How to Look After Your Health in Cold Weather

 Key elements in Chinese Medicine

Yin & Yang energy

“The root of life is Yin and Yang; that includes everything in the universe” -----The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

The Yang Qi of the body is like the sun, living in a cold climate, people must take extra care with their activities to protect Yang.

“When cold invades through the shu points of the acupuncture meridians and continues to move through the circulation into the organs, it will manifest as fear, fright or start nightmares” ---- The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

In Winter,

Cold temperatures (Yin) are more dominant than warmth (Yang)

The darkness of night (Yin) exceeds the daylight hours (Yang)

Tend to have energy reserves and an increased need for rest (Yin) rather than desire to be active (Yang)

‘During the winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rivers freeze and snow falls.’ ---- The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

Wellbeing suggestions--- Should refrain from overusing the Yang energy; go to bed early and get up with the sunrise; desires and mental activity keep quiet and subdued; stay warm, avoid the cold, and avoid too much sweating.

 Five elements in Chinese Medicine

“The Universal Yin and Yang transform into the five earthly transformative energies, also known as the five elemental phases that consist of wood, fire, earth, metal and water”

In Chinese Medicine, the human organic system is divided into five organs, such as Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung and Kidneys; which correspond to five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water).

The Kidneys are considered sensitive in Winter in Chinese Medicine; we need to take care of Kidney systems better in winter.

We suggest to have kidney-nourishing foods in winter; such as food cooked slowly and warming properties, like stews, soups, casseroles and congee (rice porridge).

 Also, the food from the following nourishes your kidneys (Yin and Yang)

Small quantities of animal-foods like lamb, beef, pork and some fish

Whole grains like brown rice, barley and millet

Nuts and seeds, including black sesame seeds and chestnuts

Root vegetables such as beetroot, sweet potato, parsnip and carrots

Legumes, including kidney beans, mung beans and adzuki beans

Warming herbs and spices like ginger, cinnamon and cloves; to tonify Kidney Yin, can take Gou Ji Berries

Black-coloured foods, like dates, wood-ear mushroom and eggplant are also traditionally considered supportive of the kidneys in Chinese Medicine

At the same time, try to reduce to take cold drinks and cold foods like ice cream, salads and raw vegetables, as they can damage Yang energy and promote coldness in the body.

 Exercise

Holistic, gentle Qi regulating exercise in winter

Ba Duan jing exercise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc1jeKAb6tM&t=266s

What is SIBO, and how does Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine help SIBO?

SIBO represents small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which is an abnormal increase of bacteria in the small intestine; it can be an abnormal number of bacteria and/or abnormal type of bacteria in the small intestine. Scientists believe that SIBO is related with some chronic diseases, surgery, and medication side effects, alcohol abuse, immobility, and dietary habits.

Some experimental research also mentioned that stress can also trigger SIBO syndromes and break the bacteria balance in the small intestine.

The study also indicated that SIBO is related with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome.) These two gut conditions share the similar symptoms and can affect each other.

The symptoms for SIBO can be varied, but the main symptoms are abdominal bloating or pain, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, and malnutrition.

In Chinese Medicine, the most of SIBO symptoms are related with Spleen Qi deficiency, Spleen and Stomach functional disharmony and Adverse rising of Stomach Qi. A healthy Spleen system in Chinese Medicine perspective is critical to maintain the normal digestion and absorption; Spleen and stomach transform food to nutrients, which are considered as the sources of Qi and Blood (Essences) in Chinese Medicine. Once the Spleen Qi gets weak or has deficiency, it can cause small intestine function disorder and result in the symptoms bloating, diarrhea and fatigue.

Chinese Medicine is a holistic natural medicine and Chinese Medicine practitioners understand all channels, and organs functions are interacting each other. For example, while the stress impacts the Liver Channel or causes Liver Qi stagnation, it can affect the Spleen and Stomach function, and result in nausea and abdominal pain.

Although antibiotics is the main treatment for SIBO, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is still a good therapy for SIBO; Chinese herbs can help to strengthen Spleen and Stomach function, regulate holistic Qi, remove the stagnation to help SIBO symptoms. For example, Huang Lian (Coptis Chinensis) and Ge Gen (Radix Puerarie) are good to treat diarrhoea. The Acupuncture points St36, Ren 4 are effective to improve Spleen and Stomach Qi.

