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Going abroad for —

TCM Quality

Traditional Chinese Medicine quality and authenticity

The country comparison

Which countries are best for tcm quality

The destinations ranked high→low under this lens — each with the reasoning behind its score, the cited evidence one click down, and its full report. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

19 / 19 Countries ranked

Researched and assessed by the Epidaurus editorial pipeline against our published scale. A country below the rule is not yet assessed enough — never ranked last.

  1. 1 Singapore SG 5.0/5 Good Singapore meets every criterion for a Score 5 rating. It has nationally standardized licensing (TCM Practitioners Act 2000, TCMPB statutory board, mandatory national STRE/CCA examination evolving to OSCE), three TCMPB... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 10 cited points
    • TCM Practitioners Act 2000 with TCMPB statutory board under MOH; mandatory national examination (STRE/CCA evolving to OSCE format by 2027)
    • Three TCMPB-accredited institutions: STCM (5-year full-time, ISO 9001 certified), ICMS (7-year part-time), NTU (4-year Bachelor of Chinese Medicine launched August 2024, MSc, and 5-year double degree with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine)
    • 3,271 registered practitioners as of December 2020, growing to 3,500+ by May 2026; all must pass national qualifying examination and complete 50 CPE points per cycle
    • Major clinical networks: Eu Yan Sang (18 clinics), Ma Kuang (30+ clinics, 100+ physicians), Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution (5 clinics, 1,300 patients/day), Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital (2 TCM centres), plus public hospital integration programs
    • HSA regulation requiring product listing, heavy metal limits (arsenic ≤5 ppm, lead ≤10 ppm, cadmium ≤0.3 ppm, mercury ≤0.5 ppm), and microbial standards for all Chinese Proprietary Medicines; major chains use herb fingerprinting, GMP-certified facilities, and batch testing
    • Government commitment: S$10 million TCM funding, MediSave coverage for acupuncture, 2026 accreditation framework for Healthier SG integration, TCM Integrative Sandbox (18 evidence-based proposals)
    • Active research programs: MOH research grants, NTU clinical trials (electroacupuncture for central obesity, herbal medicine for functional GI disorders), PRIME collaboration with Tan Tock Seng Hospital, NTU-TTSH clinical rotation program launching 2027
    • International partnerships and recognition: NTU Bachelor degree with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine partnership; Academy of Chinese Medicine Singapore conducts peer-reviewed research and collaborative studies
    • Universal English-language services: English is official language; all major TCM chains have bilingual (English/Mandarin) physicians as standard; NTU degree program is bilingual
    • Singapore explicitly listed in the Score 5 examples in the rubric alongside China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong

    Read the full Singapore report →

  2. 2 Japan JP 4.0/5 Good Japan meets Score 4 (Good) criteria comprehensively: nationally standardized MHLW licensing covering 191,000+ practitioners, comprehensive pharmaceutical-grade quality assurance for Kampo herbal medicines (148 formula... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 9 cited points
    • 191,653 licensed acupuncturists and 190,450 moxibustionists (as of 2023) with nationally standardized MHLW licensing and annual examination system since 1993 [Current Status of Licensing and Education - Kawai et al. - 2025]
    • 152 accredited educational institutions including 12 universities offering 3-5 year degree programs in acupuncture and moxibustion [Current Status of Licensing and Education - Kawai et al. - 2025]
    • Pharmaceutical-grade Kampo herbal medicines manufactured under GMP with Japanese Pharmacopoeia monographs and comprehensive testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination; 148 formulas covered by national health insurance [Kampo pharmaceutical products in the Japanese health-care system - Arai - 2019]
    • Kitasato University Oriental Medicine Research Center designated as WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine since 1986, first in Japan [Kitasato University Oriental Medicine Research Center - History - 2024]
    • 1,170 publications in international journals (2013-2022) and 500+ randomized controlled trials compiled in EKAT database; JSOM participation in WHO ICD-11 and ISO/TC 249 standardization [Bibliometric Analysis of Kampo Medicine Hotspots - Medicine - 2023]
    • English-speaking TCM and Kampo clinics available in Tokyo and Osaka (Kakikofu, Flow Acupuncture, Kaname) explicitly serving international patients from USA, Europe, and Australia [About Kakikofu Clinic - 2024; Top Acupuncture Clinics for Foreigners in Japan - Tokyo Acupuncture Blog - 2024]
    • Clear regulatory framework under Act on Practitioners of Massage, Acupuncture and Moxibustion (1947) and Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act; acupuncture/moxibustion partially covered by national health insurance for six chronic conditions [Legislation and Education - JSAM - 2021]
    • Traditional diagnostic methods employed by practitioners including pulse diagnosis (sekimyaku), abdominal palpation (fukushin), tongue observation, and pattern differentiation (sho) [Development and Future Trends of Traditional Kampo Medicine - Chinese Medicine and Culture - 2022]
    • Over 80% of Japanese physicians regularly prescribe Kampo formulas, integrating traditional medicine with conventional medical monitoring and safety oversight [Integration of Traditional Medicine with Conventional Biomedicine - PMC - 2023]

