Have you ever wondered why we overwhelmingly deal with colds in the fall and the flu in winter? As practitioners we often notice a connection between seasonal change and a rise in specific health conditions. This observation is explained well by a foundational theory of Chinese M
There's an old Taoist saying, “The human body is a microcosm of the universe.” Maybe there’s a deeper connection between our bodies and nature. Here are three tips—inspired by traditional Chinese methods—for how to take good care of your body.
Plum Dragon Chinese Herb and Dit Da Jow provides the highest quality Chinese Herbs and the best topical pain relief formulas in the world!
Improve organ function and balance the body's natural fat-controlling hormones with these 5 tips from Chinese Medicine.
Whether you're deeply missing your weekly acupuncture appointment, or if you've always been curious about Chinese medicine, now is the time to stay home, stay safe, and learn more about this powerful medicine and how it can help you reach your health and wellness goals. Here are 5 ways you can learn more about Chinese medicine while you're quarantined this spring: 1. Learn More About Chinese Medicine Theory through Books or YouTube Are you spending more time than ever in front of screens? Put Netflix on pause and discover some of our favorite Chinese Medicine resources. Have you been wanting to try Qigong but aren't sure where to start? This Youtube video by DAO Practitioner Nick Loffree is not only designed for beginners, it also helps reduce stress. If books are more your thing, we love "The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life." 2. Dive into Chinese Nutritional Therapy Have you been feeling sluggish during quarantine? Damp foods like dairy, wheat, processed foods, and alcohol can wreak havoc on the body. The Middle Burner Diet by DAO Labs focuses on keeping the stomach and spleen at 100 degrees to optimize digestion while also promoting better sleep, mood, and energy (something we can all use a little bit more of right now!). Here are a few tips: Skip the row and cold foods Pass on foods that are overly "damp" (sorry friends, that means skip the alcohol and the sugar!) Pay attention to the physical temperature of your food and try to lightly cook all fruits and veggies Need some recipes to get you started? Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Office Travis Metzger creates recipes using Chinese nutritional therapy using common western ingredients. You can find them all here. 3. Incorporate Herbs in Your Wellness Routine Like acupuncture, Chinese herbs can address underlying imbalances that manifest in a variety of symptoms and complaints. In Chinese medicine, we rarely recommend consuming just one herb - they are often combined with multiple herbs chosen for the synergistic effects to boost the healing properties. Many of us are missing our acupuncture appointments as we "shelter in place", and are looking for ways to continue those incredible effects that we experience after acupuncture: better sleep, better mood, better digestion. Herbal formulas can help fill that void and keep your treatments going virtually. Looking for an herbal recommendation for your exact constitution? Connect with our team here. 4. Incorporate Chinese Medicine Inspired "Self-Care" Yang Shen, or the Chinese art of self healing, means to nurture life. This important concept teaches that the secret to long-lasting health and happiness doesn't mean extreme diets and impossible workouts -- it means implementing small daily tasks that are simple, pleasurable, and effortlessly fit into your routine. We're all under immense amounts of stress, so keep things simple and give yourself grace, with the end goal to live a happier, more simple life. Instead of reaching for that second scoop of ice cream, spend five minutes in a guided meditation, write in your journal, or walk barefoot in nature. 5. Turn to Acupressure Feeling anxious or nauseous? Apply firm pressure to "PC6", located about three finger breadths above the wrist on the inner forearm in between the two tendons. Acupuncturist Dr. Kara MoraMarco writes: "This is one of my favorite acupuncture/acupressure points to help with feelings of anxiety or any heart issues physically or emotionally. Nei Guan or Pericardium/PC6: Calms the heart and spirit, is good for anxiety, irritability, insomnia, or any heart related problem. Relaxes the chest and regulates the Qi. Is commonly used to help relieve nausea, upset stomach, motion sickness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and anxiety." Want to chat more about Chinese medicine and learn how it can help you not only survive but also thrive during this ongoing pandemic? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us with any questions or thoughts you may have, and the appropriate team member will get back to you. Say home, and stay healthy.
Tongue diagnosis in TCM has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. You don’t have to be an expert to see what your tongue says about your health.
Love your liver, body and mind with these simple free Eastern Medicine self-care tips and meal plans. Be the healthier and happier you!
"You don't find all this history and theory stuff painfully boring?" I asked. The year was 2012, and I had just finished a lecture on Chinese Medicine theory in my brick-and-mortar studio. In order to make sense
Pulse Diagnosis Acupuncture Poster 18" X 24" & 24" X 36" Custom designed healthcare poster. Printed on HP satin finish paper. Available laminated. Pulse diagnosis poster with the pulse points color coded for the five elements. Images of the 28 pulses used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Descriptions of the feel of each pulse including indications. The chart shows the pulse locations on both right and left hand, deep and superficial grouping. Pulse influences that affect the pulse such as, age, gender and seasonal changes. PINYIN, Yin and Yang associations for each of the pulse qualities. Pulse diagnosis is one of the more important diagnostic tools used in Chinese and Japanese acupuncture and herbal medicine. While tongue diagnosis provides valuable clinical information, the pulse can be used to gain a deep understanding of the patient on many levels. "Mastering" pulse diagnosis is difficult without the guidance of a skilled teacher. However, even at basic levels, the pulse provides the practitioner with immediate and specific information that can help clarify contradictory diagnostic information and symptomology. Shipping USPS to USA addresses. USPS first class international mail to Canada.
