Chinese medicine is still used as a practical medical treatment by hundreds of millions of Chinese and it is urgently required to understand its true efficacy on a deeper scientific level. Recent advancement in biochemical knowledge and in scientific instrumentation have provided us with the necessary tools to probe into the secret of traditional medicines. The task of separating fact from myth and distinguishing placebo effect from real bioactivity in Chinese medicine may require scientific research lasting for several generations. We should, therefore, invite the world community of medical and scientific researchers to join in the effort in order that both the Chinese masses and other peoples of the world may enjoy the fruits of research at an early date.