Chinese phytotherapy, on the other hand, focuses on the therapeutic use of Chinese medicinal herbs and their combination in specific formulas to treat various health conditions. This practice has been developed and refined over millennia, and is based on the theory of meridians and acupuncture points, as well as differential diagnosis according to Chinese medicine.
Many of the herbal remedies used in Chinese medicine have been clinically tested for their efficacy, and some of them have also been adopted by Western medicine, such as artemisinin, an antimalarial of Chinese origin. However, the use of Chinese medicinal herbs requires a thorough knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and can carry some risks if not done correctly.
In summary, Chinese pharmacology and Chinese herbal medicine are important disciplines within traditional Chinese medicine that have been shown to be useful in the treatment and prevention of many diseases.