SHANGHAI: There is a popular saying in China which goes: "Spring sprouts, Summer matures, Autumn harvests and Winter preserves", describing what the body undergoes during the four seasons.

Throughout the year, many health-conscious Chinese get prescriptions for various tonics. But it is only when the mercury level drops that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors prescribe "Gaofang", a tonic that is only consumed during winter.

Li Peiyuan, an apothecary chemist, Cai Tong De Medicinal Hall, said: "Every year, we have lots of customers – some have been taking Gaofang for seven to eight years."

Gaofang is consumed to balance one's yin and yang, and to strengthen the immune system. Different tonic ingredients are prescribed for different individuals, depending on their present state of health.

Gu Miaozhen, chief TCM doctor, Shanghai Chinese Medicine Literature, said: "By taking Gaofang, you can strengthen your immune system and increase your resistance to viruses. We can add some herbs to treat certain diseases or add some conditioning herbs to relieve the diseases and strengthen the body."

Ingredients may include ginseng root, velvet deer antler and the abdominal side of a tortoise shell. It takes about ten days to prepare a special blend of Gaofang.

Herbs will first have to be matched, then boiled and simmered before it is reduced to a paste. As this is a potent tonic, TCM doctors usually advise patients against over-consuming it.

"When taking Gaofang, you should avoid eating raw radish because we usually use ginseng in Gaofang. Ginseng and radish offset each other. Try to avoid strong tea and coffee, and eat less seafood when taking Gaofang because it is too 'cooling'," said Dr Gu.


- CNA/so