Ailments & Conditions, Recipes, All Things Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Blog Posts
Acupuncture for lower back pain. Demonstrated by an acupuncturist who gets it. Acupuncture does not always have to be local or the site of the pain. Points are used distally or in different areas of the body. This can render a better result for pain relief. This treatment can avoid having to take clothes off
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When is it appropriate to take antibiotics? How to know if your infection is viral or bacterial.
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Hi it’s Jane and Nick from Gardenvale Chinese Medicine. When it comes to menopause, we women have to deal with dry, irritated vaginas, night sweats, irritability and so forth… I thought male menopause meant you get to date young girls and drive motorbikes. But Nick would like to talk to us today about this very
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Bone Broth As the days grow shorter and the air becomes cooler, many of us naturally seek warmth and nourishment to support our health. One timeless tradition — cherished both in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and increasingly recognised by Western medicine — is starting the morning with a warm cup of bone broth. I personally
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Bone broth is rich with minerals and proteins. These assist to strengthen joints and muscles, as well as reduce any inflammation. In addition, collagen is responsible for healing the lining of the gut and will strengthen the digestive system as well as increase metabolism. The immune system will also be strengthened as collagen promotes the
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Chronic Pain Chronic pain, something many of us have or currently deal with, is a challenge! Not only a physical one, but also mental and emotional. So when is it considered chronic? When it has persisted beyond normal tissue healing time. According to the international association it’s generally 3 months… but I would consider a
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Chronic pain in can present in many different areas and with varying intensity. Chronic pain, usually present for a number of months, is often the result a specific injury, such as: lower back muscle strain or disc damage arthritis sciatic pain nerve impingement But it also might happen because of a treatment or procedure. An
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Facial Mapping: What Your Breakouts Reveal In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the face reflects our inner health. The skin is considered a messenger, revealing imbalances within the body’s organ systems. When breakouts appear in specific regions of the face, they are rarely random. Instead, they often point to patterns of disharmony that TCM practitioners have
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Ingreadients 2 table spoons of cacao (high in Largine) Handful of walnuts (high in omega 3) Goji berries (high in antioxidants) 3g MACA root veg (enhances and regulates hormones) Banana (Vit B and magnesium) Almond milk or coconut water Method Blend ingredients together and enjoy Trying to conceive? Find out how acupuncture and Chinese
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The Liver and your Tendons Why Looking After Your Liver Keeps Your Tendons Happy – A Chinese Medicine Perspective When it comes to tendon pain or injury, most people think about stretching, massage, or maybe supplements like magnesium or collagen. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we also look at what’s happening internally—and one of
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That persistent Melbourne cold loves to make its way into our bodies and lodge deep into our muscles and channels. Feeling creaky and stiff in the morning? Cold fingers and toes? Slow digestion? You may have Cold in your channels. Cold can also make its way into our bodies through diet: raw, cold, and energetically cold foods (such
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TCM Body Clock Do you find yourself waking up at the same time every night—sometimes wide awake, sometimes restless, sometimes anxious or overheated? In Chinese Medicine, this isn’t random. It could be your body trying to tell you something. So, what does the TCM Body Clock tell us about your body? According to the TCM
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An emotion experienced by most of us at some point in our lives, anxiety is often perceived as a negative force that causes distress. However, it is a complex emotion with a dual nature. While it indeed can be debilitating and harmful, it can also be a catalyst for personal growth, heightened awareness, and improved
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Check out this healthy breakfast snack from Teresa Cutter. It ticks all the Chinese Medicine boxes. http://www.thehealthychef.com/2012/07/apple-cinnamon-breakfast-cookie/
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This recipe is sure to shake the winter chills and fight off those lingering germs. Recipe from http://www.elanaspantry.com Serves 6 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt 2 large leeks, white and green parts, sliced 1 bunch collards 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced (plus more to taste) 2
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Here’s a ‘sweet’ idea for your weekend breakfast cook up Makes 24 pancakes Ingredients: 3 cups blanched almond flour ½ cup heavy cream 8 eggs ½ cup salted butter, melted ¼ cup agave nectar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 pinch celtic sea salt Butter for frying Method: In a Vitamix, combine
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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. Each season we’re blessed with a variety of delicious and healthy fruits and vegetables. Many
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Chinese medicine has an interesting approach to food and eating for better health…
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In addition to acupuncture, Chinese Medicine includes a range of treatment options including herbal medicine, diet therapy, cupping and acupressure. Acupressure involves the stimulation of acupuncture points by fingers, hands and elbows. Acupressure can be applied at home to keep up momentum in between treatments. Acupressure can also be used by partners to help their
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Rest & Restore We’ve talked about the importance of movement in your daily routine and its effect on multiple systems in your body…. but what about in between movement and work?Recovery. Renewal. Restoration. Rebuilding…. Rest. Rest is essential to the functionality of our bodies and minds. Yet, resting is not just napping. There are many
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An attempt to explain Traditional Chinese Medicine – Part 1 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a unique system of health. It evolved over thousands of years in China, stemming from the Taoist philosophy. TCM looks at health as a system of balance. If the balance is comprised in any way this may lead to ill
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The concept of a ‘lingering pathogen’ has been around for a long time in Chinese Medicine. It applies when you haven’t been able to shake that cold or flu, or you haven’t fully recovered or simply not felt quite right since getting a ‘bug’ a few months ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using the modalities
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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 to cold and wind, and this can be the precursor to catching the common cold.
