The popularity of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) around the world is increasing year by year. Sixty percent of Europeans are using TCM, according to information at the first Western Pacific Regional Forum for the Harmonization of Herbal Medicines (FHH) in Shanghai.

A recent statistics shows that there are over 100,000 well trained herbalist doctors and more than 10,000 TCM institutions specific to acupuncture in Europe, including 4000 herbalist doctors in the Netherlands, a country of only 15,000,000, over 20,000 acupuncturists in Germany as an understatement, and more than 3000 TCM clinics in the UK, where TCM is protected by laws.  Most drugstores in Italy sell herbal medicines.

As a result of the "natural is healthier" philosophy, attitudes to medical treatment are changing, and demands for herbalist medicines are set to soar.  Chen Ken, WHO officer, indicates that people now are paying more attention to the safety of herbalist medicines and are putting very high standards on pesticide residues and heavy metal indexes.  Modern science and technology should consider TCM.

(Shanghai Daily September 24, 2004)