Traditional Chinese Medicine, explained in plain English
Every entry gives the herb's English name, its Latin pharmacognosy name and its Chinese name together — plus what the classics say, what modern references add, and where the cautions are.
- Not medical advice
- Editorial team byline, never a fake credential
- Classical sources named on every page
Browse by topicNew to Chinese medicine? These guides explain the framework before you read about individual herbs.
THEORYTraditional Chinese Medicine theory in plain English: qi, yin-yang, the zang-fu organs, meridians and collaterals, the eight principles and pattern diagnosis.
THERAPYHow TCM approaches everyday complaints: food-therapy rules, acupressure and self-care for sleep, digestion, cough, headache, aching joints and stress.
HERBSChinese herbal medicine reference: what each herb is used for in TCM, how it is prepared and dosed, and its safety cautions and contraindications.
PRESCRIPTIONSClassic Chinese herbal formulas: what each formula is traditionally used for, its ingredients and how it is prepared and taken.
ACUPUNCTUREAcupressure and acupuncture points explained: where each point is, its traditional use, how to press it yourself and what to expect.
Featured herbsEach entry gives the English name, the Latin pharmacognosy name and the Chinese name together.
How to Buy and Store Peppermint: A Practical Guide
How to buy and store Peppermint: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
How to Buy and Store Garlic: A Practical Guide
How to buy and store Garlic: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
Does Bitter orange Really Work? The Studies and the Tradition
An evidence check on Bitter orange: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
Elderberry: Choosing Good Stock and Keeping It Good
How to buy and store Elderberry: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
Valerian: Choosing Good Stock and Keeping It Good
How to buy and store Valerian: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
Milk thistle Safety Guide: Cautions, Contraindications and Sensible Doses
Safety guide to Milk thistle in Traditional Chinese Medicine: research findings, traditional contraindications, dosing sense and who should avoid it.
Acupressure for Stress and a Wound-Up Mind: Points You Can Press Yourself
Acupressure for Stress and a Wound-Up Mind: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
Early Colds and Immunity: Self-Massage Points from TCM
Acupressure for Early Colds and Immunity: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
Latest entries
- How to Buy and Store Peppermint: A Practical Guide How to buy and store Peppermint: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- How to Buy and Store Garlic: A Practical Guide How to buy and store Garlic: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- Does Bitter orange Really Work? The Studies and the Tradition An evidence check on Bitter orange: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Elderberry: Choosing Good Stock and Keeping It Good How to buy and store Elderberry: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- Valerian: Choosing Good Stock and Keeping It Good How to buy and store Valerian: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- Milk thistle Safety Guide: Cautions, Contraindications and Sensible Doses Safety guide to Milk thistle in Traditional Chinese Medicine: research findings, traditional contraindications, dosing sense and who should avoid it.
- Acupressure for Stress and a Wound-Up Mind: Points You Can Press Yourself Acupressure for Stress and a Wound-Up Mind: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
- Early Colds and Immunity: Self-Massage Points from TCM Acupressure for Early Colds and Immunity: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
- Period Pain: Self-Massage Points from TCM Acupressure for Period Pain: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
- Valerian: Preparation, Dosing and Timing in TCM How to prepare and take Valerian at home: forms, timing, classic pairings and what to look for when buying.
Editorial policy and sources
TCMHH is run by an editorial team, not by a named clinician. We say so on every page, because pretending otherwise would be dishonest. What we do instead is name our sources, date every revision, and publish corrections.