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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 the season of spring relates to a Yang energy, which creates a growing upward and
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This stir-fry is perfect for spring. For this time of year steaming, stir frying or sautéing vegetables rather then baking is preferable. This will ensure food maintains it’s spring vitality. Spring is the season of the liver. The sesame oil will help to strengthen and calm the liver while the mushrooms will help support digestion.
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When you are reaching for your next coffee, perhaps stop and ask yourself “what is your body really trying to tell you?” If you’re tired and looking for an energy boost, I suggest you try 15 minutes of lying down with your eyes closed, that’s what I do. Alternatively, try a five minute walk with some deep belly breathing. Oxygen always helps fatigue.
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Previously we’ve discussed weight training and exercise during our menstrual cycle, today I’d like to talk about how food can help keep our hormones in balance.
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At the clinic, I meet lots of young girls who have been put on the oral contraceptive pill (referred to as the pill from here). I also meet lots more women who want to come off the pill after being on it from since they were teenagers and are now in their 30’s and want
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Here is a little something about how sperm is made, some tips so you can make it better for conception, some advice so you can avoid conception and a joke. How is sperm made? Sperm are made in the male gonads (testes). These organs hang outside the scrotum as sperm like to be kept a
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What is a BBT Chart: Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting was first identified in the 1930s as a rhythm method of birth control. With the addition of monitoring cervical fluid and cervical positioning, the rhythm method of contraception upheld a 98% success rate. This newfound fertility awareness opened up a wealth of information to increase
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A sign saying menopause approaching warning for the symptoms including weight gain
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The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that work together to rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. Think of it as your body’s waste disposal system, constantly working behind the scenes to keep you healthy. One of the primary functions of the lymphatic system is to transport
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This vibrant, golden-hued spice, derived from the Curcuma longa plant, has been cherished for centuries, particularly in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Beyond its culinary uses in curries and teas, turmeric boasts a remarkable array of health benefits that have captured the interest of scientists and health enthusiasts. In Traditional Chinese medicine – we love
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Inflammation is something that comes up quite a lot in clinic. So let’s dive in to learn a little bit more about it, and some ways that we can try to minimise it in our daily lives. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to protect itself from harm. It involves the activation of immune cells,
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We tend to be more susceptible to colds during winter, as the wind and cold can force our immune system to work harder than it is used to. The nature of cold is slow and constricting and this can occur on a physiological level as it constricts our blood vessels and impacts circulation, leading to
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Are you experiencing irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping at night, mood swings and approaching your forties? You may be approaching perimenopause or menopause. Menopause is a natural process that occurs when a woman stops having periods permanently and cannot become pregnant naturally. Perimenopause means ‘around menopause’ and indicates the time in which
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This Dill and Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side salad! This Dill and Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Not only is it delicious, but it also has medicinal properties as well! In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the cucumber is known for its cool nature, giving it the ability to
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Need some breakfast inspiration? Nutritionist Margo White has created fruity baked oats that the whole family can enjoy! Ingreadients 2 cups oats 2 cups milk (coconut, almond, cows, soy) 1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs I grated zucchini (extra nutrition and you can’t taste it) 2 tbsp hemp seeds 1 mashed banana 1/4 cup maple syrup
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At Gardenvale Chinese Medicine, we sometimes use ear seeds as an adjunct to acupuncture. An adhesive plaster with a small bead is placed over the acupuncture points on the external surface of the ear. Ear seeds can also be great for children or if you would prefer not to have needles. Most of you will be
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Soda Noodle Salad Recipe This delicious Soba Noodle Salad recipe, courtesy of the amazing Margo White, is a must-try! Ingredients Noodle Salad Peanut Sauce Method And lastly, enjoy your delicious Soba Noodle Salad! – Margo
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Sinuses dripping or blocked? A heavy full head, unclear thinking, a groggy mind, constantly holding onto tissues… dripping or blocked sinuses affects our work, our social lives, and our physical and mental wellbeing. How can acupuncture and Chinese medicine help? We look into why your sinuses are excessively filling up and target the root cause.
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Grief is complex and layered, and each person experiences it differently. The intention of this blog post is to show how Chinese Medicine may help to support you after pregnancy loss, stillbirth, recovery from childbirth, and to care for your future fertility. Move gently and be kind to yourself. This guide is general in nature
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Iron deficiency affects 15% of premenopausal women in Australia. Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, weakness, headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, restless legs syndrome, chest pain, a fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath. How do I know what my iron levels are? Some people may not know their iron stores are
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If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen ear seeds everywhere. From influencers claiming they help sculpt the jawline and reduce facial puffiness to wellness enthusiasts using them for stress relief, ear seeds have quickly become one of the biggest trends in holistic health. But while social media has made
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