The integration of Chinese and Western medicines: Shaping the future of medical science

Abstract

The integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine has shaped clinical practice in China for decades, largely through pragmatic collaboration, combining distinct diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to optimize patient care. With advances in data science, systems biology and artificial intelligence, a new phase of integration is emerging. These technologies are enabling a shift from viewing TCM through the lens of modern clinical medicine to recognizing that TCM's holistic perspective is a driver for future medical innovation. We outline a framework for future medicine, an integration of medical paradigms that is built around a new system of classification, combination therapeutics, and molecular dynamics. Please cite this article as: Ji G, Zhang C, Lü AP. The integration of Chinese and Western medicines: Shaping the future of medical science. J Integr Med. 2026; 24(1):3-6.

Key words: Chinese medicine, traditional, Future medicine, Molecular dynamics, Therapeutics, Western medicine

Guang Ji, Chi Zhang, Ai-ping Lü . The integration of Chinese and Western medicines: Shaping the future of medical science. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2026, 24(1): 3-6.

/ / Recommend

Add to citation manager EndNote| Reference Manager|ProCite|BibTeX|RefWorks

URL: http://www.jcimjournal.com/EN/

http://www.jcimjournal.com/EN/Y2026/V24/I1/3

[1]	Arkers Kwan Ching Wong, Nuo Shi, Annie Ho, Janice Yuen Shan Ho. The roles of traditional Chinese medicine within an interdisciplinary team in predominantly Western medical settings: A scoping review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2026, 24(1): 65-80.
[2]	Chen Sun, Zhen Yu, Zong-yuan Ge, Wen-jun Wang, Bi-ying Wang, Hua-ling Song, Guo-qun Xie, Hai-lei Zhao, Yang Zhang, Xiang-long Xu. Predicting traditional Chinese medicine constitutions in adults aged ≥ 65 years: A machine learning approach. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2026, 24(1): 98-104.
[3]	Teng-wen Liu , Shu-wen Zhang , Hui Jiang, Si-wen Yang, Yi-jia Guo, Mao-yu Ding , Xu-cheng Li, Jia Xu, Hai-tian Lu, Hao-ran Ye, Ya-hui Hu, Rui Li, Yi-ming Wei, Mai-fen Song, Shuo Wang, Jun Zhang, Quan-sheng Feng, Xiao-long Xu. Effectiveness of Xuanbai Shengmai Decoction, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on disease progress and viral RNA shedding in COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study of medical chart in China. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2026, 24(1): 115-124.
[4]	Meng-ting Xiao, Sen-yan Wang, Xiao-ling Wu, Zi-yu Zhao, Hui-min Wang, Hui-min Liu, Xue-mei Qin, Xiao-jie Liu. Antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan: A perspective from energy metabolism of the brain and intestine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(6): 706-720.
[5]	Xin-ran Du, Meng-yi Wu, Mao-can Tao, Ying Lin, Chao-ying Gu, Min-feng Wu, Yi Cao, Da-can Chen, Wei Li, Hong-wei Wang, Ying Wang, Yi Wang, Han-zhi Lu, Xin Liu, Xiang-fei Su, Fu-lun Li. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(6): 641-653.
[6]	Hong-xia Ni, Lin-hai Cao, Xiao-xiao Gong, Zi-yan Zang, Hui Chang. Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Clinical evidence and pharmacological mechanisms. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(6): 605-622.
[7]	Sheng-sheng Zhang, Lu-qing Zhao, Xiao-hua Hou, Zhao-xiang Bian, Jian-hua Zheng, Hai-he Tian, Guan-hu Yang, Won-sook Hong, et al. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(5): 502-518.
[8]	Wei Song Seetoh, Rachel Qin Rui Lim, Run-bing Xu, Ming-xun Sun, Peng Zhang, Mi-na Wang. Advancements and challenges of acupuncture randomized controlled trials. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(4): 333-343.
[9]	Ya-ting Ai, Shi Zhou, Ming Wang, Tao-yun Zheng, Hui Hu, Yun-cui Wang, Yu-can Li, Xiao-tong Wang, Peng-jun Zhou. Development of a machine learning-based risk prediction model for mild cognitive impairment with spleen-kidney deficiency syndrome in the elderly. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(4): 390-397.
[10]	Jia Wen Chin, Rafidah Abdullah, Benjamin Wei Wang Tan, Koh Wei Wong, Ban-Hock Khor. Prevalence and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine usage among adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(4): 370-381.
[11]	Yan Han, Yu Wang, Mo-yi Shi, Yu Liu, Xiao-dong Cheng, Yang Zhou. Integrating traditional Chinese medicine constitutions into insomnia management: Findings from a cross-sectional study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(4): 382-389.
[12]	Bhavana Srivastava, Himanshu Sharma, Ajay Kumar Meena, Vandana Bharthi. Balancing tradition and conservation: Exploring plant part substitution in traditional medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(3): 209-217.
[13]	Man Liao, Li-ting Zhang, Li-juan Bai, Rui-yun Wang, Yun Liu, Jing Han, Li-hua Liu, Ben-ling Qi. Xuebijing injection reduces COVID-19 patients’ mortality as influenced by the neutrophil to lymphocyte platelet ratio. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(3): 282-288.
[14]	Cheng Zhang, Yi-sen Nie, Chuan-tao Zhang, Hong-jing Yang, Hao-ran Zhang, Wei Xiao, Guang-fu Cui, Jia Li, Shuang-jing Li, Qing-song Huang, Shi-yan Yan. An adaptive Bayesian randomized controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicine in progressive pulmonary fibrosis: Rationale and study design. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(2): 138-144.
[15]	Shi-yun Yan. Thoughts on the construction of flagship hospitals of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in China. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(1): 12-14.

