How a formula is built
A formula is not a single herb. A physician writes a combination of typically 8 to 15 substances with defined roles: chief (the main action), deputy (supports or moderates it), assistant (addresses secondary symptoms), and envoy (harmonises the formula or directs it to a part of the body). The same complaint in two patients rarely produces the same formula, because the physician individualises on constitution, pulse, tongue, sleep, digestion and emotional state.
Forms you will meet
| Form | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Decoction (tang) | Raw herbs boiled at home or by the hospital, taken as a warm liquid | Main form for a residential programme; strongest individualisation |
| Granules (ke li) | Concentrated extract powder dissolved in water | Travel and continuation at home; easier to carry, slightly less adjustable |
| Pills / tablets | Standardised classical formulae | Long-term maintenance, convenience |
| External preparations | Ointments, plasters, washes, sitz baths | Local pain, skin conditions, proctological and gynaecological use |
Safety rules that matter
- Buy only from a hospital pharmacy or a licensed dispensary. Herbs sold online or in open markets may be misidentified, contaminated or substituted.
- Declare every Western medicine you take. Warfarin, digoxin, immunosuppressants and some antidiabetics interact with specific herbs.
- Stop and report immediately if you develop jaundice, dark urine, unexplained fatigue, rash or persistent diarrhoea.
- Tell the physician if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive — several commonly used herbs are contraindicated.
- Do not double the dose to “speed things up”.
What to ask before you accept a formula
- Which substances are in it, and what is each for?
- Is this dispensed by the hospital pharmacy, and does it carry a batch number?
- How long is the course, and how will it be reviewed?
- Which of my current medicines could interact with it?
- What should I stop and report to you?
Expect the physician to adjust the formula every one to two weeks. A formula that is never changed across a long course is a signal to ask why.
Herbal prescriptions are dispensed and charged by the treating hospital’s pharmacy. We do not sell herbs, do not ship them, and take no margin on them.