Traditional Chinese Medicine vs. The last of the Tigers
| HOW THE TIGER IS USED IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE |
|
|
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
In 1981 the last traces of the Javan tiger vanished from the earth, despite
efforts to conserve them. Exploition led to extinction, and now it is gone
forever.
The plight of the 5 last species of tigers is possibly the "worst-case scenario"
of conservation matters. Tigers have declined to perhaps 5,000 or fewer in
the wild - ALL TOLD, making us prehaps the last generation of humans to share
the planet with them. This century has seen the tiger populations go down
by 95%. Already, Three species of tiger, the Bali, the Caspian and the Javan
have already been driven to extinction.
Since humans are single-handedly responsible for the tragic
situation that these majestic animals are facing, humans have a moral responsibility
to preserve and protect the few tigers that remain in the wild.
THE CHINESE CONNECTION
|
|
|
|
The most immediate threat to the survival of tigers is the demand for their parts in traditional Chinese medicine. This commercial demand is not new: tiger bone has been used to provide health care for more than 1,000 years and perhaps as long as 4,000 years, but its recent popularity has led to an increase in demand throughout the world.
There is a set of myths and fibs that goes around as "medicine".
A nouveau riche population always wants something new and exotic to cure their
endless woes. And what can be more yuppie than a tiger brain ? Never mind
if it is half folklore half quackery, if its oriental it must be ancient wisdom
or something vaguely similar. The most valued parts are the bones. They are
commonly used to treat rheumatism, but are prescribed for almost any weakness
and stiffness especially in the lower back and legs. There is a popular logic
called the Doctrine of signature that assumes that "if something
applies somewhere it also applies everywhere else". Thus it follows that
if the tiger is so strong that his paws can break bones; then his bones can
empower the weakest of bones.
THE NEXT YEAR OF THE TIGER MAY SEE THE SPECIES EXTINCT
The South-China Tiger is probably the most significant of the species because it is the origional form the other sub-species evolved from. Sadly, it may very well be extinct by the next Chinese "year of the Tiger" in 2010. Their nunmbers have dramatically dropped from 100,000 to less than 7000 (possibly as few as 5000) over the last 100 years, losing 3sub-species since the 1940's. The chart below indicates the remaining numbers of Tiger species worldwide.
|
Name of the sub species |
Region |
Surviving |
|
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) |
India |
3,250-4,700 |
|
Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) |
Thailand |
1,050-1,750 |
|
Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) |
Russia |
150-430 |
|
Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) |
Indonesia (Sumatra) |
400-500 |
|
South China Tiger (Panthera tigris moyensis) |
Central and eastern China |
10-30 |
| Caspian (Panthera tigris virgata) | EXTINCT | |
| Javan (Panthera tigris sondaica) | EXTINCT | |
| Bali (Panthera tigris balica) | EXTINCT |
TCM
PROFESSIONALS & CONSERVATIONALISTS
In a recent survey
in Japan, 54 dispensaries and pharmacies selling traditional Chinese medicine
products were checked for animal derived products. 30 were found to sell Tiger
products or Tiger parts. Tiger-derived medicinal tablets were found on sale
in 14 of these stores; Tiger bone wine in 16; both tablets and wine in six;
Tiger penis in two; and Tiger bone itself in three. Also Tiger bone with claws
and Tiger bone were each confirmed as being on display in one case.
Due to a legal loophole, it impossible to distinguish between legal and illegal
products on the market .
Awareness is the problem. Endangered species parts are bought
worldwide in gocery stores and dispensaries weather or not they are prescribed
by a practicioner. Despite rough beginings, TCM professionals and conservationalists
have been conferencing together in view of the current emergancy. It would
be unlikely to think that the TCM industry was insensitive to wildlife when
it has grown from the humble act of observing nature.
At The First International Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Wildlife
Conservation in Hong Kong the TCM community asked why conservationists were
suddenly meddling in the business of TCM when TCM had enjoyed centuries of
success with no attention from conservationists. Some TCM specialists declared
that China held boundless supplies of wild medicinal plants and animals. At
least one called it a plot by the Western world to destroy TCM and supplant
it with synthesized pharmaceuticals. At the same time, some conservationists
were equally ill-informed, some suggesting an end to TCM as a whole.
