EnglishRead our weekly traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) columns in the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Herbal baths aren’t just a soothing way to rejuvenate a tired body and mind. In traditional Chinese medicine, they’re seen as a tool for treating illness or disease. However, herbal baths have had some bad press recently, after man died in March while soaking in a herbal solution at a…
MoreThe lotus is a perennial aquatic plant related to the waterlily that grows in tropical Asia. Its leaves are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat bleeding and clear summer heat and dampness. Lotus leaves can be used as a medicinal herb or in food, with steamed rice and chicken…
MoreIn traditional Chinese medicine, irritable bowel syndrome is regarded as being due mainly to emotional disturbances leading to organ disharmonies. The liver is the organ most affected by stress. Long-term emotional stimulation causes liver stagnation, which is said to interfere with the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach. When…
MoreIn traditional Chinese medicine, treating a scratch isn’t just a matter of applying a plaster. TCM regards the body as an organic whole, with the internal and the external connected by channels (meridians). Superficial lesions – such as scratches or bites – are said to be influenced by the internal…
MoreCupping is a traditional Chinese medicine method of treating disease caused by localised congestion. A partial vacuum is created in a cupping jar (often using heat), which is then applied to the skin. The underlying tissue is drawn up into the jar, forming an area of blood stasis, which later…
MoreTraditional Chinese medicine’s holistic view of health maintains that when you have a lot of healthy energy, or sheng chi, pathogenic forces can’t take hold. The lungs. Spleen. Kidneys, liver and heart form the core of immune defence. The lungs preside over the immune barrier of the body. This distributes…
MoreThe lotus flower has a delicate fragrance and a simple beauty that’s made it the subject of poets for centuries. The plant is also important in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Every part can be used – the seeds are highly valued and served in Chinese desserts such as moon cakes…
MoreHeadaches often render is unproductive at work, disturb our social lives and can cause havoc with schedules. Stress, an unbalanced diet and lack of sleep – as well as a genetic disposition to headaches – can be to blame. Other cases range from eye strain to sinusitis and life-threatening conditions…
MoreScraping therapy (gua sha) is a popular folk remedy in China. Gua means to scrape, and sha refers to the reddish skin patches that are created by scraping. In ancient times, this was an important remedy for acute diseases often contracted in summer and autumn. Some scholars say that scraping…
MoreDipsacus is one of the key herbs used to treat traumatic injuries. The Chinese name, xu duan, means “reconnection from broken parts”. It’s used for repairing structural tissue such as bones and ligaments, and can also help relive swelling. Bitter and acrid, dipsacus is usually used for tonifying the kidneys…
MoreWhether you’re a weekend jogger or a hard-core marathon competitor, you could suffer an injury or sprain. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), sports injuries don’t only cause tissue damage, they also allow external pathogens to invade, disrupting the circulations of chi and blood at the affected area. When chi…
MoreHong Kong appears to be a city of insomniacs from the number of shut eyes and nodding heads on public transport. Lack of sleep can interfere with memory, energy levels, mental abilities and emotions. Traditional Chinese medicine regards sleep as important for maintaining the balance of yin (which predominates at…
MoreEvery so often there are media reports about the use of wild animal parts such as rhino horn and tiger bone in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There are laws on the mainland banning the use of rare animals in medicine, because poaching and the destruction of natural habitats have put…
MoreThe mountain herb commonly known as Chinese yam is the dried rhizome of dioscorea opposite thunb. After collection and preparation, Chinese yam is typically used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for tonifying the spleen, stomach, lungs and kidneys. It’s especially good for spleen and stomach deficiencies by enhancing these organs’…
MoreIn 12th-century China, tumours were described as masses that were “rock-firm with uneven surfaces”. Over the centuries, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has developed knowledge about treating cancer, and most anti-cancer ingredients used are derived from ancient remedies. Although traditional therapies have been replaced by modern treatments, TCM’s complementary role in…
MoreUndergoing major surgery carries the risk of complications. Preparations before and after the operation are the best way to help the process go smoothly. From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, surgery often exhausts a person’s blood and chi (vital energy) causing internal disharmonies. Besides acupuncture, some TCM methods can…
MoreAccording to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), emotions are manifestations of the organs’ functions. TCM physicians regard anger, anxiety, fear, grief, extreme elation, over-thinking and terror as the most common disturbances. When these emotions become uncontrollable, they can damage organs. Extreme and prolonged emotional frustrations disturb chi flow (vital energy) in…
MoreSolomon’s seal rhizome, also known as huang jing, or yellow essence, is a sweet herb that nourishes kidneys, moistens lungs, and reinforces chi (vital energy). It’s used to treat dry coughs caused by yin deficiency or yin-deficient heat. It’s believed to promote the generation of bone marrow, and is also…
MoreAccording to Chinese philosophy, jing (essence) forms the basis for the whole body. Stored in the kidneys, jing serves as the “deposited capital” for all kinds of physiological functions. For example, conception is made possible by the power of jing, maturing is the blossoming of jing, and ageing reflects the…
MoreHerbal beverages have been popular in southern china for more than 200 years. They’re believed to be ideal for people living in subtropical regions to prevent exogenous heat and dampness evils invading the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, when people contract heat-damp evils, they may suffer from…
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