In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Liver is one of the most important organs for maintaining balance in the body. It governs detoxification, supports digestion, regulates emotions, and ensures the smooth flow of energy, or Qi, throughout the body. When Liver Qi becomes stagnant, it can contribute to fatigue, digestive discomfort, tension, irritability, and hormonal imbalance.… Read the rest!
Category Archives: Nutrition
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the year is divided into five distinct seasons instead of four. Nestled between the hot days of summer and the crispness of autumn is Late Summer, a transitional phase governed by the Earth element. This brief but vital season invites us to slow down, stabilize, and turn inward after the active yang energy of summer.… Read the rest!
I love all the somatic phrases we have to describe our well being beyond purely the physical. Here are some other phrases that come to mind: wearing our heart on our sleeve; eyes are the windows to our soul; I know in my gut…
It’s interesting because biomedicine and modern western culture in general doesn’t often ascribe knowing and emotions to different parts of our body.… Read the rest!
A time to rest and digest!
In Chinese Medicine, encompassing the autumn equinox is associated with the Earth element and the stomach/spleen organs, two of the primary digestive organs of the body. That’s right, the spleen is a digestive organ in Chinese medicine.
It serves to transform and transport the food and drink in the body into energy and usable matter and it plays a key role in our immune system (like the biomedical spleen function), the condition of our digestion, the strength and tone of our muscles or the fleshy substance of our body and our general energy as well.… Read the rest!
It’s time for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nourishing Fall recipes!
The Fall equinox is around the corner and Starbucks has already brought back the pumpkin spice latte. You might have noticed the shift in the seasons already as our bodies usually sense the change in nature before our minds do. Plants and crops have slowed their growing phase and are starting to draw inward and ripen instead.… Read the rest!
Whether you’re just thinking about pregnancy, trying to conceive, or actively preparing to welcome your new family member, incorporating Chinese medicine and intentionally thinking about diet and lifestyle can help the process go more smoothly!
AcupunctureAcupuncture is one of the best ways to help support you before, during, and after pregnancy. … Read the rest!
In East Asian medicine, there are five seasons, which correspond to five elements that exist within us. By living in harmony with the seasons, and closely observing the changes in nature, we are able to learn to support our health year-round.
We are currently in the Late Summer season, which lasts until Fall Equinox on September 23rd.… Read the rest!
Spring is here!
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spring signifies new beginnings, new birth, and open and fluid energy. Some characteristics of Spring include:
Nature: Yang
Element: Wood
Organ: Liver/Gallbladder
Climate: Wind
Taste: Sour
Color: Green
Emotion: Anger
Spring from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective Element: WoodWood represents rising and growing yang.… Read the rest!
The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is known as the ‘Emperor’ of all the internal organs. Its main function is to govern the blood and it is associated with the mind. However, it has many other characteristics and responsibilities that make it a unique organ according to TCM.
Governing the BloodBy governing the blood, the Heart helps circulate it throughout the body, just like in Western Medicine.… Read the rest!
Fertility is greatly influenced by a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Eating and living based on what part of the cycle we are in helps keep us in balance and can increase fertility. A woman’s cycle can vary and doesn’t always look like a typical 28-day cycle. Your cycle changes and can be affected by:
Stress (our perception)Diet (excess/deficiency)Our upbringingMindset/emotionsExerciseInflammationTravelFriends/family relationshipsThyroid functionMetabolism (sugar/PCOS)Amount of sunlight vs blue lightPerceived safety/securityUse of birth control pill/over the counter prescriptions/fertility medsEnvironmental hormonesTrauma Menstrual Cycle PhasesAccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are FOUR phases in a menstrual cycle.… Read the rest!