https://www.scmp.com/rss/325405/feed Latest news and updates about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including Covid-19 treatments, food to eat and avoid, acupuncture, gua sha, and how TCM could help with anxiety and pain relief. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Joyce Yip Joyce Yip The summer of 2016 was unseasonably hot, especially at the Fu Shin Street Wet Market in Tai Po, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, where Chest’N Nuts & Dried Foods had called home for the last three years. In this area with relatively low foot traffic, the shop’s offerings of traditional confectionery, preserved and dried fruit, and freshly roasted chestnuts were not pulling in enough business. General manager Tse Yu-man’s solution? Infusing his bestselling staples, such as dried mandarin peel – or... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3352692/mandarin-peel-ice-cream-coffee-gin-why-chun-pei-tcm-ingredient-gaining-favour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3352692/mandarin-peel-ice-cream-coffee-gin-why-chun-pei-tcm-ingredient-gaining-favour?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung When Taiwanese-American journalist and cookbook author Clarissa Wei gave birth to her first child three years ago, she did everything “right” – at least by Taiwanese post-partum care standards. She checked into a dedicated confinement centre, expecting a month of nourishing herbal soups, expert recovery advice and the kind of rest that Chinese tradition has prescribed new mothers for centuries. Instead, she felt lost. “To be honest, the food wasn’t great,” Wei says. “I developed post-partum... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3351808/asian-american-mother-challenges-tough-chinese-traditions-new-mums-modern-recipes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3351808/asian-american-mother-challenges-tough-chinese-traditions-new-mums-modern-recipes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Scroll through Instagram and you might think ice baths are the ultimate biohacking ritual. From actor Chris Hemsworth to podcaster Joe Rogan, the message is unanimous: a few minutes in freezing water can supposedly help suppress inflammation, fortify immunity and provide a dopamine-driven mental clarity. The hype has spawned a global industry of cold-plunge tubs, recovery clubs and social media challenges. According to Danish scientist Susanna Soberg, a leading researcher on cold-water... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351096/are-ice-baths-good-you-what-you-need-know-taking-plunge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351096/are-ice-baths-good-you-what-you-need-know-taking-plunge?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones The jailing of two Vietnamese men who brokered a sale of 900kg (2,000lbs) of pangolin scales from Africa destined for the Chinese market has returned the spotlight to the illicit trade in an animal that has been poached to the edge of extinction. Prized for its meat and scales, the pangolin has almost disappeared from forests and their hilly habitats of Africa and Asia. Conservationists estimate around 1 million have been trafficked over the last decade, triggered by demand for traditional... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3351159/conservationists-hail-jailing-vietnamese-pangolin-scale-smugglers-900kg-haul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3351159/conservationists-hail-jailing-vietnamese-pangolin-scale-smugglers-900kg-haul?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:45:00 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Walnuts have been setting social media ablaze – no, really. TikTok and Instagram users have been trying to “turn walnuts into jade” by rhythmically twirling two walnuts in one hand until the nuts take on a polished, jade-like texture. An Instagram reel shared on March 31 by Jessie Jacobson (@growithjessie), who is experimenting with hand-rolling her walnuts and putting another two in a rock tumbler, has more than 8 million views to date. It is the latest iteration of the “Chinamaxxing” or... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3349592/turning-walnuts-jade-tiktok-instagram-go-nuts-over-ancient-chinese-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3349592/turning-walnuts-jade-tiktok-instagram-go-nuts-over-ancient-chinese-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying has launched a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) trading platform aimed at connecting mainland Chinese manufacturers with international markets by leveraging the city’s testing and certification systems. Leung, also a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said on Thursday that the platform, an independent third party, aimed to promote the centralisation, standardisation, marketisation and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349546/ex-hong-kong-leaders-chinese-medicine-platform-link-mainland-and-global-markets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349546/ex-hong-kong-leaders-chinese-medicine-platform-link-mainland-and-global-markets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:58:14 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Okinawa is famous today for its pristine waters, gaudy Orion beer T-shirts, stone lions and dishes such as taco rice, but in centuries past it was better known as the centre of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, which thrived as a maritime trade hub from 1429 to 1879. The Ryukyu Kingdom connected Southeast Asia, China and Korea with Japan through trade, which included Chinese ceramics and Japanese silver. Over 450 years, these exchanges led to the development of the kingdom’s unique culture. Ryukyu... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3348777/how-food-japans-okinawa-evolved-chinese-influences-become-truly-unique?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3348777/how-food-japans-okinawa-evolved-chinese-influences-become-truly-unique?