Like Ayurvedic Medicine the Chinese system promotes prevention, maintaining optimum health which requires that chi or qi, the same as prana, flows properly along the body's internal energy meridians. Proper flow can only be maintained if the body's opposing principles of yin and yang are balanced. Functioning of the internal organs and systems, the patient's lifestyle, psychological state, and diet are also considered important factors. Herbs are classified according to their properties, such as warming or cooling and by their taste. Most are of plant origin, but mineral and animal sources are also used occasionally.
Recommendations are highly individualized depending on the patient and the complaint.