There’s something truly special about this minimal stretch of a few blocks off the main drag in Chinatown, adjacent to the Manhattan Bridge. Maybe it’s the coin-operated laundry mat or the stores that curiously close up around sunset— take a stroll down Henry Street, and you’ll feel like you’re floating on a timeless cloud. Impressively quieter than most parts of Manhattan, it’s a mostly residential block populated with shoe-box-sized art galleries, mom and pop shops, and a beloved coffee spot called Dreamers. A few doors down from the Sisters Hair Salon, you’ll find GingerChi, a day spa based in Chinese Medicine, founded by Anna Lam, creator of the original jade anti-aging therapy roller on Amazon. Blink and you might miss supermodel spawn Lila Moss, on her way to get a facial from the beyond. After sitting for my own 90-minute Heaven and Earth Gua Sha Natural Face Lift last week, I’m convinced that owner Anna Lam’s little slice of heaven is Chinatown’s best-kept secret.
For GingerChi founder Anna, honoring the body’s innate wisdom was an organic fixture of her Asian upbringing. A leading local pioneer in the realm of preventative, plant-based medicine, her exquisite practice and products are engineered to maintain the balance of yin-yang, which ensures the healthy circulation of ‘Qi’ (vital energy) in the body. Born amidst the coconut groves of a small island known as Nauru, Lam’s parents embraced the richness of the locality’s abundance of tropical fruits and the unique marine life inhabiting the nearby coral reef, instilling within their daughter Anna the traditional Earth-wisdom of their Chinese heritage. Developing an affinity for nature early on, Anna’s childhood growing up in such an ecological sanctuary only compounded her deep reverence and respect for the power of plants. And yet, it wasn’t until years later, as Lam landed in New York City and gave birth to her daughter, that many of the foundational concepts of her childhood would take more tangible form, eventually becoming the inspiration behind GingerChi.
When I met with Anna, she welcomed me into the space with a glass of warm water. Contrary to popular taste, ice cubes and chilled beverages shock the body, especially the digestive system, explained Anna with unwavering confidence. A charming older woman with a mysterious glow about her, before long Anna was explaining to me the origin of the name GingerChi. Explaining how, as one of the most revered herbs in China, ginger is prized for its YANG properties. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, in the postpartum phase following the birth of a child, a woman’s body becomes overly ‘yin’ and out of balance after childbirth, subsequently left more vulnerable and susceptible to the elements. Postpartum women are instructed to eat, drink, and even bathe in ginger, which not only restores the free-flowing chi in the system, but gives the new mother her strength back. Anna, having worked with the herb during her own pregnancy journey, not only experienced the incredible feeling of renewed life force firsthand, but began to apply the concept to the larger sphere of her everyday life. Now a Grandmother, she’s passing her medicinal arts wisdom on to the next generation, having founded her business on this concept of the feminine recovering her center of balance.
Helping her clients recover wholeness from within, Anna notes that many bodily symptoms – from dry, oily or aging skin to chronic pain and mental or emotional disturbance – stem from a deeper systemic imbalance. Having succeeded at making Jade rollers an online craze in the early 2000s before moving on to create her own line of plant-based remedies, today Anna’s business continues to thrive from her tailored brick-and-mortar shop on Henry St. Inside the spotless glass facade of GingerChi, you’ll find high-profile clients indulging in traditional Chinese Medicine techniques like gua sha, acupressure and acupuncture. With an array of treatments designed to fortify physiological balance before the onset of symptoms of aging or disease (what has sadly become the norm for the majority of Americans) cellular renewal and self-regulating systems are back in style. Having recently gone ‘viral’ after shoutouts from a few notable influencers and bloggers, when Anna’s not bombarded with eager clients, she’s there, with the power of her presence, pillars of wisdom, and a shelf of tiny, handmade vials of heaven-scented botanical beauty remedies. Trust me, once you go GingerChi, you’ll never go back…
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Gua Sha (pronounced “gwa-shah”), it’s an ancient tradition backed by thousands of years of practical Chinese wisdom. Adopted by acupuncturists for its supportive role in relieving chronic pain and expelling toxic heat from the body, it’s an all-natural alternative therapy that involves scraping the skin to release stagnant energy. Gua sha improves circulation and increases blood flow, aids muscle relaxation, and reduces inflammation – providing relief from chronic pain, migraines, and perimenopausal symptoms alike. As for the healing technique’s targeted facial benefits, gua sha has been demonstrated to promote lymphatic drainage (detox) to reduce puffiness, aid collagen production, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Not only is it one of Lam’s signature techniques, but it’s also built into the sought-after Heaven and Earth Natural Face Lift treatment Lam’s known for.
