Trending in China | The flower-powered elixir that keeps summers cool

Long before modern wellness trends took root, the Song Dynasty (960-1279) had already embraced the art of herbal infusions. Among the most cherished was the perilla infusion, a fragrant drink made by steeping purple perilla leaves in hot water. Widely used in cuisine, perilla (Perilla frutescens) is also believed to dispel summer heat and relieve internal dampness in traditional Chinese medicine. This simple yet soothing beverage is a seasonal favorite during the hot months.

(Video source: Kuaishou, compiled by Zou Yunshan)