Metrics

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed

Comments

Recommended 10

[1]	Arthur Yin Fan, Hui Ouyang, Xinru Qian, Hui Wei, David Dehui Wang, Deguang He, Haihe Tian, Changzhen Gong, Amy Matecki, Sarah Faggert Alemi. Discussions on real-world acupuncture treatments for chronic low-back pain in older adults. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2019, 17(2): 71-76
[2]	Jia Xu, Fu-qing Zhang, Jian Pei, Jun Ji . Acupuncture for migraine without aura: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(5): 312-321
[3]	Mostafa Araj-Khodaei, Javad Ghazi Sha'rbaf, Somaiyeh Taheri-Targhi, Reza Mohammadinasab. Letter to the editor regarding "Galen's place in Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine: Respect, confirmation and criticism". Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(3): 274
[4]	Baoyi Shao, Saiying Hou, Yuenyan Chan, Changchun Shao, Lixing Lao. Remission of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus in an adolescent using an integrative medicine approach: A case report. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(1): 85-88
[5]	Chia-Wei Lin, Wei-Chen Hsu, Chien-Lu Lu, Su-Hsing Cheng, Cheng-Pin Chen, Yu-Chang Hou. Integrated therapeutic plasma exchange and traditional Chinese medicine treatment in a patient with severe COVID-19: A case report. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(6): 575-580
[6]	Rosemary Arnold, Jenifer Murphy-Smith, Chee H. Ng, David Mischoulon, Gerard J. Byrne, Chad A. Bousman, Con Stough, Michael Berk, Jerome Sarris. Predictors of the placebo response in a nutraceutical randomized controlled trial for depression. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2024, 22(1): 46-53
[7]	the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. Abstracts for SAR/RCMI PolyU International Research Conference . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2024, 22(Virtual Topics): 300
[8]	. Abstracts for SAR/RCMI PolyU International Research Conference. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2024, 22(3): 303-378
[9]	Mu He, Xue Yee Lim, Jing Li, Ling Li, Tong Zhang. Mechanisms of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and its combinational acupoints for stress gastric ulcer based on the correlation between Zang-fu and acupoints . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(1): 1-11
[10]	Sheng-sheng Zhang, Lu-qing Zhao, Xiao-hua Hou, Zhao-xiang Bian, Jian-hua Zheng, Hai-he Tian, Guan-hu Yang, Won-sook Hong, et al. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2025, 23(5): 502-518