Yao people prepare for the traditional herbal bath.

Tucked away in the lush mountains of Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in southwest China, is a millennia-old herbal bath tradition practiced by the Yao people, one of China’s oldest ethnic groups. Recognized for its historical and health care benefits, this practice was added on China’s national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.

To combat ailments such as rheumatism caused by the region’s persistently high humidity, Yao people in ancient times would bathe in hot water infused with over 30 local medicinal herbs. The herbal bath was believed to ward off colds, relieve fatigue, improve sleep quality, and strengthen the body. It also induces heavy sweating, which is believed to signal the expulsion of toxins.

Partly because of this healing ritual, gynecological ailments are rare among Yao women. It is tradition to begin medicinal bathing as soon as 20 minutes after childbirth, and after 10 days of treatment, many women can do light household chores.

Because Yao medicinal baths use only plant-based ingredients, long-term use is also believed to nourish the skin and improve complexion. In Yao communities, many elderly residents look noticeably younger than their age.

Beyond its therapeutic effects, simply immersing oneself in the warm herbal solution is refreshing and soothing for both body and mind. In Yao villages, it is customary to welcome guests with a medicinal bath.

Research by Jiangnan University has shown that the active compounds in Yao medicinal baths possesses transdermal absorption properties and may help alleviate rheumatic joint pain and muscular fatigue.

For centuries, due to the Yao tradition of marrying only within their ethnic group, the specific herbal ingredients and formulas remained largely unknown to outsiders. Today, however, Congjiang County is home to around 900 certified Yao herbal bath practitioners, who are preserving and passing down this ancient knowledge. The local bath-related business has evolved into a thriving green industry with an annual output value of RMB 1.5 billion. Modern factories now produce a wide range of Yao medicinal bath products – often developed in collaboration with these certified practitioners – and Yao medicinal bath centers have opened in Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.