Here's a detailed Starter Clinic Kit List for a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice, including everything you need to begin offering acupuncture, moxa, cupping, and herbal consultations. This list is practical, EU/French-compliant, and customizable depending on whether your focus is acupuncture, herbs, or integrated care.

Acupuncture Needles Brands

Seirin

DBC (Korea)

TCM Suppliers

Below is a comprehensive list of reliable TCM suppliers for acupuncture needles, moxibustion tools, herbs (raw, granules, patent formulas), cupping sets, liniments, and other essential clinical materials. These suppliers are used by professional practitioners and clinics worldwide and meet GMP, ISO, or CE standards where applicable.

INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL TCM SUPPLIERS

Lhasa OMS (USA, ships internationally)

Acupuncture needles (Seirin, DBC, Hwato)
Moxa (smokeless, stick, punk, cone)
Cups, electroacupuncture, tables, charts
Herbal lines: Golden Flower, Mayway, KPC

Blue Poppy Enterprises (USA)

Herbal formulas (tablets, topicals)
Acupuncture supplies
TCM books and educational materials

Mayway Corporation (USA / Global)

Plum Flower® and Min Shan® herbs
Raw herbs, granules, patent pills
GMP-certified products with COA

KPC Herbs (USA/Taiwan)

High-quality GMP granules and bulk herbs
Traditional formulas and single herbs
COAs and batch consistency guaranteed

EUROPE-BASED SUPPLIERS

- Phoenix Medical (UK/EU)
- Distributor of Tianjiang granules
- Needles (Hwato, Seirin), moxa, cups
- TCM books, charts, and CEU materials

Avicenna Herbs (UK/EU)

Herbal dispensary and practitioner support
Focus on quality and sustainability
Granules, tinctures, oils, creams

FRANCE-SPECIFIC SUPPLIERS

Euroherb / Herbolistique

Raw and granulated herbs
Herbal tinctures and supplements
Located in France, serving EU practitioners

CANADA

Eastern Currents

Needles (Seirin, DBC), moxa, cupping
Herbal formulas (Blue Poppy, KPC, etc.)
Online CEU courses

AUSTRALIA / NZ

Empirical Health

Granules and capsules of Chinese herbs
Custom formulas and dispensary support
GMP certified, practitioner-only

Sun Herbal

Raw herbs, granules, liniments
Supplies for acupuncture and tuina

GMP Suppliers

Global / Multinational GMP TCM Supplier

Sun Ten Pharmaceuticals (Taiwan / USA / Europe

GMP and ISO 9001/22000 certified
Offers granulated herbs, formulas, and concentrated powders
TCM formulas based on classical texts and modern adaptations
Available in the EU and North America (via distributors)

KPC Herbs (Ko Da Pharmaceutical Co., Taiwan/USA)

Fully GMP-compliant (Taiwan FDA and US GMP)
High-quality granules and tablets
Standardised extraction and consistent batch potency
COAs (Certificates of Analysis) available

Tianjiang Pharmaceutical (China, Europe, North America)

One of the largest GMP-certified granule herb manufacturers in China
Supplies hospitals and universities in China and abroad
EU distributors (e.g. Phoenix Medical, Su Wen Herbs)

GMP TCM Suppliers in Europe

Offers granulated and raw Chinese herbs
Compliant with EU standards and AFSSAPS
Supplies herbs for trained professionals and pharmacies

Su Wen Herbs (UK)

Distributes Tianjiang granules in the UK/EU
High-quality single herbs and formulas
Full batch testing available

Phoenix Medical (UK)

GMP supplier and official distributor of Tianjiang
Sells granules, raw herbs, capsules, and liniments
Offers practitioner-only support and custom formula compounding

Avicenna Herbs (UK)

Offers GMP-grade Chinese herbs and custom prescriptions
Partnered with trusted Chinese labs for quality sourcing

North American GMP TCM Suppliers

Mayway Corporation (USA)

Offers the Plum Flower® line: GMP, lab-tested Chinese herbs and formulas
Raw herbs, pills, tablets, powders
COAs and third-party testing available

