CHINESE MEDICINE

ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE

FOR MODERN TIMES

HEALTH = BALANCE

Rooted in Self-Care

REST

Chinese medicine, emphasizes practices of rest as a vital component for cultivating life energy and maintaining physical, mental and emotional health.

Rest typically involves adequate sleep, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness activities to reduce stress and balance the body's energies.

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MOVEMENT

Exercise is a critical component of health. Finding the right amount of movement to build our strength without being overly depleted is a cornerstone of Chinese Medicine. Gentle, flowing exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong, are designed to enhance vitality and balance the flow of qi (life energy) through the body.

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NUTRITION

Nutrition practices focus on a balanced diet emphasizing the consumption of whole, seasonal, and energetically appropriate foods to nourish the body.

Eating in moderation and choosing foods that correspond to one's individual constitution and the current season to optimize one’s vitality.

Stylized white cannabis leaf with decorative swirls on a black background.

YIN & YANG

Chinese Medicine seeks to restore harmony in the body by balancing Yin and Yang through various modalities, such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, and tailored dietary advice.

This holistic approach underscores that a balanced state not only addresses specific ailments but more importantly focuses on preventive care by maintaining strong health and resilience in the tissues and prevents illness and disease.

A circular illustration of a yin-yang symbol with a sun and moon, surrounded by clouds and small stars, in a monochromatic blue and white color scheme.

THE THREE TREASURES

 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concept of the Three Treasures—Jing (Essence), Qi (Vital Energy), and Shen (Spirit)—forms the foundation of health and vitality. 

Balancing these Three Treasures is essential, as disharmony among them can lead to diseases and overall decline in health. By paying close attention to the Three Treasures through practices such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and Qi Gong, Chinese Medicine practitioners strive to maintain or restore the body's natural harmony and optimize health.
 
 

JING = BODY

Jing represents the stored life force, governing growth, reproduction, and development; it is the deepest and most physically dense energy reserve in the body, analogous to one's genetic potential and the aging process.

QI = BREATH

Qi is the active, day-to-day energy that circulates through the meridians, enabling the body to perform its functions; it's what we draw upon for our daily activities and is greatly influenced by our diet, exercise, and breath.

SHEN = SPIRIT

Shen reflects our mental and spiritual health, encompassing consciousness, emotions, and thought; a strong Shen is reflected in a person's aura and vibrancy, indicating a harmonious balance between the mental and physical.

5 ELEMENTS

  • Colorful flames and bubbles against a dark background.

    FIRE

    In Chinese Medicine, fire is one of the Five Elements, and it relates to the heart and small intestine organs. It embodies qualities such as warmth, transformation, and dynamism, playing a crucial role in functions like circulation, emotional well-being, and our connection to the world around us.

  • Hands holding a handful of loose soil or dirt, with some falling from the hands.

    EARTH

    The Earth element is associated with the digestive system, specifically the spleen and stomach organs, and it symbolizes nourishment, stability, and the ability to transform food into energy and nutrients. It also represents the center from which one's grounding and harmonious rhythms of life emerge.

  • Close-up of a swirling marble pattern in shades of gold, gray, and black.

    METAL

    Metal corresponds to the organs of the lungs and large intestine, reflecting themes of purity, structure, and precision, as it governs breathing, immune function, and the elimination processes. It is also associated with the emotions of grief and the capacity for letting go, representing the cycle of life and death, and the importance of boundaries and value.

  • Person's hands cupping and holding water, with water pouring into their hands from above.

    WATER

    The Water element is linked to the kidneys and bladder organs, representing the body's fundamental energies and the concept of vitality and willpower (Zhi). It is also associated with the deepest reserves of energy, the capacity for growth and reproduction, and the ability to endure and flow adaptively through life's challenges.

  • A forest scene with a dirt path winding through tall trees, sunlight filtering through green foliage.

    WOOD

    In Chinese Medicine, the Wood element is associated with the liver and gallbladder, signifying growth, expansion, and the smooth flow of Qi and emotions throughout the body. It governs the body's planning and decision-making processes, stress management, and flexibility, both physically and emotionally.

The POWER of EMOTIONS

In Chinese Medicine, emotions are deeply intertwined with physical health and imbalances can cause disease within the body.

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair singing or speaking into a microphone at a piano in a dimly lit room.

    JOY-LAUGTHER

    The Heart and Small Intestine are associated with the Fire element, and emotions of joy, excitement, and passion.

  • A young woman sitting on a couch, looking down with a serious or contemplative expression. Chinese Medicine can effectively treat depression and other mood disorders through natural and holistic therapies.

    ANXIETY

    The Spleen & Stomach relate to the Earth element and the emotions of worry, overthinking, and pensiveness.

  • A man with a beard and a bald head showing an angry expression with his mouth open and teeth showing, against a dark background. Chinese herbal medicine can help with emotional imbalances like anger, depression, and anxiety.

    ANGER

    The Liver and Gallbladder correspond to the Wood element and are primarily associated with the emotions of anger, frustration, and resentment.

  • An elderly woman with curly hair is holding a tissue to her nose, wearing glasses and a dark top. Chinese herbal medicine can help with emotional imbalances like anger, depression, grief and anxiety.

    GRIEF-SADNESS

    The Lung and Large Intestine are associated with the Metal element and feelings of grief, sadness, and loss.

  • Close-up of a woman's face in profile, looking pensively to the side, with long brown hair and fair skin, against a dark background.

    FEAR-PHOBIAS

    The Kidney and Urinary Bladder are connected to the Water element and emotions such as phobias, fear and dread.

When emotions become intense or are sustained over a long period, they can stagnate the flow of Qi (vital energy), leading to physical manifestations of illness. Recognizing and addressing emotional imbalance is therefore a vital component of treatment in Chinese Medicine, aiming to harmonize the body and mind for overall health.

BODY = ECOSYSTEM

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Our body can be likened to a dynamic ecosystem, comprising countless non-self cells such as the microbiota, which play crucial roles in various physiological processes from digestion to immunity.

Health, in this context, is the result of a finely-tuned symbiosis between these internal microbial communities and our tissues, ensuring homeostasis.

It is also important to understand that while we are ecosystems ourselves, we are also part of a larger ecosystem, and anything we can do to remedy the imbalances around us will help us to be healthier and happier.

NATURE = MEDICINE

Nature serves as a profound pharmacy, offering a bounty of medicinal plants that possess potent attributes capable of restoring health and regenerating bodily tissues.

By choosing natural plant-based medicines and unadulterated foods we support a thriving microbiome fostering resilience in our tissues.

Such wholesome nutrition nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, ensuring that our internal ecosystem remains vibrant and robust, and intrinsically connected to the health-giving properties of the planet on which we live.

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Catalyze change.