As part of the GP-TCM project a team of experienced clinical researchers and Chinese herbal, medicine (CHM) practitioners have developed clinical trial guidelines for CHM that combine an, appreciation for traditional methods of practice with detailed and practical advice on rigorous research, methodology. This paper presents the full account of this work that has previously only been published, as an executive summary. It introduces the practice of CHM and the key considerations that need to be, addressed whilst researching this traditional medical system. These guidelines emphasise the, importance of identifying best practice, and then developing and applying appropriate and rigorous, research methodologies to investigate CHM as a whole system. It is hoped that this will encourage a, thoughtful and meticulous process of investigation that will clarify the contribution that CHM can make, to our future healthcare. Innovative new approaches are considered including the application of the, new "omic" technologies and systems biology as a way of enhancing our understanding of traditional, practice. This article belongs to the Special Issue: Clinical Guidelines for Integrated Practice.