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang By night, some young Chinese are swapping traditional cocktails for so-called traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bars, where herbal-infused spirits promise everything from heartbreak cures to wellness boosts. In these dimly lit venues, R&B or rock music pulses through the speakers while behind the bar, drawers brim with herbs rather than bottles. Bartenders in white coats, often certified TCM practitioners, begin each visit by taking pulses and asking about lifestyle habits before crafting... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348517/china-youth-flock-tcm-bars-prescription-cocktails-amid-rise-punk-wellness-lifestyle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348517/china-youth-flock-tcm-bars-prescription-cocktails-amid-rise-punk-wellness-lifestyle?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu While walking along China’s roads, it is not uncommon to see leftover herbs scattered on the surface. This is not some random dumping problem, it is in fact Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) leftovers deliberately poured out by the people who cooked them. Superstition has it that by pouring the TCM leftovers on public roads, other people can walk and drive over them, thereby helping keep illness at bay. There is a folk legend that the habit originated in the Tang dynasty (618–907). Sun Simiao,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347875/why-chinese-pour-leftover-tcm-medicine-roads-hoping-others-will-walk-drive-over-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347875/why-chinese-pour-leftover-tcm-medicine-roads-hoping-others-will-walk-drive-over-it?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu This series is based on our reporting on TCM: its history, treatments and growing acceptance around the world. This is the eighth instalment. For decades, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has often been viewed as a fragmented collection of folk remedies, overshadowed by Western clinical models and dismissed as purely anecdotal. But as luxury wellness centres in Hong Kong blend traditional methods with modern science – drawing interest from Western-trained doctors and hospitality leaders alike... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3346451/how-luxury-traditional-chinese-medicine-treatments-are-finding-more-fans-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3346451/how-luxury-traditional-chinese-medicine-treatments-are-finding-more-fans-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 03:15:07 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma Beijing aims to promote traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) around the world, saying it hopes it will help address global health challenges, particularly in developing countries. “We will bring Chinese traditional medicine and its culture more to the international community, while promoting mutual learning among traditional medicines,” Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission, said on the sidelines of the “two sessions” on Saturday. China would expand the global pool of medicinal... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345819/china-launch-tcm-global-health-mission-over-next-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345819/china-launch-tcm-global-health-mission-over-next-5-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 11:00:14 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang In a bizarre and gruesome blend of medical belief and extreme filial devotion, many people throughout Chinese history cut flesh from their own thighs to heal sick relatives. The custom later evolved into a government-endorsed trend, turning the practice into a path to social mobility and marital success. Ge gu liao qin, which literally means “cutting one’s own flesh to heal a parent”, refers to an ancient practice in which a child would cut flesh from their own thigh to use as medicine to treat... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3345236/why-ancient-chinese-folk-custom-involved-cutting-thigh-flesh-feed-sick-relatives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3345236/why-ancient-chinese-folk-custom-involved-cutting-thigh-flesh-feed-sick-relatives?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:10:10 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung This series is based on our reporting on TCM: its history, treatments and growing acceptance around the world. This is the seventh instalment. In the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), few remedies carry the legendary status – or the hefty price tag – of Angong Niuhuang Wan, often referred to as the “miracle pill”. The old formula, consisting of 11 herbs and minerals, has long been revered as a top-grade emergency medicine, historically used to treat those who have had a stroke or may... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3344680/how-tcms-miracle-pill-used-treat-strokes-experts-urge-caution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3344680/how-tcms-miracle-pill-used-treat-strokes-experts-urge-caution?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse In a softly lit Shanghai bar, graduate student Helen Zhao stretches out both wrists to have her pulse taken – the first step in ordering the house special, a bespoke “health” cocktail based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). “TCM bars” have popped up in several cities across China, epitomising what the country’s stressed-out, time-poor youth refer to as “punk wellness”, or “wrecking yourself while saving yourself”. At Shanghai bar Niang Qing, a TCM doctor in a white coat diagnoses customers’... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3343721/tcm-bar-china-makes-customers-drinks-based-its-doctors-diagnoses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3343721/tcm-bar-china-makes-customers-drinks-based-its-doctors-diagnoses?