TCM in Europe

England

England, as the center of the Renaissance (14th-16th century), was one of the original places of modern medicine.

Due to having a higher level in modern civilization and scientific technology, England has been prudent in introducing external culture and science as well as technology. However, under the influence of returning to nature, in the last ten years, Chinese medicine has developed rapidly in England, making the European country become the third herbal medicine market of the European Community.

Chinese medicine spread in England in the 16th century and was accepted until the 17th century.

In recent years, Chinese medicine, due to its remarkable effects, has obtained more and more recognition both from the government and the society.

In England, Chinese medicine also receivec royal trust. Whenever Queen Elizabeth II goes to travel, she always takes Chinese medicine.

At present, an estimated 2.5 million English spend 90 million pounds (US$158 million) on therapies by TCM, such as acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicine every year. There are more than 350 Chinese medicine pharmacies, and 60 percent of Chinese medicines are imported from China.

Germany

Because classical medicine has limitations in many chronic and difficult illnesses and may generate grave side effects, more and more German patients have come to choose Chinese medicine clinics in recent years.

Statistics of German TCM institutions show that Germany has 50, 000 doctors who treat patients with Chinese medicine, accounting for one-sixth of the total in the country, and more than 2 million patients see Chinese medicine doctors every year.

However, although millions of Germans favor the traditional medicine from China and TCM has been proved effective in treating many chronic and difficult illnesses, government authorities and national health care insurance funds are still reluctant to give TCM a parallel status with classical medicine; hence TCM is basically excluded from Germany's health care insurance