What is "TCM"? A conservation-relevant taxonomy of traditional Chinese medicine

The global trade in wildlife affects ~24% of terrestrial vertebrates, and demand for traditional medicinal materials, especially Chinese medicine, is a high profile driver. Much research has established causal link between materials "TCM" negative impacts on species conservation individual animals’ welfare. Key hopes reducing these are reduction redirection strategies, targetted at consumers professionals. Conservation papers routinely treat as homogenous entity, we argue that so doing fail to identify distinct markets or communities within "TCM", recognising distinctions would facilitate strategies redirection. We present an initial taxonomy - using derived from wild animal proof concept separating it into three principal components: (a) zhongyi the broad, all-inclusive medical field representing diverse used so-called pre-modern modern practice, described number revived texts; (b) TCM represents regulated suite pharmaceutical practises began be 1950s also belongs among practices today. Medicinal which represent curated subset those wider zhongyi, Pharmacopoeia People’s Republic China, subject change (for example if becomes strictly regulated); finally, (c) CMP, ‘Chinese medicine pharmaco-therapy’ neo-liberal extension mainly but some aspects zhongyi. It highly commodified commercialised form includes newly designed health products not previously considered ‘traditional medical’ let alone dispensed drug shops, frequently absence practitioner. Practitioners, suppliers potentially each category what circles labelled blanket term likely regard themselves others. This appreciation raises possibility working with official authorities, professional bodies, academics practitioners reduce, perhaps eliminate, use welfare concern.-