Ancient texts record the legend of "Shennong Tasting Hundreds of Herbs", while local folklore circulates remedies that cure ailments. Henan, a "living fossil" of Chinese medicine, tells the story of its fragrant past and present, woven with the scent of medicinal herbs.

As one of the cradles of Chinese medicine, Henan has been home to the therapeutic aroma of herbal remedies for millennia. It is the birthplace of the "Medical Sage" Zhang Zhongjing, whose "Six Meridians Differentiation" theory still forms the cornerstone of traditional Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment. The Wu-style acupuncture, passed down since the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty, has evolved over three centuries of clinical practice, becoming a brilliant gem in acupuncture techniques.

Henan's unique natural conditions give rise to rare and precious medicinal materials. The "Four Great Huai Herbs" — Huai yam, Huai chrysanthemum, Huai rehmannia, and Huai achyranthes — nourished by the Taihang Mountains and the Yellow River, have become treasures in the Chinese medicine pharmacological arsenal due to their excellent quality. Among them, the Lu-Tu Iron Stick Yam is especially rare, not only serving as a remedy for various diseases but also becoming a "golden industry" that empowers farmers and fosters rural development, breathing new economic vitality into ancient medicinal plants in the modern era.

Today, Henan's Chinese medicine is advancing with the spirit of "innovation that does not depart from tradition." The integration of Chinese and Western medicine has shown remarkable results. For example, the Lei Gong Teng, once considered "highly toxic," is now recognized as an effective treatment for kidney diseases through modern research. Scientific methods have verified traditional Chinese medical theories, promoting the fusion of ancient formulas with modern herbal medicine, allowing Henan's TCM to go global and benefit the world.

From the ancient wisdom of Shennong tasting herbs to the modern practice of safeguarding people's health, Henan's Chinese medicine continues to innovate while preserving its traditions, writing a splendid new chapter in the legacy of China's rich cultural heritage.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao