Empirical Health Herbs

Empirical Health Herbs Wholesale company of the highest quality Chinese Herbs, extensively tested for safety and efficacy.

Driven by a passion for seeing better results for his patients, Founder and Director, Dr Simon J Feeney, spent the last ten years scaling the planet in search of top quality herbs. He found that in too many cases the incorrect herb or very low quality herbs were made available to most practitioners in Australia. He didn't stop this search until he found Andrew Ellis from Spring Wind in the United States.

Formula Breakdown - Xiao Chai Hu Tang (小柴胡汤 小柴胡湯)Xiao Chai Hu Tang is one of the most recognised classical formulas reco...
03/08/2026

Formula Breakdown - Xiao Chai Hu Tang (小柴胡汤 小柴胡湯)

Xiao Chai Hu Tang is one of the most recognised classical formulas recorded in the Shang Han Lun and remains widely studied in traditional Chinese medicine today.

Rather than focusing solely on memorising ingredients, understanding the classical theory, formula composition and the relationship between the herbs provides deeper insight into the thinking behind this enduring prescription.

In this carousel, we explore:
• The herbs that make up the formula
• The role each herb plays within the overall composition
• The classical concept of harmonising the Shaoyang
• Common misconceptions surrounding the formula
• Why studying patterns, rather than simply memorising formulas, can deepen clinical understanding

This post is intended for educational purposes and explores the classical composition and theory of Xiao Chai Hu Tang within the framework of traditional Chinese medicine.

Which classical formula would you like us to break down next?

27/07/2026

After years of planning, hard work and patience, our new Empirical Health and ode home is finally nearing completion.

In this update, Dr Simon Feeney shares a look at the new space, which will bring together our production, warehousing and offices under one roof.

As we move closer to completion, we would love to hear what else you might like to see happening in the space. Education, treatments and events are just a few possibilities, but we are open to your ideas.

Let us know in the comments. You might just help us shape what comes next.

Classical formulation requires more than simply adding herbs to target symptoms.Understanding temperature, fluids, const...
27/07/2026

Classical formulation requires more than simply adding herbs to target symptoms.

Understanding temperature, fluids, constitution, and digestive capacity (to name a few), all influence how a formula behaves clinically.

22/07/2026

Rou Cong Rong (肉苁蓉) is a herb with a long history of use in Chinese herbal medicine, valued not only for its traditional applications, but for the depth of clinical thinking it represents.

In this short video, Dr Simon Feeney shares a few insights into this fascinating herb, discussing its characteristics, traditional role, and why quality and sourcing matter when selecting herbs for clinical practice.

Every herb has a story. Understanding that story helps us prescribe with greater clarity and intention.

Have you used Rou Cong Rong in your clinic? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.



*This post is intended for educational purposes for practitioners and students of Chinese medicine.

CLASSICAL INSIGHT 01 - Treat the Root (治本)One of the most enduring principles in traditional Chinese medicine is to look...
21/07/2026

CLASSICAL INSIGHT 01 - Treat the Root (治本)

One of the most enduring principles in traditional Chinese medicine is to look beyond the presenting symptom and seek to understand the underlying pattern.

While symptoms may change over time, classical physicians recognised that identifying the root often provides greater insight into the patient’s overall presentation.

This principle continues to shape the way many practitioners study classical formulas and pattern differentiation today.



*This post is intended for educational purposes and explores a traditional concept within Chinese medicine.

When to Modify a FormulaOne of the greatest strengths of classical Chinese medicine is that formulas were never intended...
15/07/2026

When to Modify a Formula

One of the greatest strengths of classical Chinese medicine is that formulas were never intended to be rigid recipes.

They were designed as adaptable frameworks that could be refined to better match the individual sitting in front of you.

Modification isn’t about changing a formula for the sake of it. It’s about preserving the original therapeutic strategy while making thoughtful adjustments for the patient’s presentation, constitution or the evolution of their pattern.

