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Tag: TCM

  • 24 Springtime TCM Recipes

    24 Springtime TCM Recipes

    When focusing on whole-body health in my acupuncture practice, this time of year (especially in Duluth) calls for some beneficial spring TCM recipes to give us a boost during the change of seasons. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element and the Liver and Gallbladder. Like a tree that grows upward and outward, Liver qi rises and spreads throughout the body. When this energy flows freely, we feel motivated, adaptable, and ready to embrace new opportunities. The muscles and tendons remain flexible, supporting smooth and comfortable movement.

    However, when Liver qi becomes restricted, the body’s natural detoxification and circulation processes can slow down, leading to a general sense of sluggishness. This imbalance may also affect the eyes, muscles, and tendons. Emotionally, it can show up as stress, irritability, impatience, or anger.

    One of the key strengths of TCM is its focus on prevention—addressing imbalances before symptoms arise. Eating in alignment with the seasons is one of the ways this balance can be maintained.

    Get the recipes here

    More TCM Posts
  • Winter Congee Recipe

    Winter Congee Recipe

    a winter TCM recipe to warm and heal your gut.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup of jasmine rice
    • 8 cups of chicken stock, vegetable stock, or bone broth (this makes a medium consistency congee, for a more soup-like consistency, use 10-12 cups.
    • pinch of salt
    • pinch of white pepper (warming herb)
    • 1-3 inches of chopped ginger
    • 3/4 cup of enoki mushrooms
    • 3/4 cup of thin slicked shiitake mushrooms (dehydrated work nicely)
    • 3/4 cup of thin sliced woo-ear mushrooms (dehydrated work nicely)
    • Optional: Shredded chicken

    Option ingredients to top at the end:

    • Splash of soy sauce
    • a few drops of sesame oil
    • thinly sliced scallions
    • cilantro
    • chili flakes

    Preparation:  

    Rinse the rice and soak in water for 30-45 minutes. This allows the rice to break down easier during the cookie process. (you can forgo this step if you’d prefer to just rinse)  

    Add all the ingredients to a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then simmer on low heat, with the lid half covered for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking to the bottom.

    Congee is done when the grains disintegrate into the liquid to reach a uniformly dense texture. (You can also use a slow cooker or instapot. Instapot has a porridge setting!)

    Congee can thicken a little as it cools. Add optional ingredients from the topping list above.

  • TCM warming broth

    TCM warming broth

    Cold and cough season has arrived. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs, which open to the nose and mouth through the respiratory passages, are considered the most delicate of the five yin organs and the easiest for external influences to affect. These external factors are described as six types: 

    • Wind
    • Cold
    • Dampness
    • Dryness
    • Heat
    • Fire

    Coughs are most often linked to Wind, though Wind frequently combines with other influences such as Cold, Heat, or Dryness, depending on seasonal conditions. Wind enters from the back of the neck and ankles. Wrap up in a scarf or buff to keep your neck ‘wind gate’ covered!

    Here is a quick and easy recipe to nip that cold in the bud:

    • 1 green onion, white portion, thinly sliced
    • 1 clove of garlic, sliced thinly
    • 1-2 thin slices of fresh ginger, unpeeled
    • 1 to 1.5 cups of bone broth or water

    Bring the water or broth to a boil, add ingredients and turn down to a simmer after a few minutes. Strain and cool a few minutes to a comfortable temperature. Serve in a mug or bowl.

    This may induce a slight sweat which helps expel dis-ease from the body. Snuggle up in some blankets, but if you feel damp rinse off and put on dry clothes.

  • Reflexology

    Reflexology

    Our understanding and exploration of the physical world around us is most often interpreted with our sense of touch through our hands and our feet. I have been interested in Reflexology for a while, but it wasn’t until this last month that I really started to dive into treating and understanding the whole body through the lens of the feet. If the feet are in distress the body follows suit, as the feet are the shock absorbers and terrain explorers of the whole body. They tell your body how it is connecting with the world, if the ground is stable enough to support you, and they move to disperse the stress of impact with every step.

    My understanding of the fascial meridians and common disfunction patterns has made me feel ready to dive a little deeper into the nuances of the feet and explore different ways to treat them while keeping the whole body system in perspective. Piecing together and learning new tools to develop my understanding of the incredible human body is fun and keeps me on my toes!

    A reflexology session focuses on your feet

    Come in for an Evil Bone Water Reflexology Only session to de-evil your feet!

  • Autumn

    Autumn

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Autumn is seen as a season of reflection and release. Just as the trees let go of their leaves without resistance, we too are reminded to surrender what no longer serves us. This season invites us to trust the natural cycles of life, knowing that in time, new growth and renewal will come.

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Autumn is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, which belong to the Metal element and are influenced by dryness. Pears are often recommended in this season for their ability to regenerate fluids, quench thirst, moisten the lungs and throat, calm restlessness, and promote urination. In TCM practice, pears are typically enjoyed steamed or baked, as cooked foods are generally preferred for supporting digestion and overall balance.

    Here is a fun Traditional Chinese Medicine Autumn Bucket List:

    • Cook Warming Foods – Thick soups, roasted root vegetables, and use a lot of garlic and ginger to help build Qi.
    • Deepen your Breath – Try out a breathwork exercise, attend a Qigong class, or go for a simple walk to generate Lung Qi.
    • Practice Letting Go – Declutter a space in your home, clear out your closet and organize, try a journaling session reflecting on what you’d like to drop with the leaves during this seasonal shift.
    • Support you Lungs – Make a pear and honey tea or steam/bake some pears to moisten your lungs and regenerate your bodily fluids.
    • Create Rituals – Light candles, read poetry upon waking, set seasonal intentions, honor cycles and change.
    • Gather and Reflect – Share a meal with a friend or loved one, give gratitude for the warmth and nourishment.