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Rachel Chan Rachel Chan Hong Kong stands at a definitive demographic crossroads. With one-third of our population projected to be over 65 by the 2040s, the city can either treat ageing as a fiscal burden or it can transform longevity into a sustainable growth engine. Drawing inspiration from Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton’s work on the 100-Year Life project, Hong Kong should boldly embrace longevity as a new development frontier. By leveraging our unique strengths in finance, world-class regulatory frameworks and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3343200/hong-kong-should-see-silver-economy-golden-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3343200/hong-kong-should-see-silver-economy-golden-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:30:10 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan The increasing flow of foreign travellers to China in recent years has been given a shot in the arm with many people coming to the country to seek medical treatment. The trend has attracted attention online recently after overseas bloggers shared their experiences of visiting Chinese hospitals. A prominent case involved a British woman called Amie who told of her trip to China in December, to treat her long-standing stomach problem. She said she could not see a doctor because of long waiting... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342338/foreigners-flock-china-affordable-medical-treatment-drawn-free-visa-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342338/foreigners-flock-china-affordable-medical-treatment-drawn-free-visa-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Dicky Chow,Dorothy Yeung Dicky Chow,Dorothy Yeung Hong Kong introduced a public hospital fee overhaul at the start of the year in response to long-standing pressures from an ageing population, rising chronic diseases and growing expenditure. Early data from the Hospital Authority suggests the fee increases are having an effect. From January 1-18, semi-urgent and non-urgent cases at accident and emergency (A&E) departments fell by 21.3 per cent year on year, while critical and emergency cases rose slightly, by 7.7 per cent. This indicates... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342286/fee-hikes-are-only-half-equation-if-hong-kong-health-reform-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342286/fee-hikes-are-only-half-equation-if-hong-kong-health-reform-work?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun About 40 per cent of Hongkongers struggle to distinguish between proprietary Chinese medicines and health supplements, according to a survey by a think tank that has developed a tool to assess public literacy in the traditional discipline. Our Hong Kong Foundation on Thursday released the findings of a survey conducted last August, using the tool to poll 800 residents. The think tank said the survey revealed a moderate overall level of Chinese medicine health literacy among respondents, who... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3340839/4-10-hongkongers-struggle-distinguish-chinese-medicine-supplements?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3340839/4-10-hongkongers-struggle-distinguish-chinese-medicine-supplements?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:02:20 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A group of Chinese aunties led an impromptu qigong lesson at Cairo Airport, captivating fellow passengers and earning applause. On January 9, a Chinese tour group in Egypt was waiting for their flight to Aswan when the flight was delayed for more than five hours. Some middle-aged women, known in China as aunties, in the group, united by their love of dancing and travel, decided to pass the time and relieve fatigue with Baduanjin qigong. An auntie surnamed Chen told the mainland media outlet... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339973/china-aunties-teach-qigong-exercises-fellow-passengers-cairo-airport-during-flight-delay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339973/china-aunties-teach-qigong-exercises-fellow-passengers-cairo-airport-during-flight-delay?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A woman from eastern China ended up in the intensive care unit (ICU) hours after swallowing a raw fish gallbladder, believing it would cure her headache. The 50-year-old woman, surnamed Liu, from Jiangsu province, adhered to the folk remedy that claimed raw fish gallbladders could clear heat, detoxify the body, and alleviate a persistent migraine that had been troubling her. On the morning of December 14, Liu bought a 2.5kg grass carp at the market, extracted the gallbladder at home, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339551/chinese-woman-swallows-raw-fish-gallbladder-hoping-relieve-headache-ends-icu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339551/chinese-woman-swallows-raw-fish-gallbladder-hoping-relieve-headache-ends-icu?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong has taken an important step towards turning itself into an international biotechnology hub with the signing of two landmark agreements with the national health authorities. The pacts deepen collaboration on traditional Chinese medicine and cancer research, and mark the official launch, side by side at Tseung Kwan O, of the Chinese Medicine Hospital and the permanent home of the Government Chinese Medicine Testing Institute, which opened last month. Their significance was underlined by... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3339882/hong-kongs-biotech-hub-aim-advanced-pacts-national-agencies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3339882/hong-kongs-biotech-hub-aim-advanced-pacts-national-agencies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A secondary school pupil in China who provides volunteer traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consultations for his classmates has gone viral online and won admiration from internet users. Zhao Tianyu, a grade three pupil at Kailu No 1 Middle School in Tongliao in the northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region. He attracted attention thanks to a video clip released on December 29 by his teacher, surnamed Liu, which amassed 120,000 likes on a leading social media platform alone, the China Youth... