top of page

  • Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) to assess:

    • Effectiveness of TCM treatments for defined syndromes

    • Integration with conventional therapies (e.g. oncology, cardiovascular care)

  • Use of real-world data (RWD) and observational studies

  • Standardization of syndrome differentiation (辨证论治) for research

Clinical Trials and Evidence-Based TCM

1.jpg
1.jpg

  • Standardization of:

    • Herbal identification (authenticity)

    • Processing techniques (pao zhi)

    • Pesticide and heavy metal testing

  • Evaluation of toxic herbs (e.g., Fu Zi, Ban Xia)

  • Clinical herb–drug interaction databases

Herbal Safety, Toxicology & Quality Control

  • Clinical trials on pain management, mental health, fertility, stroke, gastrointestinal disorders

  • Mechanism of action studies:

    • Neurophysiological effects (endorphins, serotonin, dopamine)

    • Immunomodulation

    • Brain imaging (fMRI, PET) showing central nervous system modulation.

  • Comparison of manual, electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture

Acupuncture & Moxibustion Research

1.jpg
1.jpg

  • Research on how acupuncture and herbal medicine affect:

    • Cognitive function

    • Mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, insomnia)

    • Autonomic nervous system regulation

  • Study of Shén disturbance syndromes from both TCM and neuroscience perspectives

Neurobiology and Mind-Body Integration

Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) Research

  • Pharmacology of single herbs and classical formulas

  • Active compound identification and standardization

  • Herb–drug interactions, safety, and toxicity studies

  • Herbal genomics and metabolomics

  • Development of herbal granules, capsules, and injectables

1.jpg
1.png

  • Use of bioinformatics and systems biology to map:

    • Herb–compound–target–disease networks

    • Molecular pathways influenced by TCM formulas.

  • Supports evidence-based development of new drugs from multi-herb formulas

TCM Systems Pharmacology & Network Medicine

1.webp

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) research refers to the scientific study and systematic investigation of TCM theories, diagnostics, treatments, herbs, and clinical outcomes using both traditional methodologies and modern scientific tools. Its goals are to:

​

  • Validate the efficacy and safety of TCM practices (e.g., acupuncture, herbal medicine)

  • Bridge classical knowledge and modern science

  • Integrate TCM into global healthcare systems.

  • Develop new therapeutics from traditional formulas and natural compounds.

 

TCM research today is highly interdisciplinary, involving clinical trials, systems biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, bioinformatics, and public health sciences. Key Areas of TCM Research Today include:

1.jpg

TCM Research

  • Study of TCM immunomodulatory effects in:

    • Autoimmune conditions (e.g. RA, psoriasis)

    • Allergies and asthma

    • Chronic inflammation (e.g. IBD, hepatitis)

  • TCM role in infectious disease prevention and recovery (e.g. COVID-19, influenza)

Service NameImmunology, Inflammation & Infectious Diseases

1.jpg
1.png

  • Linking TCM body types (体质) to genetic markers and metabolic profiles

  • Predictive modelling for individualized treatment

  • Use of big data and AI to analyze clinical records and syndrome patterns

Genomics, Metabolomics & TCM Constitution Theory

  • Analysis of classical texts (e.g. Nei Jing, Shang Han Lun, Ben Cao Gang Mu)

  • Text digitization, annotation, and translation

  • Comparative study between historical practices and modern application

Medical Classics, History, and Textual Research

1.jpg
1.jpg

Integration with Western Medicine and Public Health

  • Exploring TCM's role in:

    • Chronic disease management (e.g. diabetes, hypertension)

    • Cancer support (fatigue, immunity, side-effect relief)

    • Preventive medicine and lifestyle regulation (Yang Sheng)

  • Studies on cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction in integrative clinics

1.jpg

TCM Journals

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) journals are scholarly periodicals that publish original research, clinical studies, reviews, case reports, and theoretical work related to all aspects of Chinese medicine — including acupuncture, herbal pharmacology, tuina, qigong, diagnostics, and integration with biomedicine. These journals serve as platforms for:

  • Advancing evidence-based Chinese medicine

  • Promoting cross-disciplinary and integrative research

  • Preserving and analysing classical theory and clinical application

  • Publishing clinical trials, meta-analyses, and mechanistic studies

​

Chinese Medicine - BMC / Springer Nature (Open Access): Peer-reviewed studies in all TCM fields, modern integration

Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JTCM) - China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: One of the oldest English TCM journals; clinical and theoretical

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM) - Hindawi / Wiley: High-quality trials and reviews in TCM, CAM, integrative medicine

Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine - Springer / China Association of Integrative Medicine: TCM + biomedicine integration, high-impact research

Journal of Integrative Medicine (JIM) - Elsevier (formerly JACM-Asia): Global integration of East-West medicine

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (JAMS) - Elsevier / Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine: Research on acupuncture, meridian theory, pain studies

Acupuncture in Medicine - BMJ Group (UK): Biomedical-focused acupuncture journal; clinical application

Journal of Chinese Medicine (JCM) - UK-based, practitioner-oriented: Case studies, theoretical essays, acupuncture, herbal therapy

Zhong Hua Zhong Yi Yao Za Zhi - 中华中医药杂志: Core national academic journal of TCM

Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Journal of TCM) - 中医杂志: Flagship publication of the China Association of Chinese Medicine

Zhen Jiu Yan Jiu (Acupuncture Research) - 针灸研究: Primary acupuncture research journal

Zhong Yi Lin Chuang Za Zhi (Clinical Journal of TCM) - 中医临床杂志: Clinical trials and case studies

Shi Jie Zhong Yi Yao (World Chinese Medicine) - 世界中医药: International and modernized TCM research

Zhong Yao Tong Bao (Herbal Bulletin) - 中药通报: Chinese Materia medica and pharmacology

European Journal of Integrative Medicine - Europe: TCM and complementary medicine in EU context

Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine -Australia: Clinical and academic TCM content, local regulatory focus

International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture - International: English-language studies and theory papers

Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine - South Korea: Korean medicine with overlap in classical Chinese medicine

bottom of page