补品是指用于食疗或食养的食品或天然药品。补品与药物的概念接近但有别。药物是为帮助疾病康复而进食的物品，而进食补品则以保健或提高人体机能为目标。

中医有体质的概念。体质学根据中医学中阴阳五行、脏腑、精气血津液等基本理论来断定每个人的体质。中医诊断学里，个别体质的特性是由脏腑之盛衰，气血之盈亏决定。又，中医诊断学将疾病分为八大类：阴、阳、表、里、虚、实、寒、热 ，统称八纲辨证。每个人对疾病的易感倾向、病变性质、疾病过程及其对治疗的方法都因为体质的个别性而有明显差异。根据个人体质使用补品可增强机能及抵抗力，消除虚弱情况，预防疾病；此为食养。另外，八证是相互关系，当有失调或不平衡的情况便有可能发展成疾病。在疾病形成前后进食补品可帮助身体重新平衡；此为食疗。

Adaptogens or adaptogenic substances, compounds, herbs or practices refer to the pharmacological concept whereby administration results in stabilization of physiological processes and promotion of homeostasis, for example, decreased cellular sensitivity to stress. The European Medicines Agency states in a 2008 reflection paper that the concept requires additional clinical and pre-clinical research, and is therefore not accepted into current terminology.