Although Chinese medicine cannot produce synthetic drugs, the basis of the curative powers of Chinese medicines is similar to the principles underlying the fourth generation of Western medicines, which will use proteoglycans. The medications do not directly destroy germs, but adjust the body's own immunity. This is the enhancing of the body's immunity according to the traditional principle of "consolidating the body's own defense functions and eliminating evil elements."
中醫雖然不會製造科學化藥品，但藥材治療的根據，卻與目前西方第四代、也是最新的藥品蛋白醣 (Proteoglycan) 的原則相同：藥材不直接殺死細菌，而是調理身體的抗病能力，所謂固本培元、扶正祛邪，增加身體免疫力。