Kitchen herbs: Fennel Seed

In the Mediterranean, Fennel seed has traditionally been as popular as a medicinal herb as it has been as a cooking herb. It excels as a digestive and urinary tonic. Acting on the digestive system it relieves flatulence, abdominal distention and dull pain. In Chinese terms it can be said to warm the middle and […]

Qigong controls glucose in type 2 diabetes

It is rare to see a well designed, randomized controlled study on qigong, and it is nice to see that the benefits of this ancient health art are being shown by modern scientific studies. This recent study, published in American journal ‘Daibetes Care’, looked at 251 adults with type 2 diabetes, and assigned them randomly […]

Boost Energy Levels with Diet

It should be no surprise that what we eat makes a massive difference to our energy levels. After all, food is our fuel. Using the knowledge and theories of Chinese Medicine, it is possible to determine the best energy-boosting foods for our own circumstances. According to Chinese medicine, our day to day Qi energy is […]

Calendula (Marigold) – The Perfect Herb?

This year I would like to encourage you to grow some Calendula (Pot Marigold) along with me. In my view, it ticks all the boxes for a herb to grow at home. I only have a small garden, so every plant needs to earn its keep. Calendula does so admirably – it has beautiful flowers, […]

Burning moxa

Moxibustion

Moxibustion refers to the burning of Chinese Mugwort (or Moxa) – normally as an accompanyment to acupuncture or tui na in order to provide a gentle source of heat. It can be used as a way of stimulating acupoints, or used to warm a whole area. There are a few ways of using moxa – […]

Kitchen Herbs: Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most useful culinary herbs for warming and stimulating the Yang. It is used to improve circulation, dispel Cold and relieve chills and also to strengthen the Qi in cases of exhaustion and debility. In Chinese medicine the bark is called Rou Gui and the twigs are called Gui Zhi. It […]

‘Knee and Back’ Soup

This is a soup to strengthen the knees and back. Chronic weakness, pain or slow healing of the knees and/or lower back can be related to the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine. This soup recipe contains ingredients traditionally used to strengthen the Kidneys, and reinforce the knees and back. It also helps to circulate Qi and […]

Year of The Tiger

Year Of The Tiger: Feb 14th is Chinese New Year, and we are entering the volatile, unpredictable and dynamic Year of the Tiger. You may think that 2009 had its upheavals, but the Chinese Zodiac perdicts more of the same for 2010. In the year of the tiger we can expect to see extremes. This […]

Acupoints: Liver 3 – ‘Great Rushing’

Known by acupuncturists in New York as ‘The Urban Stress Point’, this acupoint on the top of the foot is one of the most popular points for dealing with stress. In Chinese Medicine terms it helps to ‘spread the Liver Qi’ – this means that it deals with Qi stagnation, which can cause symptoms such […]