Reference:

Dukowicz AC, Lacy BE, Levine GM. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a comprehensive review. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2007 Feb;3(2):112-22. PMID: 21960820; PMCID: PMC3099351.

 Wang S.X., Wu W.C. Effects of psychological stress on small intestinal motility and bacteria and mucosa in mice. World J. Gastroenerology. 2005;11:2016–2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i13.2016.

 Maslennikov R., Pavlov C., Ivashkin V. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in cirrhosis: Systematic review and metaanalysis. Hepatol. Int. 2018;6:567–576. doi: 10.1007/s12072-018-9898-2.

Ren X, Di Z, Zhang Z, Fu B, Wang Y, Huang C, Du Y. Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Dec 18;99(51):e23737. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000023737. PMID: 33371127; PMCID: PMC7748159.

Using Acupuncture and Chinese herbs to help your sleeping disorders

Sleeping disorders can be a group of health conditions impacted your sleeping quality and sleeping pattern. For example, difficult to fall asleep or frequent wake up during the night and unable to return to sleep, experienced too many vivid dreams or even nightmares; people complained about ‘light sleep’ and also wake up and still feel tired. A report indicated that about 40% of Australians have sleeping problems; some people even suffered the worse sleep during the COVID pandemic or when they got COVID symptoms.

In Chinese, sleeping problems called as ‘Shi Mian’; with thousands of years development, Chinese Medicine got the specific theory to understand the sleeping disorders and the unique way to help sleeping problems. Chinese medicine practitioners normally use acupuncture and Chinese herbs to deal with sleeping disorders; also, the ear acupuncture points can be used to assist the sleeping quality.  By using the specific Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis, insomnia or Shi Mian can be identified by excess or deficiency, consequently, regulate Yin and Yang, tonify deficiency or clear away excess will be used to help sleep. 

The following tips also can be used to help your sleeping:

1.       Organise a regular sleep pattern, plan the bed time to make sure you can have 8 hours of sleeping and keep it constant.

2.       Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol before sleeping.

3.       Make your bedroom environment relaxing and comfortable; for example, minimize the light, turn off your phone and use essential oils.

4.       Avoid eating too late or too much in the evening.

5.       Do some exercises during the daytime.

Natural childbirth, how does acupuncture can help?

Natural birth is giving birth naturally from vaginal labour with minimum medication or without medication. Some mums can even select to deliver a baby in a birthing centre or at home, although they can still go to the hospital at any time.

People believed that natural childbirth can be benefit for both babies and mums as it avoids the routine IV, Epidural anesthesia, labour induction and forceps etc; so that will be better for post-labour recovery and be helpful for baby’s brain development and benefit baby’s gut.

The more and more mums would like to choose natural childbirth if it’s possible, but if you are having the medical condition background (for example, diabetes or heart disease), having multiple babies or baby keep in breech presentation, be carful to choose the natural birth or talk to your obstetrician.

To be prepared is important for natural childbirth, acupuncture can help for your natural childbirth preparation, from manage pain and keep energy and relax during the contractions.

Actually, the acupuncture and acupressure have been used more than thousands of years to help natural childbirth, back to AD: 259, in the earliest acupuncture practicing book, Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing in China, reported using the acupuncture SP-10, ST-36 and SP-6 to help difficult labour.

Currently the acupuncturist will use acupuncture, cupping, electro-acupuncture, ear points or even moxa to help natural labour.

The following tips for your natural childbirth may be helpful:

·       Understand the benefit and risk for natural labour before you make a decision.

·       Do a natural childbirth education and be prepared.

·       Make your plan and discuss with your midwife and doctor.

·       Manage your diet and sleep better.

·       Keep relax and active during the labour.

·       Talk to acupuncturist and see how can help for your natural labour.  

How acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help with endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common woman health condition which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. The abnormal grown tissues can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or even the intestines. The major symptoms with endometriosis are pain, including the painful period, ovulation pain, intercourse pain, general lower abdominal pain or lower back pain; heavy period with or without irregular menstruation cycle, some women may also with depression and low energy due to the ongoing painful syndromes.  

 Some studies indicated that endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, with an estimated 176 million women worldwide having the condition.

 The reason caused the endometriosis still not clear and family background and life style have been considered involving in.

 General management and treatment for endometriosis including a healthy lifestyle, pain-relief medications, hormone therapy such as the combined oral contraceptive pill and progestins. Also, can be treated with different types of surgery, including laparoscopy, laparotomy and even hysterectomy.

