A living materia medica since 2001
Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbs, and Formulas
The trusted, independent reference for Chinese medicine — herbs, formulas, acupuncture points, and diagnostic patterns, cross-referenced and source-checked.
Try a pinyin name, a Latin binomial, a point code, or a TCM pattern.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Theory, Diagnosis, Herbs, Formulas, & Acupuncture
TCM Foundations & Theory
Yin & Yang, Zang Fu, Causes of Illness
TCM Diagnosis
Tongue Diagnosis, Patterns, Syndromes, Methods
Explore the reference
Herbs · Formulas · Acupuncture · Diagnosis
01 Chinese Medicine Theory
Origins of TCM, Yin & Yang, 5 Elements, Qi, Blood, Jing, Zang Fu, & causes of disease.
02 Chinese Medicine Diagnosis
Diagnosis & Treatment, Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis, TCM Syndromes, & Gynecology.
03 Acupuncture & Moxibustion
Acupuncture Channels, Points, Combinations, Charts, Needling, & Channel Theory.
04 Chinese Herbs
Photos, Actions, Properties, Temperatures, Tastes, and Contraindications.
05 Chinese Formulas
Ingredients, Actions, Indications, Tongue & Pulse, and Contraindications.
Most Popular Chinese Medicine Articles
- Yin & Yang
The most important theory in TCM, underlying all physiology, pathology & treatment.
- Tongue Diagnosis
A strong visual indicator of harmony or disharmony
- Chinese Herb Photos
Browse Chinese herb photos by category
- Chinese Herb Explorer
Explore chinese herbs by temp, properties, & channels
- TCM Dictionary Explorer
TCM terms, definitions, medications, and acupuncture prescriptions.
- Liver | Spleen | Heart
Common patterns in modern western society
- Major Acupuncture Chart
Study these, and then test yourself here
“In all cases, when you treat disease as an eminent physician, you must quiet your shen and fix your intention, you must be free of wants and desires, and you must first develop a heart full of great compassion and empathy. You must pledge your desire to rescue all sentient beings indiscriminately from their suffering.”
- Sun Si Miao, Qian Jin Yao Fang
Translated by Sabine Wilms
Visual Materia Medica of Chinese Herbs
Used by students, teachers, practitioners, and doctors in universities and clinics around the world, the 'Visual Materia Medica of Chinese Herbs' is the de facto standard for identifying TCM herbs.
"Don't even think about taking second year comps without this book. It's a gem. Easy to use, succinct, has the pertinent temperature info etc., and best of all you can memorize the photos while away from the herb room... get it for sure."