Is traditional Chinese medicine effective?

Seneca (US)

Chinese medicine regards the human body as a system that needs constant fine-tuning and medico-chemical measures, so as to avoid contracting diseases, whereas Western medicine treats the human body after the illness or disease starts manifesting itself.

As I see it, Chinese people are more likely to take Chinese traditional medicine, herbal teas and observe "cold" or "hot" warnings for food than Westerners - because they feel that disobeying medical wisdom leads to malfunctions.

To some extent I can accept it. For instance, Westerners drink icy-cold drinks in hot weather too often, and this can lead to conditions such as a hoarse voice, inflamed throat, colds, upset stomach, diarrhea.