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The art of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ever-evolving science. There are no "constants," but only "variables." The only thing predictable in TCM is that it will continue to evolve to adapt to the changing environment.

While Shen Nong Ben Cao may be the oldest text, its content is limited to only 365 medicinal herbs. Though Ben Cao Gang Mu may be the most authoritative text, it is not the most comprehensive. Throughout the history of TCM, the need to change and improve has been constant, resulting in ongoing advancements. Marco Polo and the Silk Road brought about one of the first revolutionary changes, as many new medicinals were introduced to TCM around that time. Many herbs were introduced and incorporated into the Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia, making the medicine more advanced and comprehensive. But instead of being content with effective formulations and treatments, the practitioners of TCM continued to exercise their minds, explore new medicinals, and experiment with new treatment modalities. Such is the nature of TCM.

The ancient wisdom of TCM continues to evolve, bringing about the latest round of revolutionary changes. This time, the challenge is not with discovery of new medicinals, but with new concepts and paradigms. TCM is a result-oriented (effect-based) medicine that has been time- and human-tested for several thousands of years. With all the documentations, the fundamental theories and therapeutic effects are now under intense scrutiny. The opposition comes not from TCM practitioners, but from those who do not understand it. Clinical experience from thousands of years and millions of patients can no longer demonstrate effectiveness; instead, we must also conduct double-blind placebo-controlled experiments. It is no longer sufficient to just perform acupuncture and prescribe herbal formulas; instead, we must also interpret X-Ray results and lab reports, and consult on the potential of herb-drug interactions. The practice of TCM today is drastically different in comparison with the past few thousand years. TCM is now at a crossroad where it is reinventing itself to adapt to a new high-tech world.

Over the past few years, Dr. John Chen, the consultant of Evergreen Herbs, participated in numerous monumental events in various settings. These events indicate that not only will TCM adapt to this new world, but that the possibilities for growth are infinite. He played a major role in educating the media and the general public in the Discovery Health Channels' series on alternative medicine, and the Los Angeles Times' first annual Festival of Health. He was also instrumental in educating western medical practitioners, first by being invited by Queens' Physician Group to educate medical doctors on herb-drug interactions, and then by addressing the American Pharmacists Association to educate pharmacists on Chinese herbs. On educating TCM practitioners, he played an integral part as a speaker for numerous state, national, and international conferences. On the research frontier, he was involved in a chronic pain study with Los Angeles Free Clinic and Emperor's College, an immune research project with Bastyr University , and a cancer project with UCLA. These are just some of the many events that edge us slowly toward mainstream medicine.

When we started the company, we made a life-long commitment to help the profession grow. We hope our passion for the medicine will serve as a catalyst for other companies to follow.

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