Chinese herbal medicine

On this page

1. What is Chinese herbal medicine?
2. History of Chinese herbal medicine
3. Types of Chinese herbal medicine
4. How does Chinese herbal medicine work?
5. What are the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine?
6. What conditions can Chinese herbal medicine treat?
7. What happens during a consultation?
8. Are Chinese herbs safe?
9. Are Chinese herbs regulated?
10. How to find a qualified Chinese herbalist
11. Commonly asked questions
12. Are animal products used in Chinese medicine?
13. Online herbal consultations

1. What is Chinese herbal medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine is a complete system of healthcare that uses medicinal plants, roots, bark, seeds and fungi to prevent disease and treat a wide range of health problems. It originates from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used continuously for over 2,500 years.

It is the most widely used form of herbal medicine in the world today. TCM practitioners assess signs and symptoms using yin and yang theory and the Five Elements to formulate bespoke prescriptions that address the underlying cause of illness, not just the symptoms.

In Europe and the UK, endangered species are not used in Chinese herbal formulas. Instead, individual plants are selected for their specific healing properties and combined into a tailored prescription unique to each patient.

Chinese herbal medicine has a long and unbroken history in East Asia and is now widely practised across the UK, Europe, the United States and Australia. It is the most sophisticated herbal medical tradition in the world and continues to evolve as modern research validates what practitioners have known for centuries.

2. History of Chinese herbal medicine

The use of medicinal plants in China probably began thousands of years before written records. The earliest known herbal textbook — a list of prescriptions for specific ailments — was found in the Mawangdui tombs in China, sealed in 168 BC. The oldest classical Materia Medica is the Shénnóng Běncǎo Jīng (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica), which classifies 365 species of roots, grasses, woods, minerals and animal substances into three categories of medicinal use.

The foundational medical textbook of traditional Chinese medicine, the Huángdì Nèijīng (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine), dates back approximately 2,000 years and outlines the core theories of health, disease and treatment that still underpin Chinese herbal medicine today.

For thousands of years, food has served as the first line of medicine in East Asia, with specific herbs and plants added to everyday cooking for their health-giving properties. If dietary measures prove insufficient, a herbalist is consulted for a tailored herbal prescription.

Chinese herbal medicine arrived in the UK centuries ago and was first protected in law under Henry VIII, making it one of the oldest formally recognised forms of medicine in this country. Today it is practised by members of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), who adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional standards.

3. Types of Chinese herbal medicine

Chinese herbal prescriptions are not one-size-fits-all. They are tailored to the individual patient and can be prescribed and taken in several different forms.

Raw dried herbs

The most traditional form. Individual herbs in their original dried state — pieces of root, bark, leaf, seed or flower — are combined and slowly decocted in water for up to 45 minutes. The resulting liquid is strained and drunk as a medicinal tea. This method has been used for thousands of years and is still considered by many practitioners to be the most potent form of delivery.

Herbal powders

A modern and convenient alternative to raw herbs. Individual herb granules are dissolved in hot water and drunk as a tea, often with a little honey added to improve the taste. This is the form I most commonly prescribe, as it preserves the benefits of a fully tailored prescription without the need for lengthy home preparation.

Capsules and tablets

Herbal granules can be encapsulated or pressed into tablet form for patients who find the taste difficult. The dosage is higher than you might expect — typically around 30 tablets per day — because herbal medicines are gentler than pharmaceutical drugs and require a larger volume to achieve the same therapeutic effect. They are taken in divided doses after meals with plenty of water.

Patent pills

Pre-made, off-the-shelf herbal formulas in small pill form. These are standard formulas that cannot be modified to a patient's individual needs. They represent a weaker dosage than a tailored prescription and are commonly found in health food shops in the United States. They are not legal to sell in the UK or Europe.

Tinctures

A liquid extraction of herbs in alcohol or water. Tinctures are sometimes used for children, as the dosage can be precisely adjusted. There are several paediatric Chinese herbal formulas available in tincture form.

4. How does Chinese herbal medicine work?

According to TCM theory, each herb has specific properties: a nature (hot, warm, cool or cold), a flavour (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent or salty), and an affinity for certain internal organs and channels. A qualified herbalist selects between 6 and 12 individual herbs and combines them into a formula in which each ingredient has a specific role — chief, deputy, assistant or envoy — working together to address the patient's unique pattern of imbalance.

In modern scientific terms, there is a growing body of research that demonstrates how Chinese herbal compounds act upon the body. Individual herbs and formulas have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hormonal and antioxidant effects, among many others. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs — which tend to target a single biochemical pathway — Chinese herbal formulas work holistically across multiple systems simultaneously.

Because Chinese herbs are natural and work with the body rather than overriding it, they take longer to produce results than pharmaceutical drugs — typically two to three weeks before improvements become apparent. However, this gradual approach means that the effects are sustained and that the risk of side effects is very low.

