Information
The information on this page has been written and researched by our practitioners to help you find clear answers about how Chinese medicine may support your health. Chinese medicine focuses less on named conditions and more on individual patterns of imbalance. In general, it can support a wide range of health concerns and presentations.
If your condition isn’t listed or you are unsure whether Chinese medicine can help, feel free to get in touch.
Infertility, Endometriosis, Heavy or Irregular Periods, Cystitis, Menopause, PCOS, PMT, PMS
Gynaecological Conditions
Endometriosis: Chinese Herbs for Endometriosis
With the joining of Chinese and Western medicine in modern China, Endometriosis now has its own category in traditional Chinese medicine called 子宫内膜异位症 zǐ gōng nèi mó yí wèi zhèng.
In Chinese medicine theory it is described as resulting from the slowdown and stagnation of blood flow in the pelvis. This stagnation gradually becomes visible by laparoscopy as endometrial lesions.
So What Causes Blood Stagnation?
Sluggishness in blood flow can be caused by a number of factors and often these factors originate from other unresolved issues in the body.
Chinese doctors have learned that if these ‘other’ issues are not addressed, a patient may have a temporary improvement, but is quite likely to have a relapse sooner or later.
Individual patients might have issues such as poor digestion, weakness in certain parts of the body, especially the Kidneys (which in Chinese medicine theory supports the whole reproductive system), general tiredness and tension.
Other common factors include cold slowing the blood flow or digestive weakness failing to supply sufficient blood.
The habit of holding stress in the abdomen can also be an important factor in the cause of blood stagnation because the act of tensing the muscles tends to slow the flow of energy or ‘qi’ which itself is involved in ensuring blood movement. Even low-grade tension, if frequent enough, can cause reduction in the flow of qi and result in sluggishness of blood flow and eventual blood stagnation in the pelvis.
Why the pelvis?
The next question to answer, then, is why in the pelvis, and not in the shoulders, where so many other people get soreness and aches from tension?
The Chinese medicine answer is that the Liver, which is sensitive to stress and responsible for moving qi throughout the body, has itself an acupuncture channel which runs directly over the ovarian area and then encircles the genitals before it runs down the thigh. Any impediment to energy flow here will cause backup across the numerous other channels that traverse the area, exactly like the traffic jam that results if a major traffic conduit becomes backed up.
So What Can Chinese Medicine Do?
Preliminary research suggests that both Chinese herbs and acupuncture can be effective treatments for endometriosis (link at the bottom of page).
Chinese gynaecology and Chinese medicine in general addresses itself to the realm of “functional” disorder, a lack of coordination somewhere in the vast, finely-tuned biosystem of the body, which may not as yet have perceptibly damaged the body structurally. Endometriosis does not just happen overnight; it begins to develop long beforehand.
Chinese medicine treatments for endometriosis attempt to address the underlying issues behind the condition, diagnosing the cause of the blood stagnation and tailoring specific herbal prescriptions to address this.
Chinese medicine also suggests that stress is often a major factor. But what can we do about stress? It is out there, it is not something medicines can eliminate. Chinese medicine agrees that stress is part of life, but one’s reaction to it can be more or less under control. A Chinese doctor will try to assist, with herbs or acupuncture, the coping abilities of a patient, while advising them to try to eliminate all unnecessary stress. In many cases the patient is able to significantly reduce their level of perceived stress, which we believe will also reduce the chance of further blood stagnation occurring.
Why The Grove?
Our practitioners are Chinese herb experts with experience treating endometriosis with raw herbs over many years of practice.
Steven Clavey worked with the endometriosis association for 25 years, participating in studies and sharing his insights with western gynaecological practitioners and patients alike. He has treated countless patients for endometriosis over his more than 35 years in practice. Davina Mercuri has been treating endometriosis patients with The Grove for almost 20 years, and has been mentored by and coordinated treatments with Steven Clavey. Cassandra Young has received extensive mentoring with Steven Clavey in the treatment of endometriosis and treated numerous cases with herbal prescriptions and acupuncture. Anna Boetto has trained under Steven Clavey and has treated many endometriosis cases throughout her time as a naturopath and Chinese medicine practitioner. Anna uses a combined approach of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and naturopathy and draws upon her extensive experience in each to provide an effective combined approach.
Related Pages
What Are the Different Types of Endometriosis?
Can you Treat Endometriosis with Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine at the Same Time?
See our page of collected Research on Endometriosis
Different Types of Endometriosis
While every patient is unique, we have found that an essential distinction must be made between two basic types of endometriosis, because the treatment is substantially different in approach.
The two types could be simply termed ‘strong endo’ and ‘weak endo’. What is interesting is that these two types are often quite distinct even under laparoscopy.
The strong endo type is the classic endo picture: extensive active lesions all over the pelvis, severe pain which can last all month, heavy clotted periods and numerous attendant symptoms. These patients usually respond well to surgery at first, but may regress quite quickly even with hormone treatment. These are the patients for whom the strong blood-stagnation removing type of herbal endometriosis treatment works best. The first essential step is to eliminate clotting during the period.
The weak endo type is the one that drives surgeons mad. These patients may have severe symptoms, intense pain and debility, but the laparoscopy finds only mild scattered endo, certainly not what they would expect to match the symptoms! Even more annoying from their point of view is that these types of patients frequently feel much worse after surgery, instead of feeling better.
From a Chinese medicine point of view, all of these phenomena are easily explained: a weak patient, one with ‘blood deficiency’, will have a weak blood flow that easily becomes blocked and stagnated. They also have fewer reserves to handle the pain and debility. Typically their periods will be scanty and brown-coloured, they will be tired most of the time and digestion will also be impaired, so that sufficient blood cannot be produced. This perpetuates the cycle of weak blood.
Furthermore—and this weds Chinese with Western viewpoints—their immune system will be weak, so they suffer repeated onslaughts of various problems which keep them down and their endo up. Very often endometriosis patients will report a history of glandular fever: most of these patients have this ‘weak-type’ endometriosis.
The treatment approach here is quite different to the strong type, because strong blood-stagnation removing herbs can be too strong; these types of patients require gentle blood-nourishing herbs to enhance the flow of blood, balanced by herbs to ensure that the digestion works well enough to 1) absorb the herbs themselves, and 2) begin to restore blood supply through properly-digested food. If the digestion is judged too weak for decocted herbs, pills may be used initially to build its strength.
Endometriosis: Can Western and Chinese Medicine Approaches be Combined
Can I use Western medicine treatments while having Chinese medicine treatments? Yes, they often complement. For example, a laparoscopy can precisely tell the location and severity of the endo lesions; it can also clear away extensive or severe lesions or adhesions more rapidly than herbs. This can greatly reduce the time needed for treatment and therefore the strain severe endometriosis may place on the body. Chinese herbs can then be used to help the body reduce any remaining lesions in difficult-to-reach places, such as the Pouch of Douglas, and also to restore normal circulation and functioning within the pelvis and throughout the rest of the body.
Chinese medicine is designed to take all of the symptoms into consideration they treat the patient, as an individual and as a whole, not just the condition. Patients who find Western drug treatments onerous often opt for herbs as a substitute; or alternatively use the herbs with the drugs. Your herbal formula can be designed to reduce the side-effects of the drugs, while enhancing the endo-clearing effect.
Is a laparoscopy necessary?
If one desires a confirmation that endo is present, a laparoscopy is necessary. It may also help to speed treatment as mentioned above. However a laparoscopy is not absolutely required before action can be taken with Chinese medicine. For example, if endo is suspected from the symptoms and palpable areas of tenderness, one can begin Chinese medicine treatment on the basis of this. Many women prefer to know for sure whether or not they actually have endometriosis.
