The Chinese date is a useful medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s called Da Zao in Chinese, which translates into big date. Chinese dates are also called red dates or jujubes. And most interestingly, they are not actually dates! True dates are brown in color and grow on palm trees, called date palms. In … [Read more...]
How the Heck was Acupuncture Invented
Sometimes my patients ask me how acupuncture was invented, how it works, who thought it up and other questions about the history of acupuncture. And who the heck was the first person to agree to have an acupuncture treatment! While there is no single or simple answer, we have a lot of clues as to how this ancient system of … [Read more...]
Tinnitus? Try Black Sesame Seeds
For many people, their only exposure to sesame seeds are those that are sprinkled on top of a sandwich bun or a bagel. However, you may be interested to learn that sesame seeds are so much more than a garnish. They can offer a nutritional boost and be good for your health too. Sesame seeds come in two colors; black and … [Read more...]
Is Acupuncture Legit? Common Myths about Acupuncture
Let’s face it; acupuncture is an unfamiliar treatment option for many people. Coupled with its ancient beginnings and foreign feeling, many myths arise surrounding acupuncture. I’d like to take this opportunity to address some of the most common misunderstandings I’ve encountered with facts about this incredible system of … [Read more...]
Sharpen your Vision with Chinese Herbal Medicine
Goji berries are a Chinese herb that’s gained some mainstream popularity in recent years, to the extent that they’ve even been called a superfood. Called Gou Qi Zi in Chinese, but also known as Chinese wolfberry fruit, Goji berries are small, elongated red berries that grow on shrubby plants that are native to China. Gou … [Read more...]
To Drink or not to Drink?
With the coming of the New Year, many of us take a look at our lifestyle and health habits and think about making changes. Some may decide to be more physically active, tweak their diet or try to get more sleep in the coming year. However, another subset of people may choose to redefine their relationship with alcohol. In … [Read more...]
Common Pregnancy Discomforts and How We Can Help
Your pregnancy is often a time of great excitement and anticipation. It’s a journey of transformation and wonder, until…it’s not. Your body is changing to accommodate the growth of your baby and upcoming labour, delivery and breastfeeding. Sometimes uncomfortable stuff crops up that can put a damper on your excitement, but … [Read more...]
Chinese Herbal Medicine to Clear Phlegm and Improve Lung Health
In Chinese medicine, the flavor of an herb or food tells you something about its actions. That’s because, each flavor; sweet, salty, pungent (spicy), bitter and sour all have a different effect on your body and the organ systems affected. In general: Sweet affects your Stomach and Spleen, and is often used to help your … [Read more...]
What is Chinese Medicine Good For?
An important and effective healing tool that we use at BodaHealth is that of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Because Chinese herbology is more complicated than buying a bottle of herbs at the drug store for your current symptom, and because the use of these herbs may feel unfamiliar to some, many people have questions. In … [Read more...]
Spotlight Interview: Danzhu Mowat – A Unique Focus on Eye Health
We’re thrilled to welcome Danzhu Mowat to the BodaHealth team! Danzhu is a Registered Acupuncturist, TCM Herbalist and Tai Qi and Qi Gong teacher. Read on to learn about her interesting background and healing philosophy. Jeda Boughton: Hi Danzhu, thank you so much for joining me today. I appreciate you taking the time to … [Read more...]
Can Chinese Medicine Help with Stomach Issues?
If you’re having digestive problems, you may not think about Chinese herbs as a treatment. However, there are a number of useful herbs that are compiled into formulas in TCM that can promote good digestion and relieve your symptoms. TCM stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a way to describe the use of Chinese … [Read more...]
Treat Asthma, Lung Infections and Digestion with Chinese Herbs
You may be surprised to learn that both walnuts and water chestnuts are herbs in Chinese medicine. It may be surprising because both are commonly eaten foods, but they also have some amazing healing properties. Here are some things to know: Water Chestnuts are actually the corms, or roots, of a grassy water plant. Found … [Read more...]
