Digestion

Self-healing principles are about making small changes consistently, keeping promises we make for ourselves, learning to set clear boundaries, and healing our relationship with food. The key here is small bites - these aren’t promises like hitting the gym every day; it’s small promises like making the bed every day and something we can surely follow through on. The act of doing it helps to rewire the brain and invite the Yi back to the center again because we are no longer denying our own needs.

Food stagnation corresponds to indigestion or an upset stomach. Food stagnation is not a disease but rather a variety of symptoms that are experienced; including mild abdominal pain or cramping and a feeling of fullness soon after eating. This article covers three popular formulas for Food Stagnation; find out which formula is best for you and your patients.

Obesity (fei pang 肥胖) is on the rise worldwide and is the most common nutrition related disorder in the developed world. Most commonly it is associated with an increase in the energy value and quantity of food consumed, coupled with a decrease in activity.

This easy chart shows 13 popular digestive formulas and how to use them including pin yin name, alternate name, functions, indications, typical tongue and pulse, and the ingredients so you can select the best formulas for your patients with ease!

The primary goal of Zi Sheng Wan is to strengthen Spleen Qi and specifically the Spleen's ability to transform food and transport fluids, thus invigorating digestive function and increasing the absorption of nutrients. Secondarily it eliminates the blockage of food stagnation and dampness that has accumulated in the Stomach and Intestines due to the improperly digested food, and clears heat or damp-heat that may have been generated from the chronic stagnation.

This goji, red dates, angelica and lamb soup recipe is from Zhang Zhongjing’s "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet". It has the therapeutic effects of nourishing Qi and Blood, warming the Heart and Kidney, strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, and strengthening the body, making it a very suitable tonic for winter.

Huang Bai Summer Soup is a simple and nourishing soup that is perfect to clear Summer Heat and strengthen the middle Jiao. Making use of the corn cob after cutting off the kernels, in combination with the sweet crispness of carrots and sharpness of dried ginger make for a balanced and nutrient-rich treat.

No matter your type or time of travel, the family First-Aid kit is an essential item. Though the standard First-aid kit contains the usual emergency care items, traditional Chinese medicine has its own special list of medicines to address common health issues that can come up during many adventures. Over the decades of teaching traditional Chinese herbal medicine, countless students have asked me to share my list of recommended herbal formulations to always have on hand. The Plum Flower® Travel Kit includes covers the most common emergency needs.

Rice congee, or porridge, is a traditional staple of Cantonese cuisine eaten in the morning hours, between 7-11 AM, when the Stomach and Spleen Qi are ready for nourishment, gently warming the digestive system and preparing us for the day’s opportunity. It is also a recuperative food that can be supportive to recovery following a long period of illness.

In the modern clinic, Si Ni San is used for Liver Qi stagnation patterns with cold extremities, stress, emotional upset and digestive disturbance. Key symptoms include digestive issues in a patient with cold hands and feet where the cold is usually limited to the fingers and toes and doesn’t extend past the wrists or ankles, symptoms are worsened by strong emotions and stress, and are accompanied by a wiry pulse and a red tongue.

Adzuki (sometimes spelled aduki) beans are the Chinese herb Chi xiao dou: sweet, sour and neutral to slightly cold, they drain dampness and heat from the body. When balanced with warming vegetables and spices, Chi xiao dou prevents the curry from being overly warming and helps the body drain excessive dampness, something commonly needed as we transition from winter to spring.

According to Chinese medicine, Miso is neutral to cool, sweet and salty in nature, promotes Blood circulation and regulates the water passageways, detoxifies, nourishes Yin and tonifies the Spleen and Kidney.

The role of the triple heater is a complicated one. Elisabeth’s study of the Neijing texts allows us to start by defining the fu , their shared functions, extent of those roles, and the connections between the fu.

Constipation (bian bi 便秘) is difficulty in passing stools, prolonged intervals between stools, or a desire to defecate without the ability to do so partially or completely. The stools may be hard, dry and pebble like, or essentially normal (that is, moist and well formed).