Historical Medical Exchanges Following the Confluence of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine: Coexistence and Mutual Development

Abstract

This article examines the overall characteristics of historical medical exchanges between China and foreign countries, analyzing their contribution to the development of medicines in the world. It presents a summary of historical experiences of the development of medicines through mutual exchanges. It also provides an objective analysis of the effects of the eastward dissemination of Western medicine on traditional Chinese medicine. The history of their exchanges can be used as a mirror for each to learn from the other’s strengths to offset their own weakness, and achieve the coordinated and balanced development of both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Such balanced development would enable the world’s medicinal systems to thrive and protect the health of people worldwide.