Supporting Research to Find Alternatives
IFAW first began to address the issue of endangered species used in traditional medicine products in 1983. Recognizing the importance of research into herbal alternatives, IFAW commissioned the first-ever conservation report on herbal alternatives to bear bile.
In the years since, IFAW has assisted the Chinese government in their efforts
to find non-endangered alternatives for TM use through funding China's State
Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SATCM).
IFAW funded landmark research into replacing the active ingredient in bear bile with effective plant extractions. We believe that using non-endangered, propagated herbal and synthetic alternatives to endangered species offers a sustainable alternative to the harvest of endangered wildlife.
IFAW’s China office is supporting the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine University in a three-year study of bear bile alternatives, and a literature review of alternative TM ingredients.
In 2001, IFAW and the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provided Middlesex University with a three-year, joint grant to investigate herbal alternatives to bear bile, rhinoceros horn and tiger bone.
Researchers are currently identifying the active constituents in bear bile, rhino horn and tiger bone and will go on to find herbal substitutes. Progress thus far has been encouraging.
Through these efforts, IFAW hopes to encourage further scientific research into alternatives to traditional medicines that contain endangered animal and plant derivatives.
Our aim is to promote effective alternatives that will not further deplete threatened and endangered wildlife.
IFAW funded landmark research into replacing the active ingredient in bear bile with effective plant extractions. We believe that using non-endangered, propagated herbal and synthetic alternatives to endangered species offers a sustainable alternative to the harvest of endangered wildlife.
IFAW’s China office is supporting the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine University in a three-year study of bear bile alternatives, and a literature review of alternative TM ingredients.
In 2001, IFAW and the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provided Middlesex University with a three-year, joint grant to investigate herbal alternatives to bear bile, rhinoceros horn and tiger bone.
Researchers are currently identifying the active constituents in bear bile, rhino horn and tiger bone and will go on to find herbal substitutes. Progress thus far has been encouraging.
Through these efforts, IFAW hopes to encourage further scientific research into alternatives to traditional medicines that contain endangered animal and plant derivatives.
Our aim is to promote effective alternatives that will not further deplete threatened and endangered wildlife.
;)
IFAW encourages research into non-endangered alternatives to bear bile, tiger
bone and other animal derivatives used in TM.
Photo: © IFAW/ P. Bronstein
