Experts from the western part of the globe recently revealed that they see the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with the conventional Western medicine as the future of medical science.
American and European experts state that the aim of this medical innovation is to cure patients on the basis of what is optimal for their health.
Rudolf Bauer, chief of University of Graz's Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Austria, outlined in an interview with Xinhua his vision of an integrated Western and Chinese medicine and its potential in catering to the patients' needs.
"A single plant contains hundreds or thousands of constituents . . . the overall approach is complex, we have to analyze these constituents and consider not only single, but multiple effects," he said, pointing out the holistic approach in using TCM.
Bauer also added that, on the other hand, conventional Western medicine is useful in curing very serious diseases that need immediate attention. However, many of these drugs have strong side effects, which in turn can be prevented by TCM.
"Integration starts from correct understanding, so we have to work closely with Chinese colleagues and partners. That is why we have established a consortium supported by the European Union to bring Chinese and European scientists together," Bauer added.
The medical expert also relayed the news that the consortium GP-TCM Research Association has also developed the "best practice methods" concept. The idea is that researchers are assigned to gather evidence on TCM's efficacy, quality and safety in order to attain the medicine's global branding.
Casey Health Institute director Carrie Runde stated that one means to increase TCM knowledge awareness is to have conventional medical doctors learn and be exposed to it.
"I really respected how potent they were on myself and then I began to recommend them to my patients also. TCM is the original medicine that has been around for so long. I think we have a lot to learn from TCM," Runde remarked.
"I think there is a greater interest in the newer generations of doctors and nurses for lots of things that are natural, whether it is the use of acupuncture, the use of diet and herbs. I think they really recognize that we not do enough in the early stages of the disease and in prevention," she enthused.
"I see that integration of TCM with conventional medicine is really the only way that we can go, because each of the two systems has a lot to offer," she shared.