    Read the full Japan report →

  3. 3 South Korea KR 4.0/5 Good South Korea operates one of the world's most institutionally developed traditional East Asian medicine systems, with rigorous six-year university training and national licensing for approximately 24,627 Korean Medicin... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Six-year university degree from 12 accredited colleges plus national licensing examination and mandatory annual continuing education required; 10 specialist qualifications available via residency and specialist examination
    • Approximately 24,627 licensed Korean Medicine Doctors as of 2017 representing 16.4% of all physicians; 12 universities produce approximately 700 new KMDs annually
    • 312 dedicated TKM hospitals and 14,155 clinics as of 2017 with scale and accessibility far exceeding most other countries; Jaseng Hospital serves 438,000+ patients annually including 2,600+ international patients
    • National Health Insurance covers acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and selected herbal formulas since 1987 (world first); 2023 NHI TKM expenditure reached 3.07 trillion won
    • Mandatory hGMP for all herbal medicines since 2015; Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia includes 601 herbal materials with mandated testing for heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins; PIC/S membership; external herbal dispensary accreditation system introduced 2018
    • 33,893 foreign patients visited Korean medicine hospitals in 2024 (+84.6% from prior year); 90.2% patient satisfaction among 318 international patients at 2024 Seoul clinic study
    • 45 clinical practice guidelines published to Cochrane-standard methodology as of May 2024; KIOM publishes Integrative Medicine Research, an Elsevier-hosted, PubMed-indexed journal

    Read the full South Korea report →

  4. 4 Malaysia MY 4.0/5 Good Malaysia demonstrates well-developed TCM infrastructure backed by the T&CM Act 2016 with mandatory practitioner registration (4,000+ TCM specialists), multiple MQA-accredited five-year degree programs partnered with l... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • T&CM Act 2016 with mandatory practitioner registration since 2021, strictly enforced April 2024; 6,888+ registered practitioners, 4,000+ specializing in TCM
    • Eleven accredited educational institutions offering TCM; multiple five-year bachelor's degrees with partnerships to Shanghai, Shandong, and Guangzhou TCM universities
    • Dedicated TCM hospital inpatient services: Tung Shin Hospital (60-bed TCM ward, 1881), Lam Wah Ee Hospital (700-bed MSQH-accredited, 1883), plus 16 MOH government hospitals with integrated T&CM
    • NPRA regulation of herbal products with GMP required since 1999; updated GMP guidance June 2024; adulteration risk concentrated in unregistered imports, not practitioner-dispensed formulas
    • Recognized as leading medical tourism destination in Southeast Asia; hosted 14th ASEAN Congress of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025
    • Peer-reviewed research published in BMC Health Services Research, International Journal of General Medicine, and Springer Nature; demonstrates authentic syndrome differentiation-based practice