Gynaecology: How does Chinese Medicine Treat Gynaecological Conditions?
By Steven Clavey
The treatment of women’s disorders with Chinese herbal medicine can be remarkably successful (see scientific research on: infertility, endometriosis, gynaecological pain, menopause and post-menopause osteoporosis) and this is partly because “women’s problems” are considered within the context of the whole body and its functioning.
Chinese herbal gynaecology differs from Western gynaecology in three areas: the diagnosis, the treatment, and the type of problem each handles best.
Let’s look at the last one first. Western gynaecology, like all of Western medicine, attends first and foremost to problems affecting the structure of the body, “organic” diseases detected by visual or microscopic examination of the tissues of the organs involved. Treatment then involves repair, excision, or replacement of the diseased tissue, or identification and destruction of an invading pathogen. The advantages of this type of approach are certainty of diagnosis (when tissues have in fact already been affected) and focussed treatment. The disadvantages start to show up when the disease has not yet reached the stage of tissue damage, in which case diagnostic tests are often inconclusive, and treatment hampered or impossible because of inability to define just what the problem is.
This is precisely the area, however, to which Chinese gynaecology and Chinese medicine in general addresses itself: the realm of “functional” disorder, a lack of coordination somewhere in the vast, finely-tuned biosystem of the body, which may not as yet have perceptibly damaged the body structurally. Endometriosis, for example, does not just happen overnight; it begins to develop long beforehand, and the signs of this development can be spotted in advance.
You may also like to view the post: Chinese medicine and endometriosis.
In Chinese gynaecology, we pay attention to the regularity, amount, colour and texture of the menstrual flow, and correct abnormalities as they arise. PMS and period pain are considered pathological in China, and are treated as such.
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Gynaecology: How Does Diagnosis Work
Diagnosis in Chinese gynaecology does not involve a gynaecological examination as performed in Western gynaecology, although the findings of such exams are taken into account in determining the nature of the problem (especially in modern Chinese gynaecology). This is because the results of such an exam describe the status of the structure of the tissues examined, while as we have seen the interest of the Chinese physician is directed primarily at the status of the functioning of the organism.
"It is as if a house were inhabited by a quarrelling family. One would like to intervene before the structure of the house was damaged, the windows smashed, doors ripped from their hinges. And the earlier the intervention, the less drastic it need be. If one waits, however, until the house is burning down, a whole team of experts may be necessary to save it – or even merely a part of it."
Diagnosis of the functioning of the organism involves attention to the symptoms of the patient: what kind of pain or tension, where, and when; the presence of absence of thirst, perspiration, dizziness, tinnitus, emotional upset or stress; attention to food intake; functioning of bowels and urination; the menstrual flow; the condition of the home and work environment, etc.
These findings are combined with observations made by the physician of the complexion and build of the patient, the tongue, and later palpation of the pulse at both wrists, and possibly palpation of specific points around the body which become characteristically tender in certain diseases.
The correlation of all the results of such a procedure is accomplished by means of Chinese medical theory. While the terms employed may sound prosaic in translation, they are in fact technical descriptions of the functional status of the organism, with precise definitions and applications. The use of these technical terms allows the choice to be made of therapeutic agents whose function is described in similar terms.
For example:
A woman with dysmenorrhea may complain of cold aching pain in the abdomen before and during her periods, coupled with a clotted unsteady menstrual flow, slow pulse, and a white tongue coat. Such a woman may be described as suffering from ‘Cold in the uterus’ – a highly unusual diagnosis from a Western point of view, but one which in Chinese medicine terms allows the selection of herbs with a ‘warming’ action or a technique such as moxibustion, which can then be applied in such a way as to relieve the woman’s pain and prevent its recurrence. Nor are these the only options.
Treatment
Chinese medicine has a wide range of therapeutic technique at its disposal, including herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, diet, massage, and specialized exercises, some of which involve breath training. Each of these techniques is a field of study with its own specialists, although the training of every Chinese doctor includes at least some introduction to their principles and applications.
Herbs
Herbs (and acupuncture), however, are by far the predominant modes of therapy in Chinese medicine. Herbs can be applied in decoction (like soups), in powders, pills, plasters, tinctures, and syrups. Modern dosage forms include ‘instant’ preparations, ampoules, capsules, and even I.V. drip for emergencies. The most common form, however, remains the decoction.
Chinese herbs are rarely prescribed singly. Following diagnosis, a standard formula is chosen for the condition, and then ‘sculpted’ by the addition or deletion of different but related herbs until the prescription exactly suits the state of the individual patient. The effect of the prescription upon the patient is determined at the next consultation and the herbs again adjusted accordingly.
For the reasons outlined above, Chinese gynaecology can be seen to provide a viable complement to Western medicine in an area where it is much needed (see scientific research on: infertility, endometriosis, gynaecological pain, menopause and post-menopause osteoporosis) . It supplies a comprehensive framework for the classification and treatment of the ‘vague’ amorphous symptoms accompanying a functional disorder, by re-establishing the proper functioning of the organism with methods both more gentle and more subtle than contemporary medicine can offer. Moreover, when necessary, it's non-invasive, conservative treatment combines well with Western medical techniques, as for example in the treatment of structural diseases or the side effects of more drastic therapies.
Length of Treatment
Length of a course of treatment ranges from as short as one or two weeks in cases like simple vaginal discharge, to three or four months for dysmenorrhea, or even up to a year or longer in treatments for endometriosis or infertility. Yet while on average treatments may be slower than with Western medicine because of the more conservative methods employed by the physicians of Chinese gynaecology, and while no treatment, Western or Chinese, can ever claim 100% success, still it is generally conceded in that of all the departments of Chinese medicine, gynaecology obtains the best results.
Want to know more about Chinese medicine and gynaecology? Send a general question or enquiry to contact@thegroveclinic.com.au or Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Gynaecology: What to Expect in a Consultation
30 minutes for the first consultation; subsequent consultations are usually 15 minutes or so to check on the response to the first herbal prescription and make any necessary alterations or adjustments. This time includes the time needed to design your herbal prescription, so the time discussing your condition will usually not be the whole 30 minutes, although some particularly complex situations may require that.
A change of prescription is almost always required after a certain amount of time has passed, due to several reasons:
a) As some symptoms clear up, others may then appear more prominent (eg if constipation was originally a major factor but the bowels become regular, or where there were several different types of pain involved at first, but following herbal treatment only a single type of pain remains which then requires a change of herbs to address).
b) The body habituates (becomes used to) a prescription that originally worked well. This tendency is the bane of those who only have a single treatment for endometriosis: it may indeed work well for a while, but then ceases to help. The reputation for the great effectiveness of Chinese medicine rests squarely on its flexibility: there are many approaches to treatment, and if one begins to be less helpful, another is designed to maintain progress.
c) Circumstances change. These circumstances can be as crucial as grief or increased workplace stress, or as ‘peripheral’ as seasonal change, for example if a patient is temperature or weather-sensitive.
What does a consultation involve?
Thorough questioning about symptoms, for example details of periods; the nature, location, and timing of pain; ‘unrelated’ symptoms such as state of energy, digestion, and sleep; then examination of the pulse and the tongue. There is no internal examination. Details of Western examinations performed so far are required.
Patients are often surprised at the detailed questions and the level of bodily awareness expected of them (this awareness grows as one learns what to look for). The reason for these detailed questions is that Chinese medicine diagnosis is based upon how you feel and how you look, rather than blood tests or tissue samples.
Therefore it is quite important to notice and report sensations as accurately as possible. Herbs for pain in the central lower abdomen, for instance, are different than the herbs for pain on the sides; and again herbs for a stabbing type of pain may not work for dragging heavy ache. In another situation, if one notices (for example) that lower backache only occurs together with constipation, this observation can usefully shorten treatment time if recalled and mentioned at the consultation.
