Chinese herbal Tea is said to be good for ‘heaty’ bodies.
Various types of herbal tea being sold at a traditional Chinese medicine shop in Kuching. These teas are said to be able to quench thirst and ‘cool’ the body.
Water from young coconuts is said to be one of the healthiest drinks around.
KUCHING: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shops in the city are said to be doing brisk business in recent days as scorching heat and dry weather forced a long queue for herbal teas.
Fruit sellers, on the other hand, are busy replenishing their coconut stock as demand for coconut water surge.
One TCM shop in BDC admitted their herbalist had been on overdrive mode the past few days to meet increased demand for his herbal concoction.
“Our herbalist has to brew extra herbal teas due to increasing demand. The weather the past few days makes everyone feels heaty.
“Those who do not take herbal stuff would opt for mineral water,” said an assistant in the shop, which was established more than 30 years ago.
She explained that certain herbs had been found to have a cooling effect, and her shop sells six different types of such herbs – some with a sweet taste and others bitter.
Each concoction needs at least two hours to prepare, and they are sold for RM1.50 per glass and RM2 for takeaway.
Her shop does sell in bigger volume – RM6 per 1.5 litre bottles. Unfinished ones are best kept in the fridge.
Another popular thirst quencher is coconut water.
A fruit seller along Jalan Tun Jugah claimed his stock of coconuts was also finished, and he had placed an order for more.
“The weather is really getting to a lot of people. Some drink the coconut water on the spot, while others do takeaways. Some even bought from me twice in a single day,” said the fruit seller.
Despite increasing demand, he claimed the price he charged per coconut remained the same – RM3.50 – as his customers were regular ones.
Meanwhile, a doctor said coconut water contains electrolytes and good nutrients, and it is sterile. He said they are a good source to replenish fluids in the body that are lost through sweat.
“The water of young coconuts is one of the healthiest drinks on earth. Drinking it does not only quench thirst but it also gives a lot of benefits to the body,” said the good doctor, who declined to be identified.