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Anxiety, Heart Palpitations and Insomnia
When you walk along a beach scattered with sea shells, you may be surprised to find that you’re walking among Chinese herbs! That’s right, a number of shells are included in the Chinese formulary for their healing properties. At first glance, it may seem far-fetched that the cast-off exoskeleton from marine snails, clams … [Read more...]
Eleven Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep
If you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep at night, you’re not alone. An estimated 70% of adults report inadequate sleep (which should be 7-9 hours a night for adults) at least once a month, and over 10% report not getting enough sleep every night. And the impact of going without sleep is enormous. Consider this: … [Read more...]
Detox with Chinese Herbal Medicine
Whether you’re eating baked beans at a picnic, topping your salad with garbanzo beans or having refried beans alongside your burrito, you’re promoting good health. That’s because beans are a good source of dietary fiber and B vitamins, and when combined with whole grains, such as brown rice, they form a complete protein. … [Read more...]
Indigestion? Try Chinese Herbal Medicine
What do you eat when you get sick or have an upset stomach? In Chinese medicine, one of the most common foods to soothe cranky digestion is a thick, grain-based soup called a congee*. It’s traditionally made with rice, but it can also be make with other grains, such as barley, millet and even wheat. Essentially, congee is … [Read more...]
Treating the immune system and respiratory health with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Meet our newest member of the BodaHealth team, Faith Belhacene! Faith is a Registered Acupuncturist, with a great education, experience in treating a variety of health conditions and a passion for helping patients through the use of a number of different healing modalities. Read more about Faith here: Jeda Boughton: Hi … [Read more...]
Tis the Season for Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Cardamom. They are Chinese Herbs Too!
If you’re looking forward to the holidays because of all the good food and drinks, you’re not alone. Many of the recipes that are featured this time of year include spices that are warm and aromatic. This includes nutmeg and cardamom. Nutmeg is one of the ingredients found in pumpkin spice, along with cinnamon, ginger, … [Read more...]
Nine Ways to Help Fibromyalgia Naturally
If you know anyone who has fibromyalgia, you might just think that they’re achy all the time—which they may be. But fibromyalgia is much more than that. Think of the last time you had the flu or a really bad cold with all-over aches and pains. Fibromyalgia feels more like that. And there’s more. People who struggle with … [Read more...]
Did you Know that Gourds, Squash and Melons are Chinese Herbal Medicine?
When it comes to Chinese herbal medicine and dietary therapy, the lines are often blurry between what’s considered to be an herb and what’s considered a food. This is evident when it comes to melons, gourds and squash. There’s a good reason for this overlap, in that both herbs and foods have very specific properties, … [Read more...]
Hawthorn Fruit: A Chinese Herb that’s Great for Digestion and Hearth Health!
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...]
Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance & Fertility
We practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that food is medicine that you eat three or more times a day. This is the theory behind something called seed cycling, a practice to help boost your reproductive health. If you’ve never heard of seed cycling, you’re not alone. However, if you’re looking for a natural way to help … [Read more...]
The Enigma of Depression and the Effects of Natural Treatments
Depression is an enigma. I have found that it can look irritable and impatient, or it can appear as downright sadness. For some people, depression is tied closely to anxiety, and for others it is a lack of motivation that keeps them glued to the couch. It can affect adults and children, men and women, and people from all … [Read more...]
What You May Not Know About Thyroid Health and Chinese Medicine
The Yin and Yang of Your Thyroid Most people don’t think of Yin and Yang when it comes to their thyroid. However if you were to visit a practitioner of acupuncture or Chinese medicine, Yin and Yang is likely to be one of the things that they’re thinking about. Your thyroid is an endocrine (hormonal) gland in your … [Read more...]
Could Acupuncture Make Heartburn a Thing of the Past?
Heartburn can turn a wonderful meal into what feels like a three alarm fire. It’s best known for the characteristic burning sensation between the bottom of your throat and the top of your chest. However, it can also cause a sore throat, hoarseness, a chronic cough, an acidic taste in your mouth, and even difficulty … [Read more...]