 In Chinese medicine, we mainly from Qi and Blood stagnation, dampness or dampness combined with stagnation, Spleen and Kidney deficiency to help with painful and heavy period related with endometriosis. Also, can combine with Chinese herbal medicine to relieve pain and regulate the menstruation cycle.

 A systematic review and meta-analysis about effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain indicated that acupuncture can be effective to reduce endometriosis related pain, but for further confirm, the more additional, blinded studies with proper controls and adequate sample sizes are still need.

 If you been diagnosed as endometriosis, please feel free to contact the qualified Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist to get the proper natural holistic health assistance.  

References

 Wenli Zhao, Tseng, C., Ye Zhao, Shau-Kwaun Chen, Xuemin Shi, & Yiider Tseng. (2017). The Molecular Mechanistic Effects of Acupuncture in Endometriosis Management. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, 42(3), 217–225. https://doi-org.ezproxy.endeavour.edu.au/10.3727/036012917X15118029263210

 Xu, Y., Zhao, W., Li, T., Zhao, Y., Bu, H., & Song, S. (2017). Effects of acupuncture for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos One, 12(10), e0186616. https://doi-org.ezproxy.endeavour.edu.au/10.1371/journal.pone.0186616

 Endometriosis; https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/symptoms-causes

Five elements theory and the applications in Chinese Medicine

Five elements theory is an important theory in foundation of Chinese Medicine, originally the ancient Chinese philosopher used this conception to explain the component of the universe.

The Chinese Medicine practitioner also applied to understand the characters/functions and their relationship, for example, the "earth" related with Spleen and stomach function, "metal" related with Lung system function, "water" related with kidney system function, "fire" related with heart system function and "wood" related with liver system function. actually "the liver" system in Chinese medicine also included the functions with mental and endocrine system, and same as we look after the trees and garden, we need to follow their natural role to regulate , not just simply suppressed or "pruning". in Chinese Medicine practice, we called as "regulate Qi" to help with emotional disorders, such as "depression" related symptoms ,also can be applied in some woman health problems to regulate the menstruation cycle.

The five elements also related with different natural seasons, different colors and even different rhythm. for example, the autumn related with "metal" and so closely linked with lung system functions, as the weather getting cold and "Yang" energy starting to getting hold into inner-side rather than spread to out side, some people can starting to feel tried, for lung system weak individuals , with weather change, may having risk getting cold and sick. so that better keep warm and take care the lung system functions.

5 tips for your health in winter, the suggestions from Chinese Medicine practitioner

In Chinese Medicine, we believe the winter is season to store "Yang energy" , we need relatively the more rest, keep warm , go to bed a bit early and get up a bit late, also a bit careful with our lifestyle to prevent the disease.

* The weather is cold in winter, try to avoid too much outdoors exercise or outdoor exercise with profuse sweating, if go outside for exercise, keep warm, especially keep the neck and back covered.

* "Yang energy" withdraw into the inner side of the body, so that we are not that active in winter, go to bed a bit early and get up a bit late will be good, some people will feel the extremities easy feel cold or " frozen" in winter, self message your PC8 and KI1 acupuncture points will help.

* Take the more warm porridge or soup for your digestive system, also can add the walnuts, black sesame in porridge ; having some red meat and bone soup for "tonify"

* Doing some meditation or relaxing exercise ( for example, Tai Ji) to calm the spirit, try to not "over respond" with emotional or environmental stimulation, it will be benefit for your mental and physical balance.

* Taking one piece fresh ginger, 4 red dates and 10 GouJi berries drink as a tea, will be helpful for the people easy to get diarrhea in winter.

Why your Chinese medicine practitioner would say “Eating Ginger in summer and having Chinese Radish in winter”

In Chinese culture, people believed that “eat ginger in summer and eat Chinese radish in winter “will be benefit for the health. This sounds not that to understand, but actually linked with some principle with basic Chinese medicine theory and philosophy.

 Chinese medicine as one of the oldest natural health medical system, has existed for more than 3000 years and based on “Yin and Yang” theory, “Qi Blood Essence “theory , five elements system, specific Zang Xiang organ system, channel/meridian theory and applied all of these theories to the practice to assistance dealing with the clinical symptoms and health prevention.    

