[The role of integrative medicine in the innovation and development of Chinese medicine]

Abstract

Integrative medicine (IM) has promoted the development of Chinese medicine (CM) greatly, which has been proved in last decades, most of the important scientific discoveries and achievements in the fields of CM were closely related to IM. As the basis of IM, CM is the prerequisite for the existence of IM. The development and innovation of CM needs scientific and applicable methods and advanced techniques. Applying the methodology from conventional medicine, which should be universal in the medical fields, would be a short cut in the research of CM at present, but the trait and rule of CM should be considered. Clinical practice is the root of development and innovation, and the basis of basical research of CM as well.