TCM in Daily Life
TCM pillows offer plush prescriptions
By Yang Wanli (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-06 11:05
 |
Large Medium Small |
But medical experts are warning that they may not work for everyone
Forget purchasing costly pharmaceuticals next time a doctor warns of high blood pressure, instead do what Beijingers do - grab a pillow.
Pillows infused with herbs linked to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have seen a spike in sales at Beijing bedding shops during the summer as locals seek a softer cure for what ails them.
Costing anywhere between 100 yuan and 400 yuan, the pillows contain herbs such as floium gingko which TCM doctors claim can reduce high blood pressure and help skin, or cassia seed which is said to promote a healthy liver and improve vision.
"We have more than 40 versions of the pillows for various people and sell more than 100 per month," said a salesman at Hantang bedding store, which sells Suitbo brand TCM pillows.
He said the herbed pillows are a hit among middle-age and senior people.
The TCM tradition works by centering herbs with healing properties on the head which in turn absorbs the healthy elements of the plants, according to TCM theory.
"This works better on the head because the head is believed to be the junction point of body channels and has the best blood circulation," said Zhu Qingwen, deputy secretary-general with the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine External Treatment Branch.
But Zhu also offers a word of caution - not all pillows are a perfect fit for everyone.
"Even if the pillow is said to treat high blood pressure, not all patients fit it," Zhu said. "The best and safest way is to get your own prescription from a doctor and process the herbs into powder to make a pillow catered to your cause."
One consumer, surnamed Wang, said she had purchased two pillows for her parents, one of cassia seed and one floium ginkgo.
She said while the pillows smell nice, her parents have yet to see any sort of medicinal benefit.
But simply purchasing one of the theraputic pillows is not always enough to see the effects, according to Wang Yueqi, director of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cosmetology Center.
"People should be careful when choosing which herbed pillow they use," she said. "The proportion of different herbs is an essential part in Chinese medicine theory. If the herbs in the pillow are not clean enough or were not made properly, the effects will not be seen."
But Wang warns pregnant women against purchasing the popular panicum miliaceum pillows, said to increase brain vitality and spirit, which is marketed toward them.
"Pregnant women should be very careful when choosing bedding with herbs, because not all pillows have the effects they claim," said Wang.