Hawthorn trees are similar to crabapple trees. Both produce white or pink flowers in the spring and a dark red fruit in the fall. The fruit of both trees tends to stay on the branches until the following spring, and both provide good food for wintering birds. One big difference between hawthorn and crabapple is that the … [Read more...]
Did you know that Turmeric is a Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Many people are familiar with turmeric, a yellow spice that’s used in curries and other Asian dishes. Turmeric has gotten a lot of attention because, in addition to being a spice, scientists have found that it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It’s been used to help people with certain kinds of pain, … [Read more...]
Cinnamon: The Most Common Chinese Herb and 8 Other Things You Should Know
Chances are that you have cinnamon in your spice cabinet right now. After salt and pepper, it’s one of the most common kitchen spices used in cooking—right up there with bay leaves, vanilla extract, curry powder and cumin. But beyond being a spice that you put into your zucchini bread or apple crisp, there are a number of … [Read more...]
Does the Chinese Herb Ginseng Boost Your Energy?
If you think of the herb ginseng as something you take to give your energy a boost, you’d be right, but only up to a point. While taking ginseng can help your energy in many circumstances, this herb is so much more than a quick pick-me-up. In fact, the biological name for Asian Ginseng is panax ginseng, derived from the … [Read more...]
Amazing Health Benefits of the Chinese Herb Ginger Root
You probably know that ginger is a spice used in Asian cooking or a pickled condiment served with sushi. But did you know that ginger is also a versatile Chinese herb? It’s true! As an herb, ginger comes in a variety of forms and has a number of uses. If you were to go to your grocery store to buy fresh ginger, you’d … [Read more...]
Licorice Isn’t Just Candy, It’s a Chinese Herb!
Most people think of licorice as that black candy that comes in a variety of shapes, from long strings to bite-sized twists. However, as a practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine, I think of licorice as being more than just a type of candy. That’s because licorice comes from a root that’s used as an ingredient in a number … [Read more...]
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Fertility
If you have been looking to enhance your fertility through natural means, you may have found it confusing and frustrating trying to figure out the best plan of action. Whether you’re just interested in a healthy way to boost your chances of conceiving, looking for support for assisted reproductive techniques, or somewhere … [Read more...]
The Scary and Unpredictable Chronic Lung Condition – Treating Asthma
Asthma, the condition in which your airways become inflamed, can produce varying symptoms in affected individuals. It may be well-controlled or, it can cause serious and life-threatening flare ups. Asthma is a fairly common condition which causes millions of emergency room visits each year throughout North America. The … [Read more...]
Healing Through the Sense of Smell
The Emotional Link Between Your Sense of Smell and Your Brain. There is nothing more powerful than your sense of smell when it comes to conjuring up memories from the past. The smell of places, people, things, and events from your childhood can bring memories rushing back to you in vivid detail. Whether it’s the smell of … [Read more...]
Why More People Today with Autoimmune Disorders are Turning to Chinese Medicine
Autoimmune disorders are confusing, often difficult to treat, and are rising at an alarming rate. There are currently over eighty diseases and disorders that are attributed to autoimmunity, and include such conditions as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Ulcerative Colitis, thyroid diseases, Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis … [Read more...]
Are You Among the 20% Who Are Haunted Every Night by Insomnia?
How to Use Yin and Yang to Treat Insomnia Insomnia can be so frustrating. You’ve had a busy day and you’re really tired, but as soon as you get into bed your mind comes alive. You begin rehashing your day or worrying about upcoming events, and peaceful sleep seems to become more and more elusive. It may take you … [Read more...]
What Nobody Ever Tells You About Bad Breath and Chinese Medicine
It’s one of those office situations or social moments we’ve all had and would love to avoid. You’re having a conversation with someone, and the more they talk, the more you realize that their bad breath has taken over the conversation and you can’t think about anything else. It’s hard to keep your head in the game when … [Read more...]
What is Menopause?
It is not a disease! Menopause is a natural transitional phase in our lives, resulting from a rebalancing of hormones within your body. It is a time when we experience changing levels of female sex hormones such as estrogen production which leads to the end of your menstrual cycles and of your reproductive … [Read more...]
Using Chinese Herbs to Aid in Weight Loss
Ultimately, when looking to lose weight, you must consume less food and calories than your body uses. Because of this, the most effective way to lose weight is to not only eat less total calories, but to also exercise in order to increase the number of calories your body uses. This is the most common approach to weight loss … [Read more...]
Inflammatory Bowel Diet
Though this diet may seem counter intuitive because generally it is healthier to eat unrefined whole foods it is great diet for the flare up stage of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In fact for some it can be just as affective as prednisone. Grains: Refined white breads, buns, bagels, muffins, biscuits, soda … [Read more...]
High Cholesterol? – By Dr. Jeda Boughton
Ask the Experts Expert: Dr. Jeda Boughton, B.A., R.Ac., Dr. TCM Q: My family doctor recently diagnosed me with high cholesterol. I’m unsure of the implications of this diagnosis, and I don’t want to take the pharmaceutical drugs. How can traditional Chinese medicine help me? A: There is a common myth that all fats … [Read more...]
Understanding Adrenal Fatigue
You have undoubtedly heard the term “adrenal fatigue” at one time or another, but probably have not received a full explanation as to what this term really means. Before we discuss “adrenal fatigue” and what it is all about we first need to cover some of the basics. Your adrenal glands are found within each kidney and … [Read more...]
