Black beans have been a pantry staple for many cultures for over 7000 years. They are a common ingredient in Latin American dishes as well as salads, chili, and veggie burgers. Black beans are a good source of antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Vitamins and minerals found in black beans include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Black beans have been shown to regulate blood sugar, protect against age-related macular degeneration

Cupping is a treatment method used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that dates back to the early fourth century. It involves the use of glass cups or globes to initiate a healing response from the body. Licensed Acupuncturists commonly use cupping as an adjunct therapy to acupuncture. Like other treatment modalities of TCM, cupping stimulates the flow of qi and blood. It can also warm the meridians, remove obstructions, and open the pores to help draw toxins out of the

It’s Wintertime!⛄ In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Winter is associated with the Water element and is known as the time of the Kidneys. TCM teaches us to live in harmony with the seasons. During this time of year, it's important to balance the Kidney energy and make the necessary dietary and lifestyle adjustments to harmonize with the season. In a previous blog post, we discussed the theory of Five Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. This ancient Chinese sy

Sweet potatoes are a popular root vegetable loaded with nutrients. They are rich in antioxidants and are an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin C. They also provide some calcium, iron, magnesium, and folate for the body. Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene which helps protect against conditions like age-related macular degeneration, certain cancers, cognitive decline, and heart disease. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) proper nutrition is essential

Fall is here! 🍂 The days are shorter, the weather is cooler – at least in some areas, 🙃 and leaves are starting to turn brown. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Fall is associated with the Metal element and is known as the time of the Lungs. During this time of year, it's important to balance the Lung energy and make the necessary dietary and lifestyle adjustments to harmonize with the season. In a previous blog post, we discussed the theory of Five Elements - Wood, Fi

Spinach is a popular leafy green known for its many nutrients and health benefits. It is rich in non-heme iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, folate, manganese, and vitamin K. Spinach is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin B6. It is usually eaten raw, steamed, or sautéed and is a popular ingredient in salads, soups, and smoothies due to its nutrition content. Spinach is known to improve vision, reduce blood pressure, boost hydration, support

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Nutrition therapy has been used for over 3000 years in the management of disease and to maintain health. Early concepts of TCM dietary therapy were mentioned in the Huang Di Nei Jing, a classical TCM text, as a means to enhance the effects of herbal medicine. Information has been refined over the years and foods are now also used to prevent and treat disease. Unlike Western nutrition’s focus on the biochemical makeup of foods, TCM nutriti

"The key to mastering health is to regulate the yin and the yang of the body." - Qi Bo - The Huang Di Nei Jing The concept of Yin and Yang is an ancient Chinese philosophy used to explain the process of change and transformation in nature. Its earliest reference dates back to 700 BC in the I-Ching or Book of Changes. The basic principle is that the only constant factor in nature is change - nothing remains the same - everything is in a constant state of flux. All phenomena

It's summertime! 😎 The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and flowers are blooming. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Summer is associated with the Fire element and is known as the time of the Heart. During this time of year, it's important to balance the Heart energy and make the necessary changes to harmonize with the season. In a previous blog post, we discussed the theory of Five Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. This ancient Chinese system serves

Many believe fibromyalgia is a new disorder, but it has been evaluated and reviewed for over 400 years. Although fibromyalgia has a long history of investigation, there hasn’t been much progress in determining the exact cause of fibromyalgia or the best form of treatment to manage its symptoms. Acupuncture is an effective form of treatment for fibromyalgia; however, patients tend not to seek acupuncture treatment until several years after drug therapy has failed to relieve th

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? 🤧 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help! Seasonal allergies affect millions of people each year triggering bouts of sneezing, a runny nose, sinus congestion, cough, itchy skin, and itchy, watery eyes. Allergies occur when the immune system misidentifies a normally harmless substance or particle, like pollen, as a foreign invader. In the body’s attempt to protect itself against this foreign invader, it launches an immune response

Spring has sprung!🌷 Spring is a time of growth, cleansing, and renewal. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and flowers start to bloom. In Chinese medicine Spring is associated with the Wood element and is known as the time of the Liver. During this time of year it's important to balance the Liver energy and make the necessary dietary and lifestyle adjustments to harmonize with the season. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we have the theory of Five Elements whic

This question is often asked by patients just as their needles are being inserted. There are different theories to explain how acupuncture works. Let’s discuss it from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) vs. Western medicine point of view. We’ll start with a quick review of acupuncture. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine, hair-like needles into specific sites along the body. These specific sites called acupuncture points are where qi gathers and is transported

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world dating back over four thousand years. Its basic principles are rooted in the philosophy of Yin and Yang in which all things are interconnected. Many of the concepts associated with Chinese medicine theory, such as qi (pronounced “chee”) have no true equivalent in Western medicine. Qi is the vital force behind the body’s many functions and is responsible for maintaining the body's heali

Hello and welcome! 😊 This is the first of several blogs where we'll share with you the healing benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world dating back over four thousand years and consists of a variety of methods designed to restore health and prevent illness. Through this blog we hope to educate, inspire, and guide you along your journey to optimal health! Topics will include how TCM can help treat various cond