 The weather is hot in summer, and according the “Yin and Yang” theory in Chinese medicine, followed the natural weather changing, in our body, the Yang energy is spreading to the outer layer for the more activities, relatively the inner side of the body ”lack” of Yang, especially the inner side of the organ, for example, the gastrointestinal system. Plus, in the summer, people would like to eat the more cold food and drink, consequently the more “cold” stuff may hurt the gut, in Chinese medicine , we called as “ cold attacked the Spleen”; ginger has pungent taste and warm nature, can be used to disperse wind-cold, warm the middle energizer (including gastrointestinal system) to stop vomiting. Also, some research indicated ginger’s antimicrobial and antibacterial effect, so that having a bit more ginger in summer actually will be good to balance our body Yin and Yang, and prevent the gastrointestinal problems.

 There is another story in winter, the weather is cold, the leaves are withered in winter. Our body withdraw the Yang energy back to inner side for storage not going to surface. Actually, that’s why people may easy feel cold at extremities (food and hand) and easy to be attacked by external pathogens. Also, people more prefer to eat the warm and rich food in winter, caused the more chance to get “inner hot”, so that we can have the white radish (Daikon) to moisture the internal dryness and dissipate internal heat ; white radish also have effect to regulate Qi in the body, remove food retention, and improve the bowel movement. Some recent research also indicated the white radish may be benefit for respiratory and immune system, help with inflammation and help to regulate the blood pressure and good for weighting loss.   

How does Chinese medicine help with depression?

Do you recently feel irritable, unhappy, easy to cry, always tired, frustrated and sad, even sometimes without any apparent reasons can be moody and disappointed, you may suffer “depression”.

What is depression? Actually “depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being.” 1

Depression is not just a simple upset or low mood, it’s a serious conditions which can impact your physical and mental health. Under the depression, you may get feeling of failure, fault and guilty; feel tired all the time, disappointed, mood swing and helpless. Meanwhile, can get sleep problems, poor appetite or too strong appetite, digestive problems, weight loss or weight gain problems. Depression also closely related with pain, especially chronic pain, for example, headaches, back aches or muscle pain.  Current research indicated that “pain is depressing and depression causes and intensifies pain”2.

From Chinese Medicine perspective, depression can be recognised as “Yu Syndrome”, and treats Yu syndrome based on “identification of different patterns”. In order to identify the patterns, we need to collect the information from consultation, get the idea from inspection of whole body and facial complexion, listening and inquiring, also check the tongue and pulse palpation so that can identify the causes of the health condition, the pathogenic factors contribute to the problems also allocated the channels or organs involved in.  At the same time, Chinese medicine practitioner also need to consider different person’s constitution to get the better individual treatment.

Chinese medicine believes that Yu Syndrome mainly caused by qi and blood stagnation; phlegm, dampness accumulation; and liver, heart and spleen functional disorders can lead to Yu syndrome. From Chinese medicine point of view, the heart houses the mind, smooth flow of liver qi in relation to the emotional state, and the spleen houses the intellect, responsible for thinking, studying and concentrating; if these organs didn’t work properly, depression-Yu syndrome would happen.

As a holistic natural health medicine system, Chinese medicine treat Yu syndrome (depression) combined with whole body balance aspect and individual care. Acupuncture, ear acupuncture, and chinse herbal medicine are really good for depression. A systemic review published in 2012 mentioned a Chinese herbal formula Xiao Yao San can be used to improve symptoms in patients with depression, but the more research need to be done to get the solid conclusion.

Meanwhile, for better help with depression care, we also can do:

• Be patient during the treatment plan, depression normally is chronic condition, and need a series treatment sessions

• Behaviour therapy is helpful, for example, regular exercise, more social life, listening music and quit smoking and drinking alcohols

• Dietary supplement, for example, try the more coarse food grain in the diet, the food rich with Vitamin B

• Chinese Herbal teas; such as Dried rose flower (Mei Gui Hua) and Silktree Flower (He Huan Hua) tea can help to regulate qi flow and stagnation, can be benefit for depression symptoms.

References:

1. “ Depression (mood)”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood)

2. “Depression and pain”,http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/depression_and_pain

3. Zhang Y, Han M, Liu Z, Wang J, He Q, Liu J. Chinese herbal formula xiao yao san for treatment of depression: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:931636. doi: 10.1155/2012/931636. Epub 2011 Aug 22. PMID: 21869903; PMCID: PMC3159992.

