The use of plant based herbs is one of the essential parts of TCM – traditional Chinese medicine. A stand -alone therapy in its own right, the prescribing of decoctions made from boiling herbs, is perhaps even older than acupuncture.  A Chinese herbal prescription differs somewhat from the Western approach to using herbs. Principally, a Chinese formula is made up of several different herbs, each selected for its individual properties or actions. Combining various herbs allows for a lot of scope in the treatment of many different ailments.