Traditional Chinese medicine becomes popular among New Yorkers

A Chinese traditional cough syrup, called Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, is becoming even more popular among New Yorkers in this flu season, following a US news report.

According to an article published by the Wall Street Journal last week, Alex Schweder, an architect and professor of design at Pratt Institute suffering a cough about ten days, felt better only in 15 minutes after he drank a bottle of Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, which was recommended by his girlfriend who first learned about the herbal supplement nearly 30 years ago when she was living in Hong Kong.

Schweider was shocked by the magical effects of the herbal supplement, and recommended it to many people, which, combined with other factors, afterward made the Chinese medicine popular in New York City.

The remedy, often referred to simply as Pei Pa Koa, is sold as much as 70 U.S. dollars online through third parties for a 300-milliliter bottle, the Wall Street Journal said.

Shares of Kingworld Medicines Group, a Hong Kong-listed Chinese pharmaceutical company that produces the remedy, soared 25 percent on Monday following the report.

The medicine in the form of 300-milliliter bottle now is sold at 13.29 dollars apiece on Walmart's online platform, which is more than double of its price in some pharmacies located in Manhattan's Chinatown, selling at about 6 dollars per bottle.

"The amounts of Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa we sell over the past few days are much more than usual," Winnie, a sales staff at Buy-rite pharmacy located in Chinatown, told Xinhua on Monday.

More and more Westerners are accepting this remedy not only because it is truly effective, but also because its individual packaging characteristic is very convenient, she said.

"Much more people, including many foreigners, have come to our store buying Pei Pa Koa recently," a sales staff at another Chinatown drugstore named Centre Care Pharmacy echoed, citing that the flu season also gives some support to the sales.

As of the week ending Feb. 17, a total of 97 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported for the 2017-2018 flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I think that (the report) is a good thing, which will make Chinese traditional products more acceptable among western countries," Winnie added. "In fact, we also sold more other related Chinese traditional medicines during the past few days."

"Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa is made of precious Chinese herbs and honey, and has remarkable effects in relieving coughs, eliminating phlegm and soothing sore throats," the Kingworld Medicines Group says on its official website.

However, taking herbal supplements can involve health risks, including when they are used with medicines, consumed in excess or taken instead of prescription medication, warned some experts.

The Kingworld Medicines Group managed a portfolio of 60 pharmaceutical and healthcare products, general foodstuffs and other medical products, many of which are established brand names, such as Pei Pa Koa, Taiko Seirogan, Kawai Product Range, etc.