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Gynaecology: How Does Acupuncture Help?
By Steven Clavey
In the area of gynaecology, acupuncture has traditionally been used for a wide range of problems, including period pain, irregular periods, amenorrhea, mood swings related to periods, fibroids, and infertility. Acupuncture is also employed for some common conditions during pregnancy, where it is used to stop pain [see pdf on Pain in pregnancy], reduce nausea, help sleep, reduce functional disability [see research on acupuncture in pregnancy], correct breech presentation [see research on moxibustion and acupuncture for breech presentation] and gently prepare the body for labour [see research on acupuncture and induction of labour]. Acupuncture helps to increase energy levels, improve sleep and enable the body to deal better with stress.
In Chinese medicine a dynamic balance between yin and yang and a smooth flow of qi is necessary for health. When this becomes unbalanced or blocked, illness can result. Imbalance and disruption to the flow of qi can be caused by changes in the external environment, such as weather conditions, viruses, or injury, or internally from emotions, poor nutrition, or a constitutional predisposition. Chinese medicine recognises a strong link between the reproductive system and the mind and emotions, and it follows that anxiety and stress can contribute to menstrual problems and infertility.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Gynaecology: The Five Areas of Traditional Chinese Gynaecology
Chinese gynaecology traditionally¹ has four (main) areas of concern, known in Chinese as jīng, dài, tái, chǎn (經帶胎產):
- Menstrual disorders (jīng 經) is a category which traditionally includes shortened or lengthened cycle, irregularity, excessively heavy or overly light periods, amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, mood swings prior to periods, period pain, infertility, and symptoms at the menopause.
- Discharge (dài 帶) is a category which traditionally involves excessive vaginal discharge and itching.
- Chinese obstetrics (tái 胎), while nowadays relinquishing supervision of delivery to Western medicine, traditionally concerns itself with functional problems in pregnancy such as morning sickness, threatened miscarriage, abdominal or lumbar pain, fluid retention, urinary dysfunction, foetal malposition, and difficult or extended labour.
- Post-partum difficulties (chǎn 產) is a category that traditionally includes lochia retention, vaginal bleeding, nightsweats, fever, abdominal pain, constipation, impeded or uncontrollable urine flow, anaemia, generalized aching of the joints, and deficient or excessive lactation.
A fifth miscellaneous category in tradtiional Chinese gynaecology includes such commonly seen complaints as abdominal mass (which includes endometriosis), prolapsed uterus, and emotional disturbances – for example, symptoms such as ‘hysterical’ throat obstruction.
These four areas were first laid out in this order in the AD 610 book Discussion of the Origins of the Symptoms of Disease (諸病源侯論 Zhū bìng yuán hòu lùn), a major medical encyclopedia. It was arranged according to symptoms, and compiled by a group of imperially appointed physicians under the guidance of Chao Yuanfang during the Sui dynasty. It also included various longevity techniques, including exercises, breathing and diet.
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IVF: Acupuncture and IVF
By Steven Clavey
Chinese doctors have known for centuries that acupuncture improves fertility. Studies suggesting that acupuncture could help with IVF success rates have been appearing over the last decade and more. One of the early clinical trials conducted at the University of Adelaide found higher pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF when they also received acupuncture (Smith et. al., 2006). Around the same time, Danish researchers reported similar results, with an almost doubled pregnancy rate in those receiving acupuncture in conjunction with IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) compared with a control group (Westergaard et. al., 2006). These studies are now considered out-of-date by research standards, but their early suggestions have been supported by a number of systematic reviews and meta-analysis of many studies showing that acupuncture treatment improves the success rates for invitro fertilization (IVF) in many women [see research on acupuncture and IVF]. .
Treatment
Acupuncture in the months leading up to an IVF cycle helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and balance hormone levels. By treating the root causes of infertility, some patients may even fall pregnant during this preparation time (a pleasant side effect when it happens!), while the chance of a successful IVF cycle is increased.
A course of acupuncture is generally 6 weekly treatments, with a break midway to allow the body to adjust. Further courses of treatment may be undertaken as needed, and the timing of treatments should be flexible during an IVF cycle to optimise results.
There is also early suggestions that using acupuncture in combination with other forms of Chinese Medicine treatment can add further benefits. (See the study here)
Early studies from:
Smith et. al., Journal of Fertility & Sterility 2006: 85; 135258
Westergaard et. al., Journal of Fertility & Sterility 2006: 85; 134146
Paulus et.al., Journal of Fertility & Sterility 2002: 77; 72124
Liang, L., Acupuncture & IVF, Boulder Blue Poppy Press, 2003
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Can Chinese Medicine Help with Induction
By Madeleine Van Maanen
Due dates aren’t a promise.
For many, complications like gestational diabetes, malpositioned pregnancies, or simply going past your estimated due date can send obstetricians and birth teams into high-alert mode, leading to interventions such as stretch and sweeps, medical inductions, or caesarean sections. Sometimes these paths are necessary—but before all of that pressure is imminent, Chinese Medicine offers a gentle, holistic window of opportunity to step in and support the body naturally.
Acupuncture has demonstrated several benefits:
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It may increase the likelihood of spontaneous labour and reduce the chances of caesarean sections (Harper et al., 2006).
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It assists with cervical ripening and labour induction, based on a review of clinical evidence (Lokugamage, Pathberiya, Fernando, & Allen, 2020).
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It may help reduce labour pain and even shorten its duration (Skilnand, Fossen, & Heiberg, 2002).
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It could reduce the need for surgical births and the number of steps required in a medical induction (Lokugamage et al., 2020).
What’s not to love?
When this modern evidence is paired with Chinese herbal medicine - especially herbs classified under the unique category of “calming the foetus” - you’ve got a beautifully aligned approach. The true power and beauty of Chinese Medicine lies in its ability to assess why spontaneous labour hasn’t yet begun and promote balance where there is ‘disharmony’ with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, several underlying ‘patterns’ of disharmony may explain delayed labour. The most common include:
Qi Deficiency
Fatigue is prominent here, you may feel short of breath, have a quivering tongue, and you generally feel wiped out. When Qi is low, the body lacks the momentum to initiate labour. It’s as if your body is saying, “I just want to rest - I don’t have the energy to birth right now.”
Blood Deficiency
General aches, low back or hip pain, pubic symphysis discomfort, insomnia, and a pale or purplish tongue. You may also have a history of irregular periods, iron infusions, or breastfeeding difficulties. When there is insufficient Blood, muscles and tendons aren’t adequately nourished, leaving the body reluctant to release the nourishing blood it's generated for your baby through the birthing process.
Damp Accumulation
Symptoms may include swelling (face, hands, feet - excluding preeclampsia), a sensation of heaviness or fogginess especially in the morning, loose stools, and a wide tongue with tooth marks or thick coating. Dampness obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood, preventing the vital signals needed to kickstart labour from being fully received and acted upon.
It’s common for these patterns to overlap, particularly given the influence of modern lifestyles and individual constitutions. By assessing your health history and pregnancy experience, we are able to identify the pattern(s) at play, and tailor treatments using herbs and acupuncture to encourage spontaneous labour.
While a single session of acupuncture and a few herbs won’t guarantee immediate results, what we can offer is a comprehensive toolkit. This includes tailored lifestyle advice and at home acupressure points to reinforce your treatment. Treatment in preparation for birth begins ideally at 34 weeks, however you can be supported at any stage.
Beyond the birth itself, these patterns of disharmony may affect your postpartum recovery. In Chinese Medicine, this stage is seen as critical, we often observe strong links between unresolved prenatal imbalances and postpartum depletion, breastfeeding issues, mood changes, or future health challenges. A postpartum care plan - whether via Telehealth for herbal support or in person acupuncture - can make a significant difference. You're welcome to bring baby along for cuddles, or take a well-earned moment for yourself.
Whether you’re 30 weeks or busting at the seams, incorporating Chinese Medicine into your birth preparation is a gift to yourself - and a gentle reminder to slow down, restore balance, and connect with your body’s innate wisdom. A little quiet and calm before the big day might be just what the (Chinese Medicine) Doctor ordered.
Have questions about how Chinese Medicine can support your birth or postpartum? Reach out or book a session, we're here to help.
Wishing you calm, confidence, and a beautiful birth - however it unfolds,
Maddie
Menopause: How can Chinese Medicine Help
"Menopause" is a Western bio-medicine category, which is seen as greatly over-simplified in Chinese medicine. In other words, there are many patterns of symptoms that can occur around the normal winding-down and cessation of the menstrual cycle, and in Chinese medicine these are all assessed and addressed specifically. [see our page with research on Chinese medicine effects on menopausal symptoms and reducing FSH]
For example, one woman may have severe night-sweats all over her body, but be relatively cool during the day. Another woman may be red in the face and sweat during the day--but only on the head. Yet another may feel hot, but also find herself suddenly cold and retaining fluid all over.
So why should they be treated all in the same way? Well, they shouldn't.
Traditional Chinese medicine attempts to treat individual symptoms and in this way address each patient as an individual case. At The Grove Chinese Medicine we make tailored raw herb prescriptions and acupuncture treatment plans to address each patient's specific experience of menopause.
Read our practitioner Cassie's great blog on menopause here
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Menopause the Second Spring
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), menopause is called the 'Second Spring' in a woman's life. It represents the renewal of energy and opportunities as there is a shift from fertility and reproduction, to conserving and nourishing the self. In Chinese culture, there is a sense of looking forward to old age as ageing is widely celebrated and elders are revered. With age comes the gift of wisdom, innate confidence and life experience.
With this in mind and on a personal note, I have a fond childhood memory of observing my Por Por (grandma) walk through her self care routine. She worked physically hard on the farm during the day, then before dinner she would...
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Menopausal Hot Flushes
There is a menopausal pattern that occurs quite frequently, at least in Australia and I suspect in most Western countries, but has not as yet appeared in the literature—as far as I know.
The woman presents with hot flushes; they can be frequent or rare, mild or intense, but the one thing that these flushes have in common is that they are focused primarily in the head. This is not to say that there is no heat in the back or legs, but...
Pre Menstrual Tension: Can Chinese Medicine Help
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a wide range of symptoms that begin before a woman’s period, such as breast tenderness, mood swings and bowel changes. From a Western perspective the cause is unknown, and treatment is either via antidepressants or the oral contraceptive pill, neither of which address the cause of the problem.
Chinese medicine has its own explanation: the Liver is the organ which stores the body’s blood, and particularly the blood that supplies the uterus in menstruation. As this blood builds up in the lower body prior to the onset of menstruation, it leaves the Liver relatively blood deficient, and since Liver is the organ that also is meant to help qi circulate, this deficiency of blood means that the Liver cannot do its job as well as usual. In short, qi backs up and becomes blocked, causing all the symptoms of qi blockage such as bad temper, sore swollen breasts, abdominal bloating and so on.
The treatment is to tonify Liver blood while smoothing the flow of qi, which brings this back into balance. A traditional formula for doing this has the whimsical name of Free and Easy Wandering Powder, or Xiao Yao San in pinyin. This formula was first published in the Song dynasty text Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefitting the People in the Taiping Era, compiled between 1078 and 1107AD. A modern English textbook of Chinese medicine formulas still lists forty formulas from that Song dynasty text which are used regularly.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine allow us to treat PMS at the root of the problem, giving relief to physical and emotional symptoms. Treatment is tailored to the patient’s unique presentation, with the acupuncture points and herbal scripts changing as the symptoms change. Once a harmonious flow of qi and blood is established, treatment has been successful and the patient can be discharged without further need for treatment. [see research]
There is also evidence concerning Chinese medicine and depression.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Urinary Tract Disorders
By Steven Clavey
Urinary symptoms (including urinary tract infections--UTI--that are no longer responsive to antibiotic treatment) overactive bladder, nocturia [see research on Chinese medicine and UTI] and enuresis [see research on Chinese medicine and enuresis] can be assisted with herbs and/or acupuncture, although in this area particularly the more chronic the problem the longer it will take to fix. Interstitial cystitis can eventually improve, but is notoriously hard to remedy in the impatient [see research on Chinese medicine and interstitial cystitis].
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Pain, stress, Digestion, Vertigo, dizziness Respiratory Disorders, Allergies, Sleep, fatigue, and other conditions
General Practice
Digestion: Can Chinese Medicine Help with Digestive Issues
Common Conditions
Digestive disorders commonly respond well to treatment. These include diarrhea, constipation [see research], IBS [see research], loss of appetite or excessive appetite, nausea, heartburn, reflux [see research], burping, indigestion and hypoglycemia, for a short list of examples.
Treatment Options
Herbal medicine and acupuncture are both viable treatment options for digestive conditions as seen in the research above and can be used in combination or as standalone treatments. Herbal decoctions consist of a tailored prescription using a combination of raw herbs which are boiled into a tea, these are consumed twice a day.
Acupuncture can be used in combination with herbal medicine or if one’s digestive system is so weak that herbal treatments are not tolerated, a course of gentle acupuncture treatments may be used to gradually strengthen the ability to handle foods and herbs.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Pain: Can Chinese Medicine Assist with Chronic and Acute Pain
The treatment of pain, including chronic pain, can be successful with Chinese medicine with varying studies and preliminary studies suggesting that acupuncture (see research) and herbal medicine (see research) can both be effective in reducing the symptoms, depending on the condition.
Acupuncture for Pain
The acupuncture evidence project found high quality evidence that acupuncture helped the symptoms of pain from:
Link to the Acupuncture Evidence Project
- Chronic low back pain,
- headache (tension and chronic),
- knee osteoarthritis,
- migraine prophylaxis
- post-operative pain.
Moderate or high-quality evidence that acupuncture helps the pain from:
- Acute low back pain
- back or pelvic pain during pregnancy
- cancer pain
- labour pain
- lateral elbow pain
- neck pain
- plantar heel pain
- post-stroke shoulder pain
- prostatitis pain
- chronic pelvic pain syndrome
- sciatica
- shoulder impingement syndrome (early stage, with exercise)
- shoulder pain
- temporomandibular pain
Herbal Medicine for Pain
There is moderate or high-quality evidence that Chinese herbal medicine can help with:
So How Does It Work?
There is a saying in Chinese medicine that when there is free flow, there is no pain and when there is pain, there is no free flow. The saying is talking about the flow of qi and blood, but what does this actually mean?
Let’s take chronic pain as an example.
When it comes to chronic pain, around 90% is neurological. The nerves that carry pain signals to the brain are continually firing but the body’s own pain-relieving response is failing. This can continue on and on in a chronic pain cycle.
The good news is that this type of pain responds well to acupuncture treatment [see research] sometimes without even touching the painful area. The pain reduction can be almost immediate and with the right number of sessions, long-term.
The situation is something like this: an initial injury has caused the body to ‘guard’ against the potential spread of infection by restricting local blood flow to the area. The sensory nerves that transmit pain signals are firing just fine, but another type of nerve, the proprioceptive nerve, is under-firing. The result is a failure of the brain to release its own painkiller chemicals. The area is in lockdown and as anyone with chronic pain knows, the pain signals continue to fire away, calling for help from an unresponsive brain. As long as the pain continues there is guarding and the area is starved of nutrients by the restricted blood flow, preventing healing and rejuvenation.
