The Language of Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine
‘In T.C.M the language of health is the language of weather and landscape: we talk of Wind, Heat, Cold or Dampness invading the body, of drought or over-saturation, of problems with the Fire or Water elements. This simple poetic language grows out of centuries of observation of the natural laws of life. Our inner worlds connect with the outer world in both subtle and obvious ways.
Every event in the life of the body is described not in isolation but in terms of its relatedness to the whole. A hot rash on the face, for example, may be more than a simple event in the local tissue: it is one part of an immensely more complex event in the inner and outer landscapes. All the conditions of the particular time must be considered.
Because each part of a person is interconnected with all others, treating any problem in isolation is a mistake. A person whose gall bladder has stopped functioning is not cured by its surgical removal. This is simply ‘shooting the messenger.’ Just as each part of the body is connected to every other, so is the body connected to the mind. Body and mind are inseparable, each influencing and shaping the other.’ - Daverick Leggett
An Example of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis:
Receiving Your Diagnosis:
Each person is treated for his or her individual imbalance; treatment is personalised regardless of the disease or conventional medical diagnosis.
You will require a 30 minute online consultation to identify your symptoms’ causes and effects which are linked through a deep holistic understanding of mind, body and spirit as viewed in TCM. The following example summary and 21 day health plan show how all these aspects are considered in your treatment.
Example of a Traditional Chinese Diagnosis:
Main Complaint for this patient: Headaches- leading to migraines.
Headaches - The symptoms started eight years ago with a constant dull ache and a tight band feeling across the forehead. The pain moves behind the eyes with an accompanying symptom of nausea.
Migraines - Severe pain at side of temples and behind the eyes. When severe, patient needs to lye down. Can last for three days. Emotions and being busy make it worse. Exercise helps.
Diagnosis - Liver Blood deficiency that leads to Liver Yang rising. When there is insufficient Yin in the body it cannot root the blood and the Yang separates and rises.
處方 Example Lifestyle Advice for this Patient:
餐飲 Diet - It is important to nourish the Yin / blood. Avoid hot foods and drinks which cause extra heat and injure the Yin.
Follow your bespoke twenty one day health plan and cook the delicious daily recipes.
Remember, Yin tonics tend to be sweet and cool. To tonify Yin we favour sweet, sour and salty over bitter and pungent flavours. Some foods which especially tonify Yin are listed below:
Apple, Duck, Milk, Pork, Sweet Potato
Asparagus, Egg, Mulberry, Rabbit, Tofu
Avocado, Nettle, Tomato
Honey, Oyster, Seaweed, Watermelon
Goats cheese, Kidney bean, Pea
Sesame, Clam, Lemon, Pear, Spelt
Crab, Malt, Pineapple, Spinach
Cuttlefish, Mango, Pomegranate, String bean
冥想 Meditation - Excess worrying affects the spleen which affects the production of blood. Emotions of anger, whether it is manifested or repressed, frustration or resentment over a long period of time can cause excessive rising of liver Yang rising. Meditation calms the Shen (spirit of the heart) and soothes emotions. Visit The Mindful Movement (YouTube) and meditate for 10mins a day:
行使 Exercise - Qi stagnation leads to fire, therefore regular gentle daily exercise (walking for 20mins) will ease the Qi stagnation.
Cycling- Twice per week for 20 minutes will help to move the Qi.
Yoga - This will move he body and calm the mind.
Rest - It is important to rest and if possible lye down for twenty minutes each day as part of the meditation. This will help any blood deficiency.
We offer a huge variety of tasty recipes. No stressing about calorie counting and the freedom to go off plan now and then. Your meal plan is expertly personalised, with vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian versions now available.
Example daily menus:
‘Let food be thy medicine
& medicine be thy food.’
Hippocrates