BUDAPEST — In recent years, Hungary has witnessed a surge in interest in traditional Chinese medicine, as demonstrated by the success of the 2023 World Traditional Chinese Medicine Day free consultation.

This event, which was held on Friday and Saturday at the BOK Hall in Budapest, drew a large number of Hungarians eager to experience the benefits of TCM.

"Three years ago, I came here, but it was too crowded, and I couldn't get in. So, I arrived early today to stand in line," says Marika Varga, a 65-year-old woman who traveled to the capital from Szekesfehervar in central Hungary to attend the event.

The consultation was organized by the Central and Eastern European TCM Association and the Qihuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Center of Hungary as part of the 2023 Hungarian exposition for seniors, the Senior Plus Expo.

Seven traditional Chinese medicine experts, along with interpreters, attended to over 500 visitors and patients during the two-day event, offering diagnoses, prevention, and treatment plans.

More than 2,200 attendees also had the opportunity to try Chinese herbal tea, enhancing their TCM experience.

Piroska Molnar, a 63-year-old from the northern Hungarian town of Matrafured, came to the consultation with her husband, who had seen Chen Zhen, president of the Central and Eastern European TCM Association and head of the Qihuang center, on television.

Molnar and her husband were in good health, but they sought Chen's advice on disease prevention.

"Because this (TCM) is much more friendly, much more personal and holistic, it is much more favorable for us," Molnar said after the consultation.

The growing interest in TCM is also evident among healthcare professionals and interpreters like Katalin Hornyak, who says that the TCM booth was the most popular at the expo because it offers a holistic approach to health, unlike Western medicine, which often treats only symptoms.

Hornyak was particularly impressed by the thoroughness and compassion of Chinese doctors. "Chinese doctors are very caring and ask patients about their condition in detail. They work hard to help them solve their problems," she adds.

Zhang Haifang, an expert from Gansu province who joined the Qihuang center in January, says she was surprised by the high turnout. "There's been a constant flow of people. I've given consultations to 30 or 40 patients today," she says.

"The wisdom and preventive philosophy of TCM have brought tangible health benefits to the local population and greatly promoted the friendship between the two countries," says Chen, who has organized free TCM consultations in Hungary for 18 years.