On April 1, 2026, China implemented a landmark national standard: Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution. Although designated as a recommended rather than mandatory standard, it represents a major step in modernizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by converting traditional constitution theory into a clear, measurable and clinically practical framework. By clarifying the relationship between constitution, disease, and pattern differentiation, the standard strengthens professional credibility, supports research, and enhances patient-centered treatment.
Updates Aplenty at Herb Central
Herb Central, acupuncturetoday.com's online database of herbal remedies and related items, has undergone a recent expansion. In the last month, listings for 10 new herbs (aloe, anemarrhena, arnica, boneset, bottle brush, burdock, dandelion, polyporus, pueraria and trichonsanthes) have been added, as well as descriptions for more than 40 popular vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements. The font style and size for Herb Central's listings have also been edited to make for easier viewing.
More than 100 herbal remedies and supplements are currently described in detail on Herb Central, with plans to increase that number to 200 by the end of the year. For more information, visit acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral.