Bad Taste, Great Results - TongRenTang Traditional Chinese Medicine
“Whatever you do, do not add more than a little bit of water,” my Chinese friend told me while we were out to lunch last week. She had just handed me a packet of a type of traditional Chinese medicine called 感冒清热颗粒 ganmao qingre keli. I had been feeling a little under the weather recently, and since I had run out of my last package of DayQuil, I decided to give traditional Chinese medicine a try. When I returned home I emptied the brown powder into a glass and filled it up half way with boiled water. I knew she told me not to add any more, but it looked so thick that I filled the glass anyway to dilute the taste. However, it did not dilute the taste at all; it was the most bitter thing I had ever consumed before in my entire life. I called my friend to ask if something was wrong and she said that she warned me. She added that Chinese medicine is a long-term treatment and can’t just be used once; I should continue to take the medicine and do not add too much water next time.
The quality of Western medical facilities varies greatly throughout China. For a horror story you can check out this post on the Silk Road International blog, which offers a vivid description that will make you feel like you are there. Others simply do not trust the quality of Western medical care out here and would rather self treat themselves like the situation described in this post on The Humanaught blog. Another option that originated in China and is gradually growing in popularity in the rest of the world is traditional Chinese medicine. There is not a more famous traditional Chinese medicine brand than同仁堂TongRenTang, the maker of the delcious ganmao qingre keli that I tried last week.
Brief History Lesson:
TongRenTang is far from a simple Chinese brand, it began hundreds of years ago during the Qing Dynasty in Beijing. After its establishment in 1669, word spread of the amazing traditional Chinese medicine all the way to the emperor. By 1723 TongRenTang was appointed the sole supplier of herbal medicines to the royal court of the Qing Dynasty and maintained this status until the Qing Dynasty collapsed in 1911.
A Modern Day Business
Now over 300 years since its establishment, TongRenTang has diversified into a major brand for Chinese medicine and other related health services. It produces over a thousand different products and has sales in over 40 different countries and territories worldwide. It is composed of two listed entities: TongRenTang Technologies Company Limited (Hong Kong: 8069) and Beijing TongRenTang Company Limitied (Shanghai: 600085). It is involved in manufacturing, retail sales, drug store operations and even a chain of health centers through a joint venture under the name TongRenTang Wellness Corporation.
Controversy
However, these over 300 years of development have not come without controversy. In January 2008 the Henan Provincial Food & Drug Administration released a list of over 40 types of drugs that participated in illegal advertising campaigns. TongRenTang was included in this group. The allegations accused TongRenTang of exaggerating the effectiveness of its medicine and even creating fake approval serial numbers.
Traditional Chinese medicine has long been used in China, but is growing in popularity overseas. I think an interesting trend to keep an eye on will be the international spread of Chinese medicine. If there are no more major controversies then TongRenTang is certainly the company which could benefit the most from this trend because of its strong brand. I do believe that traditional Chinese medicine is effective, but that taste might be better with a little Cherry Robitussin flavoring.
What do you think about Chinese medicine? Have you ever used Chinese medicine? What do you see as the advantages of Chinese vs. Western medicines? Leave a comment and start the conversation…
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Comments
Stuart,
I completely agree with you that antibiotics are prescribed too frequently in China. I have never been offered an IV at a Chinese hospital. However, nearly every trip to the doctor’s office ends in a prescription for antibiotics.
I’ve heard from an American doctor at one of the Western clinics here in Chengdu that receiving fake medicine from the pharmacies is not terribly uncommon.
You’re right Joel about the antibiotics problem. It’s amazing how much shelf space is dedicated to them. It’s also pretty shocking that a prescription isn’t even required. You hear about these super-resistant strains breaking out in the U.S.- even with our prescription requirements, and doctors general reluctance to prescribe antibiotics.
That stuff is NASTY. Had it a couple of years back and it tastes even worse than people reading this may imagine. Works, though.
Once had traditional cough medicine (thick, sludgy stuff) and the ingredient list (in Hanzi) included snake bile and tincture of opium.
When my wife broke her ankle, the cure incuded a plaster of some muddy substance and numerous bags (prepared right in the hospital pharmacy) of foul smelling, brown liquid.
One thing that concerns me is the easy dispensing of antibiotics. It’s great when you need some but the way they hand them out without prescription (or instruction) in China is worrisome. Oh yeah, the IV bag is also way overprescribed. Seems like if you go in to the hopsital for almost anything you end up with an IV stuck in your arm.