Acupuncture allows us to re-establish proper nerve function and stimulate the release of pain-relieving chemicals. Fine needles are inserted into distal sites away from the painful area, and the painful area is left alone. The trained practitioner knows what areas of the body share the same connection to the midbrain and by needling these other sites it is possible to achieve pain relief without even touching the painful area. The results can be felt within seconds. Once pain reduction or elimination is achieved, the brain opens up the blood vessels to the area and blood flow is restored (see research on chronic pain).
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Dizziness and Vertigo
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments for vertigo have recently been in the news. Channel 7 News reported on a study utilising a common Chinese herbal medicine formula in the treatment of vertigo with preliminary results suggesting that an effective pharmaceutical medication had been created using a Chinese herbal medicine formula.
The formula discussed in the study contains the Chinese herbs Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephalia Rhizoma), Chen Pi (Citri reticulatae Pericarpium peel) and (He Ye) Nelumbinis folium leaf. From a TCM practitioner's perspective, this formula...
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Pain: Treating Pain with Acupuncture
There is a saying in Chinese medicine that when there is free flow, there is no pain and when there is pain, there is no free flow. We are talking about the flow of qi and blood, but what does this actually mean?
When it comes to chronic pain, around 90% is neurological. The nerves that carry pain signals to the brain are continually firing but the body's own pain-relieving response is failing. This can continue on and on in a chronic pain cycle. The good news is that this type of pain responds well to acupuncture treatment [see research], sometimes without even touching the painful area. The pain reduction can be almost immediate and with the right number of sessions, long-term.
The situation is something like this: an initial injury has caused the body to 'guard' against the potential spread of infection by restricting local blood flow to the area. The sensory nerves that transmit pain signals are firing just fine, but another type of nerve, the proprioceptive nerve, is under-firing. The result is a failure of the brain to release its own painkiller chemicals. The area is in lockdown and as anyone with chronic pain knows, the pain signals continue to fire away, calling for help from an unresponsive brain. As long as the pain continues there is guarding and the area is starved of nutrients by the restricted blood flow, preventing healing and rejuvenation.
Acupuncture allows us to re-establish proper nerve function and stimulate the release of pain-relieving chemicals. Fine needles are inserted into distal sites away from the painful area, and the painful area is often left alone. The trained practitioner knows what areas of the body share the same connection to the midbrain and by needling these other sites it is possible to achieve pain relief without even touching the painful area. The results can be felt within seconds. Once pain reduction or elimination is achieved, the brain opens up the blood vessels to the area and blood flow is restored.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Respiratory Disorders: Can Chinese Medicine Help?
Respiratory problems are another area where Chinese herbs can sometimes obtain excellent results [see research on Chinese medicine and COPD and research on Chinese medicine and cough] (although, as in all health conditions, the longer the problem has persisted, the longer treatment may take). Records of successful treatment methods for symptoms such as sensations of tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, cough, shortness of breath and sinus problems stretch back to 210AD, starting with the first clinical handbook of Chinese medicine, the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold Disorders). Of its 113 formulas, we still use over 100 in daily practice.
Sinus and hayfever [see research on Chinese medicine and nasal allergies] may seem minor, but can often be quite debilitating. Herbs to inhale are used to clear the head, then sipped to break up the phlegm. Acupuncture can also be very effective, as seen in the research above.
Common cold and flu are both preventable and treatable with herbs (again the earlier the better). [See Research]
If you can’t afford to be sick, get it treated – don’t just suffer at home. Prevention is easier – ask your practitioner for advice about what to do when you have that very first inkling that you have "caught something."
If you find yourself "catching something" very often, the first thing to do is stop going out in the morning with wet hair. A long-standing observation in Chinese medicine has been that evaporation from the nape of the neck leads to a physically localised drop in temperature, and this temperature differential invokes a series of responses that result in a lowered immunity to local pathogens. We can also give some specific herbs to help, and teach a Chinese point percussion technique that one can use with daily stretching and exercise.
If you would like to know more about Chinese medicine and respiratory conditions you can send a general question or enquiry to contact@thegroveclinic.com.au or Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Hayfever, Ashthma and Eczema (Blog)
Spring is a time of vigorous new growth—correlating to Wood energy in Chinese Medicine (CM)—so if one has missed appropriate nourishment and rest during winter—represented by Water energy—your Wood is likely to be brittle, susceptible and unprepared for the demands of the Spring environment. Most commonly, this manifests with Spring’s vibrant energy flaring up atopic conditions which include hay fever (allergic rhinitis), allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema). To help prevent flare ups or support treatment towards resolving your atopic condition and continue long-term success, here are some...
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Sleep: Can Chinese Medicine Help with Insomnia and Restless Sleep
Insomnia has a variety of causes in traditional Chinese medicine, and patients are assessed to determine the cause in their particular situation, and then treated appropriately. Often this will use a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, whether raw herbal tea, granules or pills. [See research on acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and sleep]
Sometimes however 'poor sleep' is blamed for loss of concentration and focus in someone who simply wakes up tired, groggy and unmotivated early in the morning. In these cases, it is not the sleep that is the problem, but the groggy feeling upon waking, which is what we address after determining that this is in fact the case.
Sometimes this is due to sleep apnea, which can often be assisted with acupuncture.[See research on acupuncture and sleep apnea
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track.
Tiredness and Fatigue: Can Chinese Medicine Help?
Tiredness and lethargy are common problems, but not everyone is tired for the same reason. Here at The Grove Chinese Medicine, we try to find the underlying reason for the lethargy, and prescribe the appropriate remedy. You do not have to be tired all the time! To help in finding the reason, before your first consultation, however, ask yourself "When am I tired?" and "Where am I tired?" If you can’t tell, don’t worry; but if you know what time of day you feel worse, and where around the body or head you feel tired, the treatment will be more focused, effective and rapid.
Chronic fatigue or post-viral syndrome will need longer treatment, although results may be felt immediately [see research]. Patients must not try to push through their fatigue, but must rather stop and rest for a time; if this advice is heeded, improvement is much more rapid.
Tiredness sometimes stems from the eyes – if eyes are dry, sore, red and excessively watery, or if there is a twitch around the eyelids, we can use herbs to sip, and also to wash the eyes. Chrysanthemum tea is an excellent daily tea that in China is used to "brighten the eyes" – it is also cooling in the summertime.
If you would like to know more about treating fatigue with Chinese Medicine you can send a general question or enquiry to contact@thegroveclinic.com.au or book a consultation with one of our practitioners.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Eczema, Psoriasis and other Skin Conditions
Dermatology
Eczema, Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions: How does Chinese Medicine Help?
We all have skin, and it does more than just cover our bodies. It maintains a homeostatic balance of moisture, protection and good and bad bacteria. If there is a disharmony affecting the health of the skin there may be dryness, itching, weeping, pustules, excess oil, etc. Often in Western dermatology problems are treated with topical creams or strong medications that help superficially but often do not treat the root cause. The relief maybe instant and strong, but sometimes these medicines are too strong to be able to be sustained over a long period of time.
Diagnosis
A Chinese medicine dermatological diagnosis differs from conventional medicine and its treatment on many levels. We see the health of the skin as a reflection of the internal health of the body. In a consultation we will not only look and observe the skin, but also ask many questions in regards to your overall health and the functioning of your body. We will also take your pulse and look at your tongue. With this information we can develop a thorough understanding of the mechanisms causing the disease and formulate a tailored treatment specifically for your condition.
