Chinese Traditional Medicine Guide — Key Phrases for TCM Clinic Visits, Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture & Cupping

Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医 — zhōng yī) is a complete medical system with thousands of years of history, widely practiced alongside Western medicine in China. If you're living in or visiting China, knowing TCM-related phrases can help you access herbal remedies, acupuncture, cupping, and tuina massage. Key vocabulary: 中医诊所 (zhōng yī zhěn suǒ) — TCM clinic, 中医院 (zhōng yī yuàn) — TCM hospital, 中药店 (zhōng yào diàn) — Chinese herbal medicine shop, 中医师 (zhōng yī shī) — TCM doctor/practitioner, 老中医 (lǎo zhōng yī) — experienced/senior TCM doctor (highly respected), 挂号 (guà hào) — register / make an appointment, 专家号 (zhuān jiā hào) — specialist appointment (costs more, longer wait), 普通号 (pǔ tōng hào) — regular appointment. At check-in: 我挂一个中医号 (wǒ guà yī ge zhōng yī hào) — I'd like to register for TCM, 我第一次来 (wǒ dì yī cì lái) — This is my first time here, 你们接受医保吗 (nǐ men jiē shòu yī bǎo ma) — Do you accept medical insurance? Many TCM clinics offer both walk-in and appointment-based service. Some famous TCM hospitals (like 北京中医药大学东直门医院 or 上海中医药大学附属龙华医院) require booking weeks in advance for知名专家 (well-known specialists).

When you meet the TCM doctor: 您好，中医师 (nín hǎo, zhōng yī shī) — Hello, doctor. The TCM doctor will likely begin with four diagnostic methods (四诊 — sì zhěn): 望 (wàng) — observation (looking at your face, tongue, posture), 闻 (wén) — listening and smelling (your voice, breathing, any body odors), 问 (wèn) — questioning (asking about your symptoms, lifestyle, diet), 切 (qiè) — palpation (feeling your pulse — 把脉 bǎ mài — and possibly pressing on certain points). The tongue exam is especially important in TCM: 把舌头伸出来 (bǎ shé tou shēn chū lái) — Stick out your tongue, please. The doctor will look at tongue color, coating, and shape. Pulse diagnosis (把脉 — bǎ mài) is another key diagnostic tool: the doctor places three fingers on each wrist to feel different pulse qualities (浮 沉 快 慢 有力 无力 — floating, sinking, fast, slow, strong, weak). Don't be surprised if the doctor spends a few minutes on each wrist.

TCM diagnosis uses different concepts from Western medicine, but you describe your symptoms in similar ways. General symptoms: 我不舒服 (wǒ bù shū fu) — I don't feel well, 我最近很累 (wǒ zuì jìn hěn lèi) — I've been very tired lately, 我睡不好 (wǒ shuì bù hǎo) — I'm not sleeping well, 我胃口不好 (wǒ wèi kǒu bù hǎo) — I have a poor appetite, 我容易感冒 (wǒ róng yì gǎn mào) — I catch colds easily, 我手脚冰凉 (wǒ shǒu jiǎo bīng liáng) — My hands and feet are always cold. Pain descriptions: 我头疼 (wǒ tóu téng) — I have a headache, 我腰酸 (wǒ yāo suān) — I have lower back soreness, 我肩膀僵 (wǒ jiān bǎng jiāng) — My shoulders are stiff, 这里疼 (zhè lǐ téng) — It hurts here (point to the spot), 是隐隐的疼还是一阵一阵的疼 (shì yǐn yǐn de téng hái shì yī zhèn yī zhèn de téng) — Is it a dull ache or a sharp/shooting pain? (the doctor may ask this). TCM-specific symptom concepts: 上火 (shàng huǒ) — "excessive internal heat" (symptoms: mouth ulcers, sore throat, acne, bad breath, constipation, dark urine), 上火了吗 (shàng huǒ le ma) — the doctor may ask if you have signs of "fire" / inflammation, 体寒 (tǐ hán) — "cold constitution" (symptoms: always feeling cold, pale complexion, loose stools, preference for hot drinks), 怕冷还是怕热 (pà lěng hái shì pà rè) — Are you more sensitive to cold or heat?, 出虚汗 (chū xū hàn) — spontaneous sweating / night sweats (a sign of 阴虚 yīn xū — yin deficiency), 口干 (kǒu gān) — dry mouth, 口苦 (kǒu kǔ) — bitter taste in mouth, 舌苔 (shé tāi) — tongue coating (医生可能会说你舌苔厚 nǐ shé tāi hòu — your tongue coating is thick — which suggests dampness or digestive issues).

