Traditional Chinese Medicine
China is Treating COVID-19 With a Blast From the (Distant) Past
Despite long-held questions over the efficacy of Chinese traditional medicine, Chinese experts maintain that an herbal formulation based on a nearly 2,000-year-old text is showing promise in treating COVID-19.
The Healing Power of a Good Chinese Soup
Soups and broths hold a special place in both Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine, thought help to restore the balance of yin and yang in the body.
China's Illegal 'Owl Wine' Is Allegedly Made with Live Birds
Recent photos of white-eyed owls floating in jars of “owl wine” created quite the stir in China and sparked outrage and calls for punishment.
How to Eat to Stay Cool in the Summer Heat of Hanoi
Hanoi has already reached 106 degrees this summer. In an effort to cool off, I investigated the confusing system of foods that are considered "hot" and "cold" by Vietnamese tradition.
China Is Paying Top Dollar for American Ginseng That Might Be Chinese
American-grown ginseng is prized in China, routinely fetching as much as $9,000 per pound. But much of the "American" root might actually be fraudulently labeled Chinese ginseng.
Drinking Poop Tea with the Chinese Villagers Who Swear by It
Many villagers in China's Hunan Province have taken to drinking tea made entirely of goat and pig manure. A few local woman even says it cured them of cancer. I tried it, and guess what it tastes like.
China Outlaws the Eating of Tiger Penis, Rhino Horn, and Other Endangered Animal Products
Rare animals are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for supposed health benefits, and are also consumed as a mark of status.