HKBU’s Free TCM Diet Database Boosts Everyday Wellness

Published at: 17/12/2025
Modified at:17/12/2025

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has launched an innovative online platform that brings the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) directly to your kitchen. The Chinese Medicine Diet and Health Images Database offers a fascinating glimpse into how food can be a powerful tool for maintaining health and preventing illness.

A traditional Chinese herbal soup featuring ingredients such as Chinese herbs, goji berries, jujubes, ginger, and dried ginseng roots, emphasizing the use of medicinal foods and preventive health care aligned with TCM principles.

At the heart of this digital resource are 124 carefully crafted recipes that embody the TCM philosophy of “preventive treatment.” Led by Professor Chen Hubiao from HKBU’s School of Chinese Medicine, the project transforms traditional dietary knowledge into an accessible, user-friendly database that anyone can explore.

A bowl of health-preserving soup with ingredients like chicken, tofu, vegetables, and traditional herbs, surrounded by wooden utensils, promoting healthy eating according to traditional Chinese medicine concepts.

What makes this resource truly unique is its deep connection to local wellness traditions. The recipes are specifically designed for the southern Chinese climate, addressing common health concerns like humidity and internal heat through thoughtfully selected ingredients. Whether you’re interested in herbal teas, slow-cooked soups, or medicinal foods, the database offers something for everyone.

A collection of traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients and foods, including dried jujubes, goji berries, ginger, chicken, pork bones, dried longan, Chinese dried wild yam, astragalus root, and codonopsis root, intended for health-preserving soups and herbal diets.

Navigation is incredibly intuitive. Users can search recipes across six distinct categories: food crops, flowers and fruits, tea and drinks, health-preserving soups, medicinal foods, and vegetarian dishes. The platform breaks down barriers by offering content in three languages—English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese—ensuring global accessibility.

A collection of traditional Chinese herbs including red berries, dried root strips, mushrooms, goji berries, herbal slices, Sichuan peppercorns, medicinal roots, and lotus petals arranged in bowls, showcasing ingredients used in Chinese medicine and health-preserving soups.

The creation of this database was no small feat. The research team spent three years meticulously studying food-herb compatibility according to TCM principles. Each of the 124 recipes was independently prepared and filmed, guaranteeing accuracy and safety for public use. This commitment to quality reflects HKBU’s dedication to sharing reliable health information.

A presentation displaying traditional Chinese medicine skincare ingredients suitable for hot water, featuring ginseng, goji berry, green tea, licorice root, and Chinese angelica root.

The database doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a broader ecosystem of HKBU’s Chinese medicine databases, which have already attracted remarkable global attention. In just two years, five of the university’s databases have accumulated over 36 million views from users across more than 200 countries—a testament to the growing international interest in traditional wellness practices.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand the database to include 200 recipes, promising even more comprehensive coverage of TCM dietary approaches. This ongoing development represents more than just a digital resource; it’s a bridge connecting ancient healing traditions with modern health needs.

What sets this platform apart is its democratizing approach to wellness knowledge. By providing free access to carefully researched TCM dietary information, HKBU is empowering individuals worldwide to take a proactive approach to their health. The database isn’t just about recipes—it’s about understanding how food can be a form of preventive medicine.

Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, a curious cook, or someone seeking holistic approaches to health, this digital platform offers a fascinating window into the world of TCM dietary practices. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful medicine might be sitting right in our kitchen.

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