Ailments & Conditions, Recipes, All Things Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Blog Posts

Mindful in the Madness

Videos | June 2017

Nick explains the importance of taking some mental time out during the busy, stressful and ‘mad’ times in our lives! For more videos you can visit our YouTube channel here.

Plantar Fasciitis

Ailments & Conditions | April 2017

Plantar Fasciitis: What a pain in the ……heel! Have you ever overdone it pounding the pavement, or been on your feet all day and noticed the bottoms of your feet are aching? Then in the morning instead of feeling better … Continue reading →

Reflux

Ailments & Conditions | February 2017

Reflux: Written by an acupuncturist who gets it! Reflux occurs when stomach acid works its way into the oesophagus and often travels as far up as the throat. A minor form of reflux might be considered indigestion, perhaps causing bloating … Continue reading →

Making Chinese Herbal Medicine

Videos | February 2017

Ever wondered how your herbs are made? This short time-lapse video shows Nick making up a unique herbal formula for one of his clients in the dispensary at Gardenvale Chinese Medicine. For more videos you can visit our YouTube channel … Continue reading →

Superfood Salad

Recipes | January 2017

This vibrant salad is delicious, healthy and very easy to make. Ingredients such as lettuce, kale and spinach are rich in soluble fibre which is essential for good digestion. These greens also contain lots of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, iron, … Continue reading →

Anti-Colic Diet

Lifestyle | January 2017

Colic, or the inconsolable crying and fussing of babies, can be unsettling for both children and parents alike. Of course all babies cry, but it is considered “problem crying” if it totals three hours a day or more, more than three … Continue reading →

Cluster Migraines

Case Studies | January 2017

The client Judy is a 64-year-old woman who suffers from migraines. She presented at the clinic after a series of daily and extremely painful migraines. These clusters of migraines occur several times a year. The pain starts through the back … Continue reading →

Rice-Paper Rolls

Recipes | December 2016

Rice-paper rolls are one of our favourite dinner and lunch box solutions. Wrapped in pliable rice-paper sheets you can make rockin’ rolls with any fillings you or your family fancy, and to suit any season. Here is a delicious Vietnamese inspired recipe … Continue reading →

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Recipes | September 2016

Ingredients: 1 large head of cauliflower 3 tbs coconut oil, melted 1 tsp sea salt 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp sweet paprika 2 tsp ground coriander 1/2C tahini, plus extra for drizzling 1 handful parsley, finely chopped A squeeze … Continue reading →

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Wrist Pain

Case Studies | September 2016

  The client Jane (50) came to Gardenvale Traditional Chinese Medicine with pain and ganglions affecting both her wrists. The pain had started five months earlier and was gradually worsening. She experienced pain deep within the wrist joints, occasionally radiating up … Continue reading →

Eat the Banana

Videos | September 2016

Nick discusses why cooked and warming food is often recommended over raw food. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine dietary advice, cold and raw food can often stress the gut, especially in cold and damp weather. For more videos you can visit … Continue reading →

Chronic Pain

Ailments & Conditions | August 2016

Chronic pain in our body can present in many different areas and with varying intensity. It is common for chronic pain to be the result a specific injury such as a lower back disc trauma or arthritis, causing debilitating back and sciatic … Continue reading →

Blue Eye Trevalla with Green Beans

Recipes | August 2016

To make this a more filling main meal, add this delicious sesame salad. Ingredients: 3tbs lemon juice 6tbs extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1tbs lemon thyme leaves 300g green beans, trimmed 4 blue eye trevalla steaks 2tbs light olive oil … Continue reading →

Sesame salad

Recipes

This light and tasty salad is great on its own or when added to a main, such as our blue eye trevalla with green beans recipe! Ingredients: 4tbs olive oil 1tbs soy sauce 1tsp sesame oil 2tbs lime juice 1tsp sugar … Continue reading →

Asian Infused Swordfish with Greens

Recipes | July 2016

Ingredients: 300g assorted Asian greens such as bok choy, choy sum, snow peas or bean shoots 4 swordfish steaks 4 stems coriander 8 kaffir lime leaves 4 stalks lemongrass, halved 4 green chillies, sliced Pepper and lime to serve Method: … Continue reading →

Warming Winter Breakfast

Recipes

We all know the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, and it’s true! A good breakfast provides energy and improves concentration, learning and creativity. Eating a nutritious breakfast can even help with weight loss, as it kickstarts … Continue reading →

Premenstrual Depression

Ailments & Conditions | May 2016

Do you know about premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD or PMDD) is a condition where not only common pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) such as pain and breast swelling are experienced but also depression and/or anxiety. This change in mood … Continue reading →

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Ailments & Conditions

The following blog post is an academic article I wrote for my Masters of Health Science (Traditional Chinese Medicine) degree. It explains the TCM approach to treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Provide Primary Treatment for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? … Continue reading →

Chilli Con Carne

Recipes | April 2016

The herbs in this dish clear the lungs and the digestive system. The beef and beans warm and build yin. Serves 4 Ingredients: 500g borlotti beans, soaked overnight and drained 300g steak, chopped into small cubes 2 onions, chopped 3 … Continue reading →

