Chinese Medicinals are often prescribed together with acupuncture to support your body’s recovery.
Classical formulas adjusted to your pattern
Clear instructions on how and when to take them
You’ll always understand why a formula is chosen and how it fits your overall plan.
Overview
About Chinese Medicinals
Chinese Medicinals are one of the core therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), alongside acupuncture, tuina, and other modalities.
Rather than relying on a single “active ingredient”, Chinese Medicinals usually come as formulas—a combination of herbs, roots, barks, flowers and minerals that work together in a carefully balanced way. The aim is not only to relieve symptoms, but to address the underlying pattern of imbalance causing them.
At iW TCM, we prescribe Chinese Medicinals based on a full consultation and diagnosis. Your formula is chosen according to your pattern, constitution, and current stage of illness, and may be adjusted over time as your body responds.
Core Principles
What Makes Chinese Medicinals Unique?
Chinese Medicinals follow a different logic from conventional pharmaceuticals. Here are some key differences:
Rooted in Pattern Diagnosis
In TCM, we treat patterns such as “Liver Qi stagnation” or “Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness”, not just “insomnia” or “gastric pain” in isolation. The same Western diagnosis can correspond to different patterns, and each pattern needs a different formula.
Synergistic Formulas
Most formulas contain a combination of herbs playing different roles: “chief”, “deputy”, “assistant” and “envoy”. This synergy allows the formula to target the main problem while reducing side-effects and supporting the rest of the body.
Balancing, Not Just Blocking
Instead of forcefully blocking a single pathway, Chinese Medicinals aim to restore balance: tonifying what is weak, clearing what is excessive, moving what is stagnant, and nourishing what is dry or depleted.
How Formulas Work
One Formula, Many Conditions – and Vice Versa
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Chinese medicine — and also one of its strengths.
Same Pattern, Different Labels
A single formula may help people with different Western diagnoses if they share the same TCM pattern. For example, a formula that soothes Liver Qi and harmonises digestion might be used for someone with “IBS-like” symptoms, and another person with stress-related bloating and epigastric discomfort.
Same Label, Different Patterns
Two people with “insomnia” may have completely different underlying patterns – one may have Heart-Kidney disharmony, another may have heat disturbing the Shen. Using the same pill for both may not work well. In TCM, their formulas would be different.
This is why self-prescribing based on someone else’s formula (or online recommendations) is not ideal. The same formula that helps a friend may not be suitable for your pattern.
Clinical Applications
What Can Chinese Medicinals Help With?
Chinese Medicinals can support a wide range of health concerns, both acute and chronic, when matched to the right pattern.
Women’s health: menstrual pain, irregular cycles, pre- and post-partum care
Respiratory and immune support (easy to catch colds, lingering cough)
Pain related to cold, damp or stagnation patterns (to be combined with acupuncture where appropriate)
This list is not exhaustive. Chinese medicine treats patterns which can appear in many different ways.
Our Standards of Care
Safety, Quality & How We Prescribe
Quality & Form
We primarily use GMP-certified herbal granules and tablets from reputable manufacturers.
Dosage and duration are customised to you, and we will explain how to take your formula safely (timing, before/after food, etc.).
When We Adjust or Avoid Chinese Medicinals
Certain situations require caution, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, complex medication regimes, or serious medical conditions. We will always take your medical history into account and may:
Choose gentler formulas
Adjust the dose or frequency
Delay herbs if urgent Western medical care is needed
Chinese Medicinals are not a replacement for emergency care. For red-flag symptoms (severe chest pain, acute shortness of breath, sudden weakness, high fever with confusion, etc.), please seek immediate medical attention.
Book Your Consultation
Is Chinese Medicine Right for You?
If you’re curious whether Chinese Medicinals are suitable for your condition, the best place to start is a proper TCM consultation.
WhatsApp us at 011-11010033 or book a consultation to discuss your pattern and options.
