pseudoephedrine is a standard FDA-approved decongestant; Ginkgo biloba and Salvia miltiorrhiza (丹参) are the basis of multiple cardiovascular drugs. Across the broader pharmacopeia, China's ChiCTR registry contains 14,000+ TCM trials, with quality varying by formulation.

How are Chinese herbs prescribed?

TCM physicians diagnose using the four examinations (观察, 听诊, 询问, 切诊 — observation, listening, interrogation, palpation including tongue and pulse) and prescribe a formulation tailored to the constitutional pattern (证). The same Western diagnosis can yield different herbal formulations depending on the TCM pattern. Formulations are prescribed for 1–2 weeks at a time and adjusted at follow-up.

Decoction vs granules vs pills — which is best?

Decoctions (汤剂): raw herbs boiled at home; strongest effect, traditional. Granules (颗粒剂): pre-extracted, freeze-dried; identical efficacy with much greater convenience, NMPA-regulated. Concentrated pills (浓缩丸): standardised formulations, long shelf life, easy export. Most international patients leave with granules or pills for convenience and customs simplicity.

Are Chinese herbs safe?

Licensed Chinese herbal medicine prescribed by a board-certified TCM physician is generally safe. The principal safety concerns are: (1) herb–drug interactions (e.g. ginseng × warfarin, St John's wort × SSRIs); (2) heavy metal or pesticide contamination from unregulated overseas suppliers — China-pharmacy-sourced product is NMPA-tested; (3) adulteration of unbranded products. Always disclose herbs to your Western physician, and only buy from licensed pharmacies.

What about Aristolochia and other unsafe herbs?

Aristolochia species (含马兜铃酸的草药), once used in some traditional formulas, are now banned by China's NMPA and most international regulators following confirmed nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity data. Modern Class A TCM hospitals do not prescribe banned herbs. Always cross-check ingredients against the WHO Adverse Drug Reactions database if you have any concern.

Can I take Chinese herbs with my Western medication?

Sometimes — and integrative care is the norm in China — but only under coordinated supervision. Documented interactions: ginseng/dan shen with anticoagulants; ginkgo with antiplatelet drugs; ma huang/ephedra (now restricted) with stimulants and MAOIs; goldenseal with cytochrome P450 substrates. Disclose every medication and supplement to both your TCM physician and your home physician.

How much does Chinese herbal medicine cost in China?

TCM consultation at a Class A hospital: $30–$80 (¥220–¥560); senior physician consultations $80–$250. A 2-week herbal prescription typically runs $40–$120 depending on formulation and rare ingredients. Branded patent medicines (中成药) like 同仁堂 can be purchased over-the-counter at lower cost.

Can I bring Chinese herbs back to my home country?

In most jurisdictions yes — granules and standardised pills with original labelling and prescription documentation are typically permitted as personal-use medication. Restrictions apply for endangered-species ingredients (e.g. anything containing pangolin scale or musk — both replaced with substitutes in modern practice) and for raw herbs in some countries. Check your home country's customs regulations.

TCM · Herbal medicine

Chinese herbal medicine,
regulated and decoded.

616 herbs in the official pharmacopeia. NMPA quality control. A Nobel-winning antimalarial. Here is how Chinese herbal medicine actually works in 2026 — and how to get a licensed prescription you can take home.

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Forms of prescription

Decoction, granule, pill — explained.

Traditional

Decoction 汤剂

Raw herbs boiled at home for ~30–45 minutes. Strongest pharmacological effect; flexible to formula adjustments. Most labour-intensive.

$50–150 / 2 weeks

Modern

Granule 颗粒剂

Pre-extracted, freeze-dried, dissolves in hot water. NMPA-regulated for purity and potency. Most popular for international patients.

$60–140 / 2 weeks

Standardised

Concentrated pill 浓缩丸

Compressed pellets of standardised classical formulations. Long shelf life. Easy customs declaration. Ideal for export.

$30–80 / month

Over-the-counter

Patent medicine 中成药

Pre-made branded products (e.g. 同仁堂 Tongrentang). Available without individualised prescription. Suited to common minor complaints.

$10–40 / box

External

Topical preparation

Plasters (膏药), liniments, soaks. Used in musculoskeletal pain, dermatology, post-injury inflammation.

