Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic treatment that has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for over 3000 years. Schools of thought behind how Chinese medicine treat the root of a concern – not the symptom – include: Yin/Yang Theory, Meridian Theory, Vital Substances, 6 Stages Theory and 5 Elements Theory. Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine utilize these theories to treat the individual.

Once a disharmony has been pinpointed by using the four examinations: Observation, Listening/smelling, Questioning, Palpation. Then treatment methods will follow (see acupuncture treatments) using very fine, thread-like needles. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is continuing to grow at a high rate within North America.

21Feb 2012

Foods to move Blood Stagnation

Stagnant Blood describes a condition where the circulation of Blood is blocked or restricted. Stagnant Blood is treated in much the same way as Stagnant Qi. It is often the result of Stagnant Qi manifesting in more tangible, physical form.

Unless there is injury, tumor or severe exhaustion, both physical and emotional movement are part of the long-term remedy.

Promoting Blood Circulation through Food

Advice for Blood Stagnation is largely the same as for Qi Stagnation. Levels of toxicity and fat stored in the blood will also contribute to stagnation, so it is generally best to support attempts to move Blood Stagnation with foods that maintain and improve Blood quality.

Note also that foods which move Blood are often warm in nature so it is important to be cautious if signs of Heat are also present. Foods which especially help move the Blood are listed below:

Amasake

Aubergine

Brown Sugar

Chestnut

Chili Pepper

Chive

Crab

Hawthorn Berry

Mustard Leaf

Onion

Peach

Scallion

Sturgeon

Vinegar

21Feb 2012

Foods to move Qi Stagnation

When the Qi moves freely our lives flow easily. We adapt to change, process difficulties and heal from illness. Sometimes the Qi can become blocked and aspects of our lives, either physical or emotional, become blocked too. At the physical … Read more

21Feb 2012

Foods to boost energy/Qi

We make qi by combining food and air. Our ability to make qi will depend partly on our physical constituion, partly on our lifestyle. In its simplest sense our qi is our available energy. We need energy for all the … Read more

21Feb 2012

Foods to Strengthen/Nourish Blood

The quality of our blood is a measure of the available nourishment circulating in our body. Blood nourishes our muscles, organs, brain, every part of us. Its quality depends on the quality of food we eat and our ability to … Read more

21Feb 2012

Foods to Remove Heat

There are several ways that we can become hot. We may suddenly contract an acute feverish illness indicating that a “hot” pathogen has penetrated our defences. If we do not expel this invasion the heat may lodge deeper in our … Read more

21Feb 2012

Foods to Nourish Yin

Yin, the water of the body, is both lubricant and fuel. When the Yin is strong all body processes are “well-oiled” and we have a good reserve of fine quality nutrients to build new tissue and repair and maintain our … Read more

29Dec 2011

Foods to Eliminate Cold

nuts

A condition of cold frequently arises from a deficiency of YANG but it is possible for cold to take hold in the body without this predisposition. Cold can literally penetrate the body from the environment and lodge there, causing contraction … Read more

12Dec 2011

Foods to Remove Dampness

Salt_and_Pepper_Shrimp_001

  For the next seven postings, we are going to look at food recommendations for your ‘root’ imbalances. Going to a TCM Doctor or Acupuncturist they will diagnose you with a specific ‘root’ behind your symptoms… these foods then go … Read more

21Nov 2011

Acupuncture and Health Care in Mexico…..

mexicoflag

By Julie Shillabeer, R.Ac When you pack up and head down to Mexico, you may ask if your allopathic and alternative health treatment needs can be met in the resort/city you’re staying in. We all know digestive issues may plague … Read more

24Oct 2011

Common Foods for Health Complaints

Chicken_Fried_Rice_003

    Below are some suggestions that may help with common health concerns. I would like to thank Henry C. Lu for them, among other Chinese physicians. Common Cold -  1)Cook noodles and add 25 g fresh onion white heads, … Read more