Bridging tradition and science: Thermodynamics used to evaluate traditional Chinese medicine properties
New review highlights how microcalorimetry can scientifically standardize the "Four Properties" of TCM
image: Theories and perspectives on the properties of traditional Chinese medicine: four Qi and five flavors guided by Yin-Yang balance and conservation. (A) Four Qi and five flavors guided by the concept of Yin balance and Yang conservation. (B) Outlooks and doctrines on the properties of TCM.
Credit: Qiang Li, Hengrui Liu, et al.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has relied on the theory of "four properties"—cold, hot, warm, and cool—for thousands of years to diagnose and treat ailments. While clinically effective, these concepts have historically lacked a unified scientific definition or objective measurement standard, creating a barrier to the modernization and internationalization of TCM. A new review article published in the journal Med Research proposes a groundbreaking solution: using microcalorimetry to interpret TCM properties through the lens of physics and thermodynamics.
The research, led by Qiang Li and Hengrui Liu, introduces a "macro-micro" integration theory. This approach connects the macroscopic clinical effects of TCM with microscopic energy fluctuations. The authors argue that the medicinal properties of TCM are fundamentally linked to energy metabolism. For instance, "cold" or "cool" herbs (used to treat high fever or inflammation) tend to induce endothermic (heat-absorbing) responses or reduce metabolic heat output in biological systems. Conversely, "warm" or "hot" herbs (used for chills or deficiency) promote exothermic (heat-releasing) reactions or increase metabolic rates.
The review highlights microcalorimetry as a crucial tool for this evaluation. By detecting minute thermal changes in bacteria or cell models treated with specific herbs, researchers can generate power-time (P-t) curves. These curves provide objective, quantitative data—such as heat production and growth rate constants—that align with traditional classifications. For example, studies cited in the review demonstrated that raw Rehmannia glutinosa (cold nature) inhibited heat release in bacterial models, while processed Rehmannia glutinosa (warm nature) promoted it.
"This research highlights the connection between the four properties of TCM and thermodynamics, demonstrating the effectiveness of microcalorimetry in understanding these properties," the authors state.
The paper further introduces the concept of "Stylization of TCM." This framework aims to standardize the entire lifecycle of TCM products—from source monitoring and processing to safety evaluation—using modern technologies like AI, big data, and biothermodynamics. The goal is to make TCM quality measurable, effects predictable, and safety controllable.
By establishing a "thermodynamic view of TCM properties," this research provides a feasible pathway to bridge ancient medical wisdom with modern science. It supports the development of a standardized evaluation system that could validate the efficacy of TCM on a global scale.