1. Q: What are Chinese herbs?
A: Herbal medicine has been used to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions for well over 3000 years and is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike Western medicine, herbal medicine uses natural ingredients such as roots, bark, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves, and branches. In China, there are over 3000 different herbs that can be used for medical purposes. However, about 300 to 500 of these herbs are commonly used. It is important to use herbs grown in China rather than outside of their native environment in order to get the full benefits of herbal medicine.

2. Q: What can Chinese herbs do for me?
A: Chinese Herbal therapy or herb medicine has three main functions:
1. Treating acute diseases and conditions such as bacteria or a viruses
2. Healing chronic illness such as gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorder, allergies and immune system deficiency by strengthening the body and helping it to recover.
3. Maintaining everyday health by keeping the balance of human body.

In general, herbs can treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Compared with Western drugs, Chinese herbal medicine is much more gentler and safer because it is made of natural herbs most Chinese herbs do not cause side effects. Some hebs may incurr mild side effects, but these can be easily counteracted with other herbs. For these reasons more and more people are turning to Chinese herbal medicine as an alternative to Western chemical medicine.

Chronic illness treatment - Many people with chronic illness may take a number of different conventional drugs daily, but most of these conventional drugs can be replaced with natural Chinese herb medicine. There are many very efficient Chinese herbal patent medicines and prescribed herb formulas for the medications taken for pain syndromes, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, stress related syndromes, respiratory disorders, heart problems, sexual dysfunction, allergies and immune system deficiencies, as well as replacements for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Side effect reduction - It has already been mentioned that Chinese herbs are safer and incurr less side-effects. In fact, they can be taken to reduce the side effects of other medication such as antibiotics and chemotherapy. Using antibiotics weakens the immune system of the user, but the immune system can be strengthened using herbal therapy. In addition, whilst chemotherapy lowers the white blood cell count, causing fatigue, and a loss of appetite, herbal therapy can be used to treat and reverse these effects.

For prevention - Chinese herbal medicine can also used to prevent illnesses before they develop. For example, for a patient suffering from frequent headaches, taking herbal medicine to prevent the headache from starting again is much better than taking a painkiller afterwards, as it tackles the cause of the problem. Herbs are also used to prevent the flu, menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome, amongst other things.

For health maintenance - Herbal therapy can also be used for general health maintenance. Tonic herbs are used to increase energy and to slow the ageing process, as well as for enhancing sexual energy and for cosmetic purposes. Herbs are also used to treat minor symptoms that are not severe enough for heavy chemical drugs, symptoms that cannot be diagnosed by Western medicine, and symptoms and illness that are not easy to treat, such as mononucleosis and immune system deficiencies.


3. Q: Have herbs been processed before they are used by patients?
A: Yes. Chinese Herbs have been processed before use.

Processing can help to reduce any possible side effects, filter out impurities such as dirt and sand and soften the strong taste or smell of herbs. Processing herbs can also enhance their functions and effectiveness.

4. Q: What is the difference between Chinese patent and prescribed herbs?
A: Chinese patent herbs are herb combinations pre-mixed according to the traditional formulas developed by experts in traditional Chinese medicine over thousands of years. They are similar to over-the-counter-drugs and usually in the form of pills, capsules and liquids. Chinese patent herbs are convenient, ease to take and less expensive but the patient's symptoms must fit the patent herb's indications.

Prescribed herbs are mixed by a herbalist according to an individual patient's symptoms and diagnoses. In general, prescribed herbs are more effective than patent herbs since tailored to your symptoms and conditions exclusively by your herbalist, although this can also depend on their knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

5. Q: Do concentrated herbs have the same quality as raw herbs in prescribed herbs?
A: Yes! Concentrated herbs are actually made from the raw herbs. The best herbal sources from China are selected and these raw herbs are purified before they are processed through steaming, cooking and finally condensed into fine granular particles as concentrated herbs. Concentrated herbs are easier to dissolve and absorbed by the body, therefore enhancing the healing process and increasing the effectiveness of the herbs.