Lifestyle questions the TCM doctor may ask: 你平时吃什么 (nǐ píng shí chī shén me) — What do you usually eat?, 你经常吃凉的还是热的 (nǐ jīng cháng chī liáng de hái shì rè de) — Do you usually eat cold or hot food?, 你喜欢喝冷饮吗 (nǐ xǐ huan hē lěng yǐn ma) — Do you like cold drinks?, 你工作压力大吗 (nǐ gōng zuò yā lì dà ma) — Is your work stressful?, 你运动多吗 (nǐ yùn dòng duō ma) — Do you exercise much?, 每天睡几个小时 (měi tiān shuì jǐ ge xiǎo shí) — How many hours do you sleep each day?, 大便怎么样 (dà biàn zěn me yàng) — How are your bowel movements? (TCM doctors ask this directly — it's a key diagnostic indicator), 成型吗 (chéng xíng ma) — Are they formed?, 一天几次 (yī tiān jǐ cì) — How many times a day?, 大便干燥还是稀 (dà biàn gān zào hái shì xī) — Dry and hard or loose? For women, the doctor may also ask about menstruation: 月经怎么样 (yuè jīng zěn me yàng) — How is your period?, 规律吗 (guī lǜ ma) — Is it regular?, 痛经吗 (tòng jīng ma) — Do you have menstrual cramps?, 月经量多还是少 (yuè jīng liàng duō hái shì shǎo) — Heavy or light flow?

Chinese herbal medicine (中药 — zhōng yào) is the most common TCM treatment. After diagnosis, the doctor writes a prescription (方子 — fāng zi or 处方 — chǔ fāng) that combines multiple herbs. Key vocabulary: 开药方 (kāi yào fāng) — write a prescription, 抓药 (zhuā yào) — fill a prescription / measure out herbs, 煎药 (jiān yào) — decoct / brew herbal medicine, 中药房 (zhōng yào fáng) — herbal pharmacy in the clinic, 饮片 (yǐn piàn) — herbal medicine pieces (the raw dried herbs), 中成药 (zhōng chéng yào) — prepared Chinese medicine (pills, capsules, powders — ready to take), 药粉 (yào fěn) — herbal powder, 汤药 (tāng yào) — herbal decoction/soup (the most common form — raw herbs boiled in water), 药丸 (yào wán) — herbal pills, 一剂 (yī jì) — one dose / one packet of herbs, 一个疗程 (yī ge liáo chéng) — one course of treatment (usually 5-14 days). Prescription questions: 这个药怎么煎 (zhè ge yào zěn me jiān) — How do I brew this medicine?, 煎多久 (jiān duō jiǔ) — How long to brew it?, 放多少水 (fàng duō shǎo shuǐ) — How much water to add?, 一天吃几次 (yī tiān chī jǐ cì) — How many times a day should I take it?, 饭前还是饭后吃 (fàn qián hái shì fàn hòu chī) — Before or after meals?, 需要忌口吗 (xū yào jì kǒu ma) — Are there any dietary restrictions? (TCM often requires avoiding certain foods during treatment).

