Unlike Western herbology, which promotes single herbs with singular benefits, Chinese herbology uses herbs in combination to treat multiple disorders. The Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia also contains numerous herbal formulas for tonifying the energy and vitality of the human physiology, something that is not readily available in Western herbology. Herbs are very powerful, but to be effective they must be prescribed on an individual basis. For instance, Golden Seal is effective for some types of colds, but could actually cause a cold in certain types of people. The important thing with herbs is a proper diagnosis and an individualized prescription.