Scented sachets set a healthy mood for treatment

"The scented sachets were made from a unique recipe developed by the People's Hospital Affiliated to the University of TCM in Fujian province. The fragrance can improve one's mood and help clear the mind," says Zhao Hongjia, deputy director of the medical team from Fujian.

According to TCM theories, aromatic herbs such as clove, moxa grass and Eupatorium fortunei can help enhance immune systems. These plants were once widely used in ancient China to help prevent epidemics.

Today, such scented sachets can be easily bought in stores and are especially popular during Duanwu Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, or June 3 this year.

One of the most renowned retailers of such sachets is Lei Yunshang Group from Suzhou of Jiangsu province. While most of the herbs in these sachets are the same all over China, "the proportion and specifics in our recipe is a secret", says Zhang Yong, a Lei Yunshang spokesperson.

According to Zhou Xin, the general manager of the Lei Yunshang pharmaceutical store on Huashan Road in Shanghai, the company introduces new sachet designs every year, featuring patterns and images of auspicious objects on the embroidery.

"We have turned the sachets into fashionable accessories such as necklaces, key chains and pendents on handbags, and successfully attracted many young consumers," Zhou says.