Wildlife Angel
  • HOME
  • The NGO
    • EDITORIAL
    • THREAT OF POACHING
    • THE TEAM
  • OPERATIONS
  • MEDIAS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
  • Français
  • HOME
  • The NGO
    • EDITORIAL
    • THREAT OF POACHING
    • THE TEAM
  • OPERATIONS
  • MEDIAS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
  • Français
14 February 2016 In Poaching, Wildlife

Received ideas on Chinese medicine

Médecine-chinoise-2016-Wildlifeangel

Those who are involved each day in the fight against poachers and traffickers of animal species threatened, whether NGOs such as Planet Tiger or Wildlife Angel, often incriminate traditional Chinese medicine as the cause of rhinos and tigers misfortune. Let’s try to really understand the Chinese medicine precepts on the use of animals. We will discuss some received ideas in order to have a clear understanding of the phenomenon.

 

It is China that exclusively uses products made from animals.

False. China is not the only one. Vietnam is also considerably involved in the importation of these illegal products, as well as Thailand and Burma to a lesser extent.

 

The elephant ivory has nothing to do with Chinese medicine.

True. Because of the deficit of ivory from Asia, it is naturally to Africa that turned all the countries requesting this “valuable material” used in the manufacture of objects, jewelry or valuable coatings. However, the Asian countries are not the only ones involved in this type of import, as well as for some precious wood matter. Gulf countries are also strongly interested in buying these products.

 

We talk a lot about rhinos and tigers. But these are not the only species concerned!

True. There are other animals such as some Asian antelopes, turtles and especially the African pangolin which are targeted by the traditional Chinese medicine. The scales that cover the entire body of the pangolin are highly sought by Asian people. Moreover, its flesh is very much appreciated by some “gourmets”.

 
Médecine-corne-2016-Wildlifeangel

Nothing can be done against ancient beliefs!

False. It is at the end of the sixteenth century that a Chinese doctor and naturalist, Li Shizhen, wrote an encyclopedic book in particular dedicated to therapeutic products and medicinal plants. He mentioned nearly two thousand therapeutic substances from plants, minerals and animal species. Even if at that time rhino horn and tiger bones are mentioned, it is more regarding their use as poison or hallucinogen.

Over the following centuries, the pillars of the Chinese medicine develop more widely around the acupuncture, traditional massage or Qi Gong, the pharmacopoeia being based mainly on herbal medicine. The use of products from animal species is not widespread. And with the arrival of European settlers, the traditional medicine suffered from a strong competition with the modern Western medicine, which slows down the use of certain traditional medicines.

It’s actually in the fifties that Mao Zedong has restored the traditional Chinese medicine reputation to counter the presence of modern medicine, symbol of Western imperialism, and thus facilitate his communist theories. Therefore it is more a fifty years culture than a millennium one, at least for the consumption of therapeutic products extracted from wild animals.

 

Rhino horn is used to treat a lack of libido!

False. This is a rumor spread by some Western media. Chinese traditionalist doctors know very well that this statement is false. The problem is that today, because the rumor was so widespread, many wealthy Asians have built this false power attributed to rhino horn and firmly believe it.

 

Rhino horn can cure cancer!

False. Again Chinese medicine is easy to blame. This is simply a marketing campaign launched by the Vietnamese mafia to make a large part of the population believe that it is actually a traditional miracle cure for a disease that frightens the world.

 

Far from me the idea, with this article, to clear the responsibility of the Asian market for rhino horn and tiger bones. My goal is simply to re-establish the truth on controversial beliefs.

Facebooklinkedinmail

Related Articles

  • parc-national-etosha-namibie
    What Model for Wildlife Conservation in Africa: private reserve, conservancy, national park?
  • African-Wildlife
    [Infographic] Africa's Wildlife in Danger

FACEBOOK

SEARCHING

CATEGORIES

  • About the NGO (4)
  • News (3)
  • Poaching (17)
  • Technology (2)
  • Wildlife (24)

ARCHIVES

  • January 2019 (1)
  • December 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • January 2017 (2)
  • December 2016 (2)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • April 2016 (3)
  • March 2016 (3)
  • February 2016 (3)
  • January 2016 (5)
  • December 2015 (2)
  • May 2015 (4)

RSS NEWS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA

  • Zimbabwe: 'For Little Shayna - ' Rifle Artist Connects to Zimbabwe Roots Through Whimsical Creations 17 September 2025
    [New Zimbabwe] Like many asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees, Shayna Oosthuysen's childhood was split between two worlds -- the wild beauty of Southern Africa and the disorienting unknown of a new life in America.
  • Zimbabwe: Zim's UN Security Council Bid Gets Major Boost 17 September 2025
    [The Herald] Joseph Madzimure -- Zimpapers Politics Hub
  • Nigeria: Jigawa Gov Salutes Gumel On Appointment As Chairperson of Botswana Sovereign Wealth Fund 17 September 2025
    [Premium Times] Mr Namadi stated that Mr Farouk Gumel's rise to this historic position further reflects the strong values of integrity, excellence, and dedication to work for which Jigawa State is widely respected
  • South Africa: Nurse Brings Joy to Children At Livingstone Hospital 17 September 2025
    [Health-e] Last month, a video of a nurse at Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape went viral on social media - but not for the reasons one might expect.
  • Africa: Harare Hosts Hub Unconference As Africa Pushes to 'Decolonise the Internet' 17 September 2025
    [263Chat] Harare is preparing to host one of Africa's most outspoken gatherings on digital media and civic technology, with this year's Hub Unconference urging the continent to "decolonise the internet."

Copyright 2019 - Wildlife Angel : Plan de site - Mentions légales