TCM Herbal Formulas - Ancient Remedies for Modern Ailments

TCM herbal formulas are traditional Chinese medicine remedies that combine various herbs to address specific health concerns based on TCM principles.
Category
Supplement
Where to get
Available in TCM clinics and traditional medicine stores.
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

TCM Herbal Formulas FAQ


Image credit: kpc.com

What is a TCM herbal formula?

In Western medicine, medications are usually prescribed individually for a specific effect. In classical TCM herbal formulas, each herb has a different purpose or role to help the body achieve harmony. For a plant to have been included in the Chinese apothecary, each of its parts had to be identified for a different healing purpose.

How many herbs are used in TCM?

Herbs are the most commonly used substances in TCM. Over 11 000 herb plants have been recorded in various TCM related pharmacopeia, and the commonly used ones are ∼700 species. As TCM usually combines multiple herbs as formulas in disease treatments, thousands of herbal formulas have been generated and widely applied in clinics.

What is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers an extremely valuable, rich, lengthy, and extensive herbal treatment history. Within it are thousands of years of development and research which we benefit from greatly today.

How do TCM herbalists classify herbs?

Over thousands of years, TCM herbalists have classified herbs by their their flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and spicy), natures (cold, cool, warm, hot), actions (descending, ascending, floating, or sinking chi), and associated meridians so they can be used medicinally.

What are the different types of TCM formulas?

Decoction, pill, powder, plaster, ointment, syrup, granule are the most common TCM formula forms. This article discuss these forms and their features. A decoction, also known as ‘tang’, is a liquid form of Chinese medicine made by soaking, boiling, and filtering herbs in water or alcohol.

What are Chinese herb formulas?

Chinese herb formulas are composed of ingredients designed to function in combination with each other. Each herb has a particular role to play in helping the body achieve harmony. Below you’ll find information about some of the most well-known formulas in TCM and their traditional functions.

What are TCM pills?

Based on the type of binding agent used, TCM pills are also called honey pills, water pills, or paste pills. There is also a modern form of Chinese herbal medicine called concentrated pills. They are made by taking herbal extracts and compressing them into pill form. They are also known as " concentrated herbal pills " or " granule pills ".

TCM Herbal Formulas References

If you want to know more about TCM Herbal Formulas, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics

Can acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine replace antibiotics?

Learn about the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and how practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong can enhance the body's defense mechanisms and reduce the need for antibiotics. Share your experiences with TCM!