Traditional Chinese medicine grows in Brazil

Gustavo Pinto, a 73-year-old Brazilian professor, pays daily visit to China-Brazil International Cooperation Base of Chinese Medicine Products in Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

His visit there every morning is for traditional Chinese treatments such as acupuncture and massages, even at the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The base was jointly established by Brazil's Taimin company and the Affiliated Hospital of the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine in September 2019.

Pinto recalled that since he knew the ancient Chinese book "I Ching" at the age of 19, he has great interest in Chinese culture, especially the traditional Chinese medicine.

"Later I started acupuncture. The benefits were extraordinary. I had rhinitis and allergic asthma since childhood and all of these disappeared," he said.

Since then, Pinto, also translator of the Portuguese version of "I Ching," has been committed to promoting Chinese culture in Brazil.

Fang Fang, CEO of Taimin company, highlighted the growing popularity of Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion treatments in Brazil.

Nevertheless, people know very little about the Chinese herbal medicine, which focuses on "internal" treatments, she added.

The Taimin company has introduced more than 50 products of Chinese medicines in Brazil, including Lianhua Qingwen capsules and Huoxiang Zhengqi pills, which are sold in local pharmacies.

She said that the promotion of Chinese medicine is the commitment of several generations, while the key is to get more Brazilians to understand and embrace the theories of this ancient wealth.

For this reason, Fang invited four doctors from the Affiliated Hospital of the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine to teach courses on Chinese medicine in the base.

To solve the language difficulties, she also invited Shu Fu Cheng, a local doctor as a translator, who is fluent in both Chinese and Portuguese.

The Chinese medical programs attracted many Brazilians interested in Chinese medicine, who have to continue with those course online due to the impact of the pandemic.

Han Yingdi, a doctor from the Affiliated Hospital of the Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, is specialized in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. She gains a large number of followers in Brazil and her courses were attended by more than 100 participants.

Fernanda Waterstradt, a Brazilian pharmacist, said Han's courses greatly inspired her and enhanced her understanding about the Chinese medicine.

"In Brazil, people are paying more and more attention to traditional Chinese medicine. The courses of the base help students understand the application of Chinese medicine," said Shu Fu Cheng.

Fang can see the enthusiasm of the students. Though the pandemic has brought many challenges to her job, she will not give it up.

"Traditional Chinese medicine is the pride of all Chinese people. We have a responsibility to share the fruit of Chinese culture with everyone," she said.