WHO international standard terminologies on traditional medicine in the Western Pacific Region

Abstract

Traditional medicine has been developing for thousands of years with its own set of terms. However, historical conditions have brought about various expressions in traditional medicine. Being the very first step towards globalization of traditional medicine, it is believed that international standard terminology will greatly expedite scientific communications in traditional medicine societies.

In an effort to address the pressing need for a common language, i.e. international standard terminology and technical terms to be used in traditional medicine, the WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region has been prepared. The number of commonly used terms in traditional medicine is estimated to be more than 4000, most of which are included in this book, which is designed for use by students and clinical practitioners and researchers in the Western Pacific Region. This is also useful to assist Member States in our Region in developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on traditional medicine.

The technical terms featured in this book are classified into eight categories: (‎1)‎ General; (‎2)‎ Basic Theories; (‎3)‎ Diagnostics; (‎4)‎ Disease; (‎5)‎ Therapeutics; (‎6)‎ Acupuncture and Moxibustion; (‎7)‎ Medicinal Treatment; and (‎8)‎ Classics.