China has begun a large scale research project on using
traditional Chinese medicines to treat AIDS.
According to officials with the State Administration of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, the project is being organized by the
China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and more than 30
experts from 14 institutions are participating.
The research focuses on four traditional medicine recipes, all
four of which have been used before, both in China and abroad.
"More then 10,000 patients were treated with traditional Chinese
medicines in Tanzania, and the effect is good. The medicines are
effective in more than 40% of cases," said Lv Weibo, an AIDS
expert from the project.
Now the project team has finished initial research on the four
recipes, and the next step will focus on setting standards to judge
the effectiveness of traditional medicines in AIDS treatment.
"I believe the project will bring about a clear, objective and
comprehensive system to assess the effectiveness of traditional
medicines in treating AIDS," said Wang Jian, who is from
China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
(CRI December 2, 2004)