Reading Task: TCM and Species Protection

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Endangered Animals

Traditional medicines are widely used all around the world mostly derived from plants and animals. The number of population is growing faster and cause the demand of these remedies and medicines to rise along.

Chinese people believe that natural plants ,animals and minerals remedies relate to vital energy or force (qi) and yin and yang which is to balance humans body. We don't know the exact time of the origins of TCM but it believed to be born around 28th century BCE which had a compiling catalogue of 365 species of medical plants which later became the basis of later herbological studies. During the time the development of these remedies ,the medicines have been pass on to other countries from China to Japan Korea and South East Asia and continues to today .

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

In TCM the bones of Panthera tigris have been used in wines, plasters, and manufactured medicines to treat arthritis and other joint ailments .Which increase the tiger bones trading business and that also means the number of tiger decrease as well ,now there are only about 5000 - 7000 tigers in a wild .they are designated as endangered on the 2007 World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species. About 5,000 tigers are being raised on farms in China as well. In 1993, China banned the domestic trade of tiger bones

In June 2007, under pressure from tiger farm owners, China announced a plan to lift its trade ban on parts from farmed tigers but it is being opposed by India , Nepal, Bhutan, and Indonesia as well as by tiger conservation groups around the world

  Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros horn decoration is used to treat fever ,convulsions and delirium .According to the report there have been a reduction of many species of Rhino in Africa and Asia though there are protective laws but Rhinoceros horn business still continues because of the need from Asians market.

Black Bear

Bear bile is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries, including liver ailments and headaches .China in 1984 the farm that confined a lot of bears in a small cage to extract for their bile ,According to CNN, more than 7,000 bears are kept on 200 farms in China.

Musk deer (Moschus)

Musk deer is believed a various remedies in Western homeopathic medicine, and of some perfumes. It is used to promote circulation and to treat skin infections and abdominal pain. And from the report Musk deer in China's demand is alot that must use at least 100,000 deer a year .

Seahorse (Hippocampus kelloggi)

The seahorse, used as a treatment for kidney ailments, circulatory problems, and impotence. In the presence day approximately 90 health and medicine products containing seahorses are sold in China and elsewhere. The demand of Seahorse had reached 500 tons annually by the beginning of the 21st century. China’s demand alone was 200–250 tons per year, 95 percent of which had to be imported. Currently the seahorse is not listed as endangered and there are no international regulations on trade, a tragedy in the making.