Explore the emotive history and latest innovations of Kaohsiung City’s iconic traditional herbal apothecary shops. Discover the unique charms of Taiwan’s traditional Chinese-medicine culture and its modern legacy. Learn how this traditional, centuries-old industry is innovating to sustain its relevance and value in the 21st century.
Despite herbal apothecaries in Taiwan having once outnumbered big-name convenience store outlets, social trends are no longer in their favor. With younger generations rarely patronizing these traditional healers, the fate of Taiwan’s traditional Chinese medicine dispensaries is in jeopardy. In Tonic for the Ages, experienced writers, photographers, and illustrators join forces to curate the history, stories, and closely held secrets of 30 multigenerational herbal apothecaries in Kaohsiung City.
Herbal apothecaries, as part of the social and cultural fabric of Greater Kaohsiung, help safeguard the traditional medical wisdom and folk ways of southern Taiwan. In addition to showcasing the personal stories of owners, this work spotlights how shops are adapting to the times. Learn about Hui Chun Herbal Tea’s rebirth as a youth-oriented herbal teahouse, Cheng Hsin Tang’s new focus on herbal-based medicinal bath products for pets, and Yong Xing Traditional Chinese Medicine’s launch of healthful ready-to-eat herbal entrées, snacks and soups for busy office workers and families. Each innovative step forward, drawing on the natural medical knowledge, effort, and wisdom of generations, upholds traditional Chinese medical heritage while making it relevant and relatable to new and future generations.
Tonic for the Ages is a book sure to be appreciated by readers interested in traditional Chinese medicine culture as well as those curious about the unique history and stories of southern Taiwan.