Chinese Herbal Medicine Shop in Weishan, Yunnan
China still maintains a strong tradition of using natural medicines, specifically herbs with medicinal properties that have been used for centuries. In addition to being present in the composition of many modern medications, some herbalists continue their traditional trade. Even in large cities, it is not uncommon to occasionally find herbalists selling fifteen or twenty products in their small stall or shop, each stored in a plastic bag. Usually, these products do not have labels, meaning that only an expert knows exactly what each medicine is.
Herbal medicine shop
In this shop, located in the ancient city of Weishan in Yunnan province, we find what could be described as the pinnacle of Chinese herbal medicine. Within this traditional house on the main street of the old town, we discover a unique display of medicinal herbs. On the left, some medicines are neatly arranged in white plastic bags, this time identified with small labels. Higher up, in a small nod to modern civilization, others are carefully placed in plastic bottles.
A unique shop in China
However, what makes this shop stand out from all the other similar stores and stalls across China is the sheer volume of herbs stored in the white and green sacks seen on the right side of the image. It is well known that each medicinal herb must be harvested at a specific time of the year and that many of these herbs are needed in large quantities to be therapeutically effective. The foresight of this traditional pharmacist creates a truly unique scene in the ancient city of Weishan.
Wonderful Weishan Old City
Weishan is one of the oldest cities in Yunnan province. Officially designated as an autonomous district for the Yi and Muslim communities within the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, Weishan boasts significant historical, artistic, and cultural attractions. Among them, the Ancient City, with thousands of well-preserved buildings, and Weibaoshan Mountain, located 10 km from the city, stand out as the most important Taoist mountain in Yunnan.
This is why we include this city in almost all of our itineraries in Yunnan.
Last posts
The secret treasure of ancient Chinese art
The secret treasure of ancient Chinese art China has a fabulous artistic treasure hidden from the eyes of the public and specialists. It is her best kept treasure, because given the dispersion of its location, the difficulty of conservation and even evaluation and...
2,000-year-old paintings in a Chinese tomb
2,000-year-old paintings in a Chinese tomb It has been more than 10 years since the publication of The complete collection of murals unearthed in China, a dozen or so books describing with abundant full-color photographs the frescoes discovered in Chinese tombs....
Buddhist Monks in Medieval China
Buddhist Monks in Medieval China That is the subject of John Kieschnick's book. The book analyzes the contents of the three collections of biographies of monks that became famous in medieval China, through them he tries to give us first a characterization of the...
Manual of Taoist Architecture
Manual of Taoist Architecture There are some illustrated books that produce in the reader a contradictory feeling, because the images that explain what the text is about are sometimes accompanied by an exposition of ideas that is too superficial. Therefore the reader...
How the presence of goddesses paves the way for female power
How the presence of goddesses paved the way for female power One of the theses of my book Matriarchy in China: mothers, goddesses, queens and shamans (Madrid, 2011) was to assert that the presence of goddesses with prominent roles in a culture could signal the past or...
The Adventures of the Mad Monk Ji Gong
The Adventures of the Mad Monk Ji Gong The past few days I have been reading a novel about China's most famous rogue monk. About the Monk Ji Gong, better known for his fondness for wine and meat than for his religious merits. His kindness and continuous desire to help...