Beat the heat, drain the damp: why Chinese youth are turning to TCM
As China enters the peak of summer heat, an increasing number of youth believe they have found a solution to fatigue, oily skin, and low energy: qushi, or eliminating dampness from the body. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the centuries-old concept of “dampness” dates back about 2,000 years to the Huangdi Neijing, one of the earliest foundational texts of Chinese medicine. Recently,…
As China experiences peak summer heat, a growing number of young people are turning to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remedies rooted in the centuries-old concept of dampness removal. This trend has evolved from a health practice into a lifestyle trend among younger generations, blending self-care with entertainment and social sharing.
Practices such as cupping, herbal foot baths, back sunbathing, and sand therapy have gained popularity, with some even adopting controversial methods like "crying therapy." While these practices may provide temporary relief and emotional benefits, medical experts caution that they cannot be proven to remove dampness or treat skin problems definitively.
Brief written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
