What is BBT Charting? BBT stands for Basal Body Temperature which is a persons at-rest temperature. Women can track their BBT by taking their temperature every morning after they wake from sleeping. This can be used as a tool to see when ovulation has occurred, after ovulation your temperature naturally increases.  I recommend recording your BBT daily in a journal or BBT chart. If you are also coming in for acupuncture treatments this allows me to monitor the effects of herbal formulas and acupuncture on the menstrual cycle in order to get the best results. Why is BBT Charting Helpful? If ..read more

Chinese Herbal Medicine I first learned about the power of Chinese herbs when I was a student and was not getting my menstrual cycle. I  went to my Western medicine doctor who was not concerned at all with my year without periods after coming off the birth control pill.  I then approached my Chinese medicine doctor who prescribed a herbal formula and acupuncture to bring back and regulate my cycle. Within a few weeks of taking the herbs and two acupuncture sessions my period was back. I was amazed, not only did my period return but my energy increased, my sleep was better and my str ..read more

Will I Ever Get a Good Night’s Sleep?   Are you dreading going to bed each night? Worried that you will toss and turn all night or fall asleep quickly but be wide awake at 1:00am and unable to fall back asleep? Are you waking up feeling more tired than when you went to bed?   Insomnia is rampant!!  So many are unable to get a good night’s sleep. Feeling rested in the morning is a thing of the past. Lack of sleep is causing fatigue, brain fog, grumpiness, and even weight gain.   Although it is not easy to change your sleeping patterns, it is possible to change them, so you c ..read more

Acupressure and Lifestyle Tips During Your Period, days 1- 5  In Traditional Chinese Medicine the menstrual cycle is broken down into four phases. In this post I will be giving you my top Acupressure point and lifestyle suggestions for Phase 1 of your menstrual cycle. The four phases of your menstrual cycle are: Phase 1 days 1- 5  The Foundation Phase (Your Period ) Phase 2 days 6- 13 The Building Phase ( Follicular Phase) Phase 3 days 13-17 Transition Phase (Ovulation Phase) Phase 4 days 18- menstruation Supporting Phase (Luteal Phase) Acupressure and lifestyle suggestions are mad ..read more

My Period is Normal, Right?!   It’s important to understand what a “normal” period is and what symptoms or signs could be considered abnormal. Your period is a reflection of your overall health and for thousands of years traditional Chinese medicine has been examining the menstrual cycle for clues of imbalances within your body. A lot of women likely don’t question the health of their period because we don’t often discuss the nitty gritty of our cycle. We tend to think what our cycle looks like is the same as everyone else’s – which is not the case. Let’s have a look at the different fact ..read more

Uterine Fibroids and Traditional Chinese Medicine   Traditional Chinese medicine can be a treatment to consider if you are suffering from the pain and discomfort of fibroids. Uterine fibroids are classified as a stagnation of qi, blood and possibly phlegm in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Often acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle changes can help stop the fibroid from growing bigger and alleviate the symptoms such as painful cramps and heavy bleeding. However, if your fibroid is bigger than 3-5 cm it can be very difficult to get rid of completely. Uterine fibroids are classified as a s ..read more

Relieve Your Allergy Symptoms With This Delicious Pear Tea   Allergy season is in full swing, and many of us are feeling it. Whether you’re feeling congested, tired, itchy, splotchy, or all of the above, it can be discouraging and downright annoying. Western medicine uses medications like antihistamines and steroids to improve your symptoms, but they can also have nasty side effects like drowsiness and leave you feeling cloudy-headed. Because of that, many people want to find a more natural approach in fighting their allergies. In traditional Chinese medicine, allergies are directly relat ..read more

Castor Oil Pack – Why and How? The Why: Castor oil has been around for centuries and is used for lots of purposes like strengthening hair and lashes, cleansing and moisturizing the skin, and (most importantly in this context) women’s health. Using the oil of a castor bean, people have been creating these packs for years. The purpose of using them is to get the body’s functions moving. Looking at it through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, they are used to help move stagnation and to decrease dampness in the body. Castor oil packs help with: Period cramps PMS Symptoms Infertility ..read more

Simple TCM Fall Recipe – Roasted Vegetables & Quinoa   Made with seasonal vegetables and bone broth, this simple TCM Fall recipe uses the principles of ancient Chinese medicine to boost your immunity while reducing inflammation. Bone broth can sometimes be hard to incorporate into your diet. People don’t want to just drink straight up broth. By cooking the quinoa in the broth, you’re able to reap the health benefits of bone broth, without the hassle of drinking it. The benefits of bone broth include: Reduces inflammation/joint pain Serves as an all around tonic for wellness, boosting ..read more

TCM & The Transition To Fall   As we move into fall, TCM teaches us how to move with the seasons and thrive with the foods we eat, the exercise we do, and the emotions we feel. In Chinese Medicine, Fall is associated with metal and the lungs. This season is associated with organization, setting limits and protecting boundaries. Now is the time to finish up any projects you started in Spring or Summer and reap the rewards of all your hard work. Now is also a great time to start projects that are more internal and introspective. The energy of the lungs is “letting go,” so Fall is a good ..read more