News & Lifestyle
Posted on 10 June 2009
Patients with persistent low back pain should be offered acupuncture, massages or exercises on the NHS, says guidance.
Posted on 1 December 2008
An Interview with Mazin Al-Khafaji from the RCHM Journal
Posted on 24 September 2008
Acupuncture could boost the chances of a woman becoming pregnant after IVF by more than half.
The effect is so significant that just 10 women needed to combine the treatments for one to conceive who would not otherwise have done...
Posted on 24 September 2008
Acupuncture could help women undergoing fertility treatment become pregnant, new research has found.
Posted on 24 September 2008
Chinese food has a bad reputation in the UK. The rice-heavy meals and fatty meat dishes are thought to lead straight to obesity and heart disease. But properly prepared, says Chinese food expert Lorraine Clissold, the very...
Posted on 20 July 2008
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Seasonal Eating
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the world is a harmonious and holistic entity where all living beings are viewed in relation to the surrounding environment. Since ancient times, the Chinese have tried to explain different complicated phenomena by creating yin yang or the five element/Phase theories. Man is part of the holistic entity, and takes his cue from nature. He is influenced directly and indirectly by changes in weather and needs to make corresponding physiological and pathological responses. For example, a change of season causes the rate, rhythm, volume and tension of the pulse to vary. The pulse tends to be taut in spring, full in summer, floating in autumn, and sunken in winter. TCM physicians will take this into account when distinguishing the abnormal pulse from the normal. The occurrence, development and change in the pattern of many diseases are seasonal.
However, we can take active measures to prevent disease and maintain good health. One common method is to consume different foods according to the season. The Chinese widely believe that we are what we eat, and most dietary guidelines follow on from nature. According to TCM philosophies, if we eat seasonal foods that are similar in nature to the external environment, we remain in harmony with the environment, adapt better to changes in season and stay healthy. The basic applying principle is "nourishing yang in spring and summer time, and nourishing yin in autumn and winter time."
The ancient Chinese realized that in accordance with seasonal changes, yang qi tends to flow outwards and occupies the body surface in spring and summer and therefore, the innards get relatively depleted of yang qi and need replenishing. At the same time, the weather in autumn and winter is cold and dry and it is important to keep warm and prevent dryness. Through the methods of replenishing yin and nourishing dryness, TCM believes it is a way to build up energy and prepare for the coming seasons.
Posted on 11 June 2008
Spring and Chinese Medicine
The beginning of Spring is March 21st, the time of the Spring equinox when day equals night. For the next 6 months daylight, the sun and yang principle will be dominating our lives. Spring is a new beginning – the time of year to rise early with the sun and take brisk walks, yang activities, which reflect the ascending and active nature of Spring. This is nature’s birthing season – the time of creation, development and a new start. Like nature, we flourish in this season - it is the time for new growth in our lives, relationships and work.
Wood Element.
In the Chinese system of the Five Elements (Five Phases), the Spring season is correlated with the element Wood, which governs the gall bladder and liver. The Wood element refers to living, growing entities: trees, plants and the human body. They grow simultaneously out and upward, down and inward. The colour associated with this element is the predominant one of Spring – the green of young plants.
Posted on 11 June 2008
Winter and Chinese Medicine
Winter is a more inward and sensitive time when Nature is resting, withdrawn deep into the earth and the roots, preparing for the Spring. Winter is a time of replenishment, rest and reflection. According to the Chinese Five Phase system, Winter is related to the element of Water. The bladder and kidneys, which deal with the body’s fluid metabolism, are the organs associated with the Water element and Winter season.
Posted on 11 June 2008
In a study of 497 men and 540 women, 30 years and older, those with a history of tea consumption of between 6 and 10 years showed higher bone mineral density of the lumbar spine than non tea drinkers, and those with over 10 years history of tea consumption showed the highest bone mineral density in all measured regions of the body. (Arch Intern Med. 2002;162:1001-1006).
Posted on 4 June 2008
Cocoa, a key ingredient in most chocolate products, is rich in flavonoids - a natural plant substance that has antioxidant properties. Some flavonoids may have anti-inflammatory effects similar to aspirin. Low concentrations of these flavonoids can reduce platelet activity in the blood, thereby lowering the risk of blood clots. In a study of healthy, nonsmoking adults with no history of heart disease, researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that platelet activation was inhibited 2 hours and 6 hours after ingestion of a cocoa-enriched beverage. These results suggest that for healthy people, moderate intake of chocolate over the long-term may inhibit platelet activity and ultimately reduce the risk of heart disease.