Is traditional chinese medicine Pseudoscience?

For many centuries, Chinese medicine has been used to treat a wide range of illnesses. While Western medicine has advanced, some people still prefer traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) because of its simplicity and relative safety. TCM is considered by many to be a "miracle drug" because of its abilities to strengthen the body's natural defenses while also treating the root of the problem. Despite its popularity, TCM Uni Witten is often criticized for being pseudoscience because of its use of random animal testing and unsubstantiated theories. However, is it really as flawed as it is made out to be? Let's take a closer look.

The Problems With TCM

While TCM has been around for centuries and has helped many people, it is not without its flaws.


The biggest complaint leveled against TCM is that it is often tested on animals. It is well-known that in TCM, pills, powders, and teas are all tested on animals before they are deemed safe and effective for humans. This is completely against the ethical standards of modern science, yet for many years, it was practiced because it was "traditional." Thankfully, this "tradition" is now considered antiquated and cruel by most scientists and doctors. While there are no official figures available, it is estimated that over a million animals are tested on a yearly basis in China alone. It is also widely believed that many illnesses can be traced back to animal testing, as many modern drugs were originally developed to treat ailments in animals before being proven effective in humans. While many pharmaceutical companies have tried to abolish animal testing, as of 2020, it is still practiced in several Asian countries.


Another major gripe with TCM is that it is often based on superstitions and folklore rather than empirical evidence. Many Eastern medicines are based on "five elements" – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – which are believed to be the building blocks of all matter. Some even claim that if you are not born with these five elements, you cannot be a true human being. This makes it very difficult to prove scientifically that a particular herb or combination of herbs will cure a certain disease, as opposed to just making the patient feel better.


Despite these serious flaws, TCM has maintained its popularity largely due to the relative safety and effectiveness of many of its treatments. While there are many medications and supplements which can be highly toxic to humans, herbal remedies and other natural products are usually considered to be less harmful. In the event of an adverse reaction, it is usually easy to determine the root cause of the problem and remove it. In most cases, this is enough to calm whatever is causing the issue and allow the body to heal itself. In some instances, particularly when a specific cause cannot be determined, a TCM doctor may prescribe a combination of herbs or compounds which act in concert to strengthen the body's natural defenses.

Is TCM Really Safe?

One of the major draws of TCM is its safety. Although many traditional Chinese medicines are extremely toxic and have been known to cause serious side effects, these are usually only found at massive doses. According to Chinese medicine lore, the only way to determine whether or not a particular herb is safe for human consumption is to compare its effects to those of a poisonous plant belonging to the same species. In most cases, herbal remedies and other natural products are considered to be less harmful than conventional medications, due to their mode of action. When used in combination with Western medicines, herbal treatments are proven to be even safer and more effective. Some people also claim that many illnesses can be cured by taking Chinese herbs alone. This may be due to the fact that in most cases, the root of the problem can be found, and thus removed. In other words, the herbs are not only safe, but they can also help improve health conditions by removing the cause of the problem.


While there is no official data available, it is estimated that over a million animals are tested on a yearly basis in China alone. is it really safe to say that traditional Chinese medicine is safe for humans and worth exploring as a potential treatment option?