Chinese Herbology is one of the oldest systems of herbal medicine in the whole world. It is estimated that over one billion of the world's people use the principles of Chinese herbology as part of their daily health practices. The popularity of Chinese medicine comes from the fact that it has been and is being used to fight diseases, alleviate pain and help re-establish the body’s natural balance and normal functions.
Chinese herbs consist of plant and animal substances that are mixed in particular dosages to treat disorders. The herbs are mixed and matched according to their medicinal properties and other characteristics to produce a medicine that is potent and effective. Each herb has its own set of medicinal qualities that are either enhanced or reduced when used in combination with others.
Not exactly. The advantage of Chinese herbology is that it is a much researched and a well developed science. Since this stream of medicine is still rigorously followed in China, the system is continually evolving and developing. In Chinese herbology, herbs are classified according to their taste and their energies.Chinese herbology compares the substances of nature with human qualities. It examines a person's basic nature, using a system of five constitutions: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
References
http://www.naturalherbalism.com/Herbs/Chinese_Herbs.html
http://www.theherbdoc.com/ConsumerEducation/Chinese/Constitution.htm