Tiger parts continue to be sold in Hong Kong despite extensive public awareness
efforts by the government and stiff penalties handed down by the judiciary,
thus suggesting a stubborn residual demand for medicines containing tiger
bone. This residual demand seems to back suggestions by at least one sociologist
(Kidder 1983) that laws do not change practices that are deeply rooted and
accepted in cultural tradition and that serve a perceived greater good.
Demand seems to be fueled by public ignorance and not so much TCM professionals
who are aware that the successful treatment of diseases canl be achieved by
utilising ingredients that are not endangered.
|
|
|
|
1.Influencing the Influential and the End User
TCM practitioners and shop assistants have great influence over the
choices made by TCM users who do not attempt to learn the content of
TCM prescribed to them. Therefore, outreach and education efforts
should be geared toward the members of the TCM community in Hong
Kong.
2.Encouraging the Use of Substitutes and Alternatives
The Hong Kong government and TCM health industry should encourage
the research, development, and use of effective and sustainable
alternatives to medicines made with wildlife banned from international
trade.
3.Regulating the TCM Industry
The Hong Kong government should consider the issue of endangered
medicinal species in formulation of the regulatory system now under
consideration, incorporate wildlife conservation concerns into baseline
training, and provide for professional censure for licensed TCM
practitioners trading illegally in wildlife derivatives.
4.Continuing Law Enforcement Vigilance
The Hong Kong government should continue its vigilance in enforcing
these laws and in handing down penalties large enough to dissuade trade
in these products and enhance its efforts to inform the public of the
illegality of medicines made from endangered species.
TRAFFIC and WWF recommend the following actions for the United States:
1.Influencing the Influential
Chinese-Americans highlighted the importance to them of the
professional TCM community in their selection of medicines and
treatment. Therefore, long-term support and contribution of the
professional TCM community in outreach efforts must be solicited and
encouraged by the U.S. government and conservationists.
2.Highlighting Alternative Medicines already Available
Survey results clearly indicated that alternatives and substitutes would be
acceptable if they were equal in efficacy to prohibited endangered
species products and were recommended by a person whom the user
trusts. The professional TCM community needs to provide information
about alternatives to consumers and sellers of manufactured medicines.
3.Enlisting Local Communities One at a Time
All conservationists and communities throughout North America can,
indeed should, become endangered species advocates and should
address impacts on endangered species through their own
community-based approaches and by using the results of these surveys
and the preliminary work of the American College of Traditional Chinese
Medicine and WWF.
4.Targeting Outreach to all stakeholders
TRAFFIC and WWF encourage other nongovernmental and
governmental organizations in other countries and regions to use this
information and begin to develop outreach initiatives in tiger and rhino
consuming and export countries. Other human stakeholders involved in
or affected by poaching and illegal trade problems of these species need
to be identified so that their support can be enlisted to alleviate threats
to
tiger and rhino populations.
5.Tightening U.S. Legal Loopholes
The U.S. government should actively support and urge the passage of the
Rhino and Tiger Product Labeling Act, which would prohibit the import,
export, and sale of products labeled to contain tiger or rhino products.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should also develop a national law
enforcement strategy to centralize intelligence related to source countries
and likely markets, and should investigate the domestic supply of such
products.
|
|
THE NEXT STEP FOR THE CHINESE MEDICINE INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA
The practice of traditional Chinese medicine is growing, both in Australia
and the rest of the world. There are now approximately 4,500 Chinese medicinal
practitioners in Australia, a number forecast to double by the year 2000.
Currently an estimated 2.8 million consultations are conducted each year,
with an annual turnover of at least AU$84 million.
With the increasing popularity of traditional Chinese medicine in Australia,
there is an urgent need to inform the practitioners, traders and users of
traditional Chinese medicine about the issue, the rationale behind it and
the relevant Australian law, and the proper procedure for importing products
into Australia
 |
If you are seeking a TCM practicioner or to learn TCM yourself, make sure they are aware of the current TCM research in alternatives to using endangered species (Including Tiger, Rhino, GingSing). Are they aware that Rhinos and tigers are among the world’s most threatened species on the planet? If they are not, inform them of the Symposium on TCM & Wildlife Conservation, and the importance for them to participate in its talks.
For more information on the International Symposium on Traditional Chinese
Medicine and Wildlife Conservation in Australia contact: Jane Holden,
TRAFFIC Oceania, tel. +61 2 9299 6366
Contact TRAFFIC or go to their website
at www.traffic.org
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora)
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)