{"id":120793,"date":"2020-11-26T12:07:45","date_gmt":"2020-11-26T09:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/understanding-traditional-chinese-medicine-can-help-protect-species\/"},"modified":"2020-11-26T12:07:45","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T09:07:45","slug":"understanding-traditional-chinese-medicine-can-help-protect-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/understanding-traditional-chinese-medicine-can-help-protect-species\/","title":{"rendered":"#Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\"Understanding
\n A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner selecting treatments. Credit: The University of Queensland
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Demystifying traditional Chinese medicine for conservationists could be the key to better protecting endangered species like pangolins, tigers and rhino, according to University of Queensland-led researchers.<\/p>\n


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UQ Ph.D. candidate Hubert Cheung said efforts to shift entrenched values and beliefs about Chinese medicine are not achieving conservation gains in the short term.<\/p>\n

He said a better understanding of traditional practices was critical for conservationists to form more effective strategies.<\/p>\n

“The use of endangered species in traditional Chinese medicine threatens species’ survival and is a challenge for conservationists,” Mr Cheung said.<\/p>\n

“Pushing messages of inefficacy, providing various forms of scientific evidence or promoting biomedical alternatives doesn’t seem to be drastically influencing decisions and behaviors.<\/p>\n

“And, although many practices and treatments continue to be criticized for lacking scientific support, the World Health Organization app<\/a>roved the inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine in its global compendium of medical practices last year.<\/p>\n

“The challenge now is for conservationists to work proactively with practitioners and others in the industry to find sustainable solutions.<\/p>\n

“However, most conservation scientists and organizations are unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine, which makes it difficult to devise effective and culturally-nuanced interventions.”<\/p>\n

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\n Traditional Chinese medicine utilises a variety of ingredients derived from plants, animals and fungi. Some of these come from threatened species, like these horns of critically endangered saiga antelope. Credit: E. J. Milner-Gulland
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The researchers have examined the core theories and practices of traditional Chinese medicine, in a bid to make it more accessible.<\/p>\n

They hope their study\u2014and the nuances within\u2014will influence policy and campaigning.<\/p>\n

“Today, traditional Chinese medicine is formally integrated into China’s healthcare system, and has been central to China’s response to the ongoing pandemic,” Mr Cheung said.<\/p>\n

“In fact, the Chinese government’s COVID-19 clinical guidance has included recommendations for the use of a product containing bear bile, which has raised concerns among conservation groups.”<\/p>\n

UQ’s Professor Hugh Possingham said traditional Chinese medicine was now not only entrenched in the social<\/a> and cultural fabric of Chinese society, but also gaining users elsewhere.<\/p>\n

“A better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine will empower conservationists to engage more constructively with stakeholders in this space,” Professor Possingham said.<\/p>\n

“We’re hoping that this work can help all parties develop more effective and lasting solutions for species threatened by medicinal use.”<\/p>\n\n

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Chinese conservationists battle to save pangolins from poachers\n <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n More information:<\/strong>
\n Hubert Cheung et al, Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen conservation outcomes, People and Nature<\/i> (2020). DOI: 10.1002\/pan3.10166<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
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\n University of Queensland
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Citation<\/strong>:
\n Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species (2020, November 26)
\n retrieved 26 November 2020
\n from https:\/\/phys.org\/news<\/a>\/2020-11-traditional-chinese-medicine-species.html<\/p>\n

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