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Chinese Superstition: TCM Leftovers Scattered to Ward Off Illness

3/28/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In China, leftovers of Traditional Chinese Medicine are scattered on roads, a superstition that it wards off illness for others.
The practice stems from a Tang dynasty legend about Sun Simiao, known as China’s King of Medicine.
In the tale, Sun Simiao meets an elderly man who pours out his leftovers after dosing without improvement, which illustrates the tradition's meaning.

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Story summary

In China, leftovers of Traditional Chinese Medicine are scattered on roads, a superstition that it wards off illness for others.
The practice stems from a Tang dynasty legend about Sun Simiao, known as China’s King of Medicine.
In the tale, Sun Simiao meets an elderly man who pours out his leftovers after dosing without improvement, which illustrates the tradition's meaning.