Common Chinese herbs and their names: the TCM pharmacopoeia includes hundreds of herbs. Some common ones: 人参 (rén shēn) — ginseng (tonifies qi), 枸杞 (gǒu qǐ) — goji berries (nourishes liver and kidneys, benefits eyes), 当归 (dāng guī) — Chinese angelica root (nourishes blood, commonly used in women's health), 黄芪 (huáng qí) — astragalus root (boosts immunity, tonifies qi), 甘草 (gān cǎo) — licorice root (harmonizes other herbs, soothes throat), 红枣 (hóng zǎo) — red dates/jujube (nourishes blood, commonly added to herbal soups), 菊花 (jú huā) — chrysanthemum (clears heat, benefits eyes — popular as a tea), 金银花 (jīn yín huā) — honeysuckle (clears heat, detoxifies — used for colds and sore throat), 茯苓 (fú líng) — poria mushroom (drains dampness, calms spirit). Brewing instructions (煎药方法): Most raw herbs are boiled in water, typically: first, soak herbs in cold water for 30 minutes (泡药 — pào yào), then bring to a boil and simmer for 20-40 minutes (大火煮开后转小火 — bring to a boil on high heat then reduce to low), strain out the liquid (滤药 — lǜ yào), then add fresh water to the same herbs and boil a second time (二煎 — èr jiān). Some modern clinics offer 代煎服务 (dài jiān fú wù) — they brew the medicine for you and package it in sealed vacuum bags — very convenient. Ask: 你们可以帮忙煎药吗 (nǐ men kě yǐ bāng máng jiān yào ma) — Can you help brew the medicine?

Acupuncture (针灸 — zhēn jiǔ) is perhaps the most internationally known TCM treatment. Key vocabulary: 扎针 (zhā zhēn) — insert the needle, 得气 (dé qì) — "obtaining qi" — the sensation of heaviness, distension, or tingling when the needle reaches the acupoint (it's a good sign!), 穴位 (xué wèi) — acupoint, 留针 (liú zhēn) — retain the needles (typically 20-30 minutes), 起针 (qǐ zhēn) — remove the needles, 温针灸 (wēn zhēn jiǔ) — warm acupuncture (moxa is burned on the needle handle). During treatment: 会不会很疼 (huì bù huì hěn téng) — Will it hurt?, 有一点酸胀是正常的 (yǒu yī diǎn suān zhàng shì zhèng cháng de) — A little soreness or distension is normal, 这个位置很酸 (zhè ge wèi zhì hěn suān) — This spot feels very sore, 可以轻一点吗 (kě yǐ qīng yī diǎn ma) — Can you go lighter?, 我有点紧张 (wǒ yǒu diǎn jǐn zhāng) — I'm a bit nervous. After treatment: 不要马上洗澡 (bù yào mǎ shàng xǐ zǎo) — Don't shower immediately (usually wait 2+ hours), 针眼不要碰水 (zhēn yǎn bù yào pèng shuǐ) — Keep the needle holes dry, 注意保暖 (zhù yì bǎo nuǎn) — Keep warm, avoid wind/cold after treatment.

Cupping (拔罐 — bá guàn) creates suction on the skin using glass cups, believed to improve qi and blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and "draw out" pathogenic factors like cold and dampness. Key vocabulary: 火罐 (huǒ guàn) — fire cupping (the traditional method using a flame to create suction), 气罐 (qì guàn) — suction/pump cupping (uses a mechanical pump — less intimidating), 走罐 (zǒu guàn) — sliding cupping (the cup slides along lubricated skin), 留罐 (liú guàn) — static cupping (cups stay in place, 5-15 minutes), 罐印 (guàn yìn) — cupping marks (the circular bruises that appear — these are normal and fade in 3-7 days), 紫红色 (zǐ hóng sè) — purplish-red marks (suggest "stagnation" of blood or qi), 很红 (hěn hóng) — very red marks (suggest "heat" in the body). During cupping: 会不会很疼 (huì bù huì hěn téng) — Will it hurt? The suction sensation is usually described as a tight pulling feeling, not sharp pain. 留多久 (liú duō jiǔ) — How long will the cups stay? After cupping: 不要马上洗澡 (bù yào mǎ shàng xǐ zǎo) — Same as acupuncture — wait to shower, 不要受凉 (bù yào shòu liáng) — Don't get chilled, 罐印会留几天 (guàn yìn huì liú jǐ tiān) — The marks will stay for a few days. Moxibustion (艾灸 — ài jiǔ): burning dried mugwort (艾草 — ài cǎo) near the skin to warm acupoints. Key vocabulary: 艾条 (ài tiáo) — moxa stick/cigar, 艾柱 (ài zhù) — moxa cone, 直接灸 (zhí jiē jiǔ) — direct moxibustion, 间接灸 (jiān jiē jiǔ) — indirect moxibustion (moxa is separated from skin by ginger, garlic, or salt), 温和灸 (wēn hé jiǔ) — mild-warm moxibustion. The characteristic smoky herbal smell of moxibustion is unmistakable — you'll smell it before you see it. Ask: 会不会烫 (huì bù huì tàng) — Will it burn me? The practitioner should always check: 烫不烫 (tàng bù tàng) — Is it too hot? Say immediately: 有点烫 (yǒu diǎn tàng) — It's a bit hot. After moxibustion: the treated area may be warm and slightly red — this is normal.

