Cross-Cultural Research On Traditional Medicine In Europe And China

Traditional forms of medicine are present in all cultures. While the traditional medicine in China has been preserved and developed, in Europe it has been undergoing many changes and changed into a complimentary kind of medicine. Chinese medicine also has been introduced to Europe and its application and popularity is increasing. Since some voices have criticized, that medical systems from different cultures can not simply be transferred without changes according to the different population, it was our goal to research the possible application of local European herbs according to their botanic relatives in China as proposed by a some recent medical authors and analyze the present situation of Chinese medical herbs in Europe, as well as the different status and application of TCM in Europe and the patients approach and reception to it.Our results show that1. The application of herbal medicine has a long history in Europe and China. Due to their different historical background, the theory, classification and prescriptions differ somewhat: The theories of TCM apply different classifications and emphasize a balanced combination into formulas; The Galenic theory of herbal classification is more simplified and classifies herbal qualities into the four element system and applies an allopathic combination of 揷old herbs for hot diseases?and vice versa.In the experimental study of Chinese and European medical herbs and their respective botanical relatives, the two groups (Taraxacum, Foeniculum and Leonurus species) have shown minor differences in their microscopic structure, pharmacological components and some in their pharmacodynamic effects in animal and microculture models, which nevertheless where large enough for us to conclude that a substitution of one herb for its counterpart from the neighboring continent cannot be recommended. It also became obvious, that this field needs many more studies and research to be done.1262.The use of Chinese herbs and acupuncture in Europe is increasing in popularity since the patients have a growing demand for it, while simultaneously the need for the safety of imported herbs and the knowledge level of their prescribers must be increasing. Still there are no standards for the education of TCM and acupuncture therapists as well as for the safety checks in herbs for mould, heavy metals, pesticides and insecticides, leading to a growing concern of the governments.3.The analysis of the epidemiologial study on 200 German patients who were treated with traditional Chinese therapies bore the following results: Most patients came after an introduction by relatives or friends, less by advertisements or media reports. 98.2% had previous treatments with biomedicine; although most of them had hear of Chinese Medicine before, 63.1% had no clear conception about it. 80% of the patients were open to all forms of treatments as long as they would help, while 11,5% rejected acupuncture or herbal decoctions from the beginning.Classified according to symptoms and biomedical diseases, the number of patients who came for pain treatment was the highest, followed by psychosomatic illnesses and diseases of the brain, heart and circulation system. Of all patients who were completely satisfied with the effects of the treatment, the number of patients with skin diseases was the highest, followed by psychosomatic disorders and blood-vessel or circulation disorders.