 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a form of holistic medicine that has been used in China for thousands of years. It is based on the concept of qi, which is considered to be the vital energy that flows through the body, and it seeks to balance and harmonise the body, mind, and spirit. TCM is composed of several elements that work together to promote health and well-being. In this article, we will discuss the five elements and their role in TCM.
People who have a dominant wood element tend to be ambitious, assertive, and goal-oriented. However, when the wood element is imbalanced, it can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment. Physical symptoms associated with an imbalanced wood element include migraines, digestive issues, and menstrual irregularities.
People who have a dominant fire element tend to be passionate, expressive, and sociable. However, when the fire element is imbalanced, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. Physical symptoms associated with an imbalanced fire element include heart palpitations, sweating, and high blood pressure.
People who have a dominant earth element tend to be nurturing, caring, and grounded. However, when the earth element is imbalanced, it can lead to feelings of worry, overthinking, and digestive issues. Physical symptoms associated with an imbalanced earth element include bloating, diarrhea, and fatigue.
People who have a dominant metal element tend to be organised, detail-oriented, and disciplined. However, when the metal element is imbalanced, it can lead to feelings of grief, sadness, and respiratory issues. Physical symptoms associated with an imbalanced metal element include coughing, asthma, and constipation.
People who have a dominant water element tend to be introspective, intuitive, and resilient. However, when the water element is imbalanced, it can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, and insecurity. Physical symptoms associated with an imbalanced water element include urinary issues, lower back pain, and reproductive issues. The Five Elements in TCM Diagnosis TCM practitioners use the five elements to diagnose and treat imbalances in the body. By understanding which element is dominant and which is imbalanced, the TCM practitioner identifies patterns of disharmony and may use a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine to re establish correct function. Look around, once you understand the concept of the 5 Elements you will see them in action all around you, every day in all aspects of your daily life. To learn more or you are interested in finding out if acupuncture and chinese medicine is the right fit for you make sure you seek a registered practitioner.
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 Are you thinking about starting a family? Preconception care can be an important step in maximizing your overall health and increasing your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Did you know that it takes approximately 100 days for an egg to mature before it's released for fertilization? That means what you do today can affect your chances of conceiving several months down the line.
One way to optimize your preconception health is to seek advice from an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist. These practitioners can help identify any patterns of disharmony in your body that may be disrupting your fertility. Chinese medicine views the body as a whole system, where imbalances in one area can affect the entire body. By addressing these imbalances, you can improve your overall health and increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It has been shown to help regulate the menstrual cycle, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, and reduce stress and anxiety - all of which can help improve fertility. Chinese herbs can also be prescribed to help balance the body's energy and support reproductive health. In addition to seeking guidance from an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist, there are several other steps you can take to optimize your preconception health:
 In supporting Natural Medicine Week I would like to weave you a story. Quite co-incidentally it was two years ago this week I was witness to the most beautiful and profound moment as my youngest grandson was born peacefully into this world. Quietly, safely in the comfort of my daughters lounge room at a planned homebirth. I have so many memories of this day. The room was calm, the light dim. There were fairy lights strung around the room, music in the background. I remember at some point in time I think everyone present was humming along, I clearly remember quite a bit of Missy Higgins. There is a wonderful photo, my daughter resting on the edge of the birthpool, her husband sitting on the floor beside her and the Midwives sitting on the lounge drinking tea. Their nearly 4 year old played with his toys on the floor and at one stage the cat walked past unconcerned. It really was a family affair. After the birth, while my daughter was resting, I got busy in the kitchen cooking a nourishing post partum soup for her. Something easy to heat up and sip at any time, no thought required. Like the atmosphere and the music that day, the smell of this soup takes me back into that room, every time. One of the Midwives commented on how good it smelled and what a practical idea. I include this recipe here. It's a variation on a soup I often prepare for my Post Partum mothers.The ingredients simple but so nourishing for those early days. The ham hock with all it's gelatinous goodness, the ginger to warm, the fresh vegetables and barley for recovery and milk production. I hope you can feel the love, ENJOY!   In supporting Natural Medicine Week I would like to weave you a story. Quite co-incidentally it was two years ago this week I was witness to the most beautiful and profound moment as my youngest grandson was born peacefully into this world. Quietly, safely in the comfort of my daughters lounge room at a planned homebirth. I have so many memories of this day. The room was calm, the light dim. There were fairy lights strung around the room, music in the background. I remember at some point in time I think everyone present was humming along, I clearly remember quite a bit of Missy Higgins. There is a wonderful photo, my daughter resting on the edge of the birthpool, her husband sitting on the floor beside her and the Midwives sitting on the lounge drinking tea. Their nearly 4 year old played with his toys on the floor and at one stage the cat walked past unconcerned. It really was a family affair. After the birth, while my daughter was resting, I got busy in the kitchen cooking a nourishing post partum soup for her. Something easy to heat up and sip at any time, no thought required. Like the atmosphere and the music that day, the smell of this soup takes me back into that room, every time. One of the Midwives commented on how good it smelled and what a practical idea. I include this recipe here. It's a variation on a soup I often prepare for my Post Partum mothers.The ingredients simple but so nourishing for those early days. The ham hock with all it's gelatinous goodness, the ginger to warm, the fresh vegetables and barley for recovery and milk production. I hope you can feel the love, ENJOY!  