HEFEI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- In a quiet consultation room filled with herbs and meridian charts, a seasoned Swiss doctor takes a patient's pulse -- practicing a centuries-old Chinese healing art far from home.
Trained in both Western and Chinese medicine, Swiss doctor Kiu Caracani is currently seeing patients and engaging in medical exchanges at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province.
His visits to the hospital have become an annual tradition -- part of his long-standing dedication to exploring and sharing the healing philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
"In my eyes, TCM is like music," he said. "Just like when we hear a beautiful melody in a restaurant and our bodies start to sway unconsciously, TCM brings harmony to the body and peace to the mind."
For more than 50 years, Caracani has devoted his life to practicing and promoting TCM around the world. His journey began not in China, but as a boy in the Italian countryside, where at the age of five, he met a Chinese doctor who treated patients with acupuncture and herbs.
"I saw people cured with just a few silver needles and herbal concoctions," Caracani recalled. "That day, I decided to become someone like him."
Starting with the study of acupuncture points and meridian systems, Caracani practiced needling techniques on himself. Over time, he became a strong believer in the integrative power of TCM.
"Acupuncture works fast," he said. "Western medicine rarely shows such immediate results. And Chinese medicine has been evolving for over 5,000 years -- each era bringing new insights."
Today, Caracani is founder and CEO of the International Group of Researchers and Development for Complementary Medicine (IRCM), based in Switzerland.
He operates TCM clinics in Lausanne, Geneva and Oxford, providing monthly care to over 400 patients. His clinical expertise spans cancer support, neurological disorders and mental health, where he combines Eastern techniques with Western diagnostics.
"When I help one patient, they often return with their entire family," Caracani said. "I remember a regional governor who came in for treatment -- and next time, he brought 20 people with him."
In Switzerland, TCM is officially recognized and included in the national healthcare system, following a public referendum.
"My hometown Lausanne alone has about 35 TCM clinics," he noted. "There are Chinese practitioners, but also many trained Europeans. Our patients span all ages and backgrounds."
Caracani's influence extends beyond Switzerland, reaching as far as Peru, Georgia, Russia and countries across Europe, where he treats patients and advocates for the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine through lectures and collaboration.
Nowadays, coming to China has become a regular part of Caracani's life. Whether organizing teams of doctors for professional development or bringing his own patients for joint treatment and academic exchanges, he rarely comes alone.
"I work with Chinese doctors and specialists almost every month to provide online consultations for international patients, tailoring integrated treatment plans that combine both Western and Chinese medicine," said Caracani.
In addition to offering customized treatment plans for international patients, Caracani also plans to collaborate with universities and hospitals in Anhui to train TCM practitioners from Europe, with the initiative set to launch in 2026.
Caracani is not just a practitioner -- he's a cultural ambassador. His organization, IRCM, regularly hosts international TCM events. In 2021, he invited students from Anhui University of Chinese Medicine to attend a conference in Lausanne. In 2023, he traveled to Huangshan City in Anhui to attend the Xin'an Medicine Development Conference.
He planed to co-host an international acupuncture symposium in partnership with Chinese universities. He is also working with doctors and researchers from France, Germany, India, Russia and China on an English-language encyclopedia of Chinese medicine.
Currently, TCM gains greater global influence. Customs data showed that China exported TCM products worth 5.28 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
China has signed cooperation agreements on TCM with over 40 foreign governments, regional bodies, and international organizations. As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, 30 high-quality TCM centers have been set up overseas.
"Doctors from Europe and the United States are deeply interested in traditional Chinese medicine, but often face a lack of structured education and clinical training opportunities," Caracani said. "I hope to help them better understand TCM via China's rich academic and practical resources." Enditem
京公网安备 11010802027341号