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Inquiro Volume 12

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine

Ascher Shostak

Undergraduate Cancer Biology Program

Introduction

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern medicine both play major roles in the treatment of people with illnesses and injuries in China. The coexistence of these two approaches reflects the rich cultural heritage and the continuous pursuit of advancements in healthcare. This essay explores the historical context, key figures, and the impact of TCM and modern medicine in China. Influential individuals in both traditions are analyzed, and various perspectives are considered to provide a balanced, well-rounded analysis. The paper will examine both benefits and limitations, and conclude with potential future developments that reflect China’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Historical Context of TCM and Modern Medicine in China

TCM has been practiced for over two millennia and is rooted in ancient Chinese philosophies, including Taoism and Confucianism. Foundational texts like the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (Huangdi Neijing), dated to around 2600 BCE, articulate principles such as the balance of yin and yang, the flow of qi (vital energy), and the harmony between the body and the natural world (Liu 2019, 23). TCM views illness as a manifestation of disharmony within the body and between the body and environment. Diagnosis often involves pulse-taking, tongue inspection, and syndrome differentiation (bianzheng lunzhi), and treatments aim to restore balance through herbal medicine, acupuncture, tui na massage, dietary therapy, and qigong (Unschuld 2018, 45-47).

Modern medicine in China has a shorter but impactful history, entering through missionary hospitals in the 19th century and later through institutions like the Peking Union Medical College, founded in 1906. Western medicine emphasizes pathology, anatomy, and biochemical processes, employing standardized diagnostic methods and pharmaceuticals. Following the 1949 founding of the People’s Republic of China, the government promoted the integration of both systems. This resulted in the “dual-track” healthcare model, where both TCM and modern medicine are practiced side by side and often in collaboration (Xu and Chen 2021, 158). As of 2023, approximately 90% of hospitals in China have TCM departments, and over 70% of patients have received some form of integrative care (State Council of China 2023).

Key Historical Figures

Zhang Zhongjing (150–219 CE), known as the “Chinese Hippocrates,” authored the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), which established systematic approaches to diagnosing and treating febrile illnesses. His emphasis on differential diagnosis laid the foundation for clinical protocols in TCM that are still taught and practiced today (Unschuld 2018, 78-80).

Li Shizhen (1518–1593), another influential TCM scholar, compiled the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), a pharmacological text cataloging over 1,800 medicinal substances and 11,000 formulas. His detailed classifications and observations significantly contributed to herbal standardization and remain a cornerstone in TCM education and pharmaceutical reference (Liu 2019, 89-92).

In modern medicine, Dr. Wu Lien-teh (1879–1960) played a transformative role in public health. Educated at Cambridge, Dr. Wu implemented groundbreaking quarantine measures, autopsies, and the use of surgical masks during the 1910–1911 Manchurian plague outbreak. These interventions helped contain the epidemic and shaped China’s approach to epidemic control. His efforts were recognized internationally and laid the groundwork for China’s modern public health infrastructure (Wang and Xiong 2022, 4-5).

Integration in Contemporary Healthcare

China’s healthcare system reflects a pragmatic strategy of integration. Major hospitals often maintain separate departments for TCM and Western medicine, yet collaboration is common. Physicians may refer patients between departments or create combined treatment regimens that leverage both systems’ strengths. The 2016 Strategic Plan for the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine formalized policies giving TCM equal status with Western medicine and encouraged integration at all levels (Wang and Xiong 2022, 6).

Government initiatives include funding for TCM research and the incorporation of TCM training in medical education. Health insurance schemes in China generally cover both types of treatment, and national licensing ensures quality control across both domains. Research institutes like the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences conduct clinical trials using modern scientific methods to test the efficacy and safety of TCM therapies (Zhang et al. 2023, 3). However, safety concerns persist. These include inconsistencies in herbal preparation, herb-drug interactions, and documented adverse reactions. The Chinese Food and Drug Administration has increased regulation and surveillance of TCM products in response (Li et al. 2022).

A prominent example of integration is the discovery of artemisinin by Tu Youyou, extracted from Artemisia annua (qinghao), a herb used in TCM. Her work, which earned the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, exemplifies how traditional knowledge can inform modern drug discovery and underscores the potential of TCM when validated by modern science (Tu 2016, 10212-10215).

