Definition of Chinese Herbal Medicine Chinese herbal medicine, also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a system of medicine that has been practiced in China for thousands of years. It is based on the concept that the human body is a microcosm of the natural world, and that the balance and harmony of the body is maintained by the flow of Qi (vital energy) through the meridians, which are pathways that run throughout the body. In Chinese herbal medicine, herbs are used to balance the flow of Qi and restore the body's natural balance. Herbs are categorized based on their attributes, such as taste, temperature, and meridian tropism. They can be taken orally or topically and are frequently mixed in certain formulas to treat particular ailments. They can be administered as teas, powders, pills, or ointments.