$5–25 / pack

Hospital only

Injectable formulation

Standardised injectable preparations used inpatient (e.g. 丹参注射液). NMPA-licensed; only prescribed by hospital pharmacists.

Inpatient

FAQ

Herbal medicine, answered.

What is Chinese herbal medicine?: Chinese herbal medicine (中药) is the systematic clinical use of plant, mineral and (rarely) animal substances, prescribed in formulations rather than single ingredients. China's Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (中国药典) — last revised 2020 — lists 616 commonly used herbs and 1,607 standardised formulations. Prescriptions are individualised by TCM diagnosis and constitutional pattern.
Is Chinese herbal medicine evidence-based?: Selected formulations have substantial evidence: Artemisia annua (青蒿) gave us artemisinin, the WHO's first-line antimalarial (Tu Youyou, Nobel Prize 2015); the formula Mahuang Decoction (麻黄汤) component pseudoephedrine is a standard FDA-approved decongestant; Ginkgo biloba and Salvia miltiorrhiza (丹参) are the basis of multiple cardiovascular drugs. Across the broader pharmacopeia, China's ChiCTR registry contains 14,000+ TCM trials, with quality varying by formulation.
How are Chinese herbs prescribed?: TCM physicians diagnose using the four examinations (观察, 听诊, 询问, 切诊 — observation, listening, interrogation, palpation including tongue and pulse) and prescribe a formulation tailored to the constitutional pattern (证). The same Western diagnosis can yield different herbal formulations depending on the TCM pattern. Formulations are prescribed for 1–2 weeks at a time and adjusted at follow-up.
Decoction vs granules vs pills — which is best?: Decoctions (汤剂): raw herbs boiled at home; strongest effect, traditional. Granules (颗粒剂): pre-extracted, freeze-dried; identical efficacy with much greater convenience, NMPA-regulated. Concentrated pills (浓缩丸): standardised formulations, long shelf life, easy export. Most international patients leave with granules or pills for convenience and customs simplicity.
Are Chinese herbs safe?: Licensed Chinese herbal medicine prescribed by a board-certified TCM physician is generally safe. The principal safety concerns are: (1) herb–drug interactions (e.g. ginseng × warfarin, St John's wort × SSRIs); (2) heavy metal or pesticide contamination from unregulated overseas suppliers — China-pharmacy-sourced product is NMPA-tested; (3) adulteration of unbranded products. Always disclose herbs to your Western physician, and only buy from licensed pharmacies.
What about Aristolochia and other unsafe herbs?: Aristolochia species (含马兜铃酸的草药), once used in some traditional formulas, are now banned by China's NMPA and most international regulators following confirmed nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity data. Modern Class A TCM hospitals do not prescribe banned herbs. Always cross-check ingredients against the WHO Adverse Drug Reactions database if you have any concern.
Can I take Chinese herbs with my Western medication?: Sometimes — and integrative care is the norm in China — but only under coordinated supervision. Documented interactions: ginseng/dan shen with anticoagulants; ginkgo with antiplatelet drugs; ma huang/ephedra (now restricted) with stimulants and MAOIs; goldenseal with cytochrome P450 substrates. Disclose every medication and supplement to both your TCM physician and your home physician.
How much does Chinese herbal medicine cost in China?: TCM consultation at a Class A hospital: $30–$80 (¥220–¥560); senior physician consultations $80–$250. A 2-week herbal prescription typically runs $40–$120 depending on formulation and rare ingredients. Branded patent medicines (中成药) like 同仁堂 can be purchased over-the-counter at lower cost.
Can I bring Chinese herbs back to my home country?: In most jurisdictions yes — granules and standardised pills with original labelling and prescription documentation are typically permitted as personal-use medication. Restrictions apply for endangered-species ingredients (e.g. anything containing pangolin scale or musk — both replaced with substitutes in modern practice) and for raw herbs in some countries. Check your home country's customs regulations.

Get a licensed
herbal prescription.

Consult a board-licensed TCM physician at a Class A hospital. Receive an NMPA-regulated, individualised prescription you can take home with full documentation.

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Chinese herbal medicine,regulated and decoded.