    Read the full Malaysia report →

  5. 5 United Arab Emirates AE 3.5/5 Moderate The UAE demonstrates a clearly defined regulatory framework with rigorous DHA/DOH/MOHAP licensing requiring 5-year TCM degrees, national examinations, and credential verification, supported by 8-12 established clinics... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Rigorous national licensing system requiring 5-year minimum TCM bachelor's degree, country-of-origin registration, Prometric written/oral examination, and Dataflow credential verification across DHA, DOH, and MOHAP authorities [Regulation of the TCM in UAE, Dubai - TCM Shanghai - 2024]
    • 8-12 established DHA-licensed TCM clinics in Dubai (Beijing Tongren Tang Gulf, Shanghai Medical Clinic since 1997, Dubai Herbal and Treatment Center, Healthylife Medical Center, Yuan Qi Acupuncture) staffed by practitioners with Master's degrees from Guangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangxi Universities of TCM with 10-25+ years clinical experience [Healthylife UAE Dubai - 2024; Doctors - Beijing Tongren Tang Gulf - 2024]
    • Complete absence of TCM university programs and dedicated TCM hospitals in UAE; all qualified practitioners trained outside the country [Report statement, page 26]
    • Government mandated health insurance coverage for TCM/acupuncture and herbal medicine since 2021 via DHA, with annual limits AED 2,500-3,500 across major insurers [Alternative Medicine Treatments You Can Add to Your Health Insurance Plan - Gargash Insurance - 2023]
    • Authentic TCM practice at major clinics including classical four-examinations (pulse, tongue, observation, inquiry) and syndrome-differentiation-based treatment at Dubai Herbal and Treatment Center and Beijing Tongren Tang Gulf [Oriental Medicine - Dubai Herbal and Treatment Center - 2024]
    • Minimal published TCM research output from UAE institutions and no international recognition as primary TCM destination (unlike China, Taiwan, Singapore) [Report page 73-75]
    • Acknowledged enforcement gap with unlicensed home-based TCM practitioners operating outside health authority jurisdiction [Alternative Medicine Blighted by Illegal Practitioners in UAE - Gulf News - 2018]

    Read the full United Arab Emirates report →

  6. 6 Spain ES 3.0/5 Moderate Spain has established TCM infrastructure including multiple dedicated clinics (Clínicas Guang An Men with 7+ locations, Instituto de Medicina China Barcelona, Centro Chien-Kang operating 35+ years) and genuine interna... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • No national licensing framework; only MDs can legally practice acupuncture in registered healthcare facilities under Royal Decree 1277/2003; non-physician TCM practitioners operate in unregulated para-sanitary sector
    • Approximately 5 unlicensed acupuncture centres per 100,000 inhabitants nationally; 335–350 unauthorized centres operate in Madrid alone
    • Training institutions: ESMTC (1989, 4-year/240-ECTS program), ISMET (1992), and EU-accredited joint master's degree between University of Barcelona, UPF, and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (launched 2016)
    • Approximately 490 registered acupuncturists through FEMTCI; market valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024
    • Government 2018 Plan for Protection of Health Against Pseudotherapies placed TCM under scrutiny with nationwide public media campaign (#CoNprueba)
    • EU herbal medicine regulatory framework applies but enforcement weak; AEMPS withdrew Chinese herbal products adulterated with sibutramine and sildenafil; only one-third of online retailers complied with regulations
    • Spain not recognized internationally as TCM medical tourism destination; no dedicated TCM hospital (€80-million project froze in 2019)

    Read the full Spain report →

  7. 7 Israel IL 3.0/5 Moderate Israel has an active TCM community with approximately 1,500 practitioners, multiple private TCM colleges offering four-year programs, and a competent professional association (IACM) with international recognition thro... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • No statutory government licensing system for TCM practitioners exists; the IACM certification exam and 4-year training requirement serve as the de facto standard, but membership is voluntary with no legal enforcement power
    • Approximately 1,500 active TCM practitioners work in Israel, with multiple dedicated clinics (NeiJing, Tel Aviv Acupuncture, Acupuncture Israel) and hospital-integrated programs at Sheba Medical Center
    • Five recognized TCM colleges offering 4-year programs, including Reidman International College with active affiliation to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; however, TCM diplomas are not recognized as state academic degrees
    • Chinese herbal medicine imports are managed through pharmaceutical channels but lack systematic authentication, heavy metal testing, or pesticide screening specific to Chinese Materia Medica; Israel bans 68 Chinese herbs but provides no dedicated regulatory framework for herbal quality control
    • IACM achieved June 2025 mutual recognition agreement with NCCAOM, enabling Israeli practitioners to pursue US certification; Israel maintains ETCMA and WFAS membership since 2017
    • Published peer-reviewed research on acupuncture in oncology settings including multi-center randomized controlled trial on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; integrative medicine programs operate within major hospitals
    • Israel is not positioned as a primary TCM medical tourism destination; medical tourists visit primarily for conventional medicine, fertility treatment, or stem cell therapies rather than TCM specifically

