Hockhua Tonic
White Sands Mall #03-10, Tel: 6582-4618
Tampines Mall #B1-13A, Tel: 6783-7768
Century Square #B1-17, Tel: 6787-3358
No. 2 Tampines Central 5, Tel: 6781-9833
Compass Point #B1-33/34, Tel: 6384-9272
NTUC Hougang Mall #B1-10, Tel: 6387-3362
Blk 203 Hougang St 21 #01-61, Tel: 6281-0065
Blk 682 Hougang Ave 4 #01-366, Tel: 6386-7240
Rivervale Plaza #01-26, Tel: 6875-5960
Boiling Point
Besides curing ailments, Chinese herbs can boost your general health and immunity. Here are some you can prepare at home.
—BY SIEW MEI FONG.
Photo: Shi Quan Da Bu Tang: All you have to do is to boil the package of herbs with duck meat.
It’s been proven that Chinese herbs contain medicinal properties, but you needn’t be ill to take them. Traditionally, they’ve been consumed by all – young and old – to promote general wellbeing and to prevent illnesses.
Chinese herbal soups are still a regular item at mealtimes in some families and in some homes, there’s always a brewed pot of liang cha (cooling herbal tea) on a sweltering hot day. Why, you can even get Chinese herbal concoctions at some restaurants.
Photo: Gan cao and lian zi are common ingredients in Chinese herbal soups.
STAVING OFF ILLNESSES
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is believed that you fall sick when your body is in disharmony. The imbalances may be brought about by internal factors such as body weakness, as well as external ones like the environment, weather and lifestyle habits, says Mr Yeo Kay Yong, a qualified TCM practitioner and director of H.W. Traditional Medicine under the Hockhua Group. Consuming Chinese herbs can help restore the body’s balance, thus keeping us from succumbing to illnesses.
Mr Yeo, says Chinese herbs are usually not consumed on their own but combined with other herbs in a formula. As a group, the synergistic action of the herbs is more effective and complete.
He says the types of Chinese herbs used for preventive purposes are the same as those used in treatment of ailments. “The difference between consuming Chinese herbs for general good health and treating ailments lies in the formulation and the dosage used.” A lighter dosage or different proportion of herbs may be used to prevent illnesses.
VULNERABLE SPOTS
Appropriate herbs must be chosen to tackle the different causes of imbalance. Hockhua’s range of Chinese herbal products takes into consideration Singaporeans’ needs. “We are different from China,” says Mr Yeo. “Singapore is in the tropics, which is very hot and damp.” The local climate can, for instance, result in Singaporeans being more prone to suffering heatiness.
Mr Yeo also points out the need for Singaporeans to bump up their immune systems. Living in a very clean environment here does not help build up our immunity. This, together with frequent tucking into oily and salty foods, as well as eating out over the long-term, can weaken our immune system, he says. Urban lifestyles such as keeping late nights and being under high work stress can also tip the body’s balance.