Golden Flower Chinese Herbs (USA)

Professional-grade patent formulas, tablets, and tinctures
GMP certified, tested for heavy metals, pesticides
Practitioners-only portal

Blue Poppy Enterprises (USA)

Clinical strength formulas, topicals, and extracts
Focus on pain, gynaecology, and internal medicine
GMP and third-party tested

GMP Suppliers in Australia & New Zealand

Empirical Health (Australia)

Specialises in high-purity Chinese herbs and granules
GMP manufacturing, practitioner-only

Sun Herbal (Australia)

GMP-certified raw herbs, granules, and classical formulas
Broad Chinese materia medica range

Banking and Payment Processing Systems

Banking and payment processing systems are essential for running a TCM business smoothly—whether you're offering in-person treatments, online consultations, or selling herbs and products. Below is a detailed list of banking and payment systems commonly used by TCM practitioners, including options for clinics in Europe (including France), North America, and global practices.

Payment Processing Systems

These allow you to accept card payments, online bookings, and remote transactions (ideal for herbs, consults, and telehealth).

Stripe

Most widely used by TCM practitioners and clinics

Jane App, Cliniko, Squarespace, WooCommerce, Calendly, etc.

Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay

Supports subscriptions/memberships

Square

Ideal for in-person and mobile payments
Offers free POS app, card readers, online booking

Integration with website and invoicing tools

Inventory tracking for herbs/products

PayPal Business

Trusted brand for online sales and virtual consults

Booking forms, herbal e-commerce stores

Invoice, subscriptions, and payment links
Supports instalment payments

SumUp

Popular in France and Europe for in-person mobile payments

Card readers and POS for clinics or herbal dispensaries

Integrates with online store platforms and invoices

No monthly fees, just per-transaction

Mollie (Europe-focused)

Used by online herbal shops or appointment platforms in the EU

Easy integration with WooCommerce, Shopify, and other e-commerce platforms.

Supports Bancontact, SEPA, iDEAL, Apple Pay

Business Banking Systems (France/EU & Global)

Qonto (France)

French digital bank for entrepreneurs
Features IBAN, expense tracking, employee cards, Bookkeeping tools, and real-time cash flow

Excellent for micro-entrepreneurs and TCM clinics

Shine (France)

Banking app for micro-enterprises and liberal professions. Simplified invoicing, VAT tracking, URSSAF declarations

Ideal for solo acupuncturists or herbalists

Revolut Business

Multicurrency IBANs (EUR, USD, GBP)
Expense management, payment links, and integrations
Useful for international herb suppliers or multi-language clinics

N26 Business (Germany/EU-based)

Mobile-friendly digital banking
Free basic plan for freelancers
Expense categorisation, integration with accounting tools

Used by therapists, coaches, and small wellness clinics

Wise Business (formerly TransferWise)

Low-fee international transfers
Multi-currency business account (hold & send money globally)
Good for TCM clinics that pay for herbs in USD/CNY but work in EUR

Supports integration with Xero, QuickBooks

Accounting Systems

TCM practitioners, whether running solo practices or multidisciplinary clinics, need reliable accounting systems for managing:

Invoicing and billing
Expense tracking
Inventory (especially for herbs/products)
Tax compliance
Financial reporting

Below is a list of accounting systems commonly used by TCM practitioners, including both general accounting software and practice management platforms with integrated accounting tools. Many of these are GDPR-compliant and available in French or multilingual versions.

QuickBooks (Intuit)

Invoicing, expense tracking, bank syncing
Tax preparation (VAT/GST)
Financial reports (profit/loss, balance sheet)
Online payments integration

Integrates with booking systems (e.g., Jane, Cliniko)

Cloud-based and desktop versions available

Clinics with herbal inventory, solo practices, or multi-provider clinics

Xero

Double-entry bookkeeping
VAT-ready (EU & UK), expense claims
Inventory tracking (for herbal dispensaries)
Bank reconciliation, payroll (add-on)

Integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and booking software

Growing practices needing robust accounting & tax tools

Zoho Books

Invoicing, project tracking, bank feeds
Sales and purchase orders, inventory
GST/VAT compliance

Highly customizable and affordable

Tech-savvy solo practitioners or product-based TCM businesses

Jane App

Client billing, insurance claims
Online payments (Stripe integration)
Simple financial reports

Exports data to QuickBooks, Xero

Clinics wanting everything (EHR + booking + payments) in one place

Cliniko

Invoicing, receipts, discount codes
Tracks sales of products (herbs, supplements)
Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks

EU and UK-based clinics

AcuSimple

TCM-specific platform with:
Patient billing
Herbal inventory tracking
Insurance codes (US-focused)

US-based acupuncturists or clinics offering insurance billing

Wave Accounting (Free Option)

Free invoicing and accounting
Bank syncing, basic reporting
Accepts online payments (Stripe/PayPal)

Not available in French

Solo practitioners or low-volume clinics on a budget

Sage Business Cloud Accounting

Billing, expense management, VAT tools
Inventory (depending on plan)
Designed for small-to-medium businesses

Fully compliant with French accounting regulations

French-based TCM practitioners with tax reporting needs

Reception and Booking Systems

TCM practitioners—whether solo or part of a clinic—commonly use reception and booking systems to manage appointments, intake, patient communication, reminders, and billing. These systems can be standalone or integrated into EHR platforms. Some offer TCM-friendly customization, while others are general health platforms that can be adapted. All-in-One Booking & Practice Management Platforms include scheduling, online booking, invoicing, reminders, some with EHR features.

Jane App

Online booking, customizable intake forms
Client portal, payment processing, insurance billing
Telehealth support

Acupuncturists, bodyworkers, naturopaths

GDPR and HIPAA compliant

Multilingual interface available (English, some features in French)

Cliniko

Appointment calendar, booking widget
SMS/email reminders
Customizable treatment notes

Multidisciplinary clinics, solo TCM practitioners

GDPR compliant

Used in EU, UK, Australia, Canada

Zanda

Appointment calendar, SMS reminders, invoicing
Patient database, note templates

Health clinics and alternative medicine practices

GDPR & HIPAA compliant

Interface available in French (partially)

SimplyBook.me

Online booking widget for your website or social media
Add-ons for intake forms, payments, notifications

Flexible setup for solo TCM practitioners

GDPR compliant

Setmore

Online scheduling with confirmation emails/SMS
Can connect to Facebook/Instagram

Affordable/free tier for basic usage

No clinical or EHR integration

Doctolib (France, Germany specific)

Online appointment booking
SMS/email reminders, integration with health systems

Popular in Europe, especially among medical professionals

Fully GDPR compliant

Used more by licensed medical doctors, but some TCM professionals use it if locally permitted

Jupi (France-based)

Online booking and payment for independent practitioner

Interface in French, used by naturopaths and Acupuncteurs

AcuSimple

Online booking, treatment charting
Herbal inventory, insurance billing

Popular among mind-body practices and acupuncturists

HIPAA compliant, secure client portal

Calendly (with Stripe/Zoom integration)

Basic appointment scheduling
Free or paid consults

Online consults, first visit booking

Not medical-specific or secure for clinical notes

Offers customizable services and availability per practitioner

Business plan: services/products offered, patient target group (e.g., women’s health, athletes, chronic fatigue), market analysis, revenue streams (consultations, herbs, education), SWOT analysis
Accounting system (compliant with tax laws)
Pricing strategy: Based on local market and clinical expertise. Consider packages or memberships
Banking and payment processing (POS, mobile pay, online booking/payment

Business & Financial Planning

Brand identity: Name, logo, values (e.g., holistic care, authentic Chinese medicine), Trust, professional image
Website with SEO: Explain your approach (e.g., Qi, 5 Elements, pattern diagnosis), Blog on TCM topics, Booking integration
Social media: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook: educational videos, tips, clinic life
Email marketing (newsletter with seasonal advice, TCM lifestyle tips)
Educational outreach: Workshops, webinars, public lectures

