Chinese herbs are different from western herbs because of its special theory and method of usage. Although Chinese herbs are mostly of plant origin, Chinese herbs are generally different from western herbs. This is not only because the origin of the herbs are not the same i.e. Chinese herbs are so-called because they originate from China and western herbs are so-called because they come from the West. but In general, those herbs are used according to the theory of TCM.

When the Chinese doctor makes a diagnosis, she/he would prescribe an individual treatment program. If the patient is to consume Chinese herbs, then there must have a principle of treatment. For instance, a patient suffering from the flu, the Chinese doctor's principle of treatment would be mainly to disperse the wind and cold, while also removing phlegm and to manage the flow of "Qi". The doctor would select the most suitable formula and herbs according to the principle of treatment.

The features of Chinese herbs

Chinese herbs are divided into 4 main types according to their properties: cool, cold, hot and warm. While herbs with warm or hot properties can be used to treat illnesses that are classified as cold in property or cool in nature and vice versa, cold or cooling herbs can be used to treat illnesses that are defined as warm or hot in nature.

Chinese herbs are also divided into 5 kinds of tastes based on their different features and effects: sour, bitter, sweet, pungent and salty. Those Chinese herbs that are sour have a dehydrating property and can be used in treating diluted stools. Pungent tasting Chinese herbs have dispersing effects and can be used to treat flu.

Another feature of Chinese herbs is that they attribute to different meridians based on their most effectiveness. Therefore, herbs that are attributed to certain meridians can be used to treat the problems of those meridians to achieve the goal of treating the illness faster and more direct.

Moreover, Chinese herbs are also classified according to their effects: ascending and descending. These are used to guide the flow of "Qi" and blood in the body.

These unique features of Chinese herbs are the same as those in the philosophy of TCM. In the use of Chinese herbs, its active ingredients are not the main factors of pharmaceutical analysis. The effects of Chinese herbs can be explained using the theories of the Chinese herbal pharmacology which include the four properties, five tastes, meridian attribution and the ascending-descending effects of Chinese herbs. Through modern technology, single Chinese herbs or formulae can being tested for their active ingredients recently, which allow them to be used more effectively and at the same time bridge the gap with international standards.

According to the principle of treatment, Chinese prescriptions consist of various herbs in terms of the pharmaceutical theory of Chinese herbs. Prescriptions are usually made up of a combination of various herbs that not only overlap in efficacy in treating the illness at hand but also minimize the side effects of certain herbs. In so doing, the Chinese prescription can achieve the maximum effects of treatment.