Module 7 of 12 · 药房中文 Pharmacy
中药保健品 Herbal Medicines and Supplements
Ask about Chinese herbs, tonics and supplements in Mandarin, without judgment, and say the key cautions.
By the end of this module you can…
- Ask about herbs, tonics and supplements every time, without judgment.
- Name the products patients take: ginseng, dong quai, goji, fish oil, calcium.
- Explain the combinations that matter, especially with blood thinners.
- Ask patients to bring in, or photograph, everything they take.
- Respect the patient’s choices while keeping them safe.
Key vocabulary
Fourteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.
Herbs and tonics
- 中药zhōng yàoChinese herbal medicine
- 草药cǎo yàoHerbs (as medicine)
- 中成药zhōng chéng yàoReady-made Chinese medicine
- 补品bǔ pǐnTonic
- 人参rén shēnGinseng
- 当归dāng guīDong quai
- 枸杞gǒu qǐGoji berries
- 灵芝líng zhīLingzhi (reishi) mushroom
Supplements
- 保健品bǎo jiàn pǐnSupplement
- 鱼油yú yóuFish oil
- 钙片gài piànCalcium tablets
- 维生素wéi shēng sùVitamins
- 银杏yín xìngGinkgo
- 甘草gān cǎoLicorice root
Ten core phrases
The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.
- 您平时吃中药或者保健品吗？Nín píng shí chī zhōng yào huò zhě bǎo jiàn pǐn ma?Do you take any Chinese medicine or supplements?
- 我们问这个是为了安全，不是说中药不好。Wǒ men wèn zhè ge shì wèi le ān quán, bú shì shuō zhōng yào bù hǎo.We ask for safety, not because Chinese medicine is bad.
- 是自己买的，还是中医开的？Shì zì jǐ mǎi de, hái shi zhōng yī kāi de?Did you buy it, or did a TCM doctor prescribe it?
- 吃了多久了？每天吃多少？Chī le duō jiǔ le? Měi tiān chī duō shao?How long have you taken it? How much a day?
- 煲汤放的药材也算。Bāo tāng fàng de yào cái yě suàn.Herbs in your soup count too.
- 当归跟华法林一起吃，可能会增加出血的风险。Dāng guī gēn huá fǎ lín yì qǐ chī, kě néng huì zēng jiā chū xiě de fēng xiǎn.Dong quai with warfarin can raise the risk of bleeding.
- 甘草吃多了会让血压升高。Gān cǎo chī duō le huì ràng xuè yā shēng gāo.Too much licorice can raise blood pressure.
- 开始或者停止任何中药、补品、保健品，都要先告诉我们。Kāi shǐ huò zhě tíng zhǐ rèn hé zhōng yào, bǔ pǐn, bǎo jiàn pǐn, dōu yào xiān gào su wǒ men.Tell us before starting or stopping any herb, tonic or supplement.
- 下次请把您吃的中药、保健品都带来，我们一起看。Xià cì qǐng bǎ nín chī de zhōng yào, bǎo jiàn pǐn dōu dài lai, wǒ men yì qǐ kàn.Next time, bring everything you take, and we’ll look together.
- 我们会把它记在您的用药清单里。Wǒ men huì bǎ tā jì zài nín de yòng yào qīng dān lǐ.We’ll add it to your medication list.
What’s in Module 7
- Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Tonics and Soups
- Part 2 · The Words for HerbsReading the PinyinSaying 保健品 vs. Writing 膳食补充剂Vocabulary · Flash CardsSix Products Patients Mention
- Part 3 · Asking Without JudgmentThe Herbs ScriptWhy I’m AskingKey PatternsQuestions About HerbsSoups, Teas and TonicsBlood Thinners and Herbs
- Part 4 · Keeping It SafeSpacing and TimingBefore Surgery or a ProcedureUnknown Products and Red Flags
- Part 5 · Concerns & ReviewsWhat Patients SayBring It or Snap ItThe Medication List
- Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided ConversationRound 2 · Controlled PracticeRounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
- Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 7 Knowledge Check
- Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 7 HomeworkTake-Home Phrase SheetModule 7 Wrap-Up · 下次见
Practice it properly
The full module adds dialogues, role-plays, pronunciation drills and a Knowledge Check. Pass the check to earn a certificate of completion you can add to LinkedIn.