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3338264/self-taught-china-pupil-impresses-peers-tcm-pulse-diagnosis-garners-praise-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3338264/self-taught-china-pupil-impresses-peers-tcm-pulse-diagnosis-garners-praise-online?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Divia Harilela Divia Harilela Once upon a time, the maharaja of Tehri Garhwal discovered a beautiful piece of land in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. It was here that he built the stunning Viceregal Palace, which played host to heads of state from India and abroad, including Britain’s Lord Mountbatten. Long after the British Raj had disappeared, an entrepreneur stumbled upon this magical place. He decided to transform the estate and its lush surroundings into a sanctuary of wellness that celebrated... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3338497/inside-ananda-himalayas-whose-clients-include-king-charles-bill-gates-and-oprah-winfrey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3338497/inside-ananda-himalayas-whose-clients-include-king-charles-bill-gates-and-oprah-winfrey?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 06:00:31 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu About 85 per cent of those injured in the deadly Tai Po fire in Hong Kong have been discharged, while the rest are in a stable condition, according to health authorities. The Health Bureau also said on Wednesday that 63 affected residents received free family doctor consultations, 18 received free denture replacements in private dental clinics, and 24 were scheduled to receive Chinese medicine services. The fire at Wang Fuk Court in November claimed at least 161 lives and injured 79 others,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338406/85-injured-hong-kong-fire-victims-discharged-others-stable-condition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338406/85-injured-hong-kong-fire-victims-discharged-others-stable-condition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:22:50 +0000 Christina Ko Christina Ko “Wellness” is more than just a buzzword these days – it’s a term whose meaning has expanded from spa treatments and detox holidays, to preventive healthcare and longevity protocols, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and fertility, and energy healing and fortune-telling. In a landscape where consumers are spoiled for choice, what will be getting you excited this year? Ancient wisdom, new format Traditional Chinese medicine is getting not-so-traditional these days, as a globalised Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3338243/wellness-2026-shaman-rituals-ikigai-pool-sound-baths-four-seasons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3338243/wellness-2026-shaman-rituals-ikigai-pool-sound-baths-four-seasons?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 23:00:08 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has allowed the use of naked flames on board to accommodate a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The use of fire on the vessel is to be allowed so that cupping therapy can take place. The news has received much attention on mainland social media after it was reported by state broadcaster CCTV on December 24. The Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier and the most advanced, officially entered into service in November at a grand... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337781/china-aircraft-carrier-allows-use-naked-flames-tcm-therapy-which-popular-among-troops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337781/china-aircraft-carrier-allows-use-naked-flames-tcm-therapy-which-popular-among-troops?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan The holiday season is upon us with its late nights, parties and almost always too much to eat and drink. While we might wait until the New Year to worry about the weight that is piling on, a more immediate concern after consuming so much rich food and alcohol is bloating and its inevitable relief: passing wind. Overeating overloads your gut, trapping gas from food breakdown and swallowed air; alcohol slows digestion further. Big meals stretch the stomach, which slows down the speed at which it... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3337058/need-pass-gas-after-eating-how-taking-short-walk-boosts-digestion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3337058/need-pass-gas-after-eating-how-taking-short-walk-boosts-digestion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 23:15:12 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung From auspicious horse-themed phrases and couplets to whether your luck is in, check out our Year of the Horse 2026 series to discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year. In the ever-evolving world of beauty, where snail mucin, donkey milk, bee venom and salmon sperm have all had their moment, another unconventional ingredient has long been galloping under the spotlight: horse oil. While the hype has tempered since the late 2010s, when it was driven by the explosive worldwide... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3337069/what-horse-oil-and-why-it-popular-skin-treatment-east-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3337069/what-horse-oil-and-why-it-popular-skin-treatment-east-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:15:11 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong health authorities will guide residents on when to seek Chinese medicine treatment, identifying conditions where it is considered more effective than Western practice under a new blueprint for the sector’s development. Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development Vincent Chung Chi-ho said on Saturday that only 9 per cent of the city’s about 10,000 Chinese medicine practitioners were using eHealth, the government’s electronic medical record platform. He added that authorities would... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337172/chinese-or-western-medicine-hong-kong-help-residents-decide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337172/chinese-or-western-medicine-hong-kong-help-residents-decide?