Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) always comes into its own when people are thinking of taking an energy supplement on chilly winter days.

The colloid-like formula or gao fang, extracted from a variety of TCM is popular with people today who want to improve their health, when stressed by hard work.

"More and more people have shown great interest in the colloid medicine because of its good medicinal effect," said Ding Xueping, professor with the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Ding is also a medical expert with the Lucky Star Hospital, a privately-owned hospital in Shanghai.

"There are about 15 patients who come to our hospital to ask for the colloid medicine each day," Ding said.

As peoples' living rhythms are getting faster, the weight on their shoulders has become heavier.

"The average age of our patients ages has become younger, and many 'white collars' come to ask for treatment," Ding said.

He said that most of his patients are from such sectors as government, information technology, investment, auto, trade and property.

Many business people from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore also subscribe to Ding's prescription, said one of his assistants.

According to some, taking the colloidal herbal medicine was a traditional way to raise energy levels in winter.

The colloid is processed from heated herbal medicine and the prescription varies according to the needs of different patients.

Generally, one formula includes 40 to 50 types of herbal medicine, such as ginseng, tuckahoe, honey, medlar and tuber of multiflower knotweed.

Ding said that the medicine has a "special effect" on diseases of the liver, spleen and heart and on patients suffering diabetes, insomnia or high blood pressure.

Lu Lili, a civil servant and also one of Ding's patients, said: "My problems with fat liver and stomach upsets disappeared after I took the colloid medicine."

Ding suggested that the period for people to take colloid medicine is from two to three months, normally from December to February.

The price of the ordinary medicine for one period of treatment is 700-800 yuan (US$84-96), one-tenth of the price charged for the same medicine abroad, according to Ding.

However, experts caution that colloid medicine should only be used under medical guidance and in accordance with the individual's health condition.

Zhang Jianmin, a member of China TCM Association, said that if the winter weather was getting warmer, the formula should be adjusted to the change because the original prescription was suitable for cold weather only and it could make people feel very hot.

In addition, the colloid medicine cannot substitute for other medical treatment, especially for treating some chronic diseases.

There are other simple ways for people to supplement their nourishment if they do not have time to visit doctors, Ding said.

For example, people can put some ginseng in a bowl and steam the bowl for an hour. The ginseng can be eaten after being steamed.

For women, they can first steam a mixture of donkey-hide gelatin and rock candy, and then take the mixture.

Colliod medicine is available in major TCM hospital and drugstores.

Lucky Star Hospital:

Tel: 6403-5533

Shuguang Hospital:

Tel: 5382-1650

No. 1 Shanghai Medicine Shop:

Tel: 6374-0988

(Shanghai Star  January 6, 2004)