Are you nervous about your nervous system? Rates of cognitive and nervous system dysfunctions are on the rise. Because of an aging population, poor lifestyle habits, environmental pollution, and advances in diagnostic and genetic research, cognitive impairment seems like a “when”—not an “if.” Once inflammation and harmful bacteria take root in the brain, neurodegeneration follows. That’s why it’s important to not only watch your diet but also add research-backed neuroprotective herbs to your daily health regimen.  Gastrodin, the active ingredient in the traditional Chinese herb, Gastrodia ..read more

On March 20, 2024, the first full day of Spring, it certainly didn’t feel like Spring had officially arrived—at least not in Buffalo, where the high temperature was 36 degrees. Mercifully, by the 25th, the mercury climbed to veritable springtime bliss (at least for Buffalo), with high temperatures in the 50s, which would cause residents of San Diego—ActiveHerb headquarters—to bundle up in beanies and Ugg boots.  According to TCM principles, ‘tis the season to eat lots of sweet foods. But don’t get the wrong idea…      No matter where you live, now that it’s Spring, it ..read more

In ancient China, doctors had the best in-the-field anatomical training: treating soldiers gored on the battlefield. Centuries before William Harvey’s 16th-century discovery of the heart’s function and blood circulation—considered the greatest medical discovery of all time—ancient Chinese doctors could see that the heart had big vessels sticking out of it, including the aorta and pulmonary artery. They thought of these big vessels as “orifices” or openings of the heart. In real-time, including gruesome decapitations (are there any other kind?), ancient Chinese doctors observed that blood flowe ..read more

No offense, but you’re full of hot air. That’s not to say that you’re a bloviating motormouth who never has anything interesting or deep to say. You’re hopefully not that Western type of hot air. However, if you’re a type-A workaholic who subsists on processed food, gets little exercise, and does nothing to manage your stress and balance your life, then there’s a good chance you’re full of hot air—from a TCM perspective.  In traditional Chinese medicine, why should you care if you’re full of hot air, a.k.a. internal heat? Balancing your body’s Yin and Yang Qi optimizes internal body tempe ..read more

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “getting fired” takes on an entirely different meaning. While being let go from a job might ignite stress, TCM sees the concept of “fire” as a metaphorical representation of an imbalance within one or more meridians, disrupting the body’s equilibrium. In TCM, there are 5 different kinds of fire linked to an excessive accumulation of heat and energy, not necessarily from getting the pink slip.  How do you know if an internal wildfire is consuming you? Discover the symptoms and learn how to extinguish the fire before it spirals beyond containment—into ..read more

Legend has it that the origin of Valentine’s Day isn’t such a romantic story but rather a tragic one. On Feb. 14, circa 269 CE, St. Valentine was executed. A priest who lived during the Roman Empire under the short-lived rule of Emperor Claudius II (268-270), who banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers, St. Valentine defied this decree and continued to perform marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were discovered, St. Valentine was arrested, and eventually, he was put to death.   Roughly around the same time, the most famous tr ..read more

What’s your sleep struggle?  Does it take forever to fall asleep?  Is it impossible to shut off your mind?  Do you fall asleep easily but wake up a few hours later wide awake and then it takes forever to fall back asleep?  Does subconscious worry prevent restful sleep?  Regardless of your unique sleep problems, TCM may offer a solution.  But first, let’s explore the root causes of sleep problems… What Causes Poor Sleep According To TCM? In TCM theory, there are several patterns or root causes that can prevent good sleep quality, including: Imbalance of Qi (Vital ..read more

Could you open a small brick-and-mortar supplement store with all the vitamins, minerals and other supplements in your pantry? There’s nothing wrong with taking vitamin D3/K2, zinc, selenium and other immune-supporting supplements during the cold-weather months.  But what if you could just pick one herb and one supplement? One that would not only support your immune system but also have several potential other benefits, most notably, anti-aging support. Curious to give it a try? Astragalus: The 2000-Year-Old Evolution of Huang Qi in TCM It hasn’t been long since Astragalus root (Radix As ..read more

If you’ve already abandoned your New Year’s resolutions, you’ve got lots of company. According to market research firm DriveResearch, just 9% of adults keep them all year long, 80% of all resolutions are forgotten by mid-winter and nearly a quarter of adults (23%) quit by the end of the first week of January.  But did you know that TCM offers easy ways to recommit to your New Year’s Resolutions? You don’t have to recommit to every single resolution you made, But check out how easy it is to stay on track with a couple of health goals using TCM. Resolution #1: Drink More Water Being busy al ..read more

Do you feel disconnected from nature? Do you spend most of your time indoors staring at screens? Does being stuck behind the wheel zap your Shen (spirit), making you feel even more out of touch with the elements?  Well, this time of year, you’re probably more dialed into nature than you think. Many people experience the winter blues. With less sunlight and weak UV rays during the day, winter induces biological processes that naturally make us feel more lethargic and melancholic. But if you can’t get out of bed, well, that’s another story. Here’s how TCM may help. Are The Winter Blues Natu ..read more