Marketing & Branding

Clear scope of services: acupuncture, herbal formulas (prescribed or sold), dietary advice based on TCM principles, Tui Na, cupping, moxa, guasha
Develop treatment protocols by syndrome/pattern
Ongoing CEU training in latest TCM practices
Specialization possible: e.g., fertility, pain, dermatology, digestion, mental health

Clinical and Therapeutic Expertise

If offering herbs or TCM products: choose reliable GMP suppliers (e.g., Sun Ten, KPC, Phoenix, Planta Medica), ensure legal labelling and packaging, create product catalogue with TCM indications, may offer house-branded herbal teas, patches, oils, etc.

Product Sourcing & Sales

Licensing: Ensure local/regional licensure to practice (e.g., acupuncture license, herbalist registration).
Scope of Practice: Know what modalities are permitted in your jurisdiction (e.g., is moxa legal?).
Insurance & Liability: Professional indemnity/malpractice insurance and business liability insurance
GDPR/HIPAA Compliance (if storing patient data)
CE Certification (for products sold in EU)
Herbal product regulation: In EU, herbs may require authorization as Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (THMP)

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Clinic location (visibility, zoning, accessibility)
Treatment rooms: Clean, quiet, sterile storage
Equipment: Acupuncture needles (CE-certified), moxa, cups, guasha tools and herb dispensary (if relevant)
EHR software: e.g., Unified Practice, Jane App, compliant with health data laws
Reception & booking system (online preferred)

Clinical Infrastructure

Starting a TCM Business...

Starting a TCM business involves much more than practicing acupuncture or prescribing herbs—it’s the creation of a comprehensive clinical, legal, and economic structure that delivers Traditional Chinese Medicine services, products, or education. A TCM business can take many forms, such as:

Private clinic: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuina, cupping, moxibustion

TCM pharmacy: Dispensing raw, granulated, or patent herbal products
TCM education/training center: Teaching acupuncture, herbalism, theory, CEUs
Online platform: Telehealth consultations, herbal product sales, e-learning
Product-based business: Creating/selling TCM-based health products (teas, oils, patches)
Integrative health center: Combines modalities (physiotherapy, osteopathy TCM with other)

Setting Up a TCM Business

First visit experience: intake forms, thorough diagnosis (8 principles, Zang-Fu, tongue/pulse)
Clear communication: explain TCM diagnosis in patient-friendly terms
Customized treatment plans
Follow-up system: reminders, care continuity
Educational materials: printed or digital (e.g., seasonal health guides)

Patient Relations & Retention

Build network with general practitioners and specialists (referrals), fitness professionals, doulas, psychotherapists
Offer integrated care options

Participate in professional associations (e.g., ETCMA, WFAS)

Collaboration & Community Building

Electronic Health Records for TCM Businesses

Below is a curated list of Electronic Health Record (EHR) software platforms specifically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices, or that are adapted to support acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM-specific workflows. Each has different strengths: some are acupuncture-focused, some strong in herbal integration, others better for telehealth or billing.

Unified Practice

Most popular and fully featured for TCM practitioners

Acupuncture charting with meridians and point selection
Built-in tongue and pulse diagnosis fields
Integrated herbal prescription (raw, patent, granules)
SOAP notes + syndrome-based templates
Telehealth, inventory, online booking, credit card processing
HIPAA compliant

Cloud-based, mobile/tablet compatible

Acupuncturists, herbalists, integrative TCM clinics

Jane App

Widely used in multidisciplinary and allied health practices, TCM adaptable

Custom intake and SOAP forms (you can design TCM-specific templates)
Charting, scheduling, invoicing, insurance
Integrates with Stripe, telehealth, email reminders

No built-in herbal formula module (must input manually)

Cloud-based, mobile-friendly, GDPR/HIPAA compliant

Mixed practices, clinics needing customization flexibility

ClinicSense

User-friendly platform for solo or small clinics

Customizable SOAP notes, online booking, reminders
Billing and payments

No built-in point location or herbal module
Can create TCM-specific templates manually

