Chinese herbal medicine. View of some bowls and assorted herbs used in Chinese herbal medicine. Herbalism is a system of alternative medicine in which parts of plants are used to promote health and treat symptoms. Chinese medicine is based on the theory of a universal bodily life force, Chi. This is balanced by two complimentary forces, yin and yang. Imbalances in these forces disrupt the flow of Chi, causing illness. Chinese medicine therefore aims to rebalance yin and yang.