Treatment Options
Diet and Lifestyle
Length of Treatment
Why The Grove
We are a raw herb focused clinic with more than 400 herbs in our onsite dispensary. Our practitioners are chosen due to their herbal expertise and draw upon this extensive knowledge to create effective tailored herbal prescriptions.
Davina Mercuri has practiced dermatology with The Grove for more than 10 years and has studied with renowned UK Chinese herbal dermatologist Mazin Al Khafaji. Jade Ouk first encountered Chinese medicine following a 30 year long struggle with eczema. After experiencing how Chinese herbal medicine helped her she was inspired to become a Chinese medicine practitioner and to draw upon her lived experience to help others. Jade has completed an advanced training certificate with dermatologists from Zhejiang Hospital
Conclusion
Chinese dermatology developed by working with people directly, not by microscopic experimentation in laboratories. It is a dynamic medicine that has evolved over centuries by carefully observing patterns of illnesses and using natural sources of medicine to restore health. The correct use and choice of herbs can help with many various persistent skin diseases. The advantage of Chinese medicine is the subtle use of herbs to achieve results with minimal side effects.
“Healing is not a science, rather it is the intimate art of wooing nature”
W.H. Auden
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Dermatology: What methods are used to treat skin conditions?
Treatment in Chinese medicine is quite different to Western medicine management of skin disorders. A Chinese medicine treatment protocol could well include a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs in either raw, tinctured or pill form, and external herbal washes or creams. Together with this, and if needed, there will be dietary advice.
Acupuncture
Gentle point work can give an instant feeling of harmony and relaxation. Insertion of very fine needles into specific acu-points can stimulate certain organs, move qi blockages and encourage healing. Acupuncture is usually — but not always — combined with herbal medicine.
The needles used in acupuncture are small, sterile and disposable. For most points, one should feel no pain, although there can be a feeling of warmth, tingling, dull ache or a heavy sensation which the Chinese call 'sour'. People vary in their response to acupuncture, but most find it a relaxing experience.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can come in various forms:
- Decoctions (teas) of herbs are by far the most effective form as each prescription has select herbs chosen for each individuals needs. Cooking takes time and the actual decoction is not very palatable, however for the results it certainly can be worth it.
- Tinctures are herbal preparations made in alcoholic bases these are also very effective and are suitable for those on time constraints.
- Washes are decocted herbs that are used externally on the body usually twice a day. Depending on the herbal prescription it can help with various problems such as extreme itching, heat, ulcerations and healing of skin.
Pills are a convenient but often less effective method of taking herbs; still they may be helpful in some situations. For a serious problem though, either raw or tinctured herbs are best. 8 to 12 pills need to be taken twice per day. This may initially seem like a lot, but any less will not be effective because the pills are made of herbal plant material, not concentrated chemicals.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Dermatology: The history of dermatological treatment in Chinese Medicine
Since the development of Chinese Medicine over 2000 years ago, theories of disease and treatment methods have evolved, many of which are still used today.
Concerns with specific skin conditions can be traced back to the 14th century BC. For example, the word 疥 jiè--scabies, an extremely itchy parasitic infection--is found inscribed on the tortoise shells used during the Shang dynasty (1600-1400 BC) for divination.
But Chinese records show that as early as the 11th century BC medicine had already specialised into four areas: diet, acute infectious diseases, external and skin, and veterinary medicine.
The earliest writings on the theory of skin diseases is found in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic from the third century BC, and by the second century AD there were extensive written records describing a wide variety of skin disorders and their treatments.
The Taiping Era Recipes of Sagely Compassion published in 992AD emphasised the importance of addressing the whole situation of the patient in regards to diagnosis and treatment, not just looking at the skin without regard to the rest of the body, mind and social milieu of the patient.
In 1604, Shen Dou-Yuan wrote Profound Insights on External Diseases and this was considered China’s first atlas of skin diseases.
The dermatological field flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1840), with the publication of various books solely devoted to skin diseases, such as Chen Shi-Gong’s Orthodox Lineage of External Medicine in 1617 and Qi Kun’s Great Compendium of External Medicine published in 1665.
Modern dermatological treatment builds upon these foundations, utilising the prescriptions and knowledge of over 2000 years of clinical study while incorporating western medicine ideology and research.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Additional Chinese Medicine Info
What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used as a medical treatment in China for over two thousand years.
A treatment involves the insertion of thin disposable needles into specific points in the body to restore balance and promote the normal flow of qi along channels of energy called meridians. These channels have over three hundred acupuncture points located along them, each with specific functions to enhance the health of the body.
Acupuncture is not like an injection. Most people may feel some heaviness, numbness or warmth around the point, or a slight radiating along the meridian, followed by a feeling of relaxation.
Other treatments which are commonly used by acupuncture practitioners can involve moxibustion, in which comfortable penetrating heat from a burning Chinese herb is used to warm acupoints in order to tonify or to promote the flow of qi; or cupping, the application of warmed glass cups to certain areas of the body to help pain or blockages and release toxins.
Acupuncture and cupping is a popular treatment amongst athletes and cupping marks are often seen on the bodies of swimmers during events.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
What is Raw Herbal Medicine (TCM)
Chinese medicine has a long history, with its concepts and treatments being established more than 2000 years ago. Chinese herbal decoctions (raw herbs) were the predominant internal treatment method throughout this history and continue to be the most effective and reliable Chinese Medicine treatment method in modern times.
So What Are Raw Herbs...
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Diet: From a Chinese Medicine Perspective
By The Grove Chinese Medicine
We do not believe in strict diets or fads. In most cases a wide variety of every thing in moderation is acceptable. That said, there has been a long history of dietary therapy in Chinese medicine and each food possesses a certain thermal nature (i.e. being cold, cool, neutral, warm or hot). Dietary changes can be helpful in resolving a condition and can also help identify if there are certain foods that are triggers to making a condition worse (or better!).
Generally with skin conditions we want to avoid too many heating and hot natured foods as these can aggravate most conditions. A general example is to avoid chilli, sugar, alcohol and perhaps too many coffees – these can create more heat (inflammation) in the body and hence more flushing, redness, dryness or itching.
We would also want to add more cooling foods into the diet to help clear heat and this could mean having more leafy greens, salads, cucumbers.
Below is a table demonstrating the thermal nature of some foods.
| Cold and Cool | Neutral | Warm and Hot |
| Watermelon | Rice | Chilli |
| Cucumber | Oats | Ginger |
| Lettuce/ Sprouts | Spelt | Coffee |
| Most Vegetables if raw | Pumpkin | Lamb |
| Tofu | Potatoes | Alcohol |
| Carrots | Shell Fish | |
| Corn |
During a consultation we assess the patient and their condition – from this we can give advice on certain foods that may be helpful and detrimental to their condition. There is no single diet that is suitable for everyone. Like Hippocrates, the Chinese have known the truth of the statement “let food be thy medicine” for centuries. And as in all endeavours in Chinese medicine finding a balance is the goal.
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Eating with the Seasons (Blog)
Eating with the seasons is a very important factor in Chinese medicine dietary therapy as it helps our body adapt to the environment around us. For example, it would be very unseasonal to have cucumbers in the middle of winter (when they should not be seasonally available) as this is the time to be consuming warming soups and stews. Globalisation has made it possible to eat all types of fruits and vegetables year round – and consequently this knowledge and way of eating is...
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SAAM Acupuncture
My introduction to SAAM acupuncture began through a family TCM practitioner, a disciple of renowned Korean Medicine practitioner Master Kim. Intrigued by SAAM acupuncture's principles and effectiveness, as well as its understanding of the theoretical connection between the elements of Earth, Qi and the human body I found myself drawn deeper into its practice.
