Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine harmonising two approaches

While full recognition of the practical value of Traditional Chinese Medicine is being endorsed, the current stand on the research methodology of this field should be worked out. Since modern medicine has already developed a logical system of research methodology basing on the principles of deduction, any research on any system of medicine need to take reference to what is most popularly used and commonly recommended. The best way to approach research on Chinese Medicine, therefore, would be one that would take full reference to the methodology being used in modern medicine, while at the same time respecting the traditional approach. This would enable traditional medicine to be elevated to the level of general modern recognition. Nevertheless, innate problems in traditional medicine are making its research difficult. The problems lie in difficulties to achieve uniform herb supply, principles of randomization and placebo arrangements, uncertain chemical structures and toxicology etc. A practical approach centered on carefully planned evidence-based clinical trials, with parallel studies on biological activities and herb authentication is being recommended.