Hong Kong Becomes a Chinese Medicine
Research Center
The last decade has seen a wealth of information reporting
the beneficial effects of Chinese herbal medicines. While a lot more studies
were done using in vitro and in vivo research platforms, much fewer
investigations were conducted according to evidence-based requirements in
clinical settings. The Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University
of Hong Kong (CUHK) has had the opportunity to collaborate with clinicians over
the years to initiate and conduct dozens of clinical trials investigating and
verifying the therapeutic values of Chinese herbs in selected disease
conditions. Of the many disorders, we chose to focus on those that are known
for their difficulties achieving perfect results with conventional treatment
methods. Examples include non-healing ulcers, allergic conditions, degenerative
diseases and cancer. Protective effects of the herbs in such chronic diseases
as coronary artery disease and osteoporosis were also part of our focus. Even
in healthy individuals and those recovering from chemotherapy, Chinese herbs
could help with the immune system and were studied in our clinical trials as
well. This paper aims to highlight the important findings from these clinical
studies while at the same time, stressing the indispensable value of clinical
trials in modernizing the use of Chinese herbs in present-day medicine.
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