Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine
Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine is a provincial public institution under the direct supervision of the Hunan Provincial Government. It is recognized as the leading provincial-level research institute in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is home to the most “National Masters of Chinese Medicine.” In 1997, it ranked first in a national evaluation of TCM research institutions.
Located in Changsha, a historic and culturally significant city, the academy covers three campuses—Yuehua, Lushan, and Ningxiang—and a herbal resource testing base in Wangcheng. Spanning about 274 acres, its headquarters are based at the Yuehua campus. The institution operates nine research centers and one large-scale, third-class hospital, the Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, which is also the affiliated hospital of the academy. Additionally, the academy manages three companies: Hunan Provincial TCM Technology Development Corporation, Hunan Guohua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Hunan Spring Sunshine Modern Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd.
The academy traces its roots back to 1957 as the Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, evolving through various names and expansions until it became the Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1984. It was upgraded to a government-affiliated, bureau-level scientific research institution in 1985. In 2022, it resumed independent operation with a strategic direction focusing on technological innovation, agricultural modernization, industrial achievements, health services, and cultural heritage.
The academy boasts numerous high-level research platforms, including two Hunan Provincial Furong Laboratories (focused on geriatric TCM and key technologies for TCM preparations), three key provincial laboratories, and four provincial engineering research centers. It is also a key national player in clinical research, drug trials, and the development of integrative TCM-Western medicine solutions for major diseases such as cancer and geriatric conditions. The institution is heavily involved in promoting TCM, both through academic research and cultural outreach.
Its achievements extend across several nationally recognized research and development programs, including a focus on TCM geriatric medicine, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and bone injuries. Over the past decades, the academy has become a leader in TCM research, known for its emphasis on innovation and academic excellence.
The academy maintains strong partnerships across China and internationally, contributing to the advancement of TCM research and practice. Through these efforts, it continues to influence the future of Chinese medicine in both domestic and global contexts.