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.
The Sage and Licorice root Pairing: Formula Logic for Home Use
Why Traditional Chinese Medicine pairs Sage with Licorice root: the formula logic, home preparation and cautions.
Is Lavender Safe? What the Evidence and TCM Tradition Say
Safety guide to Lavender in Traditional Chinese Medicine: research findings, traditional contraindications, dosing sense and who should avoid it.
Aching Joints and Chinese Medicine: What to Expect
An honest look at whether Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with Aching Joints: pattern diagnosis, treatment tools and when to see a doctor first.
Chamomile and Peppermint: Why TCM Pairs Them
Why Traditional Chinese Medicine pairs Chamomile with Peppermint: the formula logic, home preparation and cautions.
Cough: Self-Massage Points from TCM
Acupressure for Cough: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
Sleep and Insomnia and Chinese Medicine: What to Expect
An honest look at whether Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with Sleep and Insomnia: pattern diagnosis, treatment tools and when to see a doctor first.
Making Goji berry Work: A Practical Preparation Guide
How to prepare and take Goji berry at home: forms, timing, classic pairings and what to look for when buying.
Making Elderberry Work: A Practical Preparation Guide
How to prepare and take Elderberry at home: forms, timing, classic pairings and what to look for when buying.
Latest entries
- The Sage and Licorice root Pairing: Formula Logic for Home Use Why Traditional Chinese Medicine pairs Sage with Licorice root: the formula logic, home preparation and cautions.
- Is Lavender Safe? What the Evidence and TCM Tradition Say Safety guide to Lavender in Traditional Chinese Medicine: research findings, traditional contraindications, dosing sense and who should avoid it.
- Aching Joints and Chinese Medicine: What to Expect An honest look at whether Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with Aching Joints: pattern diagnosis, treatment tools and when to see a doctor first.
- Chamomile and Peppermint: Why TCM Pairs Them Why Traditional Chinese Medicine pairs Chamomile with Peppermint: the formula logic, home preparation and cautions.
- Cough: Self-Massage Points from TCM Acupressure for Cough: the TCM points, where to find them, technique and what to expect.
- Sleep and Insomnia and Chinese Medicine: What to Expect An honest look at whether Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with Sleep and Insomnia: pattern diagnosis, treatment tools and when to see a doctor first.
- Making Goji berry Work: A Practical Preparation Guide How to prepare and take Goji berry at home: forms, timing, classic pairings and what to look for when buying.
- Making Elderberry Work: A Practical Preparation Guide How to prepare and take Elderberry at home: forms, timing, classic pairings and what to look for when buying.
- Making Ginkgo Work: A Practical Preparation Guide How to prepare and take Ginkgo at home: forms, timing, classic pairings and what to look for when buying.
- Lavender: Preparation, Dosing and Timing in TCM How to prepare and take Lavender 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.