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:56:45 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Ancient advice about digging a well before one is thirsty was heeded in Hong Kong this month as major steps were taken to help Chinese medicine go global. The proverb, often cited to encourage preventive medicine, was just as apt for the city’s unveiling of a new blueprint to develop Chinese medicine and opening of its first such hospital. The “Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint” unveiled on Thursday aims to leverage the city’s strengths to set international standards and raise professional... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3337054/hong-kong-well-set-raise-global-bar-chinese-medicine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3337054/hong-kong-well-set-raise-global-bar-chinese-medicine?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:15:12 +0000 Emily Hung,Fiona Sun Emily Hung,Fiona Sun Hong Kong has unveiled its first blueprint to help Chinese medicine go global by leveraging the city’s strengths to set international standards for the medicinal products and raise professional competence. In the “Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint” unveiled on Thursday, health authorities also pledged to amend the Chinese Medicine Ordinance to close “grey areas” that allowed products to bypass safety checks – part of the five key areas and eight goals outlined in the plan. Secretary for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336880/hong-kong-unveils-its-first-blueprint-develop-chinese-medicine-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336880/hong-kong-unveils-its-first-blueprint-develop-chinese-medicine-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:03:18 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung Elizabeth Cheung A “Hong Kong model” being developed by the city’s first Chinese medicine hospital that integrates traditional and Western practices will be easier for overseas institutions to adopt, offering a niche for promoting such treatments worldwide, experts have said. With the opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong on Thursday, a German facility that earlier signed an agreement with the new institution told the Post that the two sides were exploring potential areas of collaboration and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336126/why-hong-kong-model-combining-chinese-and-western-medicine-could-go-global?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336126/why-hong-kong-model-combining-chinese-and-western-medicine-could-go-global?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:30:09 +0000 Emily Hung,Elizabeth Cheung Emily Hung,Elizabeth Cheung Hong Kong’s first hospital offering Chinese medicine services opened its doors on Thursday, with its subsidised general outpatient services already fully booked for the first month. The flagship facility, located on Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, is not only a healthcare service provider but also a training and research hub tasked with facilitating collaborations and helping Chinese medicine services go global. Here’s what you need to know about the hospital. 1. What services are... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3336123/what-you-need-know-about-services-hong-kongs-chinese-medicine-hospital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3336123/what-you-need-know-about-services-hong-kongs-chinese-medicine-hospital?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:51:38 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung,Emily Hung Elizabeth Cheung,Emily Hung Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital has opened its doors to patients, with subsidised general outpatient services for the first month fully booked, prompting the facility to add extra slots to meet demand. The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, located in Tseung Kwan O, aims to provide services for more complex cases under a model that features Chinese medicine as the primary approach, integrated with Western medicine. “We hope to bring the development of Chinese medicine in Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336003/hong-kongs-first-chinese-medicine-hospital-opens-first-month-quotas-fully-booked?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336003/hong-kongs-first-chinese-medicine-hospital-opens-first-month-quotas-fully-booked?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 04:27:29 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam It may not be a flashy superfood, but the humble mugwort plant – known as yomogi in Japan – is a quiet powerhouse in Asian health and wellness. This perennial herb, Artemisia vulgaris, is used in foods from soups to salads, pancakes to desserts. Herbalists have long touted its potent medicinal benefits, which include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. With its herbal, sage-like aroma, mugwort is a mainstay of both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Japanese herbal medicine (kampo).... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3335609/health-benefits-mugwort-and-why-its-big-traditional-chinese-and-japanese-medicine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3335609/health-benefits-mugwort-and-why-its-big-traditional-chinese-and-japanese-medicine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:28:33 +0000 Carolina Malis Carolina Malis Skincare trends come and go, but few have sparked as much buzz as lymphatic drainage. Promising to de-puff, sculpt and detox from head to toe, it’s become the go-to treatment for beauty lovers and wellness enthusiasts. But does it truly live up to the hype, or is it just the latest trend to steal the spotlight? One of the least understood parts of our physiology, the lymphatic system is actually the body’s ultimate clean-up crew, pushing lymph – a clear, immune-boosting fluid – through a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3334716/lymphatic-drainage-gentle-beauty-trend-transforming-skincare-routines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3334716/lymphatic-drainage-gentle-beauty-trend-transforming-skincare-routines?