In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is more than fuel—it is daily medicine. One of the most important dietary principles in TCM is eating warm or cooked foods, especially for digestion, energy, and mental clarity.
This idea centers around a concept known as digestive fire—the body’s ability to break down food, absorb nutrients, and turn what we eat into usable energy.
Cold or raw foods require the body to spend extra energy warming them before digestion can even begin. Over time, this drains digestive fire.
Warm foods, on the other hand:
Are easier to digest
Support nutrient absorption
Help maintain steady metabolism
Reduce bloating and stagnation
This is why TCM strongly favors soups, stews, porridges, and cooked vegetables, especially in the morning and colder months.
The Importance of Hot or Warm Foods in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Auricular Acupuncture: The Link Between Emotion, Digestion, and the Nervous System
The external ear is innervated by several nerves including the vagus nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, trigeminal nerve, facial nerve and branches of the cervical spinal nerves.
Acupuncture points on the ear are related to internal organs, carrying a parasympathetic innervation while acting as a bridge between the external ear and the internal organs.
Acupuncture & Meridians: The body’s communication network
Acupuncture points are specific locations just beneath the surface of the skin. These areas have a high concentration of nerve endings, blood vessels, lymphatic channels, immune cells, and connective tissue (fascia).
When a very thin needle is placed into one of these points, it sends a gentle signal to the nervous system. This signal travels to the brain and spinal cord and tells the body to shift out of stress mode and into repair mode.
What Can Acupuncture Help With?
Explore what acupuncture treats—from chronic pain, stress, and GI issues to women’s health and neurological disorders. Book your personalized session today!
Enhancing Fertility: Exploring the Synergy of Acupuncture and IUI
When it comes to fertility treatments, many individuals and couples are exploring holistic approaches to complement traditional methods. One such integrative approach gaining attention is the combination of acupuncture and intrauterine insemination (IUI). In this blog post, we'll delve into the potential benefits of this synergy, backed by research studies and insights from the field of functional medicine.
Women’s Health Featured
Why Yin Matters in PeriMenopause & Beyond
Yin is the body’s cooling and nourishing foundation. It includes:
Fluids and Blood that moisten tissues and joints
Essence (Jing), our deep reserves tied to hormones and aging
The ability to rest, repair, and sleep deeply
When Yin is sufficient, we feel calm, grounded, hydrated, emotionally steady, and resilient.
Perimenopause and menopause are closely linked to the Kidney system in TCM, which governs hormones, aging, bones, and long-term vitality.
As women move into midlife, Kidney Yin naturally begins to decline. This is not a failure of the body—it’s a normal transition.
Think of it like a pond slowly receding.
When the water level drops, the sun feels hotter on the land.
In the body, this looks like less cooling Yin to balance Yang, which can create sensations of heat, dryness, and restlessness.
This stage is often called the “Second Spring” in TCM—a shift away from fertility and toward longevity, wisdom, and preservation. The key is learning how to protect and replenish Yin during this transition.
Blood Deficiency: The Hidden Root of Dry Skin, Hair Loss, & Fatigue
In TCM, Blood is one of the body’s essential substances. It works closely with Qi (energy) and plays a central role in physical strength, mental clarity, skin, emotional balance, and reproductive health.
Blood in TCM is about quality, circulation, and function, not just volume.
Blood also anchors the Shen (mind and spirit), promoting emotional stability, clear thinking, and restful sleep. In women especially, healthy Blood supports menstruation, fertility, and hormonal balance across all life stages.
Blood deficiency can look different from person to person. Common signs include:
Pale complexion or lips
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Dry skin, hair, or eyes
Brittle nails or hair
Poor memory or concentration
Anxiety or restlessness
Difficulty falling asleep
Numbness or tingling in limbs
Scanty, delayed, or irregular periods
Fertility challenges
