Chinese Herbal Medicine Singapore | TCM

Written by Tan Yi Roe, Principal TCM Physician at Phoenix Rehab, TCMPB T1102830D.Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

Chinese herbal medicine is the prescribing side of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A registered TCM physician assesses you and writes a formula: a combination of herbs, mostly plant-based, sometimes with mineral or animal ingredients. At Phoenix it is prescribed by our TCM physician, Tan Yi Roe, at Orchard and Tanjong Pagar, usually alongside acupuncture or physiotherapy for muscle and joint problems.

What is Chinese herbal medicine?

Chinese medicines include raw herbs, processed herbal materials and ready-made formulas, prescribed according to TCM theory. Most are plant-based, which is why they are called herbal medicines, but some formulas include minerals or animal products. If you avoid animal products for dietary or religious reasons, tell the physician before anything is prescribed.

In TCM a formula is matched to the person as well as the problem. Two people with the same back pain may leave with different prescriptions, and the formula is often adjusted from one visit to the next as things change.

Granules, pills and decoction

Herbs can be given as a decoction (raw herbs brewed at home), as concentrated granules, or as pills and capsules. One form is not ranked above another. The physician chooses by what you need and what you will actually take every day.

Most of what we prescribe is granules. They go through the same boiling and extraction as a home decoction, are concentrated and dried, and come in sachets. You dissolve a sachet in a cup of hot or warm water, stir until it has all dissolved, and drink it. Do not boil granules.

If you are brewing raw herbs

A decoction is soaked, boiled in a ceramic pot and strained. Not every herb goes in at the same time. Minerals and shells such as fossil bone (LongGu) and oyster shell (MuLi) are boiled first. Aromatic herbs such as peppermint (BoHe), JingJie and HuoXiang go in late so they do not boil off. Some ingredients, such as pearl powder (ZhenZhuFen), are stirred in at the end or taken separately. Your physician will tell you which applies to your formula.

How to take it

Follow your physician’s instructions. Formulas are usually taken up to three times a day, and the timing around meals depends on the formula: some are taken after food because they can upset the stomach, some before. Leave at least 30 minutes between herbal medicine and any other medicine.

While you are taking it, the usual advice is to go easy on raw, cold, greasy and spicy food.

If you feel unwell after starting a formula, stop it and tell the physician so the formula can be reviewed.

Safety

Tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Chinese herbal medicine, and tell our physician about every medicine and supplement you take. Some herbs interact with prescription medicines, including blood thinners. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, say so before anything is prescribed.

Do not self-prescribe. There are thousands of Chinese herbs, and the safety of a formula depends on the right herbs, properly processed, in the right dose. Take herbs only on a registered TCM practitioner’s prescription, from a reputable source.

Chinese herbal medicine does not replace medical care. A new or worsening symptom needs a doctor first.

Can I order Chinese herbs from Phoenix Rehab?

Yes, on prescription. Herbal medicine is $12 a day, usually prescribed by the week: $84 for 7 days, $168 for 14 days, and a consultation on its own is $30. Our TCM physician assesses you and prescribes, and once you have paid, the herbal medicine is delivered to your door, usually within one to two working days.

Tan Yi Roe sees patients at Orchard and Tanjong Pagar. More about TCM at Phoenix and acupuncture.

Where are you with this right now?

1. It is settling on its own

Most injuries and most flare-ups settle over weeks with sensible load management and a return to normal movement. Improvement is judged over a month, not over a day, and good days and bad days inside that are usual. If you are doing more this month than last, and sleeping better, it is behaving the way it should. You do not need us for this, and we would rather say so.

2. It has stopped improving

You have adapted without noticing. The other side takes the load, you plan movements you used to make without thinking, and you have quietly dropped things you used to do.

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. That is the gap worth measuring, and it is not measured by how you feel on the day.

The Stalled Recovery Review is three appointments over three weeks with the same therapist, because what a joint does under load cannot be read in one visit. The first finds what is limiting it. The next two measure how it responds. $690, nett, no GST, which is three appointments at $230.

3. You have had surgery, or you have a date

Recovery after an operation has a shape, and knowing which stage you are in tells you whether you are on it. See the recovery programs, hand and physiotherapy, or the four stages and what each one works on if you are not sure which applies to you.

All of it runs on the same four stages. The Phoenix Recovery Protocol explains what each stage works on and what you have to meet to move up. No referral needed to start.

Next step

Find out which stage you are in

Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. One Assessment and Treatment is a single 45-minute appointment at $230, nett, no GST. Your therapist finds what is actually limiting you, treats it in the same appointment, and you leave with your current stage and a written plan.

What our patients say

Google reviews from our clinics in Singapore.

       
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   Micah 
 54 days ago
 
 
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Amazing experience with Phoenix Rehab, was assisted by Mavis. She’s very kind and professional and did thorough check on my wrist. I feel very comfortable during the process.

I went in for thermoplastic splint, and everything went smoothly. She was able to address my needs on my left wrist sprain.

They were prompt with appointment process and inquiry. Also the clinic is very close to Tanjong Pagar MRT. I highly recommend!
  
 
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   Chiky Phan 
 58 days ago
 
 
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Fist time doing ultrasound for my tennis elbow!! Let’s hope it gets better the next few weeks!! Thank Mavis Tham!!
  
 
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   XIN WANG 
 75 days ago
 
 
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Great treatment from my therapist. My painful wrist felt a lot of relief after the session. I’m glad I can slowly get back to doing my usual activities without constant pain.
  
 
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   Abby Lee 
 91 days ago
 
 
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Very helpful and friendly !
  
 
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   雪梅Cui 
 129 days ago
 
 
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The masseur is very professional and provides excellent service ，yati is very good!
  
 
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   Tra Nguyen 
 220 days ago
 
 
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I wasn’t able to close my fingers due to an injury. Nurul at Phoenix Rehab has helped me tremendously with my recovery process. I have been able to resume my daily activities and exercises after only a few sessions. Nurul has been very professional and positive throughout the entire process. Thank you so much for your help!
  
 
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   Juzer K 
 258 days ago
 
 
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Huge shoutout to Yuna Zhang from Phoenix Rehab for helping in my recovery from golfer’s elbow 🙌

I walked in with persistent elbow pain that was affecting workouts and everyday tasks, and Yuna immediately made me feel confident I was in the right hands. She took the time to properly assess my condition, explain the root cause, and tailor a treatment plan to my specific needs instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.

What I really appreciated was how personalised every session felt. The exercises she gave me were practical, easy to follow, and actually worked. Within a short time, the pain reduced significantly and my strength and mobility improved much faster than I expected.

On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable and affordable, which made committing to recovery much easier.

Professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring — highly recommend Yuna at Phoenix Rehab if you’re dealing with hand-related sports injuries 💪
  
 
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   Fazal Hanafi Chaudhry 
 342 days ago
 
 
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I enjoy coming to Phoenix rehab as they offer a wide variety of services. I had a finger accident and was working with a very experienced hand therapist. Place is clean and comfortable.  Staff were friendly and appointment was on time
  
 
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   Stella Yam 
 483 days ago
 
 
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Very good
  
 
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   Juliana 
 485 days ago
 
 
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Have both physio n Tcm visits here, highly recommend!
  
 
 
  
 
 
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