Traditional Chinese medicine: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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Some doubts about the efficacy of many TCM treatments are based on their apparent basis in [[sympathetic magic]] (causation due to [[analogy]] or [[similarity]]) — for example, that plants with heart-shaped leaves will help the heart. While the [[doctrine of signatures]] does underlie the selection of many of the ingredients of herbal medicines, this does not necessarily mean that some substances may not (perhaps by coincidence) possess attributed medicinal properties. For example, it is possible that while herbs may have been originally selected on erroneous grounds, only those that were deemed effective have remained in use. Potential barriers to scientific research include the substantial cost and expertise required to conduct [[double-blind]] [[clinical trial]]s{{Fact|date=January 2008}}, and the lack of financial incentive from the ability to obtain [[patent]]s.

Pharmacological compounds have been isolated from some Chinese herbal medicines; [[Chinese wormwood]] (''qinghao'') was the source for the discovery of [[artemisinin]], which is now used worldwide to treat multi-drug resistant strains of falciparum [[malaria]], and is also under investigation as an anti-cancer agent.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} It was one of many candidates then tested by Chinese scientists from a list of nearly 200 traditional Chinese medicines for treating malaria{{Fact|date=December 2008}}. ItOther wascompounds, such as those seen in Dichroa febrifuga Lour and Bidens pilosa also have potential antimalarial properties currently being researched, but also exhibit high toxicity <ref>A Promising Anticancer and Antimalarial Component from the onlyLeaves oneof thatBidens waspilosa. effective{{Fact|date=DecemberPlanta 2008}}Med. 2009;75:59-61</ref> <ref>Synthesis and biological evaluation of febrifugine analogues as potential antimalarial agents. BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY. 2009;17 13: 4496-502</ref> Many Chinese herbal medicines are marketed as [[dietary supplement]]s in the West, and there is considerable controversy over their effectiveness.<ref>American Cancer Society. Chinese Herbal Medicine. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3x_Chinese_Herbal_Medicine.asp</ref>

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