"Medical herbs will have different effects in different regions and climates. Meanwhile, the way we extract, process and store them can also have a direct impact on the medical effect," Zhou says.
At the TCM university, students concentrate on traditional medicine but basic theories of Western medicine account for more than 30 percent of the curriculum.
"A doctor, TCM or Western, is at least able to read lab test results. I believe knowing something of Western medicine can build a comprehensive system of knowledge," Zhou says. "I am for TCM modernization but don't expect too much. You can try, of course, but don't be too adamant. I think the best way is to absorb the essence of both TCM and Western medicine. After all, curing illness is what we all hope to do."
Today it is hard to find a "100-percent pure" TCM doctor who uses only traditional diagnostics and treatment.
"There might be one or two in the rural areas and ethnic minority groups," says Wu Qing, a TCM doctor at Shuguang Hospital. He studied for seven years to obtain a master's degree at a TCM university, and another two as an intern at a TCM hospital.
"We should see that everything has its good sides and shortcomings. Nothing is omnipotent," Wu says. When he was in medical school, Wu used to talk with his traditionally trained professor, Jiang Xingjun, and both agreed that Eastern and Western medicine can complement each other.
Wu cites blood pressure as an example. "Western medicine can effectively control them immediately, while TCM takes a long time," he says. "Western medicine is more targeted to a certain disease within a short time, but TCM can have a better effect in nurturing the health in an all-around way, which takes months and even years."
Professor Qian Hai dislikes the way the two medical systems are described as contradictory, as opposites.
"Medicine is always a developing science. It's not necessary to fight over which is better. If they benefit health, they are both winners," he says.
Drug trials
TCM-based drugs are also being introduced overseas for assessment. Shanghai Shuguang Hospital, affiliated with the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has submitted a hepatitis drug called Fu Zheng Hua Yu (扶正化瘀) for assessment to the United States Food and Drug Administration. It treats chronic hepatitis C.
Fu Zheng Hua Yu has been found through numerous studies in China to have "a satisfactory effect on chronic liver injury and formed liver fibrosis." Preliminary studies also indicate that it has a "good safety and tolerability profile with promising efficacy," according to the website.
Delivered in capsule form, the main ingredients include salvia miltiorrhiza (dan shen 丹参), pollen pini (song hua fen 松花粉) and fiveleaf gynostemma herb (jiao gu lan 绞股蓝).
The drug is in Phase II clinical trials in the United States. On July 30, 2011, 86 patients were enrolled in the trial to be completed this December, according to Shuguang Hospital. Trials are expected to be complete in 2014.
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