Winter diseases can be treated in summer

What you can do in summer? Lots of fun for outdoors activities or swimming? Did you know actually summer is a very good time for caring the “winter diseases”? In Chinese Medicine practice, we called it “winter diseases being cared in summer”; which means doing some Chinese medicine and acupuncture treatment in summer, can significantly decrease the incidence and severity of symptoms for the certain diseases in winter, especially for chronic nose inflammation, asthma, rhinitis, arthritis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cold and flu, chronic lower back pain, chronic diarrhoea,   sinus problems, cervical problems and the more.

In Chinese medicine practice, we actually focus on prevention before disease onset, also emphases the relationship/harmony between environment and human. As Chinese medicine practitioner, we will care your heath and treat the conditions by using different method at different season.

From one of the oldest academic source for Chinese medicine, in Yellow Emperor’s Classic, already mentioned the importance of Yin and Yang and how to care Yin and Yang in different season; for example, with the cold climate outside, the yang energy in the body will hide inside and
relatively the ability to defend from pathogenic factors will be also weak, and easy to recurrent some diseases; while in summer, the yang energy is at the maximum level in the body, also working with the warm weather together, will be the good time point to help to improve the disease-defensive ability and care lots of chronic health conditions.

What are the “winter diseases?

The most of chronic disease, especially the diseases will be getting worse or reoccur in winter or with cold weathers, for example, reoccurring cold and flu, chronic nose inflammation, asthma, chronic arthritis or keen problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower back pain, chronic diarrhoea, sinus problems, cervical problems and more.

Who will be the susceptible population for winter diseases?

People with yang –deficiency constitutional character from Chinese Medicine, for example, easy to feel cold, always feel tired, loose stool, low energy, low immunity, some people even can have chronic diarrhoea and frequent urination, etc.

People suffering with chronic health conditions will be also sensitive with cold weather or in winter.

What the TCM practitioner will do for “winter diseases being cared in summer?

We will get the individual consultation with you based on our diagnosis theory, according to your diagnostic pattern, conducting the acupuncture treatment (some specific points on acupuncture

channels), cupping, Gua Sha or even moxa treatment for you; combination with Chinese herbal formula in powder or pills will be also applied in the treatment.

Safe to do it?

Same as normal regular Chinese Medicine and acupuncture treatment, “winter diseases being cared in summer” is a safe treatment and disease prevention procedure.

Do you know the meaning of the different cupping marks?

Cupping, an ancient healing process used to help people’s wellbeing. Celebrities and Olympics athletes getting cupping therapy now proudly show off the marks in public.

How does cupping work?

People more familiar with cupping procedures are aware that the marks are indications that the treatment has been successful in drawing out harmful pathogens and toxins. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes these toxins block the meridians (channels, jingluo 经络) lead to certain disease. Cupping suction can help unblock the stagnant by bring toxins to the surface, just under the skin from where they are metabolized by the body’s natural processes. Removal of these toxins makes way for fresh circulation (blood, fluid, and nutrients et al.) go to the diseased parts and heal the body.

Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Amy Selleck from Portland, OR, USA

Cupping marks are not only bruises

Cupping marks cannot be called bruises simply because of the way bruises are caused. Bruises appear when the body experiences some kind of blunt injury or trauma. The impact can break the blood capillaries present under the skin, which is why you see the redness. The body responds to the injuries with a rush of healing fluids to the area that also contribute to the bruising or redness. When the proteins at the injury site begin to coagulate, blood circulation reduces and the patient feels pain. Cupping marks are caused by suction from the cupping set instead of the pressure in case of trauma, and works to bring toxins to the surface. The most important differentiating factor is the cupping marks do not cause pain and if there is any discomfort, it is minimal and goes away quickly.

Duration and indicators of cupping marks

Some of the first questions people have are regarding how long cupping marks will last and what they indicate. The colouring typically ranges from bright red to a darker purple, and can last from 3 days to a week. A darker colouring means that there is a high level of toxins and stagnation in the section of the body that has been treated. In this case, the marks can last for up to 3 weeks. However, if there are hardly any toxins, the colouring could be just a light pink and is likely to dissipate within a few hours. Patients also note that even if the initial treatments cause darker colour marks, subsequent sessions result in lighter and lighter marks as the pathogens leave the body. After a point, there will be no marks whatsoever even if more intense suction is performed and for longer durations at a given time. However, in cases where the patient has experienced an injury, multiple cupping sessions may be needed to induce healing in the deeper tissues of the body.

