The seventh China (Gansu) Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Expo is held on Friday in Dingxi, Gansu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

From traditional herbal medicines to coffee and other health products, traditional Chinese medicine is finding new ways to reach modern consumers and overseas markets.

The seventh China (Gansu) Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Expo, held on Sept 4 in Dingxi, Gansu province, brought together government officials and industry representatives to explore how TCM can be modernized, standardized and further integrated into the global health industry.

Gansu is one of China's major sources of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with Dingxi, known as the "Millennium Medicine Town", home to 135 of the 363 major varieties identified in a national survey, including angelica, astragalus and codonopsis.

In 2025, the city's TCM industry generated 55.3 billion yuan ($8.2 billion) in output, about half of Gansu's total, making TCM a pillar industry and an important source of income for local farmers.

The combination of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, such as astragalus and ginseng, with familiar beverages is particularly appealing to young consumers. [Photo by Wu Yuexuan/For chinadaily.com.cn]

"Chinese herbal medicine resources are the foundation of the TCM industry," said Lu Jianwei, deputy head of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, calling for standardized cultivation and digital traceability covering planting, harvesting, processing and storage.

Dingxi has established 2.047 million mu (136,500 hectares) of standardized medicinal herb cultivation bases, with the standardization rate reaching 86 percent. A digital traceability platform is also being used to track the quality and movement of medicinal herbs.

Technology is also being applied at the source. In 2024, astragalus, red astragalus and codonopsis seeds from Longxi county were sent to space for breeding experiments, which could provide valuable genetic resources for improving varieties and addressing resource shortages, according to the Shuangquan township government.

For Thailand, Gansu's development offers opportunities for cooperation.

"Both Thailand and China are using modern science and innovative approaches to empower traditional medicine," said Nattira Chatjirakulroj, an official at Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. "Gansu has established a complete industry chain, covering the cultivation of medicinal herbs, scientific research, deep processing, market sales and exports, offering a valuable reference for Thailand."

She called for cooperation in joint research, quality standards, extraction technologies, talent training and new product development.

Companies are developing new products to make TCM more accessible to younger consumers. Lanzhou Foci Pharmaceutical, whose products are exported to 32 countries and regions, has developed products such as astragalus coffee and ginseng Americano.

"These coffee drinks combine traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with a beverage people already know and enjoy," said Ma Rui, deputy director of the Marketing Department at Foci Health Marketing Center. "They can help you stay awake and alert while also providing energy and supporting your immunity, which is particularly appealing to young consumers."

As Lu put it, the goal of developing TCM is not only to preserve tradition, but also to "tell the story of traditional Chinese medicine in the new era" and deepen its integration into the Belt and Road Initiative, contributing to a global community of health for all.

Wu Yuexuan contributed to the story.