Traditional Chinese medicine has a history of more than 2500 years and is still popular in China though Western medicine is practised in most hospitals. Traditional Chinese medicine is effective in fighting various chronic diseases--even cancer. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine run side-by-side in many hospitals. Should you become ill, you might consider being treated by a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese herbal medicine the doctor prescribes, which often comes in big balls, may not look that pleasant, but if it works, who cares? It's worth a try if your Western medicine isn't producing results.