🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Chinese medicine holds that winter is the season of storing energy. During this time, the body needs to replenish more heat. Heat comes from nutrition, and winter tonic therapy aims to supplement nutrients to increase heat production and resist cold. However, one must note: winter tonics are not merely nourishing but also therapeutic, thus requiring proper diagnosis and treatment.
Our ancestors, who emphasized yin-yang balance, long taught us that winter is the time to "store yang energy." If stored well, one can remain healthy throughout the following year.
Yet, I once thought I didn’t need any tonics at all. With my increased appetite during winter, I believed I could naturally replenish enough. But suddenly realized reality isn’t quite so simple—
First, examine yourself: insomnia at night, difficulty waking up in the morning, feeling cold when stepping outside, shortness of breath even with slight exertion, severe hormonal imbalance, back pain, dizziness... These ailments typically seen in the elderly have now appeared in me. Clearly, tonification is necessary;
Then observe others: before winter even arrives, queues form outside expert clinics prescribing tonifying herbal pastes. Colleagues swallow pills daily, and supermarket-packaged "winter tonic herbs" sell out rapidly… It seems winter tonification is no longer exclusive to the elderly—youth have become the main force in this trend. This winter, do young people really need additional tonification?
Experts Recommend Personalized Plans Are Crucial
In fact, there are many ways to tonify—dietary supplementation is one, as are preparing herbal pastes or taking health supplements. But regardless of method, the key point is personalization. Based on individual constitution, the tonification approach varies. In modern terms, this is truly "individualized care." What to tonify, how much, depends entirely on one’s physical condition—never blindly follow advertisements or others’ advice.
Proper Administration Matters
To achieve expected results from winter medicinal tonics, correct administration is crucial.
First, avoid taking tonics during acute illness. If you have symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or cough, wait until cured or significantly improved before starting tonification. Otherwise, tonics may not provide benefits and could worsen the condition.
Additionally, during the tonification period, reduce intake of greasy, seafood, and spicy foods. Also, try to quit smoking, limit alcohol, and drink light tea. If taking herbal pastes, since they contain no preservatives and Shanghai’s climate is relatively warm, spoilage can occur easily if not stored properly. Therefore, always keep them refrigerated or in a cool, dry place.
Case Study
Preparing a Bowl of Porridge to Care for Yourself
Yezi, 33, Company Finance Officer
My mother-in-law prepares porridge overnight every day for the whole family to eat for breakfast. On cold winter days, holding a bowl of hot porridge warms not just the body but also the heart. Thus, I firmly believe that natural dietary tonification is the most effective. My mother-in-law pays special attention to ingredients when making porridge in winter, often adding traditional Chinese herbs. Contrary to popular belief, herbs aren't always bitter. Many have pleasant tastes—like red dates, lotus seeds, coix seed, and walnut meat—which also offer health benefits.
The Hidden Problem, Herbal Paste Relieves
Ada, 23, University Student
It's embarrassing to admit, but I’ve had a “hidden issue” for years—chronic constipation. Each weekly bowel movement feels like a massive task. I've tried everything: yogurt with bananas, even resorting to laxatives—but no improvement. Worse, symptoms worsen in winter.
Two years ago, during autumn, I visited a TCM doctor by chance. The doctor prescribed an herbal paste containing many herbs to strengthen the spleen and promote bowel movements. After just two weeks, my problem greatly improved. Since then, I’ve developed great trust in herbal pastes. Every deep autumn, I bring my entire family to see the doctor to ensure everyone gets a dose.
Truly Delicious! Andrew, 34, IT Engineer
I remember last winter, working late every night. Not only did I develop dark circles and feel exhausted, but I also started growing white hair.
How can I get a girlfriend before getting white hair? My mom panicked and dragged me to see a TCM doctor. But recalling childhood memories of reluctantly swallowing bitter herbal decoctions, I asked the doctor to prepare it as a paste instead. After tasting it, I realized the paste was far tastier than regular herbal soup. Convenience was another plus—no need to boil herbs, just store it in the fridge and consume anytime, unlike ancient people who worried about preservation.
Easy to Gain Weight Jolin, 27, HR Manager at Foreign Enterprise
Every winter, I dread the silent weight gain. One careless moment, and my spring clothes will be one size too small. That’s why I’m afraid of herbal pastes—they’re too bitter, inconvenient to take, and the ingredient list contains many fattening items—walnuts, red dates, rock sugar—all high in sugar and calories.
So I’d rather be part of the “capsule tribe.” I keep all my daily supplements in a small box, pouring them into my mouth at scheduled times. Vitamins A, C, E, plus calcium tablets—I never miss a day, and I never gain weight from supplements.
My Horrific Experience David, 37, State-Owned Enterprise Finance Manager
Regarding winter tonification, I actually have a “painful memory”!
That year, my wife—who rarely cooks—suddenly decided to make a medicinal wine for me. I don’t know where she got all the herbs, but she bought wine and large glass jars, spending two months preparing. Finally, the wine turned from clear red to black. On Christmas Eve, she opened her homemade tonic wine…
That night, I was rushed to hospital—unexplained high fever, widespread itchy rashes covering my body. It took several days to recover. To this day, my wife still doesn’t know what exactly she put in that bottle. She said she bought herbs from a street vendor, grabbing whatever she liked and throwing them all into the wine!