I decided to further enhance my understanding by attending SAAM acupuncture classes with Master Kim's disciple (my TCM Practitioner) and a study of textbooks on Traditional Korean Medicine. With my further studies in TCM acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, SAAM acupuncture provides a...
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Sa Sang Medicine
Sa Sang Medicine, rooted in the ancient wisdom of Korean traditional medicine, offers a distinctive approach to acupuncture and herbal medicine. Developed by the renowned scholar and physician Lee Je Ma, Sa Sang Medicine provides a holistic understanding of human health and well-being, focusing on individual constitutions and their unique characteristics.
Sa Sang, meaning "Four Types'' in Korean, categorizes individuals into four distinct constitutions: Tae Yang (Greater Yang), So Yang (Lesser Yang), Tae Eum (Greater Yin), and So Eum (Lesser Yin). Each constitution is characterized by...
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The Golden Month
There is a common practice in many traditions, and especially in the Chinese Medicine tradition of one month rest and recovery period post giving birth. Known as ‘Zuo Yue Zi’ or ‘sitting the month’ it is also referred to more poetically as 'The Golden Month’.
Traditions world over see this as an essential time for a woman’s body to compensate the lost energy and blood from labour and the 9 months of pregnancy. This is a time of physical rest with appropriate gentle exercise and traditionally the mother would...
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Chicken Soup Recipe for Post Pregnancy
Chicken Wine Soup
Makes 10-12 servings as a tonic.
Like other cultures, the Chinese make chicken soup to remedy many illnesses and conditions. This version of chicken soup benefits new mothers, especially in the colder months of winter, and is served with white rice for the first ten days and up to a month following birth.
It revitalises and renews the mother, restoring energy, warmth and blood in the postpartum period. It can also be taken following periods. As it is a warming soup, it is not always suitable in the hot summer months, or if a woman is experiencing signs of heat, such as excess thirst or night-sweats.
Unless you have an excellent supermarket, you will probably need to visit the Chinese grocer for some of the ingredients. If visiting the Chinese grocer is not possible a simpler version of this soup omits the lily buds, mushrooms and wood ears but instead uses 10 whole scallions (spring onions) smashed with the side of a knife. This is also delicious.
- 1.8kgs (organic) chicken
- Cut up 300g ginger (reduce or increase to taste)
- 1/2 cup raw, skinless peanuts
- 1 cup "wood ears" black fungus (木耳 Mu Er)
- 16 Chinese dried fragrant mushrooms
- 1/4 cup dried unopened daylily buds (金针菇 Jin Zhen Gu)
- 60g pork butt (a cut from the shoulder area)
- 1 x 750ml bottle of good quality glutinous rice wine
- First, do the SOAKING. "Wood ears" black fungus: 2 hours in cold water to soften. Drain and discard the water then feel for, pick out and discard any hard spots in the fungus. Rinse the wood ears thoroughly to remove any dirt and cut into roughly 4cm pieces
- Soak the dried fragrant mushrooms: 30 minutes or more, in 1 cup of cold water. When they feel tender, drain and squeeze dry, keeping the soaking liquid. Cut off and discard the stems. The dried fragrant mushrooms are much more tasty than fresh shiitake mushrooms, although the latter are fine to use as well.
- Soak the dried unopened day-lily buds: 30 minutes in 1/2 cup of warm water to soften. Drain and discard the water, remove the hard end of the lily bulb. Tie each lily bud into a knot.
- Next, prepare the chicken. Set aside the chicken wings. Either chop up the chicken with a meat cleaver into bite-sized pieces or serving pieces if preferred.
- Prepare the ginger by scraping off the peel with a small knife and cutting the peeled ginger into 1cm thick slices.
- Using a large pot, combine the wood ears, the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, lily buds, chicken wings, ginger, peanuts, pork and 6 cups of cold water. Bring to the boil over a high heat. Add the mushrooms and return to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes
- Finally... Take off the lid and increase heat to high. Add the chopped chicken and the rice wine. Return to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat when the chicken is just cooked (approximately 25-30 minutes). Serve piping hot, no more than 1.5 cups per person and include a sample of everything in the pot in each serve.
Want to read more about Chinese Medicine? Visit our Information page or Blog
If you are after a more personalised treatment either for postpartum help or another condition you can book online with one of our expert practitioners or give us a call on 03 9654 7181. Online consultations for herbal prescriptions available.
Why Bone Broth (Includes Recipe)
Bone broths have really entered the social consciousness in the past few years and with good reason. They are nutritious, nourishing and delicious and have many health benefits from both the western and Chinese medicine perspective.
A bone broth is a protein filled liquid made from the long and slow cooking of meaty joints or bones in water. A bone broth is similar to a stock however the bones used and the long cooking time are what sets it apart. A really good bone broth will have...
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What Can You Do At Home to Help Get Pregnant?
Although people struggling to have children often feel their problem is unusual, infertility is actually very common. One out of six couples of childbearing age has an fertility problem. This means millions of people, many of whom report that infertility is the worst experience of their lives. Undergoing an infertility workup and subsequent treatment can be a very difficult process and often impacts people on several levels: physically, psychologically, spiritually and financially.
A highly prevalent feeling for those who struggle with infertility is loss of control. Most people assume they can have children when they choose. After twenty or thirty years of assuming you would have your children when you wanted, and maybe even spending time and energy trying not to get pregnant, realizing that you may never have a baby can be very distressing.
Most of us were taught from an early age that the harder we work at something, the more likely we are to get it. Infertility is different, however, in that how hard you work at getting pregnant or what kind of person you are is irrelevant to the process of becoming pregnant. Because the idea of having children is so fundamental to our identity, those who have infertility can begin to feel that life is utterly unfair and that their own lives are out of control.
The Infertility/Stress Connection
No study has proven that being calm causes conception. However, there is preliminary evidence that very high levels of emotional stress can contribute to infertility by causing fallopian tubal spasm, irregular ovulation, hormonal changes, and perhaps by decreasing sperm production. Thus, perhaps a cycle of physiological and psychological events occur as a result of infertility stress. And the cycle goes both ways: stress affects infertility and infertility affects stress.
The infertility workup and treatment may cause stress that contributes to the infertility. Even if the original cause of infertility is treated, the extreme level of emotional distress may be causing other problems that sustain infertility. If so, taking concrete steps like eliciting the relaxation response, doing exercises to relieve tension, and challenging negative thoughts may increase the chance of becoming pregnant. However, these approaches cannot treat organic problems like endometriosis, tubal scarring, and blockages.
So, what is the relationship between stress and infertility? We know that there is a relationship between stress and infertility, but the specific nature of the relationship is unclear. We do know that most causes of infertility are physical. However, since we know that infertility causes stress, it makes sense to try to alleviate that stress. At the very least, you should feel better.
Things you can do:
Learn the relaxation response
The Relaxation Response is a simple practice that once learned takes 10 to 20 minutes a day and can relieve the stress and tension that stands between you and a richer and healthier life. The technique was developed by Herbert Benson, M.D. at Harvard Medical School, tested extensively and written up in his book entitled, of all things, "the Relaxation Response".
I encourage you to set aside 10 or 20 minutes today and try it. The following is the technique taken word for word from his book.
1. Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Deeply relax all your muscles, beginning at your feet and progressing up to your face.
Keep them relaxed.4. Breathe through your nose.
Become aware of your breathing.
As you breathe out, say the word, "ONE", silently to yourself. For example, breathe in …out, "ONE", in …out, "ONE", etc.
Breathe easily and naturally.5. Continue for 10 to 20 minutes.
You may open your eyes to check the time, but do not use an alarm.
