About us

Some stories do not begin with a business plan.
They begin with a name.

Ruiyuan was born into a family of physicians and grew up between two quiet disciplines: care and refinement. Her father, a devoted doctor, spent his free hours practicing traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. From him, she learned that culture is not decoration; it is a way of living with attention and intention.

Tea entered her life naturally. What began as curiosity became practice, and practice became ritual. Over the years, she studied Chinese tea ceremonies and discovered in tea a language of calmness—a way to create presence inside a busy life.

At fourteen, she named her future teahouse Tingyu: “listening to the rain.” The image was simple: raindrops falling softly on leaves, a quiet pause in time. The name stayed with her, waiting.

In 2020, when the world slowed down, she returned to that early vision. She created tingyuteahouse.ch, bringing carefully selected Chinese loose-leaf teas to Switzerland. Tingyu became not only a childhood dream fulfilled, but also the name of our premium tea line—a reminder that refinement begins with listening.

Through Tingyu Teahouse, Ruiyuan met Yalan: first as a customer, then as a friend. Conversations about tea soon expanded into discussions of responsibility, craftsmanship, and long-term vision. With more than ten years of experience in legal and investment fields across China and Switzerland, Yalan brings structure, clarity, and sustainable growth. Where Ruiyuan offers cultural depth and aesthetic sensibility, Yalan ensures resilience and integrity in business.

Together, they founded Ben Cao Garden, inspired by the classical Chinese pharmacopeia Bencao and the idea of harmony between nature and daily life. From this foundation emerged HerbalWell: modern herbal blends for contemporary routines, where traditional Chinese herbal philosophy meets European herbal expertise—designed to fit everyday life.

Emma entered the story through the gallery. As a gallerist and curator with a cross disciplinary background, she brings creative direction, brand storytelling, and the ability to translate ideas into real experiences. With her, Tingyu expanded into a gallery teahouse in Zurich—a place where people can slow down, taste tea, and connect.

She also initiated Tingyu × Art, a limited tea collection created in collaboration with Swiss artists. It is one expression of our design language and our commitment to sustainability—without changing what we are at the core: a product company focused on tea and herbs.

If Ruiyuan brings heritage, and Yalan brings structure, Emma brings resonance.

Ben Cao Garden is built on three women, three disciplines, and one shared belief:

That culture lives in daily rituals.
That quality requires patience.
That beauty must remain sincere.

Today, we continue to develop Tingyu Teahouse and HerbalWell, alongside selected collaborations and our gallery teahouse in Zurich. Our focus remains practical and clear: we create high quality tea and herbal products that support a calmer, healthier everyday life—at home, at work, and in hospitality settings.

Ben Cao Garden is not only about tea.

It is about building a portfolio rooted in herbs, nature, and a healthier way of living—through simple rituals that people can actually use, every day.