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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
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.
Lymphatic drainage massage gadgets, like this NuFace by Trinity, are all the rage recently. Photo: Handout
Beauty

Is lymphatic drainage the secret to glowing skin?

The delicate massage technique boosts circulation, reduces puffiness and supports detoxification – but do its benefits live up to the hype?

Food and Drinks

TCM gets a delicious, Insta-worthy makeover in food and drink

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for November 14-16

Wellness

How Hong Kong TEDxTinHauWomen 2025’s speakers will ‘reframe’ perspectives

Speakers at this year’s event about changing mindsets include a teen with a mental health podcast and a forward-thinking TCM practitioner.

Teenage mental health podcaster Shulin Ho (left) and trauma therapist Emily Kusunoki will talk about how everyday acts can help us heal, at TEDxTinHauWomen 2025, on November 8 at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre. Photo: TEDxTinHauWomen
Trending in China

China woman develops snake-like patterns on body from using ‘pure TCM’ ointment

In addition to developing purplish-red snake-like fissures, Tingting suffers swelling in lower limbs, persistent nausea, vomiting.

Wellness

Why Chinese medicinal wines still have a place in TCM, and their history

A traditional Chinese medicine expert says the alcoholic drinks made for centuries with snake to safflower can still be the ‘best therapy’.

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Trending in China

Explainer | What is China TCM-inspired ‘hotpot bath’ where visitors soak in chilli pepper soup?

Medicated baths use steam or herbal infusions from boiled Chinese herbs to soak the body; believed to assist in illness prevention.

A bathhouse in China is offering a “hotpot bath” where visitors soak in chilli pepper “soup”, claiming the experience enhances circulation and beauty. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Science

Return to China of cancer researcher Wang Qianben reunites esteemed family

Famous TCM researcher Wang Qi has seen his sons Qianfei and Qianben return from the US to lead institutes in China.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong TCM hospital to collect data on Chinese, Western medicine interactions

Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong will open on December 11 and is intended to showcase TCM’s capabilities.

Hong Kong society

Dying art in modern times: Hong Kong’s bone-setting trade nears breaking point

Traditional Chinese treatment for sprains, bruises, bumps and injuries fails to lure younger customers as older masters retire.

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Leung Tin-chu at his clinic in Cheung Sha Wan. Photo: Karma Lo
Food and Drinks

A guide to essential ingredients for every solar term, from Chef Tam’s Seasons

The wisdom of the 24 solar terms is making a comeback – here’s what to eat to align your diet with the changes in weather, from ginseng to leek.

Steamed grouper with yellow fungus in fig leaf at Chef Tam’s Seasons in Wynn Palace, Macau. Photo: Chef Tam’s Seasons
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | Hong Kong’s first TCM hospital: services, prices and what else to expect

Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong is expected to serve 400,000 outpatients annually, while operating as research and teaching hub.

Wellness

Hong Kong lifestyle medicine summit to champion holistic vision for health

At the Lifestyle Medicine Summit Asia, speakers will discuss longevity, TCM, genetic science, embracing Asian perspectives and more.

Trending in China

China couple who look like ‘twins’ gain fame from ‘Who’s husband, who’s wife’ video

Their business initially struggles to gain traction, netizens eventually begin to follow them online due to their unique ‘couple look’.

A couple in southern China have astonished countless netizens after viral videos showcased their remarkable likeness, sparking speculation that they may be long-lost twins. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s first TCM hospital sets outpatient fee at HK$180 ahead of debut

Operator of city’s first hospital dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine, which opens on December 11, says fees are affordable.

The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong in Tsueng Kwan O will launch operations on December 11. Photo: Eugene Lee
Chinese culture

How China’s Han dynasty forged a unified cultural and national identity

Knowledge spread and the arts flourished during this golden age of Chinese history, as the country opened up to international trade.

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Trending in China

China woman swallows 8 live frogs for lower back pain; hospitalised for infections

Swallowing frogs has wreaked havoc on patient’s digestive system, allowing for the presence of parasites in her body.

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Artist's Studio

The artist who weaves urban ‘skins’ and ancient motifs into layered works

Textiles allow artist Bi Rongrong to take a more immersive journey through the cities that provide her with inspiration.

Artist Bi RongRong photographed at M+. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Food and Drinks

How longans are used in TCM and a healing soup recipe that’s good for skin

Fresh longan flavours Chinese sweet soups, but when dried, the fruit is smoky and used in traditional Chinese medicine to heal and strengthen.

Trending in China

Explainer | Human fingernails used in TCM to detox, heal wounds after sterilisation in China

Ancient texts reveal how burned-to-ash human nail clippings applied to breasts of nursing mothers can treat infant stomach swelling.

Trending in China

Explainer | China ethnic group body-covering, stir-fried herbs sleep therapy boosts blood flow

Ancient therapy sees patients lie enveloped in a whole body wrap of chopped rainforest herbs cooked with water, alcohol.

A herbal sleep therapy clinic in China is offering a treatment that involves lying on hot, stir-fried herbs to treat rheumatism and joint pain. Photo: SCMP composite/Zhihu/banyuetan.org
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong’s first traditional Chinese medicine hospital set to open in December

Three local universities have signed collaborative agreements with the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong.

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Representatives of three local universities sign agreements with the new hospital as health chief Lo Chung-mau (standing, centre) looks on. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong should crack down on illegal medical practices, DAB party urges

City’s largest political party has received about 100 complaints related to non-professionals allegedly offering medical services.

Wellness

Tai chi with swords, neck swinging: Chinese seniors’ health hobbies

Chinese pensioners engage in a range of activities – some rather unconventional – to try and stay fit and healthy in old age.

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Wellness

Ancient cures, new fans: why young Chinese are embracing TCM

China’s youth are more focused on health and well-being compared to previous generations – and are embracing traditional medicine through viral trends, classes and treatments.

A pharmacist teaches students to recognise traditional Chinese medicine ingredients in Qingzhou, Shandong. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
From our archives

In pictures: the enduring appeal of Hong Kong’s herbal tea shops

Chinese herbal teas may be bitter, but they are said to have health benefits – even Chris Patten drank them.

Former Hong Kong governor David Wilson tries a bowl of Chinese herbal tea during his visit to Mei Foo Sun Chuen. Photo: SCMP Archives
Ultimate Fighting Championship

TCM doctor-MMA star Shi Ming vows to keep healing, fighting after tough UFC start

The 30-year-old says she will not ‘put all my eggs in one basket’ but might reconsider if she manages to climb up the UFC rankings.

Health in China

China cracks down on fake medical advice with new rules for health influencers

Industry suggests more than 92 per cent of China’s 1.07 billion short-video users consume health-related information online.

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