Special Issue: Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is going to become globally practised. In order to be accepted by the conventional medical system, it will be necessary to prove efficacy, safety, and quality. The special challenges in the scientific evaluation of TCM are its specific medical theory, which is completely different from Western pharmacological systems, and the application of its complex formulas. Therefore, a new approach is needed, which considers the holistic and personalized character of TCM. Systems biology and metabolomics are probably most adequate to match this aspect both in the diagnostic field and in the elucidation of the mechanisms of action.