    Read the full Israel report →

  8. 8 United Kingdom GB 3.0/5 Moderate The United Kingdom fits the Score 3 (Moderate) descriptor, which explicitly cites the UK as a reference example. The country has a substantial cohort of trained TCM practitioners (~4,000 across BAcC, ATCM, and RCHM th... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • No statutory licensing for TCM practitioners in UK; registration with BAcC (~3,000), ATCM (~700+), or RCHM (~300+) is voluntary but indicates degree-level training
    • Multiple private TCM colleges offering 3-5 year degree programmes (Shulan College, Asante Academy, LSBU CITCM), but some university programmes have closed
    • TCM facilities concentrated in London (GinSen, Qin's Clinic, AcuMedic, CITCM) but no dedicated TCM hospitals; NHS services available for acupuncture in pain/cancer care
    • Documented contamination in London TCM retail shops and minimal product registration (only ~1 TCM product formally registered under MHRA THR scheme)
    • Large portion of UK acupuncture practice is 'medical acupuncture' by physiotherapists (~5,600 AACP members) without TCM theoretical basis, creating dual-track system
    • UK not recognized as TCM medical tourism destination; no coordinated TCM tourism infrastructure; patients travel to Asia instead

    Read the full United Kingdom report →

  9. 9 Mexico MX 3.0/5 Moderate Mexico's TCM infrastructure demonstrates moderate development with variable quality and limited regulation. While educational institutions including universities offer formal TCM programs (technician through master's ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • No overall licensing or registration requirement despite official recognition under NOM-017-SSA3-2012
    • Educational infrastructure with three levels: Higher University Technician, Bachelor's Degree (three universities), and Master's programs in Traditional Chinese Medicine
    • Limited dedicated TCM facilities with most services through small private clinics; CEMI (Specialized Center for Integrative Medicine) provides government-supported acupuncture consultations
    • COFEPRIS regulates herbal medicines generally but focuses on Mexican plants; no specific quality control for Chinese herbs (authentication, heavy metals testing, traditional processing verification)
    • Minimal international medical tourism reputation for TCM; Mexico's medical tourism sector focuses on dental, bariatric, and cosmetic procedures
    • Variable adherence to authentic traditional principles with significant westernization in clinical practice
    • Limited English-speaking TCM practitioners and minimal research output contributing to international TCM literature

    Read the full Mexico report →

  10. 10 United States US 3.0/5 Moderate The United States presents a moderate-quality TCM environment with strong regulatory standards for acupuncture practitioners—34,524 licensed acupuncturists, master's degree training requirements, and NIH recognition—b... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • 47 states and DC regulate acupuncture with 22 requiring NCCAOM certification and 26 using NCCAOM exams; approximately 34,524 licensed acupuncturists as of January 2023
    • Chinese herbs regulated as FDA dietary supplements requiring no prescription, with documented adulteration by heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceutical drugs; California testing found 24% of samples contaminated
    • No dedicated TCM hospitals; services delivered through individual clinics and hospital integrative medicine programs (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, UCSF); roughly 50 ACAOM-accredited schools offering 3-4 year master's programs
    • TCM practice significantly westernized with medical acupuncture approaches prevalent; U.S. not recognized as inbound medical tourism destination for TCM; state-by-state variation with Alabama, Oklahoma, and Kansas not licensing acupuncturists
    • NIH formally recognized acupuncture as mainstream medicine in 1997; over 1,000 randomized controlled trials published; major hospitals integrated acupuncture into care

    Read the full United States report →

  11. 11 Brazil BR 3.0/5 Moderate Brazil presents a paradox: exceptional public-system integration (260+ hospitals, PNPIC since 2006) and a large practitioner base (150,000–200,000), yet with significant quality variability and no dedicated medical to... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Brazil has an estimated 150,000–200,000 acupuncture practitioners and over 260 public hospitals offering free TCM through the national health system (SUS) since PNPIC incorporation in 2006, representing exceptional public integration.
    • Faculdade EBRAMEC graduated Brazil's first MEC-authorized acupuncture undergraduate cohort (40 students) in December 2024; EBRAMEC is WFCMS-affiliated and maintains partnerships with multiple Chinese TCM universities (Shandong, Chengdu).
    • A January 2026 law formally regulates acupuncture as a licensed profession, requiring higher education credentials or validated specialist titles for autonomous practice; however, a transitional provision permits practitioners with 5+ years of documented experience to continue without formal credentials.
    • ANVISA RDC 21/2014 exempts TCM products from mandatory pre-import registration, classifying them as traditional products rather than medicines; systematic quality testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and authenticity is not mandated for most imports, though animal-derived components are prohibited.
    • The Gansu University of Chinese Medicine's São Paulo cooperation base (established 2019) offers authentic full-spectrum TCM services (acupuncture, herbal concoctions, moxibustion, cupping, Tui na) with Chinese TCM specialists, but English-language services rely on interpreters and translation.
    • Brazil is not an established TCM medical tourism destination; the sector serves primarily domestic Brazilian patients, and no public registry of licensed practitioners exists to aid credential verification by foreign visitors.
    • Brazil contributes to acupuncture neuroplasticity research and is building research capacity through EBRAMEC's involvement with international WFCMS congresses, though research output remains modest compared to established TCM research hubs.

