It has been hailed for centuries in China as a cure for coughing, but Pipa Tangjiang - a sweet tasting syrup that was first discovered in the Qing dynasty - has failed to make much of an impact abroad.

But now the herbal remedy is riding a wave of popularity in the United States thanks to New Yorkers' love of sharing new healthcare fads.

Pipa Tangjiang, or 'sweet loquat syrup' in Chinese, has reportedly become highly-prized in a city battling its most challenging flu season in years.

The popularity comes at a time when China's middle classes increasingly turn their backs on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and instead opt for modern Western remedies to cure sickness.

Stores in New York's Chinatown are reportedly selling large stocks of a variety of Pipa Tangjiang called Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, which is made by Shenzhen-based Kingworld Medicines Group.