Affordable, HIPAA compliant

Solo acupuncturists or bodywork-focused clinics (e.g., Tuina, cupping)

AcuSimple

Specifically designed for acupuncturists

Acupuncture charting and meridian diagrams
Custom treatment protocols
Insurance billing integration (US)

Herbal support limited compared to Unified Practice

Cloud-based

US-based acupuncture clinics needing billing + TCM forms

SimplePractice

Popular with psychologists, used by some TCM practitioners

Telehealth, booking, note templates, client portal
Custom form creation

Not TCM-focused (no point charts, herbal database)

GDPR/HIPAA compliant

TCM practitioners with focus on mental health or coaching, needing strong client management tools

ChARM Health

Integrative medicine-friendly platform

Custom chart templates (TCM fields can be added)
Patient portal, prescription module, lab integrations

Flexible for mixed modalities (e.g., TCM + functional medicine)

Highly configurable, but setup is more complex

Clinics combining TCM with other systems (e.g., Ayurveda, Naturopathy)

Zanda

Practice management software with SOAP and form customization

Appointment scheduling, SMS reminders, billing
Flexible charting templates

No built-in acupuncture diagrams or herbal database

Cloud-based, used globally

General practitioners with light TCM needs

Granule Herb Suppliers

Below is a detailed comparison of major TCM granule herb suppliers, focusing on key factors like GMP certification, herb quality, range, traceability, availability in Europe, and integration with clinical dispensing.

Tianjiang (China)

Sun Ten (Taiwan)

KPC (Taiwan/USA)

Mayway (USA/China)

Empirical Health (Australia)

Su Wen Herbs (UK)

Phytopropharm (France)

Avicenna (UK)

Acupuncture Supply Companies

Below is a detailed comparison of leading acupuncture supply companies, focusing on those that provide needles, moxa, cupping, electroacupuncture equipment, and clinic tools, commonly used by TCM practitioners. The comparison includes global suppliers and region-specific distributors, with special attention to EU/French availability, brand variety, product range, and clinical support.

Lhasa OMS

Eastern Currents

Phoenix Medical

Su Wen Herbs

ChinaMed UK

Herbprime

Professional Associations

International

World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS)

One of the largest global TCM organisations
Promotes international academic exchange, standardisation, and licensing recognition
Organises international congresses and scholarly journals

World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)

Focuses on international acupuncture standards and education
Hosts international exams and congresses

FRANCE

Fédération Nationale de Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise (FNMTC)

National federation representing French TCM professionals
Offers practitioner directories, training standards, and events

Union Française des Professionnels de Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise (UFPMTC)

Advocacy for professional recognition in France
Provides CEUs and legal updates for French acupuncteurs and herbalists

CFTMC – Collège Français de Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise

Ensures ethical and professional standards

Europe-Wide

European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA)

Umbrella organisation for TCM associations in Europe
Promotes professional regulation, CEU standards, and EU-level advocacy
Members include associations from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.

- United Kingdom
- British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)
- Largest regulatory body for acupuncture in the UK
- Strict education and ethical standards
- Offers practitioner insurance and public registry]
- Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM)
- Focuses on herbal medicine within TCM
- Provides herbal safety standards and practitioner database
- Germany
- AGTCM – Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Klassische Akupunktur und TCM
- One of Germany’s largest professional TCM organizations
- Member of ETCMA
- Provides CEU programs and annual TCM Kongress Rothenburg

United States

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM

National board for certifying U.S. acupuncturists and herbalists
Required for licensure in most U.S. states
Offers Diplomate status in acupuncture, herbs, and Oriental Medicine

American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)

Professional advocacy, education, and legislative updates
Resource center for U.S.-based TCM practitioners

American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA)

Works with state associations across the U.S.
Supports national advocacy and education

Canada

Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (CSCMA)

Nationwide organization of Chinese medicine professionals
Promotes safety, research, and licensing standards

CTCMPAO (Ontario)

College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario

Regulatory body in Ontario province

Australia

Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA)

Part of AHPRA, the Australian national health regulation agency

Licenses Chinese medicine practitioners: acupuncture, herbs, tuina