    Read the full Brazil report →

  12. 12 Colombia CO 3.0/5 Moderate Colombia has meaningful regulatory maturity with formal legal recognition since 1998, an accredited university master's program at UNAL, and established professional associations, placing it above many Latin American ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Three legally recognized postgraduate programs including UNAL's four-semester Master's in Alternative Medicine with TCM/Acupuncture specialization (launched 2008, producing ~1,200 graduates since 2004)
    • No comprehensive national registry of licensed TCM practitioners; while Law 1164/2007 requires physician specialization, enforcement mechanisms and credential verification remain inconsistent
    • INVIMA oversees phytotherapeutic products but has no dedicated regulatory pathway for Chinese materia medica; quality testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and species authentication is not systematically enforced for imported Chinese herbs
    • TCM services concentrated at Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (a top-tier hospital) and several private clinics, with no dedicated TCM hospitals comparable to East Asian standards
    • Colombia is a major medical tourism destination for cosmetic surgery and dental procedures, but TCM is not a primary driver; medical tourists do not predominantly travel to Colombia specifically for TCM
    • English-speaking TCM practitioners are rare outside top-tier hospitals; TCM-specific bilingual coordinators and translation services are uncommon despite Colombia's general medical tourism infrastructure

    Read the full Colombia report →

  13. 13 Germany DE 3.0/5 Moderate Germany offers well-developed TCM infrastructure by European standards, featuring Europe's only inpatient TCM hospital (affiliated with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine), formal university-level TCM education, a... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Germany channels TCM through nationally recognized licensing pathways: Heilpraktiker license (professional standards of 900+ hours training) or medical doctor with additional recognized qualification from German Medical Association
    • TCM Klinik Bad Kötzting is Europe's only dedicated inpatient TCM hospital (80 beds), affiliated with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine since 2010, treating 1,000+ patients annually with 70% reported effectiveness rate
    • Technische Hochschule Deggendorf offers Europe's only certified M.Sc. degree in TCM; SMS Societas Medicinae Sinensis has provided comprehensive TCM training since 1978
    • Approximately 40,000 medical doctors practice acupuncture in Germany, with 16,118 registered with additional qualifications in traditional/complementary medicine
    • Chinese herbal medicines regulated under German Medicines Act and European Pharmacopoeia standards, but 2014 review found contaminants exceeded maximum permissible values in some products and only 74% of certificates of analysis met pharmacy requirements
    • German TCM emphasizes medical and evidence-based acupuncture (symptom-focused) rather than classical syndrome differentiation; authentic classical TCM available at Bad Kötzting and specialized practitioners but not the predominant model
    • Germany ranks among top international publishers of TCM randomized controlled trials but is not recognized as a primary TCM medical tourism destination