In many cases, the core formula remains correct. It simply needs a small refinement to address what has changed.

The challenge is knowing when to modify - and when to leave the original formula exactly as it is.

Understanding why we modify a formula is often just as important as knowing how to modify it.

How do you decide when a classical formula should be modified, and when it should be left unchanged?

13/07/2026

**A lesson from “Mrs Chai Hu”.**

One of the highlights of visiting the herb markets for us isn’t just seeing the herbs - it’s learning from the people who have spent decades handling them every day.

While chatting with a vendor we’ve affectionately nicknamed **”Mrs Chai Hu”**, Simon learnt something that caught his attention.

According to her, the **middle section of the Chai Hu root** is traditionally regarded as the premium portion. It offers a balance of maturity, density and consistency, while the thinner tip and thicker crown are generally considered less desirable for different reasons.

It’s insights like these that remind us there’s always more to learn. Books and laboratories are invaluable, but spending time with growers, traders and herb specialists in China provides another layer of understanding that simply can’t be replicated.

Have you come across this perspective on Chai Hu before, or have you been taught something different?

This post is intended for educational purposes and explores traditional perspectives on Chinese herbal medicine.

Honey Pearls aren’t a new idea. They’re a tradition that has stood the test of time.Long before capsules became commonpl...
07/07/2026

Honey Pearls aren’t a new idea. They’re a tradition that has stood the test of time.

Long before capsules became commonplace, herbal ingredients were often prepared with honey into small pearls that were convenient to store, transport and take. This traditional preparation has been documented throughout the history of Chinese herbal medicine and continues to inspire how we craft our Honey Pearls today.

Whether it’s our practitioner-focused Chinese herbal formulas or our Australian Certified Organic mushroom range, every Honey Pearl is created with the same commitment to quality, authenticity and traditional craftsmanship.

While the ingredients may differ, the philosophy remains the same: honour traditional preparation methods while producing products that meet modern quality standards.

Have you tried Honey Pearls before, or are they a new format to you?

Formula Breakdown - Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (桂枝茯苓丸)Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is one of the most recognised classical formulas in C...
06/07/2026

Formula Breakdown - Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (桂枝茯苓丸)

Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is one of the most recognised classical formulas in Chinese Medicine, yet it is often associated primarily with gynaecological presentations.

This Formula Breakdown explores the traditional principles behind the prescription, including its herbal composition, classical theory and the importance of pattern differentiation in Chinese Medicine.

Understanding why a formula was created is just as important as understanding its individual ingredients. Looking beyond disease labels to identify the underlying pattern is a fundamental principle of traditional Chinese Medicine.

Swipe through to explore the formula, the traditional roles of its herbs and the clinical thinking behind this classical prescription.

Part of the Empirical Health Formula Breakdown Series, exploring the theory and principles behind classical Chinese herbal formulas for educational purposes.

Which classical formula would you like us to explore next?

FormulaBreakdown

*Educational content intended for qualified healthcare practitioners and students of Chinese Medicine.

01/07/2026

Qing Hao (青蒿) is one of the great reminders that preparation matters.

In this video, Dr Simon Feeney speaks about the ancient observations surrounding Qing Hao and how classical preparation methods continue to shape our understanding of herbal medicine today.

Centuries ago, Ge Hong recorded that Qing Hao should not be prepared with heat, but rather infused in cold water and expressed gently. Modern research later discovered that excessive heat can damage key constituents within the herb, while lower temperature extraction preserves them more effectively.

A powerful example of ancient knowledge preceding modern confirmation.

It also raises an important point for practitioners: herbs cannot be separated from the methods used to prepare them. Temperature, processing, extraction, dosage, format and combination all influence the final outcome.

So much of classical herbalism lies not just in *what* was used, but *how* it was used.

Qing Hao - where hot water can diminish, and cold extraction can preserve.

What other herbs do you think best demonstrate the importance of preparation method in clinical practice?

Address

35 Merrigal Road
Port Macquarie, NSW
2444

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300884809

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