The Way of the Root: Timeless and Enduring
In traditional Chinese wisdom, "ben" (the root) carries deep meaning. Originally referring to a plant’s roots—the source of its life—an ancient saying captures its essence: "A tree thrives only if its roots run deep." The classic Chinese medical text Huangdi Neijing puts it this way: "When vital energy stays strong within, illness can’t take hold." This idea, refined over millennia, gave birth to a rich wellness culture that endures, passed down through generations and remaining relevant today.
As a fourth-generation heir to the century-old Lee Kum Kee legacy, Lee Wai Sum grew up steeped in Chinese culture, with a constant reminder: "Never lose sight of your roots." In the 1990s, he watched as Japan and South Korea’s "Kampo" herbal products gained global popularity. Yet traditional Chinese herbs, despite their profound heritage, struggled to gain wide acceptance even in Chinese communities. It sparked a question: Why can’t we, the heirs of this wisdom, be the ones to share it with the world? |
Staying True to Our Roots: Building a Foundation for Health
In 1992, Lee Wai Sum joined forces with his father, Lee Man Tat, to partner with the former First Military Medical University and launch "Infinitus," stepping fully into the wellness world. For years, Infinitus nurtured this mission, releasing quality herbal products like Zengjian Oral Liquid, all to keep Chinese wellness traditions alive.
As products hit the market, Lee Wai Sum realized something: To truly improve people’s health, products alone weren’t enough. They needed to shift how people thought about health and lived their daily lives. So Infinitus introduced "Nourish the Root, Live Well"—a philosophy that turned complex ancient wellness wisdom into simple, actionable daily habits, making it easy for anyone to adopt.
But he didn’t stop there. As technology rapidly changed the world, he spent two years traveling, learning, and observing—logging over a thousand hours of study. He noticed top global universities diving into research on traditional Chinese medicine and wellness. This only strengthened his belief: Chinese wellness culture deserved to be seen and valued worldwide.
The Birth of Oriherb: Coming Back to Our Roots
In 2020, as COVID-19 spread globally, traditional Chinese medicine and wellness practices regained global attention. During long months of working from home, Lee Wai Sum revisited classic wellness texts and grew even more certain: "Sharing Chinese wellness culture with the world is the right thing to do—and worth fighting for." But he knew it would take time, effort, and fresh ideas.
In 2022, Infinitus marked its 30th anniversary—and launched a new brand: Oriherb. The name comes from "Nourish the Root, Live Well," carrying forward Infinitus’ wellness philosophy. Oriherb focuses on the "Three Nourishments"—strengthening vital energy, balancing yin and yang, harmonizing internal organs—and pairs them with the "Four Essentials" of daily living, helping modern people build stronger health from the inside out.
Moving forward, Infinitus will keep investing in Oriherb—drawing inspiration from classic herbal formulas, blending them with modern science and technology, and creating products that fit modern life. The goal? To make Oriherb a global ambassador for Chinese wellness culture.
Nourish the Foundation, Live Well
"Nourish the foundation for a healthy life" is Infinitus’ unique wellness philosophy, blending age-old wisdom with modern living. Drawing from 5,000 years of Chinese wellness culture, we’ve crafted a practical approach to health—simple enough for busy lives, designed to help you thrive from the inside out.
Nourish the Foundation
This idea comes from the Chinese wellness principle of "strengthening the core." It means nurturing your overall well-being to fortify the very foundation of life. When this foundation is strong, health has a solid base to grow from.
Live Well
A healthy life is the ultimate goal of our wellness philosophy. At Infinitus, we believe this means pursuing health and happiness by nourishing your foundation—balancing health, family, and work to embrace a fulfilling life.
Three Key Nourishments
In traditional Chinese medicine, Yin and Yang represent opposing yet interconnected forces that govern life, health, and illness. The Huangdi Neijing (ancient medical text) states: "Life’s root lies in Yin and Yang; when balanced, the body thrives." This means harmony between these forces keeps you healthy—imbalance brings chaos, even illness. Balancing Yin and Yang helps you stay warm, nourished, energized, and strong.
Vital energy is your body’s ability to adapt, fight illness, and heal itself. The Huangdi Neijing notes: "When vital energy is strong, illness can’t take hold; where illness strikes, energy is weak." In short, strong energy keeps you healthy—weakness brings illness or fatigue. Strengthening this energy helps you stay well, get sick less, and recover faster.
"Zangfu" refers to the body’s internal organs in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s believed that health depends on these organs working well—each doing its job, cooperating with the others. The Huangdi Neijing explains: "The five main organs guard life itself; when they function, you live; when they fail, you sicken." Harmonizing these organs keeps them working in sync, keeping illness at bay.
Four Essentials for Balance
Mindful Eating
This means balancing meat and plants, eating seasonal foods, and sticking to regular meal times. Avoid overeating, extreme temperatures, or mixing hot and cold foods. Follow three rules: balanced structure, regular timing, and moderate temperatures.
Regular Living
Live in rhythm with the seasons, balance work and rest, and keep a steady routine. Follow three rules: quality sleep, balancing activity and rest, and consistent daily habits.
Balanced Exercise
Make movement a priority, but choose activities that fit you—don’t overdo it. Consistency matters most. Follow three rules: stay active, tailor exercise to your needs, and keep at it long-term.
Emotional Balance
Nurture mental health: stay positive, avoid extreme emotions like rage or overwhelming grief, grow hobbies, and build strong relationships. Follow three rules: think positively, stay calm, and cultivate joy.