Review: A Sustainable Medicine for Animals

Abstract

”It matters not whether medicine is old or new, so long as it brings about a cure. It matters not whether theories are eastern or western, so long as they prove to be true.” The slogan of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society is apt for medicine of the 21st century. Though we cannot eliminate all environmental hazards, we must care more for our Environment. Creatures need to live in balance with Nature. Appropriate adaptation by and of an effective (autonomic, neuroendocrine and immune) defence system is the key to health and survival. In this article, we propose that sustainable medicine is a new medicine, combining the advantages of modern and traditional medical systems to provide better health care service for human and animals in the 21st century. Firstly we give a brief history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a Natural Philosophy. It uses Herbal Medicine (HM) and Acupuncture (AP) as natural methods to enhance the adaptive defences of the body, with great success in certain cases. Then we discuss some clinical and experimental aspects of HM and AP, and how they could help in many of today's disease problems in animals and humans. We outline strategies to promote and develop a sustainable medicine and reasons why we should integrate TCM as an essential part of veterinary science. Lastly we ask research groups, universities, governments and international interests to support TCM in every way possible. No doubt, we will achieve a sustainable medicine for animals in the 21st century by the spirit of wisdom, love and respect.