10 Celebrities Who’ve Propelled TCM In The Spotlight

Paying playful homage to the Beatles, here’s a lighthearted twist on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to celebrate the unexpected pop culture moment that brought TCM into the limelight. (Apologies to Beatles fans everywhere!)

It was 20 years ago today,
Gwyneth Paltrow paved a curious way.
With cupping marks on full display,
She put ancient healing in the fray.

So let me introduce to you,
A trend that’s grown for all these years,
The Goop-inspired wellness pioneer!

The scene: 2004, a New York film premiere. Before going on to found the wellness website Goop, actress Gwyneth Paltrow stuns the crowd by sporting a low-cut black top. Her upper back is covered with large circular bruises. Paltrow’s vampiric back did more than spark curiosity. It introduced millions to cupping, an ancient TCM healing practice, the BBC reported. 

Today, TCM has grown in popularity among celebrities who embrace its holistic approach to health. From cupping and acupuncture to Chinese herbal medicine, let’s explore how stars use TCM to stay vibrant and healthy.

Celebrity TCM Enthusiasts

Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow credits cupping for promoting relaxation and improving circulation. She’s also known to incorporate TCM-inspired teas into her routine.

Michael Phelps

The world’s most decorated Olympian with 28 medals, 23 of them gold, Phelps, known as the Flying Fish for his unrivaled swimming prowess, brought cupping into the global spotlight during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he competed with telltale circular bruises. Phelps uses the therapy to aid muscle recovery.

Robert Downey Jr.

Best known for his iconic role as Tony Stark in the Iron Man franchise, Downey has appeared in 75 other films, give or take. A Sinophile, Downey, Jr. is deeply connected to Chinese culture through his practice of Wing Chun Kung Fu. This martial art, which influenced Bruce Lee’s legendary fighting style, became a transformative force in Downey’s life, helping him overcome addiction and regain focus during a challenging period. He even brought Wing Chun’s techniques to his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, adding depth to the character’s fight scenes. Alongside martial arts, Downey has embraced TCM, turning to acupuncture and herbal remedies to sustain balance and vitality throughout his demanding career.

As Acupuncture Today covered, Downey, upon receiving the Robert Graham Award in 2012 for being an exceptional advocate of TCM, said, “I am as close to being a Chinese-American as any Caucasian ever could be… I awoke to my Qi Gong practice this morning, Guarding the Eight Treasures, I did some Mook Jong wooden dummy drills in preparation for my black belt grading at the LA Wing Chung Kung Fu Academy, and I then took my [TCM] herbal formula.” (The AT article did not disclose the name of the formula.) 

Gisele Bündchen

The Brazilian supermodel shared on Instagram that she has been taking medicinal mushrooms—one of the hottest Western wellness trends in recent years—and it has helped with her focus and energy levels. Bündchen, ex-wife of Tom Brady, uses TCM herbs for digestive health, according to Veg News.

Tom Brady

Speaking of Bündchen’s ex, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., is best known as the GOAT (greatest of all time), having won 7 Super Bowls before retiring after the 2022-2023 season. But what’s remarkable about Brady’s career isn’t just the staggering number of trophies, it’s the stunning longevity. He was sacked by 300+ pound linemen and menacing linebackers 565 times throughout a ridiculously long 23 seasons in the National Football League. (Brady’s sack total was a record that was snapped by the hapless Jets’ Aaron Rodgers during the 2024 regular season). Brady, a virtual lock for a first-ballot Hall of Fame vote, credits acupuncture for improving muscle pliability, helping him stay at the top of his game.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

While filming Wicked, these stars turned to the herbal syrup Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa to soothe their vocal cords. Both praised its ability to keep their voices in top condition. Xiang Yin Pian (VoiceGold™) is another throat-support TCM formula that countless singers and professional speakers have relied upon for keeping their vocal cords in tip-top shape. 

Serena Williams

One of the greatest tennis players in history, Williams won 73 singles titles on the WTA Tour, including an Open Era 23 Grand Slam singles titles. A segment on HBO’s documentary series Being Serena highlighted Williams’ journey with health and motherhood. She received acupuncture to support her pregnancy. 

Meghan Markle

The former actress who starred in the hit series Suits-cum Duchess of Sussex has used TCM-inspired therapies, including cupping, for migraines and stress relief. “I have been a longtime believer in acupuncture and cupping. I used to have debilitating migraines (hospitalized for them), and acupuncture and Eastern medicine absolutely changed my life. Migraine-free living is a game changer,” Meghan told The Chalkboard. And according to Hello Magazine, Markle reportedly had regular acupuncture sessions prior to the birth of her son with, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Jennifer Lopez

J. Lo credits her 15-pound weight loss to a combination of acupuncture and TCM herbal remedies. Among her favorites is winter melon seeds (Dong Gua Zi,), featured in the prostate-support formula by ActiveHerb.com, ProstateSure™. Dong Gua Zi is a classic TCM herb for supporting digestion and eliminating excess moisture (dampness) from the body. Acupuncture plays a key role in J. Lo’s weight management by releasing endorphins that reduce stress and frustration—two emotional triggers often linked to overeating. 

Lopez and other weight-conscious celebs would benefit by incorporating the phlegm-and-dampness-removing formula Slimin into their daily routine. Slimin supports fat and water metabolism.

Experience TCM Like the Stars

With benefits ranging from pain relief to immune support, it’s no wonder celebrities are turning to TCM. Treatments like cupping, acupuncture, and herbal remedies are natural alternatives to conventional medicine, offering a holistic approach to wellness. The good news is that you don’t need a celebrity budget to try TCM. At ActiveHerb.com, we offer a wide selection of high-quality Chinese herbal formulas to support your health goals. Here are a few of our top sellers:

• Support Vitality and Longevity with YinVive: Nourishes Kidney Yin Energy, supports adrenal function and more.
  
• Banish Brain Fog with BrainNew™: Resolves imbalance between the Kidney and Heart organ systems, supporting mental function.
  
• Grow Thicker, Darker Hair with HairVive™: Supports graceful aging.