What’s the Deal with Food Cravings?

By |2024-04-17T08:46:51-04:00April 10th, 2024|Categories: Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the body as a complex system of energies and organs, each with its specific functions and elements. Food cravings are often interpreted as signals from the body indicating imbalances or needs within this system. In fact, food cravings can be seen as a way of self-medicating. In Five Element Theory, there are 5 flavors: Sweet, Spicy/Pungent, Salty, Sour, and Bitter. Each flavor is associated with an organ system, as well as an element, emotion and predominant function or energetic effect. To better understand your food cravings, it can be helpful to understand each flavor, [...]

Comments Off on What’s the Deal with Food Cravings?

The Organs of Fall

By |2023-10-02T12:33:49-04:00September 26th, 2023|Categories: Organ, Seasonal Changes|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of "organs" is somewhat different from that of Western medicine. TCM organs are more than just physical structures – they are functional systems with broader roles in the body's overall health. According to TCM, each season is associated with specific organs, as well as an element and emotion. The fall season is closely linked to the Lungs, along with its partner organ the Large Intestine. Both are connected to the Metal element and the emotions of grief and sadness. Emotionally and physically, the Lungs and Large Intestine are responsible for helping you “let [...]

Comments Off on The Organs of Fall

Kidney 3 – Tai Xi – 太谿 – Great Ravine

By |2022-11-15T14:06:18-05:00January 19th, 2021|Categories: Acupressure, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , |

Photo by Francesco Ungaro Named for its ravine-like location on the body, Kidney 3 lives in the inner ankle, in a depression between the medial malleolus (your ankle bone on the inside) and your achilles tendon. This is a critical point for accessing the power of the Kidney organs, addressing issues of energy levels and destiny. As you may already know, the Kidney is responsible for detoxification and maintaining fluid balance. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney is kind of like your battery pack. It also contains your genetic material (not referring to DNA – this is TCM [...]

Comments Off on Kidney 3 – Tai Xi – 太谿 – Great Ravine

Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi

By |2022-11-15T14:06:20-05:00December 1st, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, History of Acupuncture, Immunity, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , |

Immune function and strength from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective is historically fascinating as well as relatable, even after 2,500 years of medical advancement. Immunity in TCM is influenced by several factors, one of which is by our defensive Wei Qi (distinguished from other types of qi or energy thought to circulate in our system, such as nutritional qi or ancestral qi). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is thought of as its own microsystem, or more specifically its own “kingdom.” In the kingdom, every organ has a role and an assigned function. The Heart as the Ruler, [...]

Comments Off on Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi

Dear Gallbladder

By |2022-11-15T14:06:40-05:00September 9th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Mood, Organ, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

Dear Gallbladder,  I know you’re having a hard time. I’ve been putting you through the ringer lately.  You see, it’s 2020 and this year has been fraught with uncertainty. It’s requiring daily decision making to happen while also feeling courageous or fearful! It’s challenging us to take action or to risk being complacent.  The stakes of these decisions have never felt more important. As if that wasn’t enough, I’ve been examining patterns of old behavior with the lens of racial inequality AND am marinating in all of the unknowns of this pandemic, not to mention the future of our [...]

Comments Off on Dear Gallbladder
Go to Top