Why does my acupuncturist look at my tongue?

ESCAPADA E-MAGAZINE

WHY DOES MY ACUPUNCTURIST LOOK AT MY TONGUE?

In Chinese Medicine, it is believed that the appearance of your tongue is a reflection of your health and can be a powerful diagnostic tool. Tongue diagnosis is a very traditional and effective method, which has been used to diagnose diseases for over two thousand years. Knowledge of tