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.
Does Hawthorn Really Work? The Studies and the Tradition
An evidence check on Hawthorn: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
Buying Jujube: Quality Signs, Storage and Shelf Life
How to buy and store Jujube: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
Pomegranate: What the Evidence Actually Says
An evidence check on Pomegranate: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
Does Milk thistle Live Up to the Claims? An Evidence Check
An evidence check on Milk thistle: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
Does Astragalus Live Up to the Claims? An Evidence Check
An evidence check on Astragalus: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
Milk thistle: Choosing Good Stock and Keeping It Good
How to buy and store Milk thistle: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
Buying Green tea: Quality Signs, Storage and Shelf Life
How to buy and store Green tea: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
Does Peppermint Live Up to the Claims? An Evidence Check
An evidence check on Peppermint: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
Latest entries
- Does Hawthorn Really Work? The Studies and the Tradition An evidence check on Hawthorn: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Buying Jujube: Quality Signs, Storage and Shelf Life How to buy and store Jujube: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- Pomegranate: What the Evidence Actually Says An evidence check on Pomegranate: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Does Milk thistle Live Up to the Claims? An Evidence Check An evidence check on Milk thistle: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Does Astragalus Live Up to the Claims? An Evidence Check An evidence check on Astragalus: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Milk thistle: Choosing Good Stock and Keeping It Good How to buy and store Milk thistle: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- Buying Green tea: Quality Signs, Storage and Shelf Life How to buy and store Green tea: quality signs, where to shop, home storage and when to discard.
- Does Peppermint Live Up to the Claims? An Evidence Check An evidence check on Peppermint: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Ginkgo: What the Evidence Actually Says An evidence check on Ginkgo: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
- Asian ginseng: What the Evidence Actually Says An evidence check on Asian ginseng: what clinical studies support, what TCM tradition adds, the safety picture and a realistic bottom line.
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.