TCM spreads its wings across the globe

"But there is still a long way to go. Standardization is the key to going abroad, including standards for diagnosis and treatment, as well as medicine placement and processing. TCM talent is also in great demand."

In the Netherlands, Kuipers has full confidence in the use of TCM.He has drawn up a working plan with his father, who practices Western medicine.

They sometimes treat patients together. The father refers his patients to Kuipers, and the pair discuss the organ that TCM should focus on－the liver or the lungs.

"It's working very well, especially with elderly patients who have cancer or other incurable diseases. TCM can make them feel better and keep them as comfortable as possible. It's not about curing the cancer, but health maintenance," Kuipers said.

He said TCM will be used for many more tasks, including cosmetic acupuncture, which works mainly by smoothing away facial wrinkles, enabling the skin to appear young.

"It's really quite popular. I have some patients who come for this beauty treatment. Most of them have skin problems. People like the treatment, because when they feel beautiful from the outside, they also feel beautiful from the inside. Maybe I'll do more of it in the future," Kuipers said.