6. Q: What precautions should I take when taking herbal medicine?
A: Like anything else you put in your body, it is important to take the right amount of Chinese herbs depending on your situation. For instance, some herbs are too strong for pregnant women and may cause miscarriage.

Certain foods can have adverse effects on the herbal therapy - in general, when taking Chinese herbs, food that is raw (fruit is okay, but vegetables should be cooked), greasy, strong tasting or smelling, difficult to digest (such as beef), or irritating to the digestive system (like spicy foods). It is always a good idea to get advice from a herbalist before you take Chinese herbs.

7. Q: How are herbs taken?
A: Prescribed herbal medicine is traditionally taken in tea form. This is because the human body absorbs tea easily and quickly so it is the most commonly used method. Sometimes, if the smell or taste of the herbal medicine is unpleasant, capsule or tablet form of this herbal medicine is recommended. Tea should always be warm, and capsules or tablets should be swallowed with warm water. Generally, it is best to take herbs just before a meal. You should consult a herbalist for specific instructions on taking herbs. For example, tonic herbs, to promote health, are best taken before meals whilst purgative herbs, for cleansing the system, are best taken on an empty stomach. Herbs that either irritate the stomach or are taken to protect the stomach should be taken after eating. Herbs for insomnia and other sleeping disorders should be taken at bedtime.

8. Q: How effective are Chinese herbs?
A: Chinese herbs are medicines Chinese people have been relied on for their health for thousand years. While some of them are outdated, lots of them are still proven effective and widely used today. In many ways, they complement with modern medicine and may address health concerns modern medicine falls short with.

9. Q: Why are Chinese herbs all herbal formulas instead of a single herb?
A: Chinese herbs are rarely used individually in clinics. They are used exclusively in herbal formulas where multiple herbs are combined. This is due to the belief and observation over time that a single herb either does not provide all the power for cure or a potential side effect needs to be contained.

10. Q: Can you help me understand the names of patent Chinese medicines?
A: The names of patent Chinese medicines consist of two parts. The last word such as wan or pian serves to indicate the form of the herbs in pills or tablets. The words proceeding the last word literally could mean the name of the core herb (e.g., Shou Wu in Shou Wu Wan) or the function of the formula. (e.g., Yu Ping Feng in Yu Ping Feng Wan means Jade Screen to reflect its function in shielding the body off pathogens.) So, look only the first part to identify the formula and the last word to tell the form. The same formula may come in various forms like wan or pian.

11. Q: What are the forms a herbal formula may have?
A: The common forms of herbal formulas are 'Tang' (means decoction drink), 'San' (fine powder), 'Wan' (means pills), 'Pian' (means tablets). Normally, 'Tang' or 'San' is the original form from which 'Wan' or 'pian' is derived. 'Tang' is most effective but involves individual formulation and decoction, which is not easy to handle.

12. Q: What is 'wan' or 'pian' in your patent Chinese medicine?
A: 'Wan' is pills whereas 'pian' is tablets in Chinese. The full line of patent traditional Chinese medicines we carry come in the form of either 'wan' or 'pian'. 'Wan' is the more traditional form. Both forms contain exactly the same active ingredients extracted in the same way from the same recipe of herbs. 'Wan' normally comes in 200 pills whereas 'pian' in 100 tablets. The total weight of both forms are the same.

13. Q: Do I get 'wan' or 'pian' for my order?
A: For each herbal formula we indicate the availability of wan and/or pian, you choose which form you prefer. In the unlikely event of one form being sold out, we will ask you if you like to get the other form.

14. Q: How long do I need to take the herbs?
A: Many herbal formulas or extracts act to adjust or restore the normal physiological condition of the body. This is not something easily achievable in a few days. So depending on the indications the herbal supplements must often be taken for an extended period of time before their full benefit is experienced. for example, we recommend 3 months as the first regimen for Shou Wu Wan (Pian).

