Treating ailments, the ancient way

Summer marks a time when people flock to receive sanfutie plasters and moxibustion therapy for illness

The number of young people seeking Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments for illnesses at hospitals in summer has been on the rise in recent years.

Chinese generally believe that TCM treatments are more effective during summer because this is when yangqi - the warm element in the yin-yang balance - is at its highest and hence allows the body to be more responsive to treatment.