Why heaven and earth, besides the obvious reasons? As we learned, Anna made her name early on, pioneering the modern jade beauty roller before it was trendy. In terms of her signature Heaven & Earth Facial, jade stone represents the ‘Earth’ part of the equation, being known for its cooling effects, which magically minimize pores, tighten skin, and increase lymphatic drainage. Typically found in China’s northeastern Anshan province, precious jade stones remain cool upon contact (even in warm weather). Balancing the cool jade is the Heaven stone, called Bian. Formed millions of years ago when a meteorite collided with Earth in China’s Shandong Province, studies have shown that the properties of the Bian stone help stimulate blood circulation, relax muscles and joints, and aid in the antioxidant protection of human cells. Working together, Bian Stones (Heaven) and cool Jade stones (Earth) lift, sculpt, and refine skin texture while boosting circulation, promoting lymphatic drainage, and enhancing absorption of GingerChi’s antioxidant-rich, plant-based formulas. Imagine, lying back in a cloud of therapeutic flower aromas as your clinician triggers key acupressure points on the décolleté, neck, shoulders, arm,s and hands. Did I mention the heated mattress? Talk about tension-relieving! The sensation of the rhythmic exchange between cool and warm, heaven and earth, was enough to press my Eden button, all on a Wednesday afternoon between work, mothering, and side hustles.
My session began with a deep oil cleanse, but not quite what you’d expect. While foaming facial cleansers strip away the skin’s natural barrier, the nourishing active blend of oils in GingerChi’s signature Purifying Oil Cleanser works in harmony with the naturally occurring oil molecules in our pores to purify skin without stripping away the natural sebum. 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free, one whiff of the highly invigorating cleanser was enough to soften and relax my whole body. If you’re curious, it’s made with a Camellia base, an oil rich in Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids as well as natural antioxidant vitamin E, not to mention the plant’s stunning pink blossoms. After the cleanse came the next phase of the facial – a soothing steam followed by a gentle exfoliation, all using GingerChi’s made-in-house, regenerative, plant-based body care.
And if a deep restorative head massage (gua sha when used on the scalp improves circulation, promotes hair growth, and enhances the flow of positive Qi throughout the body) weren’t enough, you simply can’t beat a no-frills, AAPI Woman-owned business, right here in the heart and center of the matrix. If you’re looking for a revitalized, brighter, and more youthful glow (minus the ‘tox, fillers, chemicals, cruelty to animals and body-shock) look no further than GingerChi. A little bright spot of warmth in a sea of isolation cubes, don’t take my word for it, try it yourself to prove that heaven and earth is an accessible frequency…
And if you’re still not sure where to start of simply looking for a conscious holiday gift, I suggest dipping your toe into GingerChi brilliance with the COMPLETE RADIANCE SET:
Combining all of the line’s best-sellers in an easy-to-follow beauty regimen, the set includes everything your skin needs to detox impurities, brighten, hydrate and diminish fine lines – all while invigorating your Qi and promoting well-being. The Complete Radiance Set includes the Purifying Oil Facial Cleanser with Muslin Face Cloth, Hydrating Chi Mist, Regenerating Face Serum, and an Exfoliating Rice Bran Cleanser/Masque. To learn more, follow @gingerchinyc on Instagram.
Book your Heaven & Earth Natural Facelift HERE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“What Is Gua Sha, and How Do You Use It to Sculpt Your Skin?” By Lisa Marie Basile, MFA, GoodRx, published online July 10, 2024
“Gua Sha: What It Is and How To Do It” Cleveland Clinic, published online September 18, 2025
