The success of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) throughout the world has led to a rapid increase in the numbers of people benefiting from its holistic approach to healthcare. Europe, North America and Australia are now important areas where TCM is practiced outside China. This has resulted in the patient benefits being recognised by several organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the House of Lords to list TCM as one of the top five complementary therapies.
Also, the WHO found Chinese herbal medicine and western medicine treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) improved the clinical efficacy. Research found advantages of this integrated holistic approach suggesting this safe treatment could help alleviate and improve symptoms caused by SARS.