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 22:00:10 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu The food and drink world is experiencing the rise of a secret ingredient straight out of the history books: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). For centuries across Chinese cultures, TCM has emphasised balancing the body’s qi, its vital life and energy source. One of the easiest ways to achieve bodily harmony is by treating food as medicine. Now, these historic medicines are getting a modern, delicious makeover – preventive wellness made easy, tasty and Instagram-worthy – that appeals to a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3333545/traditional-chinese-medicine-gets-delicious-insta-worthy-makeover-food-and-drink?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3333545/traditional-chinese-medicine-gets-delicious-insta-worthy-makeover-food-and-drink?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer This weekend’s guide is all about good vibes as well as good food – from ultimate indulgences to relaxation and wellness. Kick things off on Friday with Regent Hong Kong’s luxe twist on Shake Shack’s classic burger: the Foie Gras Shack. On Saturday, soak in the laid-back harbourfront scene at O’Thai, where authentic Thai bites, live music and happy hour drinks create the perfect weekend atmosphere. Then wind down on Sunday evening with Man Ho’s Five Elements Menu, a mindful and delicious way to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3332472/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-november-14-16?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3332472/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-november-14-16?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:00:31 +0000 Ritu Hemnani Ritu Hemnani At the age of 11, Hong Kong student Shulin Ho wanted to break the silence surrounding teen mental health, suicide and abuse, so she started a podcast, Clinical Awesomeness. “I kept wondering why these issues weren’t talked about, until I realised I could start the conversation myself,” says Shulin, who is now 16. What began as a personal outlet evolved into a platform combining mental health, basketball, nutrition, art and identity. One stand-out episode featured a professional athlete... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3332173/hong-kong-tedxtinhauwomen-2025-about-reframing-perspectives-meet-some-speakers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3332173/hong-kong-tedxtinhauwomen-2025-about-reframing-perspectives-meet-some-speakers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:15:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese woman shocked the internet after developing purplish-red “snake skin” patterns on her body from using a “pure traditional Chinese medicine” ointment for over a decade. The 40-year-old woman, known by the pseudonym Tingting, was admitted to Zhongda Hospital Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in October. She disclosed having self-medicated without ever seeking professional help. Not only is she significantly overweight, but she also has extensive purple-red, snake-like... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3331583/china-woman-develops-snake-patterns-body-using-pure-tcm-ointment-10-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3331583/china-woman-develops-snake-patterns-body-using-pure-tcm-ointment-10-years?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:00:09 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam It might sound like the stuff of nightmares: Chinese medicinal shop shelves lined with jars containing snakes and lizards pickled in a murky mix of liquid and herbs. But they serve a healthy purpose. Chinese medicinal wines have been around for almost as long as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) itself. To make them, snakes, geckos and other creatures are steeped in alcohol for months or years, along with herbs, to extract their perceived medicinal “essence”. They are used as powerful tonics to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3330998/chinese-medicinal-wines-still-have-place-tcm-treating-arthritis-period-pain-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3330998/chinese-medicinal-wines-still-have-place-tcm-treating-arthritis-period-pain-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:15:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Some bathhouses in China are invigorating the traditional hot spring experience with “hotpot baths”, where visitors immerse themselves in a chilli pepper “soup” inspired by the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In October, a resort in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, elevated the experience further by introducing a two-tone soup pool, offering a more visually stunning attraction. In restaurants, the yuan yang hotpot, or Mandarin duck hotpot,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3330738/what-china-tcm-inspired-hotpot-bath-where-visitors-soak-chilli-pepper-and-milk-soup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3330738/what-china-tcm-inspired-hotpot-bath-where-visitors-soak-chilli-pepper-and-milk-soup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:28:22 +0000 Shi Huang Shi Huang The recent return to China of cancer researcher and professor Wang Qianben marks the reunion of a family of high-achieving Chinese scientists and the culmination of a decades-long journey for Wang Qi, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) researcher in Beijing. In the 1970s, Wang Qi bestowed upon his newborn sons names laden with ambition – Wang Qianfei (“to fly forward”) and Wang Qianben (“to run forward”). Now, both have returned home from the United States as distinguished scientists... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3329898/return-china-cancer-researcher-wang-qianben-reunites-esteemed-scientific-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3329898/return-china-cancer-researcher-wang-qianben-reunites-esteemed-scientific-family?