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
Understanding Spleen Qi: The Foundation of Energy, Blood, and Immunity
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Spleen is one of the most important organs for overall health. It is responsible for transforming food into energy, building blood, and supporting immune strength. When Spleen Qi is strong, digestion is efficient, energy is steady, the immune system is resilient, and the body feels grounded and nourished. When it is weak, symptoms often ripple throughout the entire system.
Finding Relief from Allergies with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
For allergies and allergic rhinitis, acupuncture can help by strengthening Wei Qi and boosting the body's defensive energy to protect against allergens. Acupuncture sessions can provide immediate relief from symptoms, while herbal formulas work to strengthen the body’s overall resistance to allergens over time. Consulting with a licensed TCM practitioner can help tailor treatments to individual needs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing allergies.
What to Expect at an Acupuncture Treatment
How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture regulates the Central Nervous System and its various feedback loops in the body. When acupuncture needles are inserted into an acupuncture point, it stimulates an impulse into the complex feedback mechanisms between the brain, hormones, glands and organs which are responsible for regulating all bodily processes. Acupuncture points are higsly pecific areas on the body just beyond the surface of the skin. They have high concentrations of nerve endings, mast cells, lymphatic vessels, and capillaries.
What Is Dampness in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
In TCM the environment and weather are considered integral aspects of health. Traditional Chinese Medicine theory identifies climactic factors such as wind, cold, heat, and dampness, each associated with distinct patterns of imbalance within the body. Dampness, often viewed as a Yin pathogen, is considered a common contributor to various health concerns from ezcema, IBS, joint pain and fatigue.
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
