Articles

The winter solstice has always been celebrated in China as the resting time of the year. In winter the life energy is still underground. The Return of Light is just beginning; therefore, it must be strengthened by rest so that it will not be dissipated by being used prematurely. This principle of allowing energy that is renewing itself to be reinforced by rest, applies to all similar situations. The return of health after illness, the return of understanding after an estrangement: everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering in its due course.

The winter solstice or Dōngzhì 冬至 holds great importance in both Chinese culture and Chinese Medicine. Dongzhi literally means 'Winter's Arrival'. It is usually celebrated on December 20th or 21st, when the day is the shortest and the night the longest in the northern hemisphere, a fact known since 2500 BCE when the first sundials were used in China. The winter solstice is commonly known as the "Winter Festival" and “Festival of Extreme length” (as the sun’s extreme position lengthens shadows), and since ancient times was regarded as a major festival on par with the lunar New Year.

Winter’s stillness invites us to turn inward, reflect, and restore. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this season is governed by the Water element, symbolizing adaptability, introspection, and unseen potential. Join us as we explore how Water teaches resilience and balance, its connection to the Kidneys and Bladder, and tips for aligning with the season’s natural rhythm.

Universal Holistic Healthcare (UHH) is a 501c3, Missouri nonprofit, founded by Afua Bromley, DACM, L.Ac.,, in 2008, that works to promote integrative healthcare services to underserved and under-resourced communities both domestically in the United States and globally. Read about their 2024 update and their goals for 2025.

Acupuncturists Without Borders provided more than 1,000 treatments in response to the Southeastern US hurricane disasters. In Tijuana, increased access and services for women in Children in Mexico, and ongoing healthcare for migrant farmworkers in California. They need your help! Read on about some of their programs and how you can help this giving Tuesday.

Drops of Kindness is a non-profit community-driven care collective with two primary programs: Mothers for Mothers and Kids Club. Mothers for Mothers provides sliding scale acupuncture and doula services for Marquette County in Wisconsin. Their mission is to offer families the best possible start and to support families as they grow. Kids Club provides a safe location for preteens and teens to have healthy experiences and relationships, diverting them from drugs and troublesome situations in rural Wisconsin.

Yvonne Lau of Mayway Herbs talks with Dr. Gabriella Heinsheimer, MD and Dr. Mary Lynn Morales, L.Ac. about the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic. Learn how their amazing volunteers have treated thousands of low-income women with cancer in the San Francisco Bay Area by providing acupuncture, nutrition education, massage, yoga and more.

China Tung Hsueh Wan, also known as ‘China Unblock Blood Pills’ / Zhōngguó Tōng Xuè Wán (中國通血丸) is a modern formula particularly designed for the treatment of occasional moderate pain or chronic pain due to Blood Stagnation (or ‘stasis’) (Xuè yū/血瘀) and/or obstructed channels (Bi Syndrome 痺症) due to Blood Stagnation, perhaps combined with Cold, Wind, Damp, or Phlegm. This formula is designed to invigorate and move Blood (Xuè 血) and Qi 氣 stagnation to relieve pain, nourish Blood, and to benefit the Liver and Kidney to strengthen tendons and bones. The formula is especially appropriate following traumatic injury (Diē dǎ 跌打), post-surgery, or for old injuries and/or tissue damage often accompanied by swelling, bruising, and pain. Over time, and if left inadequately treated, the pain may become severe and debilitating.

Yin Chen Hao, Artemisia capillaris, got its name in China. Its common name is capillary wormwood. Yin Chen Hao belongs to the herb category, 'herbs that drain dampness', and it is used primarily to clear damp heat from the liver and gallbladder and to relieve jaundice. Read about the interesting herb story about Yin Chen Hao and how it got its name.

As we welcome the fall season, it’s a crucial time for harvesting many crops, including herbs. It is important to note the significant increase in herb prices in recent months driven by both natural and man-made factors, causing unpredictable supply alongside market conditions that have become steadily more challenging. This impacts worldwide consumer access to Chinese herbal medicine and poses significant challenges for the TCM herbal industry.

Jīng 精 is said to be the vital essence that sustains both physical and mental energy, forming the core of our constitutional health. According to the CM system, Jing is housed in the Kidneys, and governs growth, development, reproduction, and the aging process.Exploring the concept of Jing provides valuable clinical insights, touching on genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors that influence well-being. This article aims to delve into Jing’s significance in clinical treatment, highlighting the importance of balance to optimize health and prevent disease.

Latent heat (潜热 qiánrè) as a Chinese medicine concept has ancient origins dating to the Huangdi Nei Jing and the Shang Han Lun, first appearing in Chapters 3 and 5 of the Su Wen. It was used to explain how the exposure of a Cold pathogen, believed to occur in winter, changed to Heat in the spring. Latent Heat has developed into a useful concept to explain how Internal, Organ, or Blood Heat can arise without obvious disease proceeding through the Four Levels or Six Stages.

Ling Zhi (Reishi) is one of the most recognized Chinese herbs, both in appearance and in its many significant medicinal properties. It has been used for thousands of years to enhance health, clear mind and spirit, and to promote longevity. Ling Zhi's effects are subtle, its therapeutic results take time to show themselves, and its primary action is to strengthen and promote optimal health. Ling Zhi's most profound quality is in maintaining health and preventing illness over the span of one's life.

Mayway Herbs is pleased to introduce Plum Flower™ Revive Kidney Qi Teapills, also known as Suð Yáng Bǔ Shèn Wán 鎖陽補腎丸. Based on the classic, Cong Rong Bu Shen Wan, we have replaced Ròu cōng róng (肉蓯蓉 )/Cistanche deserticola with Suð yáng (鎖陽) /Cynomorium songaricum for sustainability reasons. Rou cong rong is a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed species. While it is listed in Appendix 2 (CITES II) which allows for limited trade requiring export/import permits, we have found it extremely difficult to acquire the necessary permits. To support sustainability and avoid stock outages, we have chosen to reformulate.

The hexagram associated with the Autumnal Equinox is #58 Lake. It is one of the eight hexagrams that are doubled trigrams, in this case Lake over Lake. The hexagram itself shows two strong lines within, expressing themselves through the medium of the gentle.