Gen Z is beginning to doubt whether the West really is the best, and I might be among them — at least, when it comes to medicine.

A couple of months ago, while mindlessly scrolling TikTok, I noticed my algorithm feeding me more videos centered around Traditional Chinese Medicine: people mixing Chinese herbs, sipping warm morning teas, trying acupuncture pads and practicing (or attempting to practice) tai chi.

It’s not unusual for me to stumble across these kinds of trends. I cover wellness from a consumer lens and do my best to keep up with every corner of the industry. But when I started seeing posts about “ChinaMaxxing,” an apparent Gen Z trend built around incorporating elements of Chinese culture and traditional Eastern medicine into daily routines, I stopped scrolling.

At best, the so-called “ChinaMaxxing” trend has been framed as a harmless exchange of wellness practices. At worst, it veers into blatant cultural appropriation. One of the most problematic aspects, beyond the term itself, is that few Americans understand how herbal medicine actually works.

I include myself in that group.

For most of my life, I defaulted to typical Western fixes for just about everything. But the controversy surrounding this trend had me reconsidering how I view herbal medicine, particularly against the backdrop of America’s pharmaceutical industry and its often symptom-focused approach to health care.

My typical routine is as follows: protein powders for muscle growth and satiation, probiotic supplements for bloating and gut health, pre-workouts for energy, electrolytes for recovery, and occasionally, over-the-counter medication for menstrual cramps.

Here in the U.S., there always seems to be a steady influx of “treatments” for every symptom, and often another product to counteract the side effects of that same “treatment.” I use the word treatment loosely here because I’m sometimes skeptical that the source of the issue is truly being considered.

Chinese medicine, in contrast, approaches things differently, emphasizing a more holistic, root-cause approach to health. That’s what intrigued me about it, and as I dug deeper, I began questioning how my body might respond to herbs instead of the usual mix of powders and pills made with ingredients I could barely pronounce.

That’s when I came across Elix.

What is Elix?

Founded by Lulu Ge, Elix is one of the first-of-its-kind wellness companies bringing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into the modern wellness era. It combines TCM with clinical research to formulate organic herbal tinctures designed to support hormonal health, especially for women’s cycles.

Ge’s grandfather ran a hospital in Hunan, so she grew up with an understanding of how different natural remedies impact the body. Later in life, when she went off birth control and began experiencing difficult hormonal imbalances, she found herself returning to herbal medicine, launching Elix in 2020.

It offers a free tongue analysis and in-depth digital assessment to analyze users’ health and well-being. The company also works with certified herbalists and Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to help tailor a formula designed that support customers’ unique hormonal and menstrual health needs.

Today, Elix offers a range of blends for different benefits, from sleep and relaxation to energy and digestion. All of the tinctures are produced using a low, slow extraction process to maximize the nutrients and come in liquid form, which the brand says “enables maximum absorption of nutrients.”

Elix Review

For my review, I tested the Elix Holistic Set alongside the popular Yin Time sleep tincture. I opted to hone in on Yin Time specifically to help reset my sleep and optimize the amount of time I spend in deep sleep, which is an area of my health I’ve been focused on improving lately.

The Holistic Set is essentially a starter kit for overall wellness.

It includes five tinctures: Daily Harmony, Stay Well and Get Well, which are designed to “provide adaptogen-packed support for balance, resilience and vitality,” alongside Ginger Aide and Herbal Digestif, both aimed at supporting digestion and metabolism.

I tested the five daily wellness tinctures over the course of three weeks and didn’t notice any dramatic changes… though that may be the point.

A couple of weeks in, I started feeling the early symptoms of a cold, but it never fully developed, even while my toddler had full-blown flu symptoms. I took a little extra Get Well, which is packed with botanicals that support the body’s natural defenses. Whether the adaptogens actually helped support my immune system is hard to say, but I did stay healthy and I never take that for granted.

After reading glowing reviews of the digestive blends, I went in with high expectations. One user raved that the herbs noticeably reduced bloating within 30 minutes of a big meal — “unlike anything else” they’d tried. That wasn’t exactly my experience.

I already eat a fairly whole-food-focused diet, which I suspect plays the biggest role in my gut health, but I did notice the tinctures left me feeling comfortably full and more satisfied after meals. I was also probably drinking more water as a result of taking the herbs; the tinctures are lightly sweet and refreshing, mix well with liquids and probably convinced me to hydrate a bit more.

The Ginger Aide, especially, was quite soothing on my gut (especially during my period, and on one morning after a couple of glasses of wine). Several other reviewers shared that feeling, mentioning that it helped relieve minor stomach discomfort, like bloating and nausea.

All in all, I’d recommend the set to anyone looking for an approachable entry point into herbal wellness. While it’s difficult to isolate the effects of each individual blend, the set feels geared more toward long-term balance and overall vitality than immediate results. If that’s what you’re after, it’s worth a try.

