Since the SARS epidemic broke out in China, doctors of traditional Chinese medicine, known as TCM, have been consulting their own sources for treatment options. They say the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicines is proving effective.

　　Ten SARS patients who benefited from the combined use of Chinese and western medicine have totally recovered from the disease. TCM doctors say their traditional approach can help boost the body's immune system and mobilize all its resources to fight the disease.

　　"Traditional Chinese medicine can help relieve most of the symptoms caused by SARS, especially in reducing fever and shadows on the lung. The combination treatment relieves symptoms steadily and doesn't lead to a relapse," said Liu Dequan, head of TCM Dept. of Beijing Thoracic Hospital.

　　At the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, TCM treatments are having a quantitative effect. They're leading to lower usage of some western drugs. Beijing is now promoting the combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine among the 16 specific SARS hospitals.