Meet Our Evergreen Family
The People Behind the Passion for Integrative Medicine
Tina T. Chen, M.S., L.Ac.
President, Evergreen Herbs & Medical Supplies
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As the youngest member in a family of licensed practitioners, Tina Chen regards Oriental medicine as a family tradition, not just a career. She graduated from South Baylo University of Oriental Medicine, the University of California, Irvine, and pursued extensive post-graduate training at Anhui Hospital in Anhui, First Tianjin Hospital in Tianjin, and Guananmen Hospital in Beijing, China. Tina Chen is a licensed acupuncturist, also certified in TCM by the World Health Organization, with specialties in herbology, gynecology, and internal medicine. Together with Dr. John Chen, she completed the textbook Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology in 2003 and its companion volume Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications in 2008.
“We train our team to put your needs above everything else. You are our first priority, as we demonstrate by our friendliest service, finest products, and prompt shipments. ‘How may we help you today?’ is our sincere question.”
Dr. John Chen, Ph.D., Pharm.D., O.M.D., L.Ac.
Medical Consultant, Evergreen Herbs & Medical Supplies
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Dr. John Chen's participation in the family tradition has led him to become a recognized authority in both western pharmacology and Chinese Herbal Medicine. He has taught herbology and pharmacology at:
- University of Southern, California School of Pharmacy
- University of California, Los Angeles Center for East-West Medicine
- University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego, California
- Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, Santa Monica, California
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, California
- Bastyr University, Seattle, Washington
- Five Branches Institute, San Jose, California
- Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, Oregon
- Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, Texas
- Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California
- American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Francisco, California
He has also given seminars on herb-drug interactions for regional and national associations and organizations, including:
- The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- The California State Oriental Medical Association
- The Queen’s Physician Group of Hawaii
- The North Carolina Acupuncture Association
Dr. Chen is currently a member of the Herbal Medicine Committee for the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; he is an herbal consultant for the California State Oriental Medical Association and is on the review/editorial committee for American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Program, and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
He is actively contributing to the advancement of integrative medicine by helping bridge the gap between Eastern and Western medical practices. As both a pharmacist and a licensed acupuncturist with extensive expertise in herb-drug interactions, he brings a unique perspective to the growing field of integrative healthcare.
In June 2025, Dr. Chen was invited to teach a class at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, where he presented an overview of how certain TCM herbs may share similar actions or therapeutic relationships with modern pharmaceutical drugs. He highlighted how many of the perceived differences between Eastern and Western medicine stem from differences in terminology and conceptual frameworks—when in fact, the medicines themselves often serve comparable purposes. By drawing these parallels, Dr. Chen helped close the gap between the two systems and encouraged practitioners to view them as complementary rather than conflicting approaches to healing.
Dr. Chen also introduced a framework for evaluating herb-drug interactions, categorizing them by risk—from the least reactive, to those requiring caution due to limited data, to the most reactive combinations that may pose significant safety concerns. This structured approach helps clinicians make informed decisions when integrating TCM into modern medical care.
Dr. Chen has authored numerous scholarly articles and played a leading role in the publication of several influential texts, including Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (2003, AOM Press) and Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (2008, AOM Press), both of which are regarded as foundational references in the field of Chinese medicine.
Through his work in education, research, and the development of high-quality herbal products, Dr. Chen continues to be a leading voice in shaping the future of integrative medicine—where Eastern and Western systems work in harmony to provide the best possible care for patients.
The effectiveness of treatment is of utmost concern to me, for each and every patient. The safety, quality, and potency of the herbs are crucial factors in determining treatment outcome. My goal is to make both Western and Oriental medical communities aware of herbal alternatives to drugs, and of the importance of identifying herb-drug interactions. I hope to see us eventually bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medicine by integrating use of herbs and related TCM modalities with modern technological medicine.