Traditional Chinese medicine

Systematic reviews show that Chinese herbs and acupuncture can be effective for atopic eczema and chemotherapy-induced nausea, respectively. 1 Zhang W Leonard T Bath-Hextall F et al. Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005; 2 (CD002291.) Google Scholar , 2 Ezzo JM Richardson MA Vickers A et al. Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006; 2 (CD002285.) PubMed Google Scholar Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest healing systems. TCM includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, food therapy, and physical exercise, such as shadow boxing. TCM is a fully institutionalised part of Chinese health care and widely used with western medicine. In 2006, the TCM sector provided care for over 200 million outpatients and some 7 million inpatients, accounting for 10%–20% of health care in China. 3 General Office of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and School of Management of Beijing University of Chinese MedicineChina statistical yearbook of Chinese medicine. http://www.satcm.gov.cn/96/%C8%AB%B9%FA%D6%D0%D2%BD% D2%A9%CD%B3%BC%C6%D5%AA%B1%E0/main.htmDate: 2006 Google Scholar