The Traditional Chinese Remedy preparation refers to normative remedies, which were produced with Chinese Traditional Medicine materials under the theory of Chinese Traditional Medicine. The traditional remedy can used directly to prevent and cure diseases, with pills (Wan), medical powders (San), plasters (Gao) and medical pellets (Dan) as the representatives. 

During the ancient Xiayu Period, the Chinese people discovered the wine’s function during the wine production and produced medical wine. And, at the same time, they discovered fermenter fomula. In the Shang Dynasty, the decoction had been widely used. In the East Han period, people had acquired some knowledge about the theory and principle of medicine preparation and laid emphasis on the principle of choosing remedies according to its medical properties. On the basis of decoction, pills, medical powders, plasters and wine, Zhang Zhongjjing, a famous doctor of the Han Dynasty, invented more than 10 types of remedies, such as Sitting Formula (Zuoji), Leading Formula (Daoji), Washing Formula (Jiji), Dropping Ear Formula (Di’erji), Syrup Formula (Tangjiangji) and Viscera Formula (Zangqiji). Furthermore, the preparation method was very complete, and the usage, dosage and adaptive diseases were clear. Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty invented the method to produce remedies like Waxed Pill, Concentrated Pill and Remedy for Acupuncture by utilizing the agglutinate force of the medicine. Li Shizhen, an accomplished doctor of the Ming Dynasty, summarized all remedy production methods invented by former doctors before the 16th century and recorded more than 40 types of remedies.

The Traditional Chinese remedy preparation has accumulated rich experiences through medical practices by doctors of past dynasties and formed unique preparation methods, becoming an important part of the Chinese Traditional Medicine. Besides the decoction which is still the preferred in the clinic of Chinese Traditional Medicine, remedies of “pills (Wan), medical powders (San), plasters (Gao)” are still widely used today.

The traditional Chinese remedy preparation was included into the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006.