Influential Contemporary Practitioners

Dr. Jin Rong, director at Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, is a leading figure in integrative medicine. His research on chronic illnesses like diabetes involves combining herbal treatments with pharmaceutical drugs. His clinical trials have shown improved patient outcomes, including reduced insulin resistance and improved glycemic control, when Chinese herbs are used alongside Western therapies (Jin et al. 2021, 132-134).

Dr. Zhong Nanshan, a pulmonologist trained in both systems, has played a critical role in managing respiratory epidemics such as SARS (2003) and COVID-19. He has advocated for evidence-based medicine while endorsing the supportive role of TCM in alleviating symptoms. His balanced approach influenced national policy during COVID-19 and improved public trust in integrated care (Zhong 2020, 2003076).

Comparative Analysis of Approaches

TCM emphasizes individualized care, prevention, and holistic treatment. It is often used for chronic diseases, functional disorders, and improving quality of life. Its personalized protocols and relatively mild side effects are appealing to patients seeking long-term management options (Fan and Zhou 2021, 3-4).

Modern medicine, on the other hand, excels in treating acute and life-threatening conditions, surgical interventions, and infectious diseases. It relies on standardized protocols, laboratory diagnostics, and clinical trials, making it the first choice for emergencies and high-risk illnesses (Fan and Zhou 2021, 5).

Both systems have limitations. TCM’s efficacy is sometimes questioned due to challenges in standardization and lack of mechanistic explanations acceptable to modern biomedicine. Many clinical studies lack rigorous methodologies such as randomized controlled trials, and publication bias is prevalent in TCM literature (Zhang et al. 2023, 5-6). Modern medicine may produce significant side effects, especially with long-term pharmaceutical use, and may not address underlying imbalances or prevention as effectively (Xu and Chen 2021, 161).

Future Directions

The future of Chinese healthcare likely involves deepening the synergy between these systems. New research in systems biology and network pharmacology is being applied to understand how multi-component herbal formulas exert their effects at the molecular level (Jiang et al. 2022, 927249-927250). These methods provide frameworks for reconciling traditional theories with modern science.

Precision medicine may integrate TCM diagnostic principles with genetic and biomarker data to create truly individualized treatment plans. Artificial intelligence is also facilitating this integration. For instance, machine learning algorithms are being developed to interpret tongue and pulse diagnoses, assist with syndrome differentiation, and optimize herbal prescriptions based on patient data (Huang et al. 2023). These innovations promise to modernize TCM while retaining its personalized core.

Policy trends also support this evolution, with increasing investment in integrative research, regulation of herbal products, and global outreach to promote TCM internationally.

Conclusion

The coexistence of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine in China represents a pragmatic and innovative approach to healthcare. While each system has distinct strengths and limitations, their integration offers patients comprehensive and flexible care. Moving forward, the Chinese model—bolstered by rigorous research, supportive policy, and technological innovation—serves as a global example of how tradition and science can work together to enhance healthcare outcomes.

References

  • Fan, X., & H. Zhou. 2021. “Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Context of Modern Healthcare.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 21 (1): 1-9.
  • Huang, L., Zhang, W., Liu, Z., and Xu, L. 2023. “Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review of Current Applications and Future Prospects.” Journal of Integrative Medicine 21 (2): 115-123.
  • Jiang, M., Y. Zhang, M. Wang, X. Wang, Y. Wu, and A. Lu. 2022. “Systems Pharmacology in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbal Medicine.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 13: 927247.
  • Jin, R., X. Lin, Y. Wang, and J. Liu. 2021. “Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Diabetes: From Herbal Formulas to Integrative Care.” Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 45 (2): 129-142.
  • Li, Y., Chen, R., Zhang, L., & Wang, S. 2022. “Safety Surveillance of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Advances and Challenges.” Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 28 (4): 345-352.
  • Liu, T. 2019. History and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
  • Tu, Y. 2016. “Artemisinin—A Gift from Traditional Chinese Medicine to the World.” Nobel Lecture, December 7, 2015. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 55 (35): 10210- 10226.
  • Unschuld, P. U. 2018. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Heritage and Adaptation. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • Wang, J., and X. Xiong. 2022. “Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in the Era of Precision Medicine.” Journal of Integrative Medicine 20 (1): 1-11.
  • Xu, H., and K. Chen. 2021. “Integrative Medicine: The Experience from China.” Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 27 (3): 155-164.
  • Zhang, X., J. Liu, Z. Liu, S. Li, and B. Liu. 2023. “Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 14: 1123548.
  • Zhong, N. 2020. “Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine—Right or Wrong?” European Respiratory Journal 56 (5): 2003075.