Chinese Medicine
Chinese New Year follows the Chinese lunar calendar and typically falls somewhere toward the end of January (this year it falls on the 25th), just about the time that most people have started to wane on their resolutions. This tendency to wane is the reason that I recommend having themes or intentions instead of resolutions, and one of the reasons that I love Chinese New…
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In Chinese Medicine autumn represents the transition season from the height of yang or active energy of summer into the passive or yin energy of winter. The season is associated with the Metal element and the Lung organ network. Just as the lungs and the breath help to establish a rhythm within our bodies, fall is the natural season to rediscover a healthy rhythm in…
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The transition into the season of fall is beautifully illustrated by the changing of leaves to reds, oranges, and yellows. Dryness plays a pivotal role in this seasonal display as trees prepare to conserve energy for the winter months by drawing their moisture in away from the leaves and down deep to the trunk and roots. Fall recipes are the perfect way to support your…
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When I was in acupuncture school we had a class on Chinese Medicine dietetics. I called it ‘Chinese Home Cooking.’ My herb professor hosted this class at his home, and his wife would cook samples of all of the meals we discussed. Each meal would be made with a specific intention for addressing imbalances. Many of them contained super-foods such as goji berries that are a…
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Although asparagus isn’t my personal jam (TMI alert: I can’t stand when it makes my pee smell!!) I know that people love it. And, it’s a great food for spring according to Chinese Medicine. Here’s why: Living in tune with the cycles of the seasons is a lifestyle recommendation made in Chinese Medicine to help achieve a state of balance and health. In addition to…
Read MoreIn Chinese Medicine emphasis is placed on living in tune with the seasons of the year in order to experience health, wellbeing and to prevent disease. Each season is related to one of the main organ networks or meridians and has its own unique associations that can be seen both in the externally in natural world and also within our bodies. Spring has always been one of my…
Read MoreAt the heart of Chinese Medicine is the idea that to stay healthy we should also be in harmony with nature and the natural cycles of the environment. Winter is all about storage, rest and restoration. Ever wonder why you feel more tired in the winter? According the the Chinese it’s because you’re supposed to in order to recharge for the bounding energy of the…
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It may seem hard to believe that being on a table with needles in you is comfortable and relaxing. But the fact is that most of the time acupuncture is just that. Can it hurt? Sure but it really shouldn’t. First, you need to know that acupuncture needles are very different from medical needles used to give injections or draw blood. Those needles are designed…
Read MoreBy Sarah May In the fall when the weather starts to get cooler, I notice that I am suddenly drawn back into my kitchen again. Roasting squash, simmering soups, and baking fruit pies is nourishing to both body and soul….. It turns out this is not a coincidence, and fits into the teachings and energetics of Chinese medicine very well. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)…
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