Executive Producer: Albert Cheung
Producer: Frank Fung, Boy Leung
Some time ago, parents did not take their children to a doctor to cure their sore throat, acnes or ulcers. Instead, they would urge them to get a bowl of niansi wei (literally means '24 flavours') at a herbal teashop in the neighbourhood. The tea, as one of the many different types of the so-called 'cooling teas' made with plants, was supposed to remove excessive 'internal heat' from the body, thus alleviating people's 'burning' discomforts. Most of the time, the teas could do the trick and make people feel better. When people drank the teas, they usually also tucked in some sweetly snacks to suppress the bitter taste brought by the drinks. These snacks, such as haw flakes, preserved apricots and dried fruits, were also children's favourite refreshments of the time. Eat some of them and you are reminded of the past.
Herbal tea was one form of treatments in traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, people in China have been using plants for medical purpose. As millions of Chinese people were being traded as labourers into different places around the world, the use of Chinese medicine was spread beyond national borders. Nowadays, in many countries, Chinese medicine shops are easily recognisable symbols that introduce foreigners to this alternative form of therapies. Many of these establishments are run by a family over generations. The owner and shopkeepers take meals together at the same table as co-workers and friends. This form of close relationship, uncommon in contemporary world, is deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
In addition, traditional Chinese medicine shops usually give stress to accountability and integrity in the production of medicines. This is also characteristic of traditional Confucian value.
In this episode, a Chinese medicine practitioner, a university lecturer, an owner of a century-old medicine shop and a culture critic talk about the history and development of traditional Chinese medicine and the 'cooling tea'.
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