The journey to falling pregnant is not always as smooth as it could be. In order to conceive, your body and your partners body should be in good reproductive health. This is true both physically and emotionally. Sometimes your cycle and hormones need regulating. Sometimes your timing needs tweaking. Sometimes your stress and anxiety levels have been so high for so long you are literally exhausted and your body needs help recovering. As a graduate of the Fertile Life programme, Rhonwen from Bodycraft Health Solutions is in an ideal position to help you by offering an integrated approach. Using Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as a basis and western medicine results and diagnosis to fine tune the treatment plan, Rhonwen provides a comprehensive treatment strategy and is able to demonstrate positive progress via charting and test results. Find more information at www.bodycraftacupuncture.com/fertility.html Or find me on Facebook @bodycrafthealthsolutions To read more about the Fertile Life Method click this link fertilelife.com.au/   The segment on last Sunday nights ( Feb. 9th 2019 ) 60 Minutes programme regarding the use of Over The Counter supplements and Chinese Medicine gives me an excellent opportunity to discuss the procedures involved in prescribing Chinese herbal Medicine to patients. My Qualifications: As the holder of a Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine I am registered with AHPRA - the regulating agency for all Australian Health Practitioners - and overseen by the Chinese Medicine Board. I am specifically registered for Herbal Medicine dispensing. In 2018 I completed a 3 year post graduate study of classical Chinese Medicine and as part of the AHPRA conditions need to complete professional education points each year. I also belong to ATMS which is my professional association. More About the Herbs. Herbs used by AHPRA registered practitioners are imported into Australia under the guidelines of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ). The processing of the herbs themselves is stringent. Any herbs used in my practice adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice ( GMP ). The raw product has production certification from their place of origin and during the manufacturing process of the granulated product testing is rigorous. Ensuring stability of the product, purity and safety. Each batch finishes with a Certificate of Analysis. The prescription process. The formulas are prescribed and dispensed as MEDICINE. They are prescribed to an individual patient based on a detailed case history and signs and symptoms presenting. It is NOT a one size fits all situation, that is the beauty of Chinese Medicine, it is individually tailored to you. Care of Patient. Follow up appointments allow me to assess the efficacy of the formula I have prescribed. Sometimes a formula needs to be altered or changed completely and these visits allow this to happen. It is not within the scope of our practice to suggest or recommend you discontinue any prescription medication you may be taking from your GP or other medical specialist. A word on supplements. My suggestion would be to purchase vitamins and supplements from a practitioner preferably one who has done a case history on you. That way you know you are getting the correct supplement that is right for your particular requirements. These products can be expensive and by getting professional advice you can be sure your hard earned dollars are focussed in the right direction. Take away points : ALWAYS make sure your Herbalist is registered with the appropriate authority. In the case of Chinese Medicine - AHPRA. Your herbal prescription is just that , a herbal medicine formula prescribed by a practitioner with specific education and training in that field. If you are currently taking medication or under the care of a medical professional please do NOT stop taking your medication. Chinese Herbal Medicine is a COMPLIMENTARY therapy and often the best approach is a combination of western and chinese medicine.   "The Golden Month"
"Confinement" "Lying in" Call it what you will, this is a period of 30 -40 days after the birth of your baby when you need to allow your body to recover. This is a concept that has been lost in our modern western society. Look at the terms above, they sound "old fashioned" don't they?, something from Victorian times. The modern woman is encouraged to get up and get back to normal as soon as possible after the birth. Anything less is almost seen as a weakness. We are bombarded with celebrities hitting the gym to regain their pre baby bodies, dieting to lose that baby weight and getting back to work within a few short weeks.. Of course you CAN do these things, of course you can cope, you are not an invalid however it is worth considering the significant effort growing, maintaing and birthing this baby has cost your body. This is a time to be kind to yourself. Ask for and accept help from family and friends. Rest physically and mentally when you can. Gentle exercise, yoga, stretching, walking. Leave high intensity workouts for later. Fuel your body. Chinese medicine sees this as a time of general deficiency, so you need food to tonify and boost your depleted system. Cooked foods ( go easy on the raw, cold foods and salads) lots of green leafy vegetables. Soups, stews and casseroles made with bones and vegetables,include some ginger. Avoid wind and cold - yes, its a thing! Why make your bodies immune system work harder now than it really needs to?? These are just some thoughts I had. This can be quite a comprehensive subject and I'm happy to expand on any self care questions you may have. Its a subject I care about, reward yourself with a " Golden Month " and reap the rewards later by being less fatigued later. So with cold and flu season about to hit I thought I would put down some thoughts.
Will Chinese medicine "CURE" my cold? In all honesty the answer is No. You already have the cold, its a virus. You have it because you were exposed to the virus and your immune system was not strong enough to stop it manifesting as symptoms like runny nose, chills, fever, cough etc. Fever is your body's way of mounting an attack to fight off the virus. That is what its designed for. If you suppress the fever with an over the counter medication or NSAID then it may take your body longer to complete its attack. Acupuncture and herbal medicine, along with some self care, may enhance your immune system to allow your body to do its job a bit more effectively and therefore shorten the duration of your cold or flu. self care ideas - Stay warm, this means you are not using up internal resources that may be better utilized fighting your virus. Ginger and honey tea, the ginger helps warm you from the inside while the honey soothes the sore throat. Rest - you know you can do it! Also to allow your body to focus on fighting off the virus. My best advice is GET ONTO IT STRAIGHT AWAY , the earlier you start the shorter your symptoms. I speak from experience as only last week I fended off the worst of a cold , sure I had symptoms for about 48hrs but a cold often lasts a lot longer than that , right? |
Rhonwen Warland
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