    Read the full Germany report →

  14. 14 Hungary HU 3.0/5 Moderate Hungary maintains an exceptionally strong regulatory framework for TCM within Europe—uniquely, it is the only EU member state allowing independent practice for non-MD practitioners holding five-year university degrees... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Hungary is the only EU member state with independent licensing for non-MD TCM practitioners holding 5-year university degrees (EMMI Decree 42/2015); licensed practitioners must register with OKFŐ national healthcare registry
    • Semmelweis University operates a 5-year Bachelor program in partnership with Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine (since 2010, 30+ graduates); University of Pécs offers postgraduate TCM for doctors; both partnerships ensure China-trained faculty
    • Three major clinics identified (Qihuang TCM Center, Chi-Huang Dr Chen Patika Medical Center, Kínai Medicina Budapest); estimated 100-150 total licensed non-MD TCM therapists nationally, with no dedicated TCM hospitals
    • Chinese herbs classified and sold as food supplements rather than regulated pharmaceuticals; NÉBIH market surveillance detected banned pharmaceutical ingredients in imported supplements (2017); no systematic authentication, heavy metal screening, or pesticide testing mandated
    • Practitioners employ traditional diagnostic methods (pulse, tongue, four examinations) and classical TCM principles; rotating teams of Chinese physicians from Gansu maintain practice standards; Chi-Huang founder Dr. Chen Zhen holds PhD in medical sciences and professoriate at Debrecen Medical University
    • Hungary recognized as strongest EU position for TCM but not international medical tourism destination; 2023 World TCM Day event in Budapest drew 500+ attendees; published research contributions in acupuncture and meridian exercises

    Read the full Hungary report →

  15. 15 Thailand TH 3.0/5 Moderate Thailand demonstrates moderate TCM quality with solid institutional infrastructure but critical herbal medicine quality control failures. The country has nearly 3,000 licensed practitioners, 9 accredited universities ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • Nearly 3,000 licensed TCM practitioners registered with Ministry of Health as of 2024
    • 9 universities with accredited TCM faculties producing ~200 graduates annually with 5-6 year Bachelor's degree programs certified under MOUs with Chinese universities
    • 540+ hospitals and clinics offering TCM services as of 2024, doubled since 2019
    • Only 14.5% of herbal products in Thailand meet acceptable quality standards with microbial contamination and unregistered products as major problems
    • Almost all full TCM services provided in private clinics rather than integrated public hospital system
    • Thailand established formal licensing system under Practice of the Art of Healing Act B.E. 2542 (1999) with Profession Commission managing TCM tests and licenses
    • Limited documentation of Thailand as internationally recognized TCM destination comparable to China, Taiwan, or Singapore

    Read the full Thailand report →

  16. 16 Jordan JO 2.0/5 Poor Jordan has a visible but marginal TCM sector of approximately six clinics concentrated in Amman, with most practitioners being medical doctors who completed only 3–6 months of supplementary training rather than formal... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • No national TCM licensing system exists; draft regulations would require only 3–6 months training for medical doctors to practise Chinese techniques
    • No dedicated TCM university program; College of Integrative Medicine offers integrative medicine diplomas, not full TCM curriculum
    • Approximately six Chinese medicine clinics operate in Amman only; no TCM hospitals or inpatient facilities exist
    • Jordanian herbal supplement market faces documented adulteration risk with 98.5% pharmacy stocking but no specific quality-control testing for Chinese herbs
    • TCM practice is simplified and medically adapted with no evidence of traditional diagnostic methods (pulse, tongue diagnosis) or classical syndrome differentiation
    • No published clinical research on TCM from Jordanian institutions; TCM is not listed as a medical tourism offering in Jordan despite the country's strong conventional medicine reputation
    • No public registry for credential verification; medical tourists cannot independently verify practitioner training or TCM expertise

    Read the full Jordan report →

  17. 17 India IN 2.0/5 Poor India receives a score of 2 (Poor) due to significant quality concerns across all dimensions of TCM provision. Practice is characterized by flawed and inconsistent regulation allowing widespread unlicensed practice, w... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Practice and regulation of acupuncture in India is flawed due to inconsistent regulatory structure, with practice by physicians of other medical systems as well as nonlicensed practitioners
    • Total duration of acupuncture training at undergraduate level is 175 hours including only 75 hours practical training, far below the 5-year bachelor's degree programs required in China
    • No dedicated TCM hospitals exist; only scattered private clinics in major cities with no international accreditation or formal TCM infrastructure
    • Indian e-commerce platforms are selling Chinese herbal medicines without any regulatory framework for authentication, purity testing, or contamination screening
    • India's medical tourism sector is worth US$9 billion but focuses on conventional medicine and Ayurveda, with TCM not mentioned as a popular treatment for medical tourists