Cupping marks’ type and colour explained

1. Water drops in the cup, cold or dampness

2. Blisters/bubbles after cupping, normally means dampness, accumulated fluids in the tissues, and cold

3. Pale skin marks after cupping, feel cold on the skin; deficiency cold or dampness

4. Dark, purple spot cupping marks , stagnation and cold

5. Light or bright red spot cupping marks, Qi and blood deficiency, Yin deficiency

6. Little dark spots scattered in the cupping mark, deep Qi and blood stagnation

7. Skin lines in the cupping marks or itch feeling after cupping, wind or dampness

How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncturists put fine, sterile needles just under the skin into meridians (energy channels) in the body.

Each meridian has many acupuncture points along its path.

How acupuncture works is based on the theory that the placement of needles into certain points of the body unblocks and moves Qi (energy) to strengthen vital force and reduce physical and emotional symptoms.

The exact mechanism of acupuncture remains largely unclear.

However, evidence indicates that needles may stimulate nerves to release the body’s own natural chemicals, which help reduce pain or regulate the brain and other functions.

What is Jing-Luo or Meridian?

The meridians (jing) and collaterals (luo) are the pathways in which qi (vital energy or vital force, pronounced ‘chee’) and blood circulate.

They form a specific network which communicates with the internal organs and limbs and connects the upper to the lower and the exterior portions of the body.

The meridians are the major channels of the system and they run lengthwise within the interior of the body.

The collaterals are the branches of the meridians and they run crosswise from the meridians either on or just below the body’s surface.

Since they are distributed over the entire body, the meridians and collaterals link together the zang-fu (organ) and the orifices of the body, the skin, muscles and bones.

They bring the body into an organic whole to carry on systematic activities.

The Chinese Medicine classic book NeiJing indicates ‘The twelve meridians control human life, yet they are the place where disease can live.

If disease starts in the meridians, the physician can use the meridians to treat the root cause of disease’.

Jing-luo functions can be summarised as follow:

1. Transporting Qi and Blood

2. Protecting the Body

3. Responding to dysfunction in the body

4. Transmit Qi to a diseased area

5. Channels may become diseased

6. Disease of the Zangfu (internal organs) may manifest in channels

7. Disease may be transmitted via the channels

8. Visibly show diseases

Did you know the mulberry can be used as a Chinese herbal medicine?

The lovely spring is coming; the grass turning green, flowers blossoming everywhere.

While you enjoying fresh warm weather and beautiful sunshine, you may also notice the spring is a season for collecting mulberry fruit!

You can collect mulberry fruit in spring all around Perth and most regions of Western Australian.

Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International Author SKas

Especially children love collecting mulberry fruits, they like fresh mulberry fruits, making mulberry cakes and put it on the top of muffin.

But do you know, actually in Chinese Medicine, we use mulberry fruit as an herbal material!

Chinese Medicine, as one of the earliest natural medicine system in the world, has been developed and practiced more than two thousand years, Chinese herbal medicine practice is an important component in it, during Chinese herbal medicine practice, Chinese medicine practitioner prescribe the herbal formula based on patients’ individual health condition to help them.

Most of herbs are from different plants. When we understand and analyse each herb from the “four natures” theory, is this herb (or plant) with hot, warm, cool or cold nature; or just naturally just neutral tendency; also think about its “Five flavours”, which related with herb’s true taste, majority are “pungent”, “sweet”, “sour”, “bitter” and “salty “flavours.

All these characters can guide the herbs going to affect different organs and making different treatment actions.

Mulberry fruits, is recognised with sweet, sour flavour and cold tendency in nature; majorly affects heart, liver and kidney channels in Chinese Medicine.

In Chinese herbal medicine, mulberry fruits can be used to tonify blood and kidney essence, nourish “yin” and promote body fluid to moisten dryness syndrome in the body.

When people suffered dizziness, tinnitus, weakness, sleeping disorders or even palpitation symptoms, after Chinese medicine “pattern” diagnosis and clarification, the mulberry fruits can help.

In LongHealthCare acupuncture and Chinese medicine clinic, our qualified practitioners will carefully check your symptoms, by using Chinese medicine tongue and pulse diagnosis give you the more information and help you.