Acupuncture and Herbs are a big part of Traditional Medicine in many countries.

Here are some interesting facts from the World Health Organization (WHO)

• In some Asian and African countries, 80% of the population depend on traditional medicine for primary health care.
• Herbal medicines are the most lucrative form of traditional medicine, generating billions of dollars in revenue.
• Traditional medicine can treat various infectious and chronic conditions: new antimalarial drugs were developed from the discovery and isolation of artemisinin from Artemisia annua L., a plant used in China for almost 2000 years.
• More than 100 countries have regulations for herbal medicines.

Also in many developed countries, 70% to 80% of the population has used some form of alternative or complementary medicine (e.g. acupuncture).

Herbal treatments are the most popular form of traditional medicine, and are highly lucrative in the international marketplace. Annual revenues in Western Europe reached US$ 5 billion in 2003-2004. In China sales of products totaled US$ 14 billion in 2005. Herbal medicine revenue in Brazil was US$ 160 million in 2007.

However, with the growing market there are many concerns growing as well. Counterfeit, poor quality, or adulterated herbal products in international markets are serious patient safety threats.

To cope with these safety concerns, all herbal products at Integrative Health Centers are purchased from Mayway (Plum Flower Brand), one of the most reputable and respected herbal companies in the US and Europe, which abides by “Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)” and follow various strict quality assurance and control protocols.

For more information please visit https://www.mayway.com/store/qa_chinese_medicine_quality_main.jsp

By Seok Park, L.Ac.