Traditional medicine used to battle new flu
China Daily(www.chinadaily.com.cn),2 June 2009

TCM has helped confirmed swine flu sufferers according to Jiang Liangduo, a TCM expert at Dongzhimen Hospital which is affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Jiang is part of a TCM taskforce to investigate ways to contain the flu using TCM. The Chinese Ministry of Health has released guidelines for treating the flu, which combines Western and TCM medicine.

Herb may offer hope for autoimmune diseases
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com(www.chinadaily.com.cn),5 June 2009

US researchers found that a drug made from the root of the hydrangea plant, which has for centuries been used in Chinese medicine, showed promising results in treating autoimmune disorders. The study was the work of researchers from the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Immune Disease Institute at Children's Hospital Boston (PCMM/IDI), together with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and is published in the 5 June issue of the journal Science. In this study the researchers appear to have found a way, using halofuginone as the fine tuning tool, to selectively reduce production of Th17 cells and thereby only switching off the inflammatory response without altering the function of other parts of the immune system.

Government moves to regulate practitioners of herbal/traditional medicine
http://www.privatehealth.co.uk, 8 June 2009

In UK, the Report on Extending Professional and Occupational Regulation said: "Government has also agreed to extend regulation to practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine practised in the UK." The National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) welcomes plans to regulate practitioners of herbal medicine and acupuncture. "The public are at risk of having a much reduced access to herbal remedies from herbal practitioners unless the Government is able to get statutory regulation in place before the EU Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products comes into force in 2011", says Jane Gray, President of the NIMH.

Chinese police find '173 bear paws' in van
Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au), 10 June 2009

Chinese police searching a van for drugs instead found 173 bear paws that appeared to be on the way to TCM markets. Counter narcotics police found the paws, which weighed 384 kilos, during an inspection of a van travelling in southern Guangxi Province. They also discovered other rare animals including a dead pangolin and four python skins. The paws are regarded as a delicacy and are believed to be able to enhance the health of the stomach, cure injuries, dispel colds and build strength.

Ministry approves degree, diploma courses in Chinese traditional medicine
Bernama(www.bernama.com), 11 June 2009

The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MHE) has approved diploma and degree courses in TCM to be offered by private higher education institutions in Malaysia under the "traditional and complementary medicine" course. The education institutions involved will recruit lecturers from Malaysia and China. The ministry will work closely with the Health Ministry on the issue of whether there was a need for Chinese traditional medicine graduates to serve in local government hospitals after their studies. The main responsibility of the MHE is to monitor the courses conducted by the private higher education institutions. Three private higher education institutions will offer the courses on TCM will start later in 2009.

TCM helps end coma
Eastday (http://english.eastday.com), 13 June 2009

After almost five months in a coma, a 19-year-old South Korean Han Sae Ni has regained consciousness at Shuguang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital after receiving a combination of Western and TCM treatment. Doctors at the hospital introduced Chinese herbs for Han and gave her An Gong Niu Huang Wan, or Cow Bezoar Pills. The pill is traditionally used to bring people out of a coma. The pill, which consists of many TCM components such as bezoar, pearl and water buffalo horn, is used to treat stroke, encephalitis and childhood fever and help restore consciousness. The TCM gained fame when it was used to treat Liu Hairuo, a TV presenter from Hong Kong who recovered from brain injuries suffered in a train accident.

China honours "TCM masters" to pass on ancient medical heritage
China View (www.chinaview.cn), 19 June 2009

The Chinese government honoured 30 experienced herbal doctors for the first time for their contribution to TCM. The doctors were given the title "TCM Master" jointly by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Health and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The "TCM Masters" are mostly professors at colleges or universities of Chinese medicine and range from 74 to 93 in age. "Such experienced doctors play a significant part in passing on TCM culture and promoting its academic development", said Wang Guoqiang, vice minister of health and director general of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, at the award ceremony.

China to cultivate 400-bln-yuan Chinese medicine industry in next decade
Xinhua(http://news.xinhuanet.com), 30 June 2009

China is planning to cultivate the industry of TCM with a market value of 400 billion yuan in the next decade, according to the 2009 International Conference for Bioeconomy held in Tianjin on Sunday. According to a report, released at the conference by the China National Center for Biotechnology Development affiliated to Ministry of Science and Technology, China will accelerate the modernization of TCM to make more people accept and utilize TCM. China is also planning to modify the TCM standards system, hoping to standardize and systematize the planting, production and processing of the herbs.

Compiled By:
Jennifer Eagleton, BA, MA (Asian Studies), Integrated Chinese Medicine Holdings Ltd.