    Read the full India report →

  18. 18 Turkey TR 2.0/5 Poor Turkey operates a well-regulated medical acupuncture system (GETAT) with ~5,800 certified physicians in 1,540 facilities, but this is fundamentally not authentic Traditional Chinese Medicine. The country lacks TCM edu... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • No TCM university degree programs exist; certification limited to ~500-hour programs for licensed physicians only [Mapping traditional and complementary medicine in Turkey - Hacettepe University - 2017]
    • Chinese herbal medicine essentially unavailable outside rare individual practitioners; phytotherapy regulated as European-style botanical medicine, not classical Chinese formulas [An overview of traditional and complementary medicine in Turkey - Healthcare Academic Journal - 2021]
    • Moxibustion and tui na excluded from Turkey's 15 officially regulated GETAT practices, representing core TCM modality gaps [An overview of traditional and complementary medicine in Turkey - Healthcare Academic Journal - 2021]
    • Only 5,800 certified physicians practicing medical acupuncture in regulated system; authentic Chinese-trained TCM practitioners operate in legal ambiguity, representing negligible infrastructure [Türkiye expands traditional medicine access - Daily Sabah - April 2026]
    • Turkey receives 1.5M+ medical tourists annually but zero reputation as TCM destination; medical tourism draw is cosmetic surgery, dental, orthopaedics, not TCM [Health Tourism Turkey 2025 - Smile Antalya - 2025]

    Read the full Turkey report →

  19. 19 Poland PL 2.0/5 Poor Poland lacks mandatory national credentialing for TCM practitioners, with no certification examination or public registry allowing quality verification—anyone may legally practice TCM. Chinese herbal medicines are reg... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • No mandatory national credentialing or examination; acupuncturist and herbalist-phytotherapist titles recognized as paramedical occupations but with zero enforced minimum training hours or requirements
    • Approximately 200–300 practitioners of highly variable quality with no public registry; anyone can legally practice TCM without credentials
    • No dedicated TCM hospitals; only private outpatient clinics, primarily in Warsaw and Krakow
    • Chinese herbs regulated as food supplements (GIS notification only) with no pharmaceutical-grade testing; Polish studies document lead and nickel contamination above safe limits
    • Regulatory framework is fragmentary and enforcement-free; proposed 'Lex Szarlatan' still in legislative limbo
    • Poland is not recognized internationally as a TCM medical tourism destination; fewer than 10 clinics listed on Bookimed
    • Medical tourists cannot verify practitioner credentials or training background through any official mechanism

    Read the full Poland report →

Reading the field

What separates a good programme from a dangerous one

Every country above is graded against this published scale — the same 1–5 rubric for tcm quality, top to bottom. How we score →

  1. 5/5 Excellent

    **TCM as a core national healthcare strength with world-class quality:** - Nationally standardized licensing for TCM practitioners with rigorous examination requirements - Multiple well-established TCM universities offering 5+ year degree programs with international recognition - 1,000+ licensed TCM practitioners, with substantial number experienced in treating international patients - Dedicated TCM hospitals (5+ facilities) with modern infrastructure and traditional authenticity - Robust regulatory framework specifically for TCM, including herbal medicine quality control - Chinese herbs sourced from verified suppliers with comprehensive quality testing (heavy metals, pesticides, authentication) - Traditional diagnostic and treatment methods properly employed according to classical principles - Strong reputation as international TCM destination with documented positive patient outcomes - Active TCM research programs contributing to international literature - International accreditation or recognition of leading TCM facilities - Excellent availability of English-speaking practitioners or professional medical translation services **Examples**: China (particularly Beijing, Shanghai), Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore (top-tier facilities)

  2. 4/5 Good

    **Well-developed TCM infrastructure with high quality standards:** - Clear national licensing or registration system for TCM practitioners - At least one reputable TCM college or university program (3-5 year degree) - 200+ qualified TCM practitioners, including practitioners serving medical tourists - Several dedicated TCM clinics or hospitals (2-5 facilities) with good reputations - Government regulation of TCM practice with defined standards - Quality control measures for herbal medicines, though may not be comprehensive - Authentic TCM practice following traditional principles, with some variation - Recognized within region as quality TCM destination - Some published clinical research or patient outcome data - Medical tourists can access high-quality TCM with moderate ease - Some English-language services available **Examples**: South Korea, Japan, Australia (major cities), Malaysia, Thailand (established TCM centers)

