Traditional Chinese Medicine in Malaysia: A Brief Historical Overview of the Interactions between China and Malay Peninsula

Abstract

Chinese Medicine was introduced to the Malay Peninsula during the colonial era circa 18thto 19thcentury. The British imported Chinese immigrants mainly for tin mining. The early Chinese settlers had brought with them the knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to Malaya. As time goes by, TCM becomes one of the popular traditional medicines that are accepted by other ethnicities. TCM has thus contributed to the welfare of Malaysians. In 2016, a Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T and CM) Act was passed by the Malaysia Parliament. TCM is one of the T and CM practices that fall under the regulation. TCM services are now offered in Malaysia's public hospitals in addition to private practices. This article aims to provide a brief overview on the development of TCM in the precolonial and postindependent Malaysia.