What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? A Beginner’s Guide to TCM Herbs
A plain-English introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): its core ideas, how TCM herbs are traditionally used in soups and teas, and how to start cooking with them at home.
6 min read · Updated
Quick answer
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic system of food and herbal tradition developed in China over more than 2,000 years. TCM herbs such as astragalus, goji berries, red dates, dong quai and chen pi are traditionally simmered into soups and teas as part of everyday food therapy (药食同源, "food and medicine share one source"). KinRoots Herbs shares these traditional uses for educational purposes only.
Key takeaways
- TCM is a 2,000+ year tradition that treats food and herbs as part of everyday balance.
- Most TCM herbs at home are used as soup and tea ingredients, not as medicine.
- Always match the Latin name and consult a healthcare provider if you are pregnant, nursing or on medication.
What does TCM stand for?
TCM stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine, sometimes called Chinese herbal medicine or zhong yi (中医). It is a body of knowledge covering herbs, food therapy, acupuncture and movement practices, first systematized in classics such as the Huang Di Nei Jing (黄帝内经).
In the kitchen, TCM shows up as 药食同源 (yao shi tong yuan): the idea that many foods and herbs share the same source and can be enjoyed in daily meals.
Core TCM ideas in plain English
Qi (气) is vital energy; yin and yang describe complementary qualities such as cooling and warming; and herbs are traditionally described by their thermal nature, flavor and the organ systems they are associated with.
These are traditional frameworks used to choose ingredients and recipes. They are shared here for cultural and educational context and are not medical advice.
Common TCM herbs and how they are traditionally used
Astragalus root (北芪 / Huang Qi) and codonopsis (党参 / Dang Shen) are simmered into everyday tonic soups. Goji berries (杞子) and red dates (红枣) sweeten teas. Dong quai (当归) and prepared rehmannia (熟地) appear in Si Wu Tang, and aged tangerine peel (陈皮) is added to balance rich dishes.
How to start cooking with TCM herbs
- 1Start with a simple tea such as astragalus, red dates and goji.
- 2Rinse herbs briefly and soak dense roots for 15 to 30 minutes.
- 3Simmer gently for 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the recipe.
- 4Add delicate herbs such as goji and chrysanthemum near the end.
- 5Use the herb glossary to match Chinese names, pinyin and Latin names before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TCM and Chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also includes food therapy, acupuncture and movement practices.
Are TCM herbs safe to cook with at home?
Food-grade herbs such as goji, red dates and astragalus are traditionally used in everyday soups and teas. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or take medication.
Where can I buy authentic TCM herbs online in the U.S.?
KinRoots Herbs packs traditional TCM herbs in California with Chinese, pinyin, English and Latin labels, and ships within 3 business days.
Traditional uses are described for educational purposes and are not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing or taking medication, consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbs.