My results were much more noticeable with Yin Time, a sleep tincture that Elix says is designed to “soothe your spirit and calm your mind.”

Rooted in a 2,000-year-old Chinese herbal remedy, the formula blends organic reishi medicinal mushroom, jujube seed, hibiscus flower, polygala root and other natural botanicals that are believed to support restful sleep, stress relief and emotional balance.

The directions are simple: mix three dropperfuls (about half a teaspoon) into your favorite beverage or water for a calming nighttime drink. The flavor is slightly ginger-forward, light and easy to sip. Compared to some other overly sweet or overly tart sleep supplements I’ve tried, I really enjoyed the taste.

I took Yin Time around 9:00 p.m. and started feeling the effects within 30 minutes. It’s not like a sedative by any means, but I did feel noticeably more relaxed before bed. Less mind racing. More calm. I was even less tempted to scroll on my phone and found it easier to actually wind down for the night. I also went to bed earlier than I normally do, which, for me, is saying something.

Once asleep, I stayed asleep. The first night I took Yin Time, my Oura Ring indicated that I spent roughly 30 minutes more in deep sleep than usual. I’ve used Yin Time several nights since, and it has consistently helped me get the extra rest I need, especially when I’m trying to catch up on sleep debt.

I don’t struggle with insomnia or any diagnosed sleep issues, but like many people, I definitely benefit from being well-rested and clear-headed in the morning. For me, a good night’s sleep is tied to a good day — and that alone makes Yin Time worth it.

I’m not the only one on the Post Wanted team who’s tried the offerings from Elix. Commerce Deputy Editor, Holly J Coley, became a fan of the brand’s Daily Harmony. Formulated based on a clinically studied 1,000-year-old Chinese formula known as Free and Easy Wanderer, per the brand, it uses organic, research-backed functional mushrooms and adaptogens that raise the body’s resistance to everyday stressors. Coley, who describes herself as someone who “runs anxious,” was eager to test the supplement, though she adds that she may love Elix’s Ginger Aide most, as her anxiety has led to some serious digestive issues over the years.

“I grew up in a very health-conscious home,” Coley shares. “If we got sick, it was echinacea and golden seal and weird drinks made of crushed garlic, lemon, honey and eucalyptus oil — gross but oddly effective. So, I’m a believer in holistic treatments and Eastern medicine in general. I’ve even gone to a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and found it very helpful.

“Daily Harmony was the tincture I wanted to try most. Its incorporation of reishi, a functional mushroom that’s also adaptogenic, is what drew me in because it’s shown to combat stress and I’m always looking to reduce mine.

“The directions for Daily Harmony are really easy to follow: take three to four dropper fulls per day, in the morning or before meals, and if you’re really stressed out, you can repeat this up to four times a day.

“I didn’t try this first thing in the morning, but started around 11 a.m., typically when my first meeting of the day has ended and I’m already starting to spiral about the things I need to accomplish. Logically, I know I need to take time to breathe and do basic self-care things like eat and go to the bathroom, but when my adrenaline starts going, I pretty much lock in because I just want everything done. I used to use adaptogens to help combat my stress, and they helped, but I stopped, partially because I was feeling better, partially because it’s expensive to take numerous powders and special supplements every day. I really liked that the dose was low for Daily Harmony, as it is not a single-ingredient tincture, so I can get multiple benefits at once and nix the need to stack even more supplements into my routine to tackle the same concern.

“The tincture has a really lovely taste — semi-sweet and a hint minty. Because of this, I took it straight most times. Unlike other natural options I’ve taken for my nerves (L-Theanine is usually my go-to), I didn’t feel effects right away. So, not a quick fix. However, if you stick with it for a month, you may notice you’re less rattled by a sudden deadline or that jerk taking up two seats on the subway. That’s how adaptogens work; they help regulate your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, so you’re not hit with that fight-or-flight feeling as often.

“Daily Harmony has 13 ingredients in total, several of which support things that I’m always concerned about because of my anxiety. My body gets really tight, and this has white peony, which helps with spasms — something you may find yourself getting if you’re a high-stress person. There’s also anti-inflammatory licorice, something I need because chronic stress creates inflammation and has been linked to serious health issues. In fact, this has several anti-inflammatory ingredients, including white ginseng — something that also helps with focus, and who doesn’t need help with that? 

“I do want to add that some of the ingredients are hormone-modulating, so if you have issues with estrogen, I would speak to your primary and maybe even a TCM practitioner just to make sure you’re using something that’s really suited for you.”

Another Elix tincture that Coley tried was Craving Support. Meant to reduce snacking and curb cravings through medicinal herbs and spices, it also may support GLP-1 pathways. While Coley doesn’t struggle with food cravings, she says she was open to testing because several of the ingredients aid digestion and balance blood sugar, which is something she’s previously been concerned about.

