Hi emonon,
well...My mother used to give me this stuff she called "chinese linament" that smelled really horrible and looked like a really dark laquer.

This was to help reduce aches in the muscles.

It didn't really do squat.

Then she used to give me this really gross tea when I was sick.

Turns out that liquids of any kind when you're sick flush out your system.

I'm chinese, and I stay away from the stuff. A lot of it you'll find in "health food stores" and the like but they never have disclaimers on them...A lot of the "herbal remedies" can actually interfere with your western medicines and make you a lot worse. My mother in law tried something called "dong quai" and she took it in addition to pills prescribed by western doctors. If her one doctor wasn't so persistent in her to stop taking the dq, she would have had cardiac arrest.

The one golden rule I go by: if it ain't certified by the fda, it ain't going in my body.

Hope this helps. I'm sure there are lots of other asian people out there who swear by the stuff, but...Well, i'm listening...

the fda doesnt even test chinese herbs because they are money hungry and cant make any cash off it. Dont listen to her, on top of that how does she know her mother in law would go into cardiac arrest. I have seen more pharmaceutical drugs kill, harm and disable people. I have been working in the health field for over 5 years and I know many nurses and paramedics who have turned to eastern medicine because of fda approved drugs that have ruined peoples lives. I would say research everything you choose to try but dont be afraid of Chinese Herbs they are not even close to as strong as western medicine and I am from America so I know this. I have also been studying Chinese medicine for over 7 years. I think sometimes mixing Chinese herbs with western can be tricky and even at times dangerous but it is the western medicines that normally makes it so. Chinese herbs should not be taken without proper research and oriental doctor to make sure you are taking it properly, but same with western medicine taking it blindly may mean your life. Oh and just cause this girl is Chinese means nothing. I know many Chinese people who do not have a clue about Chinese Medicine nor even take care of their health. I wish you the best and please whatever you do listen to your body, no one knows it like you do