At a bustling health bar owned by Tong Ren Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manufacturer established in the 17th century, college student Feng patiently waits in line. She’s here for her favorite latte infused with goji berries—an ancient herb renowned for its liver-protecting and eyesight-improving properties.
“I like this new kind of consumption because it’s both healthy and convenient,” says Feng, reflecting a growing trend among China’s youth.
Once considered the domain of the middle-aged and elderly, health and wellness practices rooted in TCM are gaining popularity among young people across the Chinese mainland. Beverages like boba tea with ginseng and Americano with mangosteen are becoming fashionable choices at modern health bars.
Zheng Wanying, a 30-year-old employee at a securities company in Beijing, begins her day with homemade tea infused with jujube, longan, and rose petals. In the evenings, she relaxes with a foot bath containing vinegar, ginger, and Sichuan pepper. “The flower and fruit tea promotes blood circulation and skin whitening, while the foot bath alleviates coldness and reduces swelling,” she explains. “These anti-aging practices help me maintain a youthful look.”
In the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, young people enjoy traditional Chinese massages on street stools near Guangxi University. Recognizing the growing demand for pain relief among desk-bound office workers, the Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine has introduced evening massage outpatient services.
A survey conducted by China Youth Daily at the end of last year revealed that 79.9 percent of 1,000 young people polled had learned about traditional Chinese medical philosophies and therapies, with 51.9 percent gaining this knowledge from social media platforms.
“There is a growing awareness of TCM and health preservation among young people,” notes Fan Su, a physician at Wangjing Hospital under the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. “Especially when they feel like they’re about to get sick but haven’t reached the diagnostic criteria of Western medicine, many young people will seek help from TCM.”
Li Zhilin, an employee at an internet startup, subscribes to the concept of “preventing illness before it occurs.” After adopting a regimen combining breathing exercises and acupuncture at a health bar, he overcame excessive stress and became more efficient at work. “Good health is essential for having the energy to engage fully in work and life,” he says.
Some youths are delving deeper into ancient wisdom. Jiang Fei, inspired by his recovery from an illness with the help of herbal remedies, enrolled in a further learning program on TCM hosted by Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Liu Dong, the owner of a health bar in Beijing, attributes the younger generation’s fascination with TCM to supportive government policies and the evident efficacy of herbs in treating illnesses such as COVID-19. In 2022, the State Council issued a plan to bolster the development of TCM during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), aiming to build an efficient and high-quality TCM service system.
Primary and middle schools across China are offering youth-friendly courses and activities on TCM, giving children and teenagers a window into traditional medicinal culture.
“The age-old herbs are keeping us healthy in new ways,” Feng says. “This is the charm of TCM.”
Reference(s):
Chinese youth's enthusiasm for health spices up herbal medicine
cgtn.com