Additional treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion and dietary advice are frequently used alongside Chinese herbal medicine to enhance its effects and accelerate recovery.

Watch my short animated video below, which explains how Chinese herbal medicine works.

5. What are the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine treats the whole person, not just the presenting complaint. Where acupuncture works primarily by regulating the flow of qi (energy) and blood, herbs are able to replenish and nourish what the body lacks. For example, they can supplement energy, build blood, clear heat, resolve dampness, calm the mind and strengthen the organs in ways that needles alone cannot achieve.

Some of the most commonly reported improvements following a course of Chinese herbal treatment include:

1. Increased energy levels
2. Better quality and duration of sleep
3. Improved digestion
4. More stable emotions and reduced anxiety
5. Reduced feeling of cold or heat
6. Improved fertility in both men and women
7. Clearer skin, including improvement of acne
8. Reduced menopausal symptoms
9. Greater overall sense of health and well-being

Because the prescription is tailored to the individual, it often addresses multiple health complaints at the same time. Many patients report improvements in areas they hadn't even mentioned at their initial consultation, as the formula works to rebalance the whole system. The longer a patient takes a correctly prescribed herbal formula, the deeper and more lasting the benefits tend to be.

6. What conditions can Chinese herbal medicine treat?

Chinese herbal medicine has been used in East Asia for thousands of years to treat a wide range of chronic health conditions. In western countries, it is increasingly used as an alternative or complement to conventional medicine for conditions that are difficult to treat or where pharmaceutical options carry significant side effects.

Evidence-based research has demonstrated that Chinese herbal medicine can be effective in treating:

1. Fertility problems in both men and women, including low sperm count, PCOS, endometriosis and low AMH
2. Anxiety, depression and stress
3. Insomnia and disturbed sleep
4. Digestive disorders including IBS and bloating
5. Menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats and mood changes
6. Skin conditions including acne and eczema
7. Chronic fatigue syndrome and long COVID
8. Irregular menstrual cycles and hormonal imbalances
9. Fibromyalgia and chronic pain
10. Tinnitus
11. Rheumatoid arthritis and joint inflammation
12. Raynaud's disease
13. Burn out and adrenal fatigue
14. Recurrent infections and low immunity

Chinese herbal medicine works particularly well in combination with acupuncture and moxibustion as part of a comprehensive TCM treatment plan.

7. What happens during a Chinese herbal medicine consultation?

Your first consultation will typically last around 45 to 60 minutes. I will take a full medical history and ask detailed questions about your main complaint, your general health, sleep, digestion, energy levels, emotional state and any other relevant factors. I will also look at your tongue and take your pulse on both wrists — two of the most important diagnostic tools in TCM.

From this assessment, I will identify your individual pattern of imbalance according to TCM theory and formulate a bespoke herbal prescription tailored specifically to your needs. The herbs I prescribe come from Sun Ten in Taiwan — the highest quality Chinese herbal granules available anywhere in the world.

Follow-up consultations are shorter — usually around 20 to 30 minutes — and allow me to review your progress and adjust the formula as your health improves.

If you are unable to attend my clinics in person, I offer online Chinese herbal consultations via Zoom, which are equally effective and available to patients anywhere in the world.

8. Are Chinese herbs safe?

Yes, Chinese herbal medicine is safe when prescribed by a fully qualified and registered herbalist. The Chinese Materia Medica documents the therapeutic properties and known adverse reactions of hundreds of individual herbs, accumulated over thousands of years of continuous clinical use.

All herbs imported into the UK and Europe are tested for quality, toxicity, heavy metals and aristolochic acids by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA has also established the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC), which monitors reported adverse reactions and determines the safety of herbal products based on current evidence — equivalent in status to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines.

The herbs I use come from Sun Ten in Taiwan — a world-renowned manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade herbal granules, tested to the highest international standards.

Are Chinese herbs safe during fertility treatment and IVF?

Chinese herbs are safe to take during fertility treatment, including IVF and ICSI, when prescribed by a herbalist who is aware you are trying to conceive. Research has shown that correctly prescribed Chinese herbs can enhance fertility in both men and women, improving outcomes for patients with low sperm count, PCOS, endometriosis and unexplained infertility. Always make sure your herbalist knows you are trying for a baby.

Side effects of Chinese herbs

Side effects from correctly prescribed Chinese herbal medicine are rare. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs — which are highly concentrated and therefore fast-acting but more likely to cause adverse reactions — Chinese herbs are natural, work gradually and are far less likely to cause side effects.

The most commonly reported side effect is mild digestive discomfort if herbs are taken on an empty stomach. This is easily avoided by always taking herbs at least one hour after food.

Because each prescription is individually tailored to the patient — unlike pharmaceutical drugs, which use a single dose for all — it is inherently better suited to your unique constitution and therefore less likely to cause any unwanted effects.

9. Are Chinese herbs regulated?

In the UK, Chinese herbal medicine is regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which monitors clinical trials and reported adverse reactions to herbal products. Herbal medicine has a long history of legal protection in the UK, first enshrined in statute under Henry VIII.

