Chinese medicine fever sweeps the world

In China, Chinese medicine has a long history. Traditional Chinese medicine theory based on the yin and yang five behavior has been formed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period. Overseas Chinese living abroad still maintain the cultural traditions and customs of the country, and Chinese medicine has thus taken root overseas. According to statistics, at present, Chinese medicine has been applied to different degrees in 162 countries and regions. There are 4 billion people worldwide using Chinese herbal medicine.

Chinese medicine fever sweeps the world

In Southeast Asia, many overseas Chinese associations will organize medical institutions to serve expatriates. The earliest established Chinese medicine hospital was Singapore Tongji Hospital. In 1867, seven business executives from Singapore's Xinhui Society in Singapore felt that Chinese compatriots were suffering from poverty, lack of medical care, and renting a shop on Uniqian Street to establish the “Tongji Medical Society”. The medical club continued to develop and built a hospital building in 1892 and changed its name to Tongji Hospital. There are "Tungshan Hospital" in Malaysia, "Guangyu Hospital" in Thailand, and "Tianhua Hospital". All of them use Chinese medicine to help overseas Chinese.

In the United States, 48 ​​states recognize the legal status of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. In California, the government also approved the establishment of the American Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to reports, there are more than 11,000 professional acupuncturists registered in the United States. A nationwide survey conducted by the National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Qualifications Committee in 2011 showed that 1 out of every 10 adults in the United States received acupuncture. In addition to acupuncture, Chinese medicine, massage and massage are also used to treat diseases.

In Australia, there are about 20 universities offering Chinese medicine courses. Chinese medicine education in Australia is rapidly developing. According to statistics, there are about 5,000 Chinese medicine and acupuncture clinics in Australia, serving about 2.8 million people each year.

The plight of Chinese medicine

Due to cultural differences, customs and pharmaceutical regulatory agencies in some countries still misunderstand Chinese medicines, and the situation of Chinese medicines in these countries is paralysed.

According to the report of the “European” of Spain, many Chinese living in the West have recently reported that the Chinese herbal medicines sent by their domestic relatives have been seized by Spanish customs. It is understood that when introducing the reasons for the seizure, the post office and customs officials said that because of the unknown use and efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines from China, it is necessary to go through laboratory tests to prove that they are in compliance with EU regulations before they can be addressed by the recipient. Extract, and the recipient also has to pay a high amount of testing fees. In desperation, many people had to send their mail back to China.

Both China and Southeast Asian countries naturally regard traditional Chinese medicine as a medicine for curing diseases, but many Western countries do not think so. The U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration does not recognize Chinese medicine as a medicine but only treats it as a food. In fact, many Chinese herbal medicines can be used as ingredients to preserve health. However, some Chinese herbs must be applied topically or internally according to strict requirements. If medicines such as Europe and the United States are used to measure Chinese medicines based on food standards, many herbs will be banned.

Strengthen regulations to eliminate misunderstandings

Under the background of the modern Western-style medicine and health system, overseas Chinese medicine is welcomed by overseas Chinese and local people, but it is also difficult to avoid being subject to various restrictions.

Chinese medicine pays attention to dialectical differentiation and balance, stressing on people's rescue and local conditions. It not only contains theories and experiences related to disease and health, but also has a complete set of China's unique worldview behind it. Introducing a complete Chinese medicine theory abroad requires the joint efforts of the Chinese medicine industry and people from all walks of life.

The overseas Chinese medicine industry must reverse the status quo by starting from improving its own skill level and training good professional ethics. The Chinese medicine industry cannot be completely guided by interests, but must pay more attention to actual results.