  3. 3/5 Moderate

    **TCM available with variable quality and limited regulation:** - Some form of practitioner certification or registration, but may not be nationally standardized - TCM training available through private colleges or short-term programs (1-3 years) - 50-200 TCM practitioners, but training and quality vary significantly - Limited dedicated TCM facilities (1-2 clinics or small hospitals) - Basic regulatory oversight but limited enforcement or quality monitoring - Chinese herbs available but quality control inconsistent; some risk of adulteration or low quality - Mix of traditional and highly modified/westernized approaches to TCM - Limited reputation as TCM destination; medical tourists may struggle to identify quality providers - Minimal research output or documented outcomes - English-speaking practitioners rare; translation services limited **Examples**: United States (varies by state), Canada, United Kingdom, European countries with TCM practice

  4. 2/5 Poor

    **TCM present but with significant quality concerns:** - Minimal or no official regulation of TCM practitioners - No formal TCM educational institutions; practitioners may be self-taught or trained in short workshops - Fewer than 50 identifiable TCM practitioners, with questionable credentials - No dedicated TCM hospitals; limited clinic options - Little to no quality control for herbal medicines; high risk of counterfeit or contaminated products - TCM practice significantly deviated from authentic traditional methods - No reputation as medical tourism destination for TCM - No available outcome data or research - Difficult for medical tourists to access or verify quality of TCM services - Language barriers significant **Examples**: Many developing countries, countries where TCM is not culturally established

  5. 1/5 Very Poor / Unavailable

    **TCM essentially unavailable or unsafe:** - No legal recognition or regulation of TCM practice - No qualified TCM practitioners identifiable - No TCM educational infrastructure - TCM may be legally prohibited or heavily restricted - If practiced at all, high risk of unqualified practitioners and dangerous practices - No access to authentic Chinese herbs; any products available likely counterfeit or poor quality - No facilities offering TCM services - Medical tourists cannot safely access TCM in this country - Should seek TCM care elsewhere **Examples**: Countries where traditional medicine is prohibited, countries with no TCM presence or tradition

The reports

The full country reports under this lens

Each destination we have assessed has a full, cited report — the detailed analysis behind its score. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

Clinics & providers

The clinics our research names

Named hospitals, clinics and centres cited across these findings — each carrying the specialties our reports record. Follow one to the reports behind it.

References

The sources behind these assessments

The distinct sources cited across these published reports — every finding carries its own citations; this is the union, each linking back to the reports that lean on it.

  1. Untitled source clinicalestablishments.gov.in/En/1075-ayush.aspx Cited in TCM Quality in India
  2. Untitled source english.scio.gov.cn/internationalexchanges/2022-03/25/content_78130226.htm Cited in TCM Quality in India
  3. Untitled source ijdra.com/index.php/journal/article/download/528/276 Cited in TCM Quality in India
  4. Untitled source acupunctureprep.com/acupuncture-schools-in-albuquerque-nm Cited in TCM Quality in Mexico
  5. Untitled source asante-academy.com Cited in TCM Quality in United Kingdom
  6. Untitled source balancepoint.in Cited in TCM Quality in India
  7. Untitled source chennaiacupuncture.com Cited in TCM Quality in India
  8. Untitled source en.people.cn/n3/2016/0205/c202936-9014488.html Cited in TCM Quality in Spain
  9. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaseng_Hospital_of_Oriental_Medicine Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  10. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism_in_India Cited in TCM Quality in India
  11. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism_in_South_Korea Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  12. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea, TCM Quality in India, TCM Quality in United States
  13. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Korean_medicine Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  14. Untitled source english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?menuSn=923&dataSetId=116&vcontsId=204729 Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  15. Untitled source english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/infoHtmlView.do?vcontsId=139768 Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  16. Untitled source english.visitseoul.net/partners-en/medical-tourism Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  17. Untitled source etcma.org/find-a-member/israel Cited in TCM Quality in Israel
  18. Untitled source etcma.org/latest-news/flash-nccaom-and-iatcm-announcement Cited in TCM Quality in Israel
  19. Untitled source globalacupuncture.org/mexico Cited in TCM Quality in Mexico
  20. Untitled source globinmed.com/tcm/system-of-thailand-traditional-medicine Cited in TCM Quality in Thailand
  21. Untitled source journals.openedition.org/chinaperspectives/5630 Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  22. Untitled source journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0000416 Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  23. Untitled source koreahealthpages.com/korea/acupuncture-oriental-medicine-seoul Cited in TCM Quality in South Korea
  24. Untitled source kpc.com/articles/how-to-get-a-certification-in-traditional-chinese-medicine Cited in TCM Quality in Mexico, TCM Quality in United States

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