Russian patients embrace Chinese therapies at border hospital

In Heihe, a Sino-Russian border city in Heilongjiang province, a local hospital for traditional Chinese medicine is drawing a growing number of domestic and Russian patients with its unique therapies.

Entering the Heihe Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, visitors are greeted with homemade sour plum drinks - a refreshing embodiment of TCM's "food-as-medicine" philosophy.

In the lobby, nurses distribute liver-nourishing and lipid-clearing herbal teas, which have become popular souvenirs.

The international department displays medicinal sachets for mosquito repellent and rhinitis treatment, which have been favored by Russian patients for health maintenance.

The moxibustion room is filled with aromatic smoke as therapists prepare mugwort sticks for patients seeking meridian-warming treatments.

"We're seeing more young Chinese and Russian patients with cervical spondylosis," said Dou Manyou, a practitioner at the hospital.

In the tuina (therapeutic massage) department, a 74-year-old Russian patient is enjoying Chinese massage treatment. "Very comfortable," the elderly patient nodded cheerfully.

The preventive medicine unit features illustrated guides to baduanjinexercises, showcasing TCM's "prevention-before-illness" wisdom.

Nearby, technicians use advanced decoction machines to prepare personalized herbal prescriptions, with many patients opting for take-home packages.

"We'll further develop our signature therapies to benefit more patients worldwide," said Liu Xuesong, director of the hospital, highlighting TCM's role as a healing art and a cultural bridge between China and Russia.

In 2024, the hospital provided acupuncture, cupping, and other TCM therapies to over 600 Russian patients, while prescribing more than 300 herbal formulas.

He Yiran and Huang Wanru contributed to the story.