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On August 16, 2026, the Tzu Chi Foundation Canada’s Burnaby Office hosted a “Little TCM Doctor Experience Day.” Twenty-two children stepped into the shoes of “little TCM doctors” for a day, joined by thirteen parents, making up twelve parent-child pairs.
In just one afternoon, Dr. Yu-Wei Wu from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) guided everyone through identifying Chinese herbs, learning about meridians and acupoints, feeling the pulse, crafting herbal sachets, and experiencing Sanfu herbal patches (Sanfutie). With such a rich program, the children had a wonderful time learning, and the parents enjoyed an engaging and enlightening TCM lesson alongside them.
Discovering Chinese Herbs and Acupoints
Dr. Wu prepared meticulously. Rather than using complex theories to introduce TCM, she adopted a lively, accessible approach, starting with ancient wisdom and guiding the children step-by-step to understand how TCM applies to daily life.
During the session, the children learned about various herbs, including sweetflag rhizome (shichangpu), patchouli (huoxiang), clove, mugwort leaf (aiye), perilla leaf, and mint. Dr. Wu encouraged the children to observe with their eyes, smell with their noses, and touch with their hands to identify the herbs, while introducing their unique characteristics and traditional uses.
The children realized that TCM is not distant knowledge; many herbs are actually plants we encounter in daily life. Through long-term observation and experience, the ancients accumulated a wealth of wisdom for caring for the body.
Next, Dr. Wu taught the children about the fingers, meridians, and acupoints, demonstrating how simple pressing and massaging techniques can help the body relax and find relief. She explained concepts using relatable examples, such as introducing ideas related to “lung qi” and playfully telling the children, “If your mom gets upset, you can give her a gentle massage to help her feel better!”
The abstract concepts of “meridians and acupoints” instantly transformed into practical skills the children could try themselves. They discovered that their hands could be used not only to care for themselves, but also to show love and care for those around them.
Dr. Wu also taught the children a very special skill: pulse-taking. The children learned proper finger placement, tried to calm their minds, and felt the rhythm of the pulse, discovering how TCM practitioners assess bodily health through pulse diagnostics.
Placing their fingers on their wrists with deep concentration, the children quietly felt the “thump, thump, thump” of the heartbeat, truly looking like little TCM doctors. This was also a unique lesson in mindfulness: one must first find inner calm before truly listening to the messages sent by the body.
Crafting Herbal Sachets by Hand
Next, the children packed the herbs they had just learned about into sachets, creating their very own herbal pouches. Moving from “listening, seeing, and smelling” to making them by hand left a deeper impression of each herb’s scent and properties.
Upon completion, every child held their sachet with great joy. For children, this kind of experiential learning makes a far more lasting impression than simply sitting in a lecture.
Another highlight was learning about and experiencing Sanfu herbal patches. Dr. Wu mixed the herbal powder on-site and introduced this external TCM therapy in a simple, engaging way. The children learned that besides drinking herbal decoctions, TCM also utilizes various traditional therapies to nurture health. Seeing raw herbs transform into an actual TCM application was both novel and fascinating.
Planting the Seeds of TCM Culture
What resonated deeply with everyone today was that this was not merely a class for children, but also an opportunity for parents to rediscover traditional Chinese culture alongside their kids.
From identifying herbs, exploring meridians and acupoints, practicing massage techniques, and taking pulses, to crafting sachets and trying Sanfu patches, Dr. Wu turned seemingly profound TCM wisdom into a hands-on experience that children could see, smell, touch, and practice. Parents were deeply grateful for Dr. Wu’s patient and engaging guidance, as well as for Tzu Chi providing such a precious learning opportunity.
The children might not remember every single herb or acupoint, but the curiosity, interest, and spirit of exploration sparked today may well be the most valuable reward.
The “Little TCM Doctor Experience Day” planted a seed of traditional Chinese culture in the children’s hearts. It allowed them to learn through experience, discover how to care for their own well-being, and learn to care for others—the most wonderful takeaway of the day.