Chinese Medicine is based on a "five element theory" and those elements are wood, earth, metal, fire, and water. Our bodies have two energy channels (meridians) representing organ systems in each of those five elements of nature. Optimally, these all work in balance and in synchronized harmony We opt not to short circuit our energysystems ( like our nervous system) by lack of water, the basic conductor of electrical energy. That creates imbalance which leads to disease disorder and illness.

Basic health is determined by what goes into and comes out of our bodies. How and what we think and believe determines how we manage this system and our spirit or Qi (pronounced Chi) or energy is the driving force of life. For thousands of years, the doctors and researcher who develop Chinese medicine herb formulas have had only one main objective--- To eliminte ailments by eliminate the cause of ailments.Especially for chronic ailments, using the formulas will boost the patient's  self-healing power and let patients recoverthemselves.

On the other hand,  the west herb formula is more likely a food supplement and mainly used for improving patient's nutrition status.For long history of china, the Chinese have developed a very rich legacy of medicine herb formulas Which combine herbs, plants, insects, mineral, vitamin etc except chemicals . Unlike the Western countries, Chinese had their first few medical books written back about three thousands years ago and from then on they hav been systematically developing their Medical theory and practice mainly based on the research of herb formulas. To distinguish this to Westren medicine, they call it traditional Chinese medicine.Now, about half of Chinese medical practitioners in China are Traditional Chinese medicine doctors and half of them practicing Western Medicine. They are both treated  equally in China in medical society. Both have their University Education( the person who will practice Chinese medicine go to a traditional Chinese medicine school for 4 years and the west medical practitioners go to a medical school for 4 years ) and pass different license examings to have their own license and practice in different clinics. For nearly every hospital there are two kinds of doctors practicing in different fields and  some time cooperate to help one patient.  Comparing Chinese anti-cancer formula and west treatments, if we compare  the result Of killing of  cancer cells or confining its growth. The Chinese medicine can reach the quite same results of Western treatments (like Chemo therapy, radiation, biomedical and gene therapy).but with no side effect. So, the patient will maintain a relative better health status and good spirit during the treatment. Chinese medicine pay great attention to the overall nutrition of patients the balance of Chi Of the human body. For example, a typical Chinese anti-cancer formula has over 10 herbs, say, three herb have anti-cancer functions and the other are used to boost immune system, white blood cell counts, Red blood cell counts, eliminate stagante of Chi and Blood( a Chinese medicine concept).

Every year, more than 5,000 Western people go to China to learn Chinese medicine and get degree there. That is because they found the legacy of Chinese medicine.Nowadays Chinese are trying best  to make extracts from above material to get more effectiveMedicine. I have a strong feeling that in 10 years, American people will use Chinese herb formula to help health status as common as they eat Chinese food.