Yin and Yang are underlying principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and good health is believed to come when they are perfectly balanced. While Chinese Medicine can be complex, it simply nets down to the relationship of Yin and Yang. Chinese Medicine by nature is a preventive system of medicine: if one listens to signals of their body, they can return to harmony quickly by identifying imbalances. What is Yin and What Does Yin Deficiency Look Like? Yin helps moisten and cool the body. It is considered matter like blood, fluids, tissue. Yin depletion does develop slowly over several years, even times without symptoms until it is depleted (hint: this is why it’s great to see your Acupuncturist who can detect if you are heading down this path). Yin deficiency is a lack of nourishment in the body which affects a person's ability to cool down, calm down, sleep, digest and much more. This Yin depletion disrupts harmony in the body. One major clinical manifestation is dryness. We can keep our "Yin bank account" full by eating proper foods and living our best lifestyle (there are also herbal formulas that can help - read on). The level of natural Yin reduces as you age to the late 30s resulting in dry skin, eyes, hair, and nails. It may lead to other symptoms as well if the Yin bank account is not looked after. You can check out this article here to learn more about general symptoms that may mean Yin deficiency. What are the Different Kinds of Yin Deficiency? Once a Chinese Medicine Practitioner determines there is Yin deficiency, she will then determine which organ system is out of balance. Below is an introduction to the types of possible Yin depletion symptoms due to different organ systems. Kidney Yin Deficiency: Issues with the brain, bones, ear such as dizziness, vertigo, poor memory, tinnitus, low back pain or even imbalance in menstrual periods or fertility Lung Yin Deficiency: may mean a dry, unproductive cough or blood-tinged phlegm. The mouth may also be dry. A long term cold or flu can also depletes the fluids of the Lungs Stomach Yin Deficiency There may be a lack of appetite and the feeling of nothing that is appealing enough to eat. Tongue, lips, mouth and tongue may be dry. Bad eating habits such as eating while working, eating too quickly, or skipping meals also worsens this imbalance. Heart Yin Deficiency: Palpitations are a common symptom of any Heart pattern, a fluttering uneasiness in the chest or feeling of the heart beating. Issues with insomnia, worry, anxiety may also be present. Liver Yin deficiency with Liver Yang Rising: If Liver Yin is depleted, the yang becomes too abundant and “rises up.” There may be headaches, dry eyes, dizziness, tinnitus or emotions such as irritability and anger. Yin Now, Yang Later Autumn marks the beginning of the Yin cycle of the year so it’s important to have the real conversation to find out, “are you burning through your Yin?” Your lifestyle needs to be focused on in this season of the year. This is the time to preserve Yin and build Yin (in the Northern Hemisphere). There are holidays, there may be lots of travel, there are many opportunities to eat out. If Yin is preserved instead of used up, one will be ready for spring and summer. As DAO practitioners say: Yin Now, Yang Later. Think about banking six months to one year worth of Yin savings. Throughout your life, it is important to remember to take time to let your body and mind rest from the chaos of life and work. This will help prevent burnout and Yin deficiency due to overwork and little rest, also a surefire way to burn through Yin that depletes quickly as result of prolonged stress levels. Do stressful times outweigh the amount of time we spend at rest? List your activities that deplete you, and those who build you up. Which column is longer? Can you carve out time to restore and rejuvenate? Build Yin Through Diet One way to build and preserve Yin is through diet. Poor dietary habits can lead to Yin deficiency. It is important to ensure that stimulating foods are not being consumed, as these deplete Yin. This includes caffeine, alcohol, sugar and spicy foods. Think about adding in Yin nourishing foods. Choose dark and black colored foods as they are likely to be helpful. Yin deficiency can be overcome by including lots of seafood in your diet. Barley Risotto Pear Soup Pomegranate Pudding Sweet Potato Gratin Seaweed Elixir Adzuki Beans Burger Simple Salmon Recipe Coconut Milk Elixir Yin nourishing balls Herbs for Yin Deficiency The popular blend of DAO Lab’s Physical Tranquility can nourish yin, thanks largely to the 16 herbs that comprise this formula (inspired by Tian Wan Bu Xin Dan). The irritability and issues surrounding quality sleep due to yin deficiency can often be addressed with this formula. Moreover, the herbs help “calm the spirit” and “tonify the heart and kidneys”.
Discover how Chinese medicine for women's health can help to improve your yin and yang deficiencies. Boost your physical and emotional health with TCM.
Discover traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) foods to eat during the spring season to promote health and balance. Enhance your well-being with these tips!
Learn about different types of Chinese teas and their health benefits as well as Chinese tea culture and ceremonies.
Radiant Shenti is your home for Asian and Shamanic healing traditions. With a vast video library of classes, you can enjoy qigong, yoga, meditation, acupressure massage, gua sha, and more.
To breakfast, or not to breakfast? This is an age old question that is...
