- Precaution of adverse effects would be taken on the herbal medicine selection (double-checked by an independent TCM practitioner), medicine formation (agreed by at least two TCM practitioners), time of boiling, and interim assessment (by one TCM practitioner) and weekly or bi-weekly face-to-face or telephone follow-ups (by the researcher). Students are reminded of reporting any discomfort and asking questions about the illness and the study. They are given the contact telephone of the researcher and would be referred to Western medicine or TCM practitioner for follow-up, as needed.