Chinese Medicine For Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an umbrella term for 2 different conditions that both feature chronic inflammation of the digestive tract: Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis Note: IBD is very different to ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome’ or IBS, which is a non-specific diagnosis often given to people with digestive problems once Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other conditions […]

Treatment for Cystitis and UTIs

Chinese Medicine For Cystitis And Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Infections of the urinary tract such as cystitis are not generally considered serious conditions, but can be painful and can have a big impact on quality of life, especially when they re-occur often. Luckily, Chinese medicine can help to both treat and prevent cystitis and other UTIs. Chinese Medicine For Cystitis And Other UTIs Chinese […]

Recommended Reading: Cultured Club by Dearbhla Reynolds

As you may know, I’m a big fan of fermented foods and home fermenting… and I think I might just have a new favorite book on the subject! ‘The Cultured Club’ by Dearbhla Reynolds is everything you want from a cook book. Simple, easy to follow recipes, well laid out, and with beautiful photography. Simple […]

6 Week Experiments: An Alternative To New Year Resolutions

I’m not a fan of New Year Resolutions, so this year, as every year, I haven’t made any. I’m trying something different instead…. I’m going to try a number of 6 week experiments. The idea is simple. Pick something that I think could be useful, helpful​​​ or healthy – or something that I’m not sure […]

Recommended Reading: The Headspace Guide to Mindfulness & Meditation by Andy Puddicombe

One line summary: A non-hippy, non-religious, easy to read introduction to mindfulness and meditation, even for those who have tried before and decided it wasn’t for them Andy Puddicombe is the brains (and voice) behind the excellent Headspace app, which I have used for a while now. He was brought up in Bristol (UK) and […]

Acupressure Treatment For Pain

Acupressure and tuina (the Chinese massage style which incorporates acupressure) have a wide range of uses, but they are both most well known for their effect on pain. In my Bristol Chinese medicine clinic, I frequently use acupressure/tuina for pain of all kinds, and find it to be very effective. So I thought I’d share […]

Recipe: Egyptian Lentils

This is a lovely dish that I’ve been having for breakfast recently. I first came across it an old vegetarian recipe book, where it was called ‘Egyptian-style Lentils’. Having never been to Egypt, I can’t vouch for its origins, but it tastes great! Ingredients (4 portions) 225g puy or green lentils 1-2 large red chilis […]

Beginner’s Fermentation: The Basics

What Is Fermentation? Fermentation is the name given to the action of bacteria, yeasts or other microorganisms. During the process carbohydrates are converted into either alcohol or organic acids under anaerobic conditions. Fermentation will sometimes happen spontaneously, and can also be encouraged! Types Of Fermentation There are broadly 2 types of fermentation – Wild ferments […]

Fibromyalgia treatment with Chinese Medicine

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition involving pain and other symptoms such as tiredness, increased sensitivity to gentle touch, weakness of the limbs, sleep problems, anxiety, depression and muscle spasms. Difficulty concentrating and problems with the memory are also common – this is often referred to as ‘brain fog’ or ‘fibro-fog’. The clinical picture varies tremendously […]