Ancient wellness and the Dragon Boat Festival

There's more to the Dragon Boat Festival than racing boats and honoring a poet. Long before modern medicine, ancient Chinese communities used this time of year to protect themselves – from illness, bad luck, and the dangers of the changing seasons.

In this episode, we explore how the Dragon Boat Festival was also a wellness ritual rooted in seasonal wisdom. You'll learn why the fifth lunar month was once considered the most dangerous time of year; how herbs like mugwort and calamus were used to keep insects and illness at bay; and what meanings lie behind the customs of wearing scented sachets or hanging herbal bundles at the door.

We also uncover how traditional drinks and symbolic rituals reflected ancient beliefs about health and protection, and how the idea of "warding off evil" was often tied to real-life strategies for disease prevention. These practices may sound old-fashioned, but they've continued to evolve – adapted for modern homes and celebrated around the world.

From Singapore to San Francisco, people are rediscovering the deeper meanings of this festival – not just as a cultural celebration, but as a reminder of how traditional knowledge can offer protection, healing, and a deeper connection to nature.

This is the Dragon Boat Festival as you've never seen it: a time of remembrance, yes – but also of renewal, resilience, and self-care.