When you finish, sit quietly for several minutes,
at first with your eyes closed and later with your eyes opened.
Do not stand up for a few minutes..6. Do not worry about whether you are successful in achieving a deep level of relaxation.
Maintain a passive attitude and permit relaxation to occur at its own pace.
When distracting thoughts occur, try to ignore them by not dwelling upon them and return to repeating "ONE."
With practice, the response should come with little effort.
Practice the technique once or twice daily, but not within two hours after any meal, since the digestive processes seem to interfere with the elicitation of the Relaxation Response.
- The Relaxation Response, Herbert Benson, M.D.
Once you begin to elicit the relaxation, you may feel calmer and less anxious throughout the day, which will help you feel more in control. Enjoying life when you feel depressed, anxious, and angry much of the time is very difficult. You may remember what you felt like before you started to “try” and you may want to start feeling that way again.
Another advantage of eliciting the relaxation response is that it gives you time every day that is just for you. Most women going through or thinking about IVF tend to take care of themselves last. Between trying to keep up with work, taking care of your spouse, housekeeping, and going for seemingly endless medical tests and appointments, you tend to forget about taking care of yourself. You might feel guilty about doing things just for you, such as spending an afternoon reading a novel or soaking in the tub. Many women undergoing infertility unconsciously feel they don’t deserve things because they are angry at themselves for not getting pregnant.
All people need time for themselves
If you feel you absolutely cannot find twenty minutes every day for the relaxation response, examine your priorities. You deserve time to help yourself feel better. Look carefully at how you spend your time and on whom. The first step in having more control over your life is to make yourself more of a priority.
Elicit the relaxation response daily to help feel less anxious and more in control throughout the day. Choose a thought, word, prayer, or phrase that is calming and meaningful to you at this time in your life.
Become aware of your thoughts, feelings, emotions
Thoughts, feelings and emotions influence health. Automatic thoughts, which tend to be negative in any case, can become even more automatic and negative after months or years of not falling pregnant. Patients report automatic thoughts such as “I’ll never get pregnant, I’ll always be infertile. Why me? I’ve been a good person, She doesn’t deserve to have another child. What did I do wrong?”
Sound familiar? Stop. Take a Breath, and Reflect on your automatic thoughts. Challenge thoughts that are exaggerated, distorted simply not true.
Become aware of how belief and expectation contribute to stress.
Much of your stress may be explained by your expectation of being able to conceive at your own discretion. When this does not occur, you feel internal conflict (stress) usually manifested by feelings of loss of control over your choices, your body, and your life. As you begin to reflect on and challenge your automatic thoughts, you may notice the emergence of certain irrational (exaggerated) beliefs and/or cognitive distortions such as all-or-nothing thinking or overgeneralisation. In this case, failure to conceive within a few twenty-eight day cycles becomes “I’ll never conceive” and then being a “failure” in life. Realise these patterns and challenge them Look at what your thoughts are saying to you. See if you can challenge them and turn them into a more positive alternative, which you believe in your heart to be true.
Every women having difficulty conceiving has been told at least once “Just relax and you’ll fall pregnant,” “You’re working too hard at it,” “Go on vacation,” “Just have a glass of wine,” “Adopt, and then you’ll get pregnant right away.”
Not only are these statements offensive, hurtful and guilt-producing, they are not true. Following the suggestions here will not guarantee conception. The main reason to use these techniques is that infertility can be a very difficult experience. Most women with infertility feel anxious and depressed. Experience has shown however that women using the techniques described above feel significantly less anxious, depressed, angry and tired; they feel they have more control over their lives and can lead a more normal life.
The main thing is to stop living in twenty-eight day cycles, and start getting more enjoyment out of your life.
Focus on other goals
It is all too easy to start to centre your whole life around getting pregnant. One woman decided not to work because she wanted to be constantly available to the infertility clinic. Another woman realized she stayed with a job she hated because the hours accommodated her infertility treatment. She applied for and was awarded a promotion, found she could still pursue treatment, but was much happier in the process.
Infertility can occupy not only your time, energy, and money, but also exerts control over your body. Many women experiencing infertility tend to focus on controlling all aspects of their lives. Some feel their lives are so regulated by infertility treatments that they rebel with unhealthy habits such as smoking, frequently drinking caffeinated beverages, and not exercising. Others are very careful for the second two weeks of their cycles, but indulge themselves once their period arrives. Still others work very hard to maintain exemplary habits in an effort to increase the chance of conception.
In general, moderation is the answer
Infertility arouses many feelings of deprivation. Therefore severely restrictive diets and punishing exercise regimens are rarely productive. Approach healthy lifestyle habits with balance and perspective. Do things you enjoy and that bring you pleasure. Make choices and changes that are both healthy and emotionally acceptable.
How about. . .
- inviting your husband to take a long stroll in the moonlight
- taking a Chinese cooking course and practicing at home one night per week
- a girls' night out to visit a comedy club
- a new activity: dancing, pottery, gardening, bicycling, painting, etc.
- adopting a puppy or kitten from a local shelter
- taking a deep breath and tackling a new challenge; do something you always dreamed of but were unable to try
(This page was adapted from Mental Medicine Update, Fall 1992 – see http://www.ishk.net/mbh_newsletter.html)
Want to talk to an expert? Book with one of our practitioners for acupuncture or tailored herbal prescriptions and get your health back on track!
Should I Ice My Injury?
Ice is for dead things, treating trauma kung fu style
The Chinese martial arts know a lot about trauma medicine. A sinew-popping kick to one of the joints, punches that powder capillary beds, or broken and shattered bones from falls or weapons all are common fare. The Chinese long ago figured out how to fight with style and power. They also learned a tremendous amount about putting people back together.
Tom Bisio learned about treating trauma with Chinese methods while he was in Asia studying martial arts. That was the beginning of his interest in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and the beginning of his journey that lead him to being one of the foremost experts in the West today on using traditional methods to treat trauma.
Listen in as we discuss why ice is for dead people, and some simple things you can do to treat trauma that will help to prevent your damaged joints from being able to forecast the weather in the few years.
http://www.everydayacupuncturepodcast.com/ice-is-for-dead-people-treating-trauma-kung-fu-style/
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The Shang Han Lun
This text was published in 210 AD, and has been an important clinical handbook for every Chinese medicine practitioner ever since. Of course, in many areas Chinese medicine has progressed far beyond that time, but the formulas contained in this book remain remarkably precise and effective for today’s diseases.
Out of 113 formulas in the original text, we still use more than 100 of them! The four herbs pictured below make up one of them, a formula used for vertigo and palpitations when the tongue is pale and wet:
The formula is called Cinnamon, Licorice, Poria and Atractylodes Decoction (苓桂術甘湯).
Here is a link to the best English translation of the Shang Han Lun (just for reference – patients do not need to buy this book).
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How Do You Make A Herbal Medicinal Syrup
Lorraine Wilcox has a wonderful series of photographs in her Facebook album illustrating the way to make medicinal syrups.
She says:
Making a gāo zī 膏滋. This is 瓊玉膏 Qióng Yù Gāo (Beautiful Jade Syrup). It is the first syrup I ever made. I suggest you start with a smaller amount. It took so long to cook down! The recipe can also be found in Bensky. This is the fourth gāo I have posted. You can see, the idea is the same: Boil the herbs three times. Combine the liquids and then boil down again until it is very condensed. Be sure it is thoroughly filtered. Then add a lot of honey (often 2 parts honey for one part liquid) and cook it even further. This is the general way syrups are made. #medicinemaking #gaosyrupmaking
thttps://www.facebook.com/pg/MedicineMaking/photos/?tab=album&album_id=728347877355212
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