全文请参阅微信周日第三条。Traditional Chinese medicine has won more recognition in Western countries in recent years, but the 5,000-year-old medical science still needs a modern interpretation to break into the mainstream Western market.

According to the Beijing-based World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, more Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics have opened in Western countries and more colleges are starting to offer Traditional Chinese Medicine education, but it has not attained legal status in many countries.

In some parts of the world, Traditional Chinese Medicine is considered a food supplement rather than having medicinal effects.

Experts say a major reason that Traditional Chinese Medicine is not widely acknowledged is a lack of research on its pharmaceutical details and its interaction with other medicines.

The number of registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners worldwide is estimated at around 500,000.

This is NEWS Plus Special English.

Chinese scientist Tu Youyou's winning of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine has drawn much attention in Italy, especially for the role traditional Chinese medicine played in helping her find a cure for malaria.

Eighty-five-year-old Tu is the first Chinese woman to win the Nobel Prize in science. She was awarded together with two other scientists for developing therapies against malaria and infections caused by roundworm parasites.

More specifically, the Chinese pharmacologist was recognized for discovering Artemisinin, a drug that has significantly reduced the mortality rates among people suffering from malaria.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang congratulated the scientist for her success, which "marked a great contribution of traditional Chinese Medicine to the cause of human health".

Italy's main science magazine Focus has dedicated an in-depth report to the incredible story of the Chinese researcher, saying that she started from traditional medicine, and found a way to eradicate the malaria parasite at the early stage of its development.

You're listening to NEWS Plus Special English. I'm Liu Yan in Beijing.