The origins of Chinese herbal medicine in China can be traced back at least 5,000 years, considered one of the oldest health care systems in the world.
The practice of Chinese herbal medicine is  a natural and holistic system of primary health care that is being used to assist people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

中药是以中医药理论为指导，有着独特的理论体系和应用形式，用于预防和辅助疾病并具有康复与保健作用的天然药物及其加工代用品，主要包括植物药、动物药、矿物药等。