 practitioners use herbs, diet, and holistic remedies to restore balance and support health, especially during winter.){kind=link}
In many Asian cities, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shops are easy to find, their shelves stocked with dried herbs, granules, capsules, and tonics. With a history spanning thousands of years, TCM uses over 700 commonly recognized herbs to restore balance in the body by addressing the root cause of illness rather than just symptoms.
Chee Hee Seng, a recent graduate of Xiamen University Malaysia’s TCM school, has gained a large following by sharing herbal remedies online. He emphasizes the importance of diagnosing imbalances in the body using symptoms, tongue analysis, and pulse reading. TCM sees qi (vital energy) flowing through the body along meridians, where imbalances in yin and yang can lead to illness. An excess of yang may cause fever and inflammation, while too much yin can result in coldness and lethargy.
Herbal formulas are carefully designed with multiple ingredients working together to enhance effectiveness and minimize side effects. Cinnamon and peppermint, for example, both have antiviral properties, but cinnamon’s warming effect may not be suitable for someone experiencing menopause, while peppermint’s cooling nature may not be ideal for older individuals. Some herbs, like aconitum (fuzi), require precise preparation to eliminate toxicity.
Seng warns against self-prescribing herbs without professional consultation, as incorrect use may worsen symptoms or interact with Western medications. Hawthorn, for example, can affect blood pressure medications, and certain herbs may not be suitable for pregnant women, children, or individuals with chronic illnesses.
Elizabeth Yau, a TCM practitioner and sports nutritionist in Hong Kong, shares practical wellness tips, including dietary guidance based on a person’s body constitution—categorized as hot, cold, or neutral. Ginger and cinnamon help warm those with a cold constitution, while cucumber, watermelon, and mung beans are recommended for those with excess heat. Neutral foods like rice maintain overall balance.
Winter, associated with yin energy, brings a higher risk of colds, bronchitis, and weakened immunity. To stay healthy, Yau recommends brewing teas with red dates, ginger, and longan, soaking feet in warm water with ginger or mugwort, and eating warming foods to strengthen kidney energy.
For lingering coughs, Seng shares a herbal soup recipe using Glehnia root, dried snow pear, almonds, lily bulb, dried figs, monk fruit, white fungus, and honey dates, simmered for two hours to soothe the lungs and relieve throat discomfort.
By integrating herbal remedies, dietary adjustments, and seasonal practices, TCM offers a holistic approach to maintaining health and preventing illness.
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