Traditional Chinese Medicine FAQs

Your questions about traditional Chinese medicine, our herbal formulas and working with Aura, answered by our UK team. Looking for delivery, orders or returns? See Delivery & Returns.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, Explained

What is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese medicine is a system of health and wellbeing that has been practised and written about in China for more than 2,000 years. It includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, diet and movement practices such as tai chi and qi gong. Rather than looking at one symptom in isolation, TCM looks at the whole person and how the body's systems work together.

What is Qi?
Qi (pronounced "chee") is the TCM word for the body's vital energy. In traditional thinking, Qi flows through the body and supports everything it does, from digestion to sleep to mood. Many classic formulas, like Si Jun Zi Tang, were designed to support healthy Qi.

What are Yin and Yang in Chinese medicine?
Yin and Yang are two complementary forces. Yin is cooling, calming and nourishing; Yang is warming, active and energising. TCM sees good health as a balance between the two, and many formulas are traditionally chosen to support one side, such as the classic Yin formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.

What are the Five Elements in Chinese medicine?
The Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) are a traditional way of describing how the body's systems and the seasons relate to each other. Each element is linked to organs, emotions and times of year. Explore our Fire and Metal element collections, or read about the five elements.

How are Chinese herbal formulas different from single-herb supplements?
Most Western supplements contain one ingredient. Chinese herbal formulas combine several herbs in a set structure, where each herb has a role: a lead herb, supporting herbs and herbs that balance the blend. Many of our formulas follow recipes first recorded hundreds of years ago.

Do Chinese herbs work?
Chinese herbal formulas have been used and refined over centuries, and many are still widely used by practitioners today. Experiences vary from person to person, which is why TCM chooses formulas for the individual. Our formulas are food supplements made to traditional recipes, and they are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition.

Are Chinese herbal supplements safe?
Quality matters most. Choose formulas made to GMP standards and independently tested, from a brand that tells you exactly what's inside. Ours are GMP certified and tested by SGS laboratories. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a medical condition, speak to your doctor before starting any herbal supplement.

Trending Questions

What are adaptogens, and are Chinese herbs adaptogens?
Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms traditionally used to help the body cope with everyday stress, such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng and reishi. Several adaptogens, including ginseng, astragalus and reishi, have been part of Chinese herbal tradition for centuries. Read our guide to ashwagandha vs rhodiola.

What are lion's mane and reishi mushrooms?
Lion's mane and reishi are functional mushrooms. Reishi (ling zhi) has been prized in Chinese tradition for more than 2,000 years, and lion's mane has become one of the most popular mushrooms for everyday focus routines. Explore our mushroom supplements.

Which herbal supplements are popular for perimenopause and menopause?
In Chinese herbal tradition, formulas such as Geng Nian An, Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan and Jia Wei Xiao Yao San have long been chosen for women going through "the change". See our menopause supplements and our Geng Nian An guide.

Can I take herbal supplements while using GLP-1 weight-loss injections?
GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription treatments, so please speak to your GP or pharmacist before adding any herbal supplement. We've written an honest look at GLP-1 medicines and Chinese herbal tradition.

What does Chinese medicine say about gut health?
In TCM, digestion is the job of the Spleen and Stomach, seen as the centre of the body's energy. Classic digestive formulas like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang and Si Jun Zi Tang were built to support it. Explore our digestive supplements.

What is Xiao Yao San?
Xiao Yao San, the "Free and Easy Wanderer", is one of the most famous formulas in Chinese medicine, first recorded in the Song dynasty more than 900 years ago. It is traditionally chosen to keep the body's Qi flowing smoothly and is one of our most loved formulas. Discover Xiao Yao San.

Are herbal supplements regulated in the UK?
In the UK, herbal products sold as food supplements must meet food law, including safety and labelling rules, and cannot claim to treat or cure disease. Look for brands that are open about where their herbs come from and how they're tested. Ours are made to GMP standards and tested by SGS laboratories.

Getting Started With Aura

Which formula is right for me?
Start with our Supplements page, where formulas are grouped by life stage and by focus, or browse every formula in our Formula Index. If you'd like a hand, ask our team. A qualified TCM practitioner can also tailor a choice to you.

How do I take Aura supplements?
The usual recommendation is 6 tablets a day: 3 in the morning and 3 in the evening, with water. Always follow the directions on the label.

How long does one bottle last?
Each bottle holds 60 tablets, so at 6 a day one bottle lasts 10 days. Our 6-bottle multi-packs cover two months and work out better value.

How long do Chinese herbs take to work?
Chinese herbal formulas are traditionally taken steadily over several weeks rather than for a day or two, and many customers make them part of their daily routine.

Can I take more than one formula at a time?
Many people do. To make sure the combination suits you, check with our team or a qualified practitioner first, and never take more than the label directs.

Can I take Aura with medication or HRT, or while pregnant?
If you take prescription medicine, including HRT or blood thinners, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please speak to your doctor before starting any herbal supplement. Our supplements are intended for adults.

Quality and Ingredients

What does 5:1 concentration mean?
Every bottle is made from 180g of raw herbs, concentrated into 36g of tablets, so a small daily amount carries real strength. Read our guide to 5:1 extracts.

What are DaoDi herbs?
DaoDi is the traditional Chinese standard that a herb should be grown in its authentic region of origin and harvested at the right point in its season. All our formulas use DaoDi herbs, non-sulphur treated. Find out more.

Are your products vegan and gluten-free?
Yes. Everything is plant-based, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO, with no added sugars, artificial colours or flavours, and no dairy or nuts.

What's the difference between your supplements and teas?
Our supplements are concentrated tablets of classic Chinese formulas, taken daily. Our functional herbal teas are blends to enjoy through the day. Some teas contain oolong, jasmine or genmaicha, which naturally contain a little caffeine.

Working With Aura

I'm a practitioner. Can I order for my clients?
Absolutely. See our practitioner page to open a practitioner account.

Do you have an affiliate programme?
Yes. We work with wellness creators and communities who'd like to recommend Aura. Contact us and speak with Team Aura about how it works.

Can I stock Aura in my shop?
Yes, we work with retailers and distributors across the UK and Europe. Visit Partner With Aura.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.