“Craving Support has cinnamon and ginger, two spices that are anti-inflammatory and are good for digestion, so this was reason alone for me to try the tincture. Its taste profile is slightly sweet and spicy — far more pleasant than what I was expecting. Elix doesn’t use alcohol in its formulas, which I’m sure helps. I don’t have a big sweet tooth, but found I was even less interested in it while I tested this.

“Mix three to four dropper fulls into water, and take 15 minutes before your meal. You can also take it whenever you’re having those pesky mid-afternoon or after-dinner cravings. Besides ginger and cinnamon, it has other digestive herbs, including cardamom pods and atractylodes, which can assist with bloating and intestinal spasms. There’s also Chinese yam — good for the microbiome’s gut bacteria, as well as licorice and codonopsis for energy. My understanding is that all the ingredients work together to strengthen digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes, which can lead to snacking for a quick energy boost. I know there’s some research on how Chinese yam, codonopsis and cinnamon can interact with the body’s natural GLP-1 reserves, so this may be of interest for people who are looking for a more natural approach to weight control or who are not candidates for prescription GLP-1 medications.

“When I first took it, I noticed a full-body warmth wash over me — very pleasant. In fact, I found it actually sort of grounding, which I imagine may be very helpful for people who struggle with food noise, especially if it leads to mindless eating out of panic or stress. The brand encourages users to tap into their bodies after taking this, so they can better sense what their bodies are actually craving. 

“I flirted with being a nutritionist when I was in college and even had a certification in wellness coaching and holistic nutrition for a few years, so I know a bit about how slowing down before eating or during a meal can prevent overeating. 

“To be clear, food issues are better addressed by a therapist — not me, but I can see how this could be a helpful tool for those who need some support around mealtime. I think even people like me could benefit from it, because when I’m stressed, my digestion gets really messed up and I like the idea of routinely taking something to pamper my digestive tract. 

“The brand’s Ginger Aide is still my go-to, but I also enjoyed my experience with Craving Support. We’re living in a world that’s constantly telling people to slow down and take care of themselves, but there aren’t supportive structures for this. When I took the tincture, I literally felt myself take a beat and tune in. I don’t know if it’s the heat of the ingredients or what, but I’d definitely recommend trying it.”

Is Elix worth it?

My experience with Elix didn’t blow my mind, but it was certainly positive.

While I didn’t detect any major long-term effects with the entire holistic set, something I have to stress is that I didn’t experience any uncomfortable side effects with any of Elix’s herbs. They were gentle, and my body felt balanced and normal just after taking them — with no apparent highs or lows.

Something I have noticed with typical Western fixes and supplements (I’m mostly thinking of my protein powders and pre-workouts, here) is that there is often some mild digestive discomfort and occasionally an energy crash that follows. I experienced no such crash or any other side effects with Elix.

The most evident change I observed was with the Yin Time tincture, which not only made me feel calmer and more grounded before bed but also improved my sleep score. I felt much more relaxed within 30 minutes of taking it, and didn’t experience the usual nighttime anxiety. Dare I say, it may have even helped reduce my nightly doomscrolling.

Elix’s packaging is also beautiful; the dropper makes it easy to dose and tinctures are far less messy than powders, in my opinion. The lightly sweet flavor of the tinctures is refreshing and even had me swapping my morning coffee for a healthier herbal alternative — that’s a small win, but still notable.

If you’re looking for a low-effort way to integrate Chinese medicine into your routine, Elix makes it easy. These herbs aren’t cheap, but they’re 100% organic, triple-tested for purity and well-reviewed. I might even like them enough to let them retire some of my old supplements.

How I tested

While testing Elix’s herbal tinctures over three weeks, I considered the benefits, side effects, ease of use as well as sourcing and testing certifications.

• Benefits: While taking Elix for three weeks, I tracked any noticeable changes in my mood, energy, digestion and sleep. I also considered how long it took to feel the benefits and whether any secondary factors could have influenced how I felt during the testing period.
• Side-effects: Over the three-week test, I was wary of any potential side-effects, such as bloating, indigestion, upset stomach or fatigue. While I didn’t experience any side effects with Elix, it’s important to consult you phsycian prioir to starting any herbs or supplements.
• Ease of use: As with any supplement, simplicity and ease of use matter. Elix herbs come with droppers, and most recommend mixing just a few drops into a beverage of choice. I found this straightforward. The flavor is lightly sweet, the herbs mix in easily, and overall it’s a very low-lift addition to my routine — more enjoyable than pills and less messy than powders.
• Sourcing and Testing: Elix sources in rural regions in China and Greater Asia, specifically using organic, whole herbs “of the highest quality.” All of the herbs have been third-party tested for purity and potency, and are confirmed free of heavy metals and microbes. 

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.