In Canada and Australia, Chinese herbal medicine is statutorily regulated and practitioners must meet defined standards of training and registration before they are permitted to prescribe herbs. In the United States, herbs are not currently subject to statutory regulation.

I personally support the statutory regulation of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese herbal medicine in the UK. Herbs are powerful medicines and should only be prescribed by practitioners with thorough training and professional accountability.

The best way to ensure you are seeing a properly qualified Chinese herbalist in the UK is to choose a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). RCHM members have undergone extensive training, hold professional indemnity insurance and adhere to a strict code of practice. I am a fully registered member of the RCHM.

Always consult a qualified herbalist before taking any Chinese herbs or herbal supplements. Herbs are not simply food supplements — they have genuine physiological effects on the body and should not be self-prescribed.

10. How to find a qualified Chinese herbalist

As Chinese herbal medicine is not yet statutorily regulated in the UK, it is important to know how to find a reputable and properly qualified practitioner.

Always choose a herbalist who is a registered member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). RCHM members must have completed a minimum of three to four years of full-time training in Chinese herbal medicine, hold professional indemnity insurance and commit to ongoing continuing professional development.

Be cautious of practitioners who have undergone only short or introductory herbal training, nutritionists advising on herbal supplements, or health food shop staff recommending off-the-shelf Chinese herbal products. None of these have the training required to safely prescribe a tailored Chinese herbal formula.

I am a fully registered member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) and have been practising Chinese herbal medicine for over 25 years, with clinical training at Whittington Hospital in London and at Zhong Ri Hospital and Xi Yuan Hospital in Beijing. I practise at clinics in Wokingham, Berkshire and Twickenham, Richmond, and offer online consultations for patients worldwide.

11. Commonly asked questions about Chinese herbal medicine

How do you take Chinese herbs?

Chinese herbal formulas are available in several forms. The form I most commonly prescribe is granule powder, which is dissolved in hot water and drunk as a tea — often with a little honey added to improve the taste. Other forms include capsules, tablets, raw dried herbs (decocted at home) and, for children, tinctures. Full instructions are always provided at your consultation.

How often do I need to take Chinese herbs?

Because Chinese herbs are natural, they work best when taken consistently at regular intervals — usually twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at least one hour after food. The typical course of treatment lasts several weeks, after which progress is reviewed and the formula adjusted as needed.

How long does it take for Chinese herbs to work?

Most patients begin to notice improvements after two to three weeks of consistent use, though this varies depending on the condition being treated and how long it has been present. Chronic conditions that have developed over years naturally take longer to resolve than more acute problems. The longer a patient takes a correctly prescribed formula, the deeper and more lasting the benefits tend to be.

What do Chinese herbs taste like?

Chinese herbs have an earthy, bitter, medicinal flavour. Most formulas contain liquorice root (Gan Cao), which is added as a harmonising herb and to improve palatability. Adding a small amount of honey to the powder dissolved in hot water can help further. Patients who find the taste very difficult can have the prescription made up in capsule or tablet form, which has no taste whatsoever.

Can I take Chinese herbs alongside my medication?

Many patients take Chinese herbs alongside conventional medication without any problems. However, some herbs may interact with certain pharmaceutical drugs, so it is essential that you inform me of all medication you are currently taking at your initial consultation. I will take this into account when formulating your prescription and advise you accordingly.

Can children take Chinese herbs?

Yes. Chinese herbal medicine can be used safely and effectively with children. The dosage for babies and children is between 50 and 75% lower than the adult dose. Tinctures are often the most suitable form for young children, as the dosage can be precisely adjusted.

How much does a Chinese herbal medicine consultation cost?

Full pricing information is available on the treatment prices page. An initial Chinese herbal medicine consultation at my Wokingham clinic is £50; follow-up consultations are £40. The cost of the herbs themselves is additional, at £35 per week for a tailor-made prescription.

12. Are animal products used in Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has historically used a combination of plant, mineral and animal substances in its formulas. However, in the UK and Europe it is illegal to use animal products in Chinese herbal medicine. All formulas prescribed in the UK must use plant-derived ingredients only.

In the USA and parts of East Asia, the use of certain animal products in medicine remains legal, though the use of endangered species is prohibited in the USA. I do not use or support the use of any animal products in Chinese medicine. All of my formulas use only plants — roots, bark, leaves, seeds and fungi — sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan, where rigorous quality testing is applied to every batch.

13. Online herbal consultations

I offer remote online Chinese herbal consultations via Zoom for patients who are unable to attend one of my clinics in person. Online consultations are available to patients across the UK and internationally and are every bit as thorough as an in-person appointment.

During an online consultation, I will take a full case history, review your symptoms and health history in detail, and formulate a bespoke herbal prescription tailored to your needs. The herbs are then posted directly to you.

To schedule an online Chinese herbal consultation, book your appointment here.