ABSTRACT
The present status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the discrepancies between TCM and Western medicine were reviewed. It was suggested that modernization of the research and deve lopment of TCM should be established on the basis of the essentials of TCM senses to upgrade its extraction processes, analytical precision, and rational pharmaceutical preparations, which can be accurately prescribed, easily absorbable with better bioavailability to achieve a more favorable patient compliance and therapeutic results It was also pointed out that TCM, with its thousands years of practical clinical experiences, has its unique features and promising future to meet the desire in pursuit of return to Mother Nature It was believed that eventually, the modernized TCM will keep pace with or even surpass the Western medicine for the general welfare of mankind