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Western medicine is routinely used in developed nations as well as in Eastern countries, where traditional medicine is frequently used by a selection of patients or family member as a complement to mainstream Western medicine. Chinese medicine plays an important role in the treatment of chronic diseases, especially when Western medicine is not very effective. Many published reports have shown that Chinese medicine could also be successfully used in the management of acute and critical illnesses. Chinese medicine has a holistic view of the human body, and emphasizes individualization based on body balance and mind–body interaction and employs herbal medicines and acupuncture. This review paper gives a brief overview of Chinese medicine theory and therapeutic modality and then addresses the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of acute and critical medical conditions, including epidemics. Using this ancient therapy as a complementary medicine, the management of serious medical conditions, such as SARS, acute heart diseases, and ischemic cerebral stroke, are presented. In order to promote more widespread application of Chinese medicine, well-designed controlled clinical trials are urgently needed to prove its safety and effectiveness.

Chinese medicine has been used in China as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of AIDS. Unlike modern therapeutic treatment which applies a reductional approach, using directly targeting drugs and their combination, Chinese medicine applies a holistic direction. The holistic approach is aimed at the internal balance of vital forces, which achieves good harmony when the individual is healthy. AIDS patients suffer from a severe loss of ability to maintain the vital forces at an equilibrium. Immuno-enhancement should be the key. Indeed many herbs and herbal formulae are commonly known to be rich in immuno-modulating effects. Many herbs have been screened for immuno-modulating activities in laboratories both within and beyond China. China has been applying an integrated approach to the treatment of AIDS. Immuno-enhancement herbs are used together with potent anti-viral drugs; 27%–67% improvements on the immunological status have been obtained.

Despite the advances in the modern treatment of AIDS which include new drugs and different forms of combined therapy on “cocktails”, the treatment of the disease is far from satisfactory. Drug toxicities and the readiness to develop drug resistance are major obstacles to the control of this devastating disease. It would be a real blessing if traditional/alternative medicine could be used to fight AIDS.

Although no conclusion could yet be drawn on the effectiveness of Chinese herbs against AIDS, a number of interesting clinical observations and laboratory studies have demonstrated the possibility of efficacy. Studies were centered around the immuno-modulating effects of some herbs and herbal formulae. Explorations are being done on the anti-viral effects of some other herbs and herbal formulae.

It is the author's opinion that future studies should follow international diagnostic standards and criteria of evaluation.