Use of Chinese herbal medicine in veterinary science: history and perspectives.

Veterinary acupuncture has been receiving greater acceptance in veterinary medicine communities throughout the world in recent years. The American Veterinary Medical Association, for example, is beginning to accept acupuncture as a form of veterinary treatment. Another branch of traditional Chinese veterinary practice, herbal medicine, deserves similar recognition throughout the veterinary world. While herbal medicine carries a strong reputation for healing potential in the Orient, this treatment system is new to Western veterinary practices. Chinese herbal medicine should be incorporated into wider veterinary practice only after close scientific examination of these techniques. The authors examine the reasons for investigating Chinese herbal medicine, including the historical background, strategies of development, research plans and prospects for the use of Chinese herbal medicine in veterinary sciences. Potentially, this could lead to a unique combination of traditional and modern medicines, and to links whereby veterinary findings might acquire applications in human medicine.