From NRICM101 (Qinggan No. 1) to NRICM301 (Xingnao No. 1), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is no longer a backup option but a recognized choice in global healthcare. Yi-Chang Su, Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine and Head of the National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, has been the key driver behind making Taiwanese TCM verifiable, standardized, and globally accessible, guiding traditional producers to step onto the international stage.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, “Taiwan Chinese herbal tea” even became a trending search term on Amazon in the U.S.—marking a global reimagination of TCM’s potential. NRICM101, a Taiwanese herbal formula adapted from classical TCM prescriptions, sparked a buying frenzy in Europe and the U.S., with Western consumers incorporating it into their daily routines. What was once a supplementary approach to healthcare had now taken center stage as part of the global medical options.
“TCM is gaining global recognition because we make it testable, verifiable, and trustworthy,” said Yi-Chang Su, a driving force behind NRICM101. The formula has been licensed to 14 domestic GMP-certified herbal manufacturers and exported to 60 countries and regions, benefiting millions and contributing significantly to the global pandemic response.
From Single-Cause Treatments to Holistic Care at the Crossroads of TCM and Western Medicine
“Human genome decoding in 2000 marked the beginning of integrating traditional Chinese medicine with modern Western medicine,” Su explained. Genomic insights shifted medical focus from targeting single causes to considering the whole patient—addressing chronic illness, immune weakness, and psychological stress simultaneously.
Reflecting on NRICM101’s development, Su recounted: leveraging lessons from the 2003 SARS outbreak, by late January 2020, Taiwan was ready with clinical guidelines for treating COVID-19 using TCM. Using the Ming dynasty prescription “Jingfang Baidu San” as a base, the formula was adjusted to address COVID-19 symptoms. By early April 2020, a critically ill patient at Tri-Service General Hospital showed remarkable improvement under an integrated TCM-Western treatment, inaugurating collaborative care for COVID-19 patients.
“NRICM101 works because it targets three dimensions simultaneously,” Su said. Houttuynia cordata blocks viral entry, Scutellaria baicalensis inhibits viral replication and controls inflammation, while the overall formula modulates immunity, reduces pulmonary inflammation, and prevents thrombus formation—remaining effective against subsequent viral variants.
Standardizing Quality Control: Giving Herbal Medicine an International “ID Card”
Once the formula was set, the challenge became large-scale production and export. Within six months, NRICM101 became the first globally recommended TCM prescription with traceable, standardized processes, gaining popularity across Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
“The biggest challenge in internationalizing TCM is consistency,” Su explained. As herbal medicine is agricultural, factors such as origin, harvest timing, plant parts used, and processing methods affect the final product’s composition and efficacy. Su set NRICM101 as an “export-grade medicine,” establishing a comprehensive chemical fingerprint akin to an international ID card for each herb. This ensured that all licensed GMP manufacturers produced a formula with consistent composition and quality. Post-marketing quality monitoring was also implemented, strictly regulating all EUA-approved products to maintain Taiwan’s international reputation.
NRICM101’s efficacy is supported not only by TCM theory and experience but also by modern scientific evidence. In 2021, the National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine integrated five laboratories to confirm the formula’s multi-target antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, demonstrating improvements in mouse models of pneumonia and thrombosis. Clinical studies in nine Taiwanese teaching hospitals treated 524 isolated and ICU patients during the pandemic peak. Real-world data showed NRICM101 prevented progression from mild/moderate to severe COVID-19, while NRICM301 reduced mortality in severe cases by over 70%.
“This proves Taiwanese TCM is not just alternative medicine; it is a legitimate, standardized healthcare resource capable of entering global markets,” Su said.
Extending Research to Aging Populations: Stroke and Dementia Applications
Su extended the same research approach to chronic neurodegenerative conditions, developing NRICM301 (Xingnao No. 1) and another formulation targeting Alzheimer’s. These formulas support neural repair and rehabilitation, addressing gaps in Western medicine for neurodegenerative recovery.
Su shared a personal story illustrating his confidence in TCM for acute conditions. In 1990, his father suffered massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Su formulated a herbal prescription that stabilized his father, who then recovered fully with continued herbal care. Over his 30-year medical career, Su has successfully treated critical cases including sepsis, encephalitis, hepatitis, trauma, stroke, and heart failure, demonstrating TCM’s efficacy in acute care.
Su emphasized TCM’s strength in chronic disease management, focusing on holistic repair rather than symptom suppression. Diabetic patients improved circulation and avoided amputations, while patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases achieved long-term remission with herbal interventions.
Building the Industry Chain: Beyond the Physician’s Role
Sustainable growth of TCM requires both systemic support and talent. Su highlighted Taiwan’s leading TCM education, combining complete TCM theory and clinical training with Western medicine knowledge, allowing students to integrate TCM and modern healthcare effectively.
He also prioritized the integrity of herbal supply chains. As Director, Su implemented a strategy of “leading medicine with therapeutics, driving agriculture with medicine,” guiding cultivation standards based on clinical demand. Collaborations with agricultural institutes and international contract farming initiatives in Vietnam aim to establish standardized planting, harvest, and processing, ensuring stable international supply.
“While Western medicine relies heavily on global raw material supply, Taiwan can systematically control the entire TCM production chain,” Su noted. Mirroring Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, TCM can develop a fully integrated ecosystem—from cultivation and biotech R&D to pharmaceutical production and clinical application. This not only demonstrated resilience during the pandemic but also positions Taiwan as a key partner in global healthcare innovation.
Su concluded: to bring TCM truly onto the world stage requires more than isolated breakthroughs. It needs collaboration across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and international partners. As the world seeks scientifically validated, sustainable, and culturally informed healthcare solutions, Taiwanese TCM is ready to become a critical component of the global health system.
Resource: 台灣中醫闖世界！專訪中醫藥司長蘇奕彰，如何「以醫領藥、以藥帶農」
