The digital landscape is witnessing a fascinating cultural phenomenon as Americans, particularly Generation Z, enthusiastically adopt Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices through the viral TikTok trend dubbed "Chinamaxxing." This movement involves sharing memes and videos that humorously praise Chinese culture, often starting with wellness routines. "When someone adopts qigong, acupuncture, cupping therapy, herbal remedies [or] gua sha … they are not consuming a one-time cultural export," said scholar Shaoyu Yuan. "Instead they are building a habit."
The Rise of Chinamaxxing on Social Media
Creators like Sherry Zhu, a 23-year-old Chinese American based in New Jersey, have garnered millions of views by advising followers to "become Chinese" through daily habits such as sipping hot water instead of ice water for better digestion. Other TCM hacks promoted online include keeping feet warm to ease menstrual cramps, drinking goji berry and ginger tea as a cure-all, and moving daily to promote qi flow. Videos are often captioned with playful authority, like "Do my Chinese baddie routine with me" or "Advice from your Chinese big sister."
Non-Asian Creators Join the Trend
Non-Asian influencers have eagerly participated, posting content like "Day one of being Chinese" while showcasing boiled apple or savory breakfasts believed to aid digestion. This trend reflects a broader curiosity, with some declaring, "It has come to my attention that we are all suddenly Chinese," as they experiment with congee recipes and other TCM-inspired practices.
Geopolitical and Healthcare Context
Ironically, Chinamaxxing emerged as a response to Donald Trump's economic policies targeting China in 2025, including a bungled trade war and a fudged TikTok ban. Young Americans, perceiving the US as feeble compared to its geopolitical rival, began expressing fascination with Chinese culture. "When Americans don't trust their own institutions, media or political class, they become more willing to look for alternative reference points," explained Shaoyu Yuan, a professor at New York University. "Public debates over TikTok, sanctions, and 'decoupling' signal to many young people that China is central to the future."
Distrust in US Healthcare Fuels Interest
Simultaneously, trust in the US healthcare system has plummeted, with figures like RFK Jr promoting alternative remedies and boosting a wellness market that repackages holistic care from other cultures. Chinese medicine gains appeal as even the US health secretary boasts about drinking cod liver oil, making TCM seem less "woo-woo." Lulu Ge, founder of the wellness brand Elix, noted a 250% increase in organic impressions and 40% weekly traffic surge when Chinamaxxing exploded in January, attributing it to skepticism toward physician specialization in treating chronic conditions like long Covid.
Soft Power and Global Expansion
Promoting TCM is part of China's soft power strategy, with Xi Jinping's administration directing its global introduction in 2016. During the Covid-19 pandemic, China recommended TCM for treatment and sent supplies abroad, helping the global market reach a $400 billion valuation by 2022. In America, TCM gained traction in 2021 through beauty creators using gua sha stones and Covid longhaulers seeking acupuncture, later evolving into trends like "Chinese face mapping" on TikTok.
Cultural Appreciation vs. Extraction
Some Asian American creators find this online obsession jarring, especially given anti-Asian harassment during Covid times. Others critique white creators for assuming authority on Chinese practices, highlighting the privilege of trying on identities without facing consequences. Dr. Felice Chan, an acupuncturist and co-founder of Moonbow, appreciates the visibility but warns against "surface level" content that oversimplifies TCM's familial wisdom. "There's a reason why your mom told you to wear slippers in the house … If our feet are cold, our womb is cold, we have bad period cramps," she said, emphasizing the deeper medicinal understanding.
Community and Meaning in a Digital Age
Despite concerns, many embrace the trend's communal aspect. Ge describes adopting followers into a "Chinese family," reflecting a broader desire for belonging. The trend peaked during the lunar new year, with its spiritual guidance offering poetic alternatives to AI-driven western healthcare. "This medicine is so personalized to being human, and with the emergence of AI, I think people are craving meaning and a return to humanness," said Minjung Hwangbo, a TCM student and content creator.
As Chinamaxxing intersects with global events like Ramadan and Black History Month, it underscores a "globalismmaxxing" urge among Americans to seek cross-cultural connections through brief memes. Ultimately, this trend highlights how digital platforms can reshape health habits and cultural perceptions, blending humor with genuine interest in ancient wellness traditions.
