Traditional Chinese medicine evolved over thousands of years. Traditional methods reflect a comprehensive and distinctive understanding of the right treatments for the human body. Chinese Medicine Week in London aims to create greater understanding of the traditional arts -- and in doing so to establish greater cooperation in medicine -- between China and the UK.
The first Traditional Chinese Medicine Week opened at the Royal Society of Medicine on Monday.Over 500 precious items related to Chinese medicine are on display. Many of them have never been exhibited abroad before.
A third of the exhibits come from the collection of Yushengdang, a herbal drugstore. It has a history of nearly 400 years. The name Yushengdang was bestowed by Emperor Qianlong. He further honoured the shop by hand writing its superscription tablet. It's an honour cherished by generations of the store's family owners.
There has been growing interest in Chinese medicine and treatment among British people. Statistics show that one in every five British people have tried acupuncture or herbal medicine at least once.
The exhibition guides people in Britain to a better understanding of the benefits of Chinese medicine. And it shows them how they may benefit, by applying it to their daily lives.