Qualitative research is a research method for collecting，organizing and analyzing research data by means of non-quantitative methods.It is often used to study phenomena and behaviors that are difficult to quantify.Qualitative research methods are natural，open-mind，holistic，and inductive.It is more consistent with the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the treatment based on syndrome differentiation.The application of qualitative research methods to the inheritance of TCM ideology，the evaluation of TCM curative effect，and the establishment of TCM syndrome standards are of great significance to the modern development of TCM.