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:21 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s first traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital aims to co-develop the world’s first clinical database on interactions between its healing practices and Western treatments to help provide evidence-based therapy guidelines. Dr Cheung Wai-lun, project director of the Health Bureau’s Chinese Medicine Hospital Project Office, said on Sunday that no such database currently existed and he hoped the launch of the institute would help to fill that gap. The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329557/hong-kong-tcm-hospital-collect-data-chinese-western-medicine-interactions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329557/hong-kong-tcm-hospital-collect-data-chinese-western-medicine-interactions?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 05:47:18 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu In Hong Kong’s ageing neighbourhood of Cheung Sha Wan, an old street store stands out for its unusual charm. Against the backdrop of its pinkish walls and the classic black-and-white floor tiles, more than 20,000 skeleton figurines are on display, in striking contrast to the surrounding Chinese-style homes. The eclectic decor reflects the creative spirit of Leung Tin-chu, a 49-year-old bone-setting master determined to breathe new life into his decades-old family clinic passed down from his... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329387/dying-art-modern-times-hong-kongs-bone-setting-trade-nears-breaking-point?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3329387/dying-art-modern-times-hong-kongs-bone-setting-trade-nears-breaking-point?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 05:00:08 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au Step into a Hong Kong supermarket today and you’ll find few limits on what you can buy. Want mangoes in winter or cruciferous vegetables in summer? No problem, thanks to globalisation and advances in refrigeration and greenhouse technology. With everything available year-round, the traditional concept of seasonality has lost much of its original meaning, often reduced to a cliché in the marketing of new restaurants. One restaurant dedicated to restoring the true meaning of seasonal eating is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3328972/seasonal-eating-guide-according-macau-michelin-star-chef-essential-ingredients-all-24-solar-terms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3328972/seasonal-eating-guide-according-macau-michelin-star-chef-essential-ingredients-all-24-solar-terms?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:45:09 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s first hospital dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will open on December 11, offering a range of services complemented by Western medicine. The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, located on Pak Shing Kok Road in Tseung Kwan O, is expected to serve 400,000 outpatients annually, while also operating as a research and teaching hub for three local TCM schools. The Post provides a guide for the new hospital’s services, including details of the treatments and fee... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329226/hong-kongs-first-tcm-hospital-services-prices-and-what-else-expect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329226/hong-kongs-first-tcm-hospital-services-prices-and-what-else-expect?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:40:55 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu As Hong Kong grapples with a rise in chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues, cancer and diabetes, a growing frustration is emerging: the conventional medical model, focused on quick diagnosis and prescriptive medication, often falls short of addressing the causes of these long-term illnesses. Determined to bridge this gap, local health professionals Tricia Yap and Denise Tam have organised a summit to champion lifestyle medicine, a holistic vision dedicated to nurturing health in the grey... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3329216/hong-kong-lifestyle-medicine-summit-champion-holistic-vision-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3329216/hong-kong-lifestyle-medicine-summit-champion-holistic-vision-health?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:08:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A couple running a traditional herbal medicine shop in southern China have both amused and stunned countless netizens after viral videos revealed their uncanny resemblance, prompting speculation that they might be long-lost twins. Liang Caiyu, the wife, and He Xiansheng, both in their twenties and from Dongguan, Guangdong province, catapulted to fame on social media with short videos showcasing their striking likeness. One viral video on their Douyin account, which has 21,000 followers, titled... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3328984/china-couple-who-look-twins-gain-fame-video-whos-husband-whos-wife?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3328984/china-couple-who-look-twins-gain-fame-video-whos-husband-whos-wife?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:00:11 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung,Leopold Chen Elizabeth Cheung,Leopold Chen Outpatient services for Hong Kong’s first hospital dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will start at HK$180 (US$23.10) per visit, with the operator describing the fees as affordable. The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong in Tseung Kwan O also said on Wednesday that staff recruitment had been smooth and there would not be any manpower shortages affecting its launch on December 11. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau was confident the facility would establish a new model for a TCM... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3329128/hong-kongs-first-tcm-hospital-sets-outpatient-fee-hk180-ahead-december-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3329128/hong-kongs-first-tcm-hospital-sets-outpatient-fee-hk180-ahead-december-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:26:15 +0000