Each nation has its own traditional medicine in history, but no other nation’s traditional medicines can parallel the Chinese in its systematic medical theory, number of medicines being used, the ways the process, the experience and knowledge regarding their actions, indications, cautions and contraindications, compatibilities and incompatibilities and incompatibilities with daily food, interactions and counteractions among natural medicines and modern western drugs. Also more modern scientific research on traditional Chinese medicines has been done than other traditional medicines worldwide.

More than 5,767 kinds of natural medicines have been applied in Chinese medicine, including about 4,773 kinds of plants, 740 kinds of animals, 82 kinds of minerals and 172 others, about 500 kinds of medicines are most commonly used among them. The majority of Chinese medicines are native in China, there are a few medicines which originate in places such as southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Russia and the Americas.

Chinese medicines have been used for treatment and prevention of diseases for over 5,000 years. Generally they could help to treat most common health problems and maintain general well-being. For virus infections, like cold and flu and most gynaecological problems.