Salmon and watercress salad

Recipes | March 2016

Watercress is perfect in autumn as it strengthens your lungs, Qi and Yin. It can help relieve a dry, sore throat, phlegmy coughs, restlessness and even grumpiness. Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, skin off 600g potatoes 150g flat beans, … Continue reading →

Shingles

Ailments & Conditions | March 2016

Shingles and Traditional Chinese Medicine Shingles is a viral infection called herpes zoster. It occurs after someone has contracted the chicken pox virus. This will not happen straight away but often a number of years later. Shingles will originate in … Continue reading →

Popular Pad Thai – the healthy version

Recipes | February 2016

Pad Thai is popular because it tastes great! Here’s Michelle Bridges’ healthy homemade take on what’s often a rather greasy and fatty restaurant choice. Instead, this nutritious version can easily be converted into a vegetarian or allergy friendly meal, and a … Continue reading →

Prostate Cancer

Ailments & Conditions | February 2016

The following blog post is an academic article I wrote for my Masters of Health Science (Traditional Chinese Medicine) degree. It explains the TCM approach to treating prostate cancer. Traditional Chinese Medicine playing an active supportive care role for prostate … Continue reading →

Basil and tomato salad

Recipes | December 2015

Basil is a wonderful herb to eat in summer as it is cooling and drying. The combination of tomatoes, olives and vinegar in this recipe encourages energy down and enhances the cooling effect. Ingredients: 3 cups basil leaves, torn in half … Continue reading →

Parsley Salad

Recipes | December 2015

Parsley is a wonderful herb to eat in summer because of its detoxifying qualities. Eating parsley is a fantastic way to naturally fight the germs that thrive in the warmth of summer. Parsley is also useful in removing damp heat, … Continue reading →

Post Viral Cough

Case Studies | November 2015

The client Susan, a healthy and relatively fit 53 year old woman, presented with a cough that had annoyed her for 15 weeks. Initially she had contracted a common cold, which included the symptoms of fever, headache, sore throat and … Continue reading →

Tasty Tabouli

Recipes | November 2015

Tabouli is one of our favourite salads and a delicious accompaniment to almost any meat or meal. Tabouli is traditionally made from cracked wheat in the form of cous cous or bulghur, but can just as easily be made with wheat and … Continue reading →

Watermelon and feta salad

Recipes | November 2015

Watermelon is a great treat on a hot summer’s day. Sweet and cooling, watermelon benefits the bladder and spleen, encourages urination and eases sore throats. Mint has aromatic and cool properties. Eating mint can help with diarrhea, painful menstruation and … Continue reading →

Cancer

Ailments & Conditions | November 2015

Can Chinese medicine treat cancer? Nearly all of us are affected by cancer at some stage of our lives. Whether it be someone close to home or an extended family member or friend, we are never far away from someone … Continue reading →

Spring Has Sprung!

Lifestyle | August 2015

Finally we can wake and shake off the dregs of the cold damp winter. The arrival of spring brings warmer temperatures and less frost, the trees begin to bud and flower and the grass starts to grow. In Chinese medicine … Continue reading →

Simple Spring Stir-fry

Recipes | August 2015

Seasonal vegetables with rice or noodles are a healthy food option in any season. With spring on the way, it’s a great time to try this delicious and easy recipe with fresh spring vegetables. Sesame oil is strengthening and calming … Continue reading →

What to Eat for Winter and Warmth?

Recipes | July 2015

Living in a temperate climate, as we do in Melbourne, means we have four relatively distinct seasons. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) living in sync with the seasons and your external environment is important for optimal health and wellbeing. … Continue reading →

Lamb Rogan Josh

Recipes | June 2015

This is a perfect winter dish! With its simple mix of meat and spices it’s not only delectable but will nourish and warm you (and Josh, whoever he is..?) deep from the inside. Lamb warms your digestive system and directs … Continue reading →

Cupping & Spooning

All Things Chinese Medicine | June 2015

You may have come across the terms “cupping” or “spooning”. And you may have come across friends, people, or even pictures of celebrities flashing peculiar looking round marks on their bodies, especially their backs. And you may be wondering what … Continue reading →

Common Sense To Beat The Common Cold

Lifestyle | May 2015

Did you know you have ‘wind points’ at the back of your neck and at the base of your skull? This is usually not common knowledge. However, according to Traditional Chinese medicine these ‘wind points’ are commonly affected by over-exposure … Continue reading →

Mushroom and barley pilaf

Recipes | April 2015

Mushrooms are terrific in autumn as they remove phlegm and toxins. They also relieve fatigue and boost energy. Barley is also an energy booster and improves physical strength. It can also help with indigestion and diarrhea. Thyme can ease the … Continue reading →

Auto Immune Disorders

Ailments & Conditions | April 2015

We are seeing an increasing rate of clients with auto immune disorders in the clinic. The most common is rheumatoid arthritis, which is associated with very painful joints and acute degenerative changes in the skeletal structure. Other common auto immune … Continue reading →