When ancient medicine becomes aesthetic

“You have met me at a very Chinese time in my life.”

“How life feels after taking ashwagandha every day …”

These simple but impactful phrases are often heard during a nightly doomscroll or a quick TikTok break. Traditional healing systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda circulate through feeds as trendy self-care rituals that have become staples of wellness culture. Tongue scraping, oil pulling, herbal tinctures, cortisol-balancing techniques and warm water detoxes are just a few methods rooted in traditional medicinal systems. These traditions, once presented as “alternatives,” are now seen as essentials that can be seamlessly included in skincare routines and Sunday resets. 

But what are these systems actually about? 

Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient medical approach that uses physiological and psychological techniques, including acupuncture, tai chi and herbal products. Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches health from a whole-body perspective, viewing the mind, body and soul as interconnected components of wellness and recovery. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian holistic system of medicine, similarly emphasizes methods such as oil pulling, massage therapy, yoga and plant medicines to address symptoms, support the body and increase disease resistance. 

These ancient medical systems were designed as diagnostic systems that are not only structured but personalized to an individual’s symptoms. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, practitioners assess patterns through techniques such as pulse reading, tongue examination and symptom clusters, which influence their recommendations of herbs or dietary shifts. In Ayurveda, the health of each individual is viewed as a unique fingerprint that shapes different healing practices based on internal and external imbalances. Essentially, both practices emphasize the largely individualized nature of healing, self-care and wellness as a whole. 

However, when influencers on social media promote the same herbal blend, the same “hormone-balancing” tea, the same morning routine and similar “quick-fix” methods for everyone, the diagnostic process disappears. Ancient systems that emphasize personalization become one-size-fits-all add-ons. A practice originally intended to address specific and individualized imbalances is reframed as a universal solution that provides instant results for everyone. 

Without context and evidence, you may not know what you are doing, why you are doing it or whether it fits your body. Ancient medicine is slow and intimate, a fact often missed in a fast and generalized wellness marketing industry. 

However, the solution is not to abandon these methods but to use them intentionally. 

The first step in incorporating traditional medicine into a daily routine is to research the method, especially using reputable sources. Before adding a supplement or ritual, ask: What is this practice designed to address? Is this something that is applicable to me? Does it assume a specific imbalance?

Rather than relying solely on aesthetic trends or viral recommendations, learn from professionals formally educated in these systems to preserve both safety and integrity. Support local Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic practitioners with education from credible institutes, such as the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine or the All India Institute of Ayurveda.

It is also important to incorporate practices slowly and gradually, rather than overwhelming your body all at once. 

Most importantly, ensure the practice is incorporated into your routine correctly. Sources such as Zhong Hua Medical provide comprehensive guides on how to incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine-based herbal and dietary changes gradually and intentionally. The Ayurvedic Institute provides a similar guide detailing strategies for using Ayurveda, including exploration of the three energies used to assess imbalances and the intricacies of the mind, body and gut axis. Starting with such sources not only provides context for cultural and traditional practices, but can also serve as a fact-check for what is shown about these methods on social media. 

Above all, release the pressure to justify every practice through online buzzwords. In a culture that encourages the constant addition of another supplement, tool or hack, remember that true wellness may begin with a different question: Am I adding this because it aligns with my body, or because it aligns with my feed?