Chinese classic herbal formulas () are combinations of herbs used in Chinese herbology for supposed greater efficiency in comparison to individual herbs. They are the basic herbal formulas that students of Traditional Chinese medicine learn. Later these students will adapt these classic formulas to match the needs of each patient.
Many of these formulas were created by the pioneers of Chinese medicine and are quite old. For example, "Liu Wei Di Huang Wan" (; liùwèi dìhuáng wán; liu-wei ti-huang wan) was developed by Qian Yi ( Qián YÃÂ) (c. 1032âÂÂ1113 CE). It was published in the "Xiao'er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue" (also known as "Key to Therapeutics of Children's Diseases" ; XiÃÂoér yào zhèng zhàjué; Hsiao-erh yao cheng chih chüeh) in 1119 by Qian Yi's student.
Many of these formulas are still made in the form of Chinese patent medicine. These formulas are also used in kampo (traditional Japanese medicine). In Japan, herbalists do not create medicine for each patient. Instead the herbalist will choose an herbal formula that has been standardized by the Japanese government. These formulas are based on the Chinese classic herbal formulas. However, they often vary slightly. Sometimes Chinese plants are substituted for plants found in Japan, or the proportions of the formula are changed slightly.
The top 5 manufacturers in Taiwan
There are hundreds of Chinese classic herbal formulas. Many are slight variations of other formula however. It is difficult to define which of these formulas are the most common. The two leading brands to export Chinese classic herbal formulas in the form of Chinese patent medicine from China are MÃÂn ShÃÂn () and Plum Flower (). Some of these formulas are made by these 2 brands.