15. Q: How long does a bottle of patent Chinese medicine last?
A: It depends on the condition. When you start, to adequately address your concern, it is recommended to take it in the full dosage and it lasts about 8-10 days. You may lower the dose afterward.

16. Q: Can Chinese herbs act fast?
A: Yes. Herbal formulas can act very fast. For example, XXX acts within hours to contain cold symptoms as they appear.

17. Q: I heard herbs imported from Asian countries often have toxic materials in them. Is it true? Do yours have them too?
A: The problem does exist that some herbs imported from China may sometimes contain a trace amount of toxic heavy metals but this is a common problem for herbs grown anywhere including in the UK. In fact, most herbs currently used in UK are grown and imported from China. The challenge is how to find good quality and trusted source of herbs. This is where we paid great attention. That is why the herb formula products we sell are made in the best TCM factories in China where we trust finest herb materials and modern facilities are used to produce the best quality of products.

18. Q: The herbal formulas I received have a distinctive odor and color. Is this normal?
A: Herbs often have a distinctive natural odor (in most cases in pleasant flavors). They may vary in color but usually in black or grey in pills or tablets.

19. Q: Is there a listing of any inactive ingredients in your patent Chinese medicine?
A: All our patent Chinese medicines are made of 100% natural herbs which are listed as active ingredients on the site. They do not contain any other inactive ingredients such as gluten, sugar, preservatives.

20. Q: I read some patent Chinese medicines have supplemented with pharmaceuticals. How about yours?
A: Sometimes manufacturers add certain pharmaceuticals to relevant patent Chinese medicines to boost the effect. e. g., acetaminophen is added to Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian for cold relief. We do not endorse the practice and believe that Chinese medicines and pharmaceuticals are not to be combined. All patent Chinese medicines we carry do not contain any pharmaceuticals.

21. Q: Are your Chinese patent medicines 100% natural?
A: Yes. Our Chinese patent medicines do not contain any sugar, pharmaceuticals, artificial color, and preservatives.

22. Q: Are your patent Chinese medicines concentrated?
A: Yes. Our patent Chinese medicines are all concentrated many times compared to regular ones. It means they are extracted to only keep the active ingredients. They are more potent and less is needed for each dosage.

23. Q: Can you comment on the side effects of Chinese herbs?
A: Like any medicine as a whole some Chinese herbs may have undesired side effects. It all depends on what you take no matter it is an herb or a pharmaceutical. In fact, in China available statistics show that many more adverse drug reactions are reported for chemical drugs than Chinese herbs. The Chinese herbs we sell are the ones we believe the very best yet safe.

24. Q:Why do people choose traditional Chinese medicine?
A: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a holistic healthcare system that aims to treat the whole body rather than just the disease. It has been the main medical system used in China for more than 2,000 years, treating a whole range of conditions. Its long history testifies to the wealth of wisdom, knowledge and experience it can offer. No synthetic drugs are used, and the treatment methods are natural. It aims to rebalance the body's energy systems, so that it can heal itself.

People often express concern about certain aspects of Western medicine - that it treats the symptoms rather than the cause, produces side effects and has a fragmented approach to health. TCM seeks to deal with the causes of conditions rather than just the symptoms, and stresses the importance of diet and lifestyle. If provided by well-qualified and experienced practitioners, it's unlikely to produce any side effects.

TCM has a good record in treating chronic conditions in situations where prolonged use of Western medicine would be a cause for worry. It's also shown itself to help some conditions, such as eczema and pain control, for which Western medicine can do little other than treating the symptoms.

TCM sees mental health as no different from physical health, since both relate to energy imbalance. This means there's no stigma attached to mental health problems, in the way that there has been in the West. TCM puts the emphasis on restoring mental health, not on treating mental illness.