How well do you know your traditional medicine?
Traditional medicinal materials usually refer to restorative materials from plants, animals or minerals in their natural states or in processed forms that have undergone simple processing, such as cutting or drying. Traditional medicinal materials include materials used in traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine, traditional Malay medicine (Jamu) and also herbal medicines from other countries.
Traditional medicinal materials fall under two broad categories, mainly those sold in loose or bulk form and pre-packed for sales (stating information such as product name, brand name, ingredients, dosages and/or instructions for use on the packaging materials).
Presently, there is no licensing requirement for the import and local sale of traditional medicinal materials that are not of finished dosage forms (e.g., capsules, tablets, granules).
However, there are regulations in place to ensure the safety and quality of traditional medicinal materials. Dealers have to ensure the following:
Related: Chinese Proprietary Medicine
If you suspect that the traditional medicinal materials you are taking are making you unwell, stop consuming them and consult a medical professional.
You can also get in touch with HSA at:
Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.
Read these next:
This article was last reviewed on 22 Nov 2023
Related Articles
Related Stories
From pregnancy to raising a teenager, learn the ins and outs of raising a healthy child in this one-stop pregnancy and parenting platform for health information.
Check out our tips on how you can live well together, and test your knowledge on healthy living. Whether it’s eating healthy, staying active, going for health screening, or caring for your mental well-being, it’s never too late to start your journey!
Youth Preventive Dental Service (YPDS) provides oral health screening for pre-schoolers at some childcare centres as part of the Preschool Oral Health Screening and Fluoride Therapy Programme. Parents may access Healthhub to obtain the 'Information Sheet for Parents', which contains screening outcomes and the recommended follow-up action.
Browse Live Healthy