You can apply for a patent directly.
You cannot apply after using it in clinical practice, otherwise the Chinese medicine patent you apply for will have no novelty and will not be authorized. In addition, do not publish papers, reports, etc. on your Chinese medicine formula before applying. These are all Is the reference for the novelty of your patent!
As for subsidies, they vary from place to place. Jiangsu’s policy is better. For details, you can ask the relevant agency or the local intellectual property office!