Honestly?
Because I kept asking “Why?”
Why do so many Chinese people drink warm water?
Why is ginger considered “warming”?
Why did my relatives insist I shouldn’t sleep with wet hair?
Why was there always a kettle on, even in the middle of summer?
Growing up in Singapore, these were just things I saw around me. Nobody really questioned them. They were simply part of everyday life.
As I got older, I became curious about where these ideas came from. That curiosity led me down a rabbit hole into Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese history, and classical medical texts.
The more I read, the more I realised something.
Most people don’t actually want to become TCM practitioners.
They just want someone to explain the ideas in plain English.
That’s why I created TCM Simply.
This isn’t a medical website.
It’s also not a place that’s trying to convince you that every TCM belief is right.
Instead, I try to answer questions like:
Whenever possible, I explain both the traditional reasoning and what modern research says, so readers can understand the topic from more than one perspective.
One thing you’ll probably notice is that I write phrases like: “According to TCM theory…” or “Within the TCM framework…” That’s intentional. Traditional Chinese Medicine has its own way of understanding the body. Whether or not you personally agree with it, I think it’s more interesting to first understand the system on its own terms before deciding what you think.
After all, it’s difficult to appreciate a tradition if nobody ever explains its underlying ideas.
Amanda isn’t a doctor. She’s not a licensed TCM practitioner either.
Think of her more as that friend who’s always reading about random topics and then excitedly tells you what she found over coffee.
The voice on this website comes from someone who grew up around these traditions, got curious about them, and enjoys researching the history and cultural thinking behind them.
If you’ve ever finished one of these articles thinking, “Huh… I never knew that’s why people did that.” then I’ve done my job.
I try to rely on sources that are actually worth reading.
That includes:
Where there’s good scientific research, I’ll mention it.
Where evidence is limited or mixed, I’ll say that too.
Nothing on TCM Simply is medical advice.
If you’re looking for diagnosis or treatment, a qualified healthcare professional is the right person to speak with.
This website is about understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine as a cultural and historical tradition – not replacing professional healthcare.
Whether you’re here because of a TikTok video about gua sha, a conversation with your grandparents, or you’re simply wondering why Chinese restaurants always serve hot tea first…
I’m glad you’re here. I hope you leave knowing something you didn’t know five minutes ago.
Happy reading.
Amanda