You can buy Chinese herbal medicine at TCM pharmacies (中药房 — zhōng yào fáng) inside hospitals or at standalone shops. Prescription-based: 我有处方 (wǒ yǒu chǔ fāng) — I have a prescription, 按这个方子抓药 (àn zhè ge fāng zi zhuā yào) — Fill the prescription according to this formula. Over-the-counter TCM products: many Chinese patent medicines (中成药) are available without prescription at regular pharmacies. Common OTC products: 板蓝根冲剂 (bǎn lán gēn chōng jì) — Isatis root granules (popular cold/flu remedy), 藿香正气水 (huò xiāng zhèng qì shuǐ) — Agastache/Patchouli formula liquid (for summer heat, digestive issues — the taste is notoriously strong!), 川贝枇杷膏 (chuān bèi pí pá gāo) — Fritillaria and Loquat Syrup (for cough and sore throat), 云南白药 (yún nán bái yào) — Yunnan Baiyao (famous hemostatic powder for wounds), 风油精 (fēng yóu jīng) — medicated oil (like Tiger Balm — for headaches, insect bites, motion sickness). Asking at the pharmacy: 这个治什么 (zhè ge zhì shén me) — What does this treat?, 怎么吃 (zěn me chī) — How do I take it?, 一天几次 (yī tiān jǐ cì) — How many times a day?, 一次吃多少 (yī cì chī duō shǎo) — How much per dose?, 有副作用吗 (yǒu fù zuò yòng ma) — Are there any side effects?, 可以和其他药一起吃吗 (kě yǐ hé qí tā yào yī qǐ chī ma) — Can I take it with other medications?

Payment and follow-up: TCM consultations and treatments are relatively affordable in China. A typical TCM consultation (诊费 — zhěn fèi) ranges from ¥20-200 depending on the doctor's seniority. Acupuncture sessions are typically ¥50-150 per session. A week's worth of herbal medicine is usually ¥50-300. Key phrases for payment: 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) — How much?, 可以用医保吗 (kě yǐ yòng yī bǎo ma) — Can I use health insurance?, 自费 (zì fèi) — out-of-pocket / self-pay, 可以微信支付吗 (kě yǐ wēi xìn zhī fù ma) — Can I pay with WeChat Pay?. Scheduling follow-up: 我需要复诊吗 (wǒ xū yào fù zhěn ma) — Do I need a follow-up appointment?, 什么时候再来 (shén me shí hou zài lái) — When should I come back?, 一个疗程是多久 (yī ge liáo chéng shì duō jiǔ) — How long is one course of treatment?, 一般需要几个疗程 (yī bān xū yào jǐ ge liáo chéng) — How many courses of treatment are typically needed?. If you're not seeing results: 好像没什么效果 (hǎo xiàng méi shén me xiào guǒ) — It doesn't seem to be working, 需要调整方子吗 (xū yào tiáo zhěng fāng zi ma) — Do you need to adjust the herbal formula? TCM treatment is often gradual and cumulative — practitioners usually recommend completing a full course before judging results.