The Beverages of the Chinese & Kung-Fu

A fascinating blend of medical insight and cultural observation, The Beverages of the Chinese & Kung-Fu by John Dudgeon, M.D. explores the ancient traditions of health, diet, and exercise that have shaped Chinese life for centuries. Written by a physician and scholar who spent decades in China, this volume offers a rare nineteenth-century perspective on two of the nation’s most enduring arts: the preparation of traditional beverages—tea, rice wine, and herbal infusions—and the disciplined practice of Kung-Fu as a system of physical and spiritual well-being.

Dudgeon’s account combines scientific curiosity with deep respect for Eastern philosophy, examining how the Chinese understanding of balance, moderation, and vitality informed both their daily habits and their medicine. His observations reveal a culture where health was harmony, uniting body, mind, and nature long before such ideas reached the West.

Both historical and practical, this work remains a classic in cross-cultural medical and anthropological literature, offering modern readers a window into the roots of holistic health and Eastern wellness traditions.

Complete edition of John Dudgeon’s 19th-century study of Chinese health customs

Explores traditional beverages, diet, and the philosophy of Kung-Fu

Combines Western medical analysis with Chinese cultural understanding

Essential for readers of medical history, Eastern philosophy, and holistic health

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