Chinese herbal medicine is a traditional practice that utilizes natural substances from plants, animals, and minerals to prevent and treat a wide range of health conditions. Based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it focuses on balancing the body's vital energy to restore harmony, support the body’s natural healing processes, and enhance overall health. Herbs are often combined to create herbal formulas, which are used to address the root cause of disease and alleviate symptoms. Combining different herbs enhances the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Herbs can come in many forms, including:

• Raw: these are prepared herbs in their natural form (bark, roots, etc), which are cooked and taken as a tea.

• Granules: powdered herbs which are dissolved into water to make a tea.

• Capsules: herbal granules encapsulated in gelatin or plant-based materials. This is preferred by many who struggle with the taste of the herbs.

• Teapills or tablets: these are small, round pills, and, due to their size, require a larger number of pills per serving.

• Tinctures: liquid extracts, often taken by mouth by a dropper, or diluted in water.

• Topical Salves: these are applied directly to the skin to address local issues such as pain or inflammation.