What Is San Fu Tie? A Traditional Chinese Remedy for Cold-Weather Health
- Lucy Zhang
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
At E Healthcare Clinic in Richmond Hill, we offer holistic treatments that draw from centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). One of the most powerful seasonal therapies we provide is San Fu Tie (三伏贴)—an herbal patch treatment applied during the hottest days of summer to strengthen the body for the cold seasons ahead.
If you often feel cold, fatigued, or prone to recurring winter illnesses, San Fu Tie may be a natural solution worth exploring.
What Is San Fu Tie?
San Fu Tie is a preventative TCM treatment that involves applying a specialized blend of warming herbs to key acupuncture points on the body. It is administered specifically during the “San Fu Days”—the hottest, most yang-rich days of the Chinese lunar calendar, typically falling in July and August.
The purpose is to boost the body’s yang energy, improve circulation, and reinforce the immune system before the colder, yin-dominant months begin.
How Does It Work?
From a TCM perspective, many chronic conditions worsen in winter due to cold and dampness entering the body and weakening the immune system. Applying warming herbs to the body when yang energy is at its peak helps:
Expel cold from the meridians
Tonify the lungs and spleen
Improve qi and blood circulation
Prevent seasonal illness like colds, flu, and asthma flare-ups
From a modern perspective, the heat and herbal stimulation may enhance immune responses, improve respiratory function, and reduce inflammation.
Who Can Benefit from San Fu Tie?
San Fu Tie is suitable for both adults and children and is especially helpful for those with:
Chronic respiratory issues (asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis)
Weak immunity or frequent colds
Digestive issues worsened by cold weather
Fatigue and cold hands/feet
Joint or muscle pain that worsens in winter
Menstrual irregularities or cold-related PMS symptoms
Patients often return each year as part of a long-term wellness strategy.
When Is San Fu Tie Offered?
San Fu Tie is only available during a limited summer window when the body is most responsive to treatment. These dates change slightly each year based on the lunar calendar, but typically include:
Initial Fu (初伏)
Middle Fu (中伏)
Final Fu (末伏)
For best results, patients are encouraged to complete all three sessions during the San Fu period.
At E Healthcare Clinic, we announce our official San Fu Tie dates and booking availability each summer, so be sure to contact us or follow our updates in early July.
What to Expect During Treatment
The process is simple and non-invasive:
A licensed TCM practitioner will evaluate your condition and determine the best acupuncture points.
Herbal patches are placed on the back or torso and left on for 1–2 hours.
Patients may feel warmth or tingling. Mild skin irritation or redness is common but temporary.
You’ll receive personalized advice on how to maximize the treatment benefits during the days following.
Why Choose E Healthcare Clinic?
We are proud to be one of the few clinics in the Greater Toronto Area offering authentic San Fu Tie treatments, customized to your body and health history. Our team of experienced TCM practitioners ensures safety, quality, and results.
We serve patients from Richmond Hill, Markham, North York, and beyond—offering bilingual care in both English and Chinese.
Book Your San Fu Tie Appointment
If you experience recurring cold-weather symptoms or want to boost your immune system naturally, San Fu Tie is a powerful seasonal therapy to consider. Limited spots are available each summer.
E Healthcare Clinic
165 East Beaver Creek Rd, Unit 13-14, Richmond Hill, ON
(905) 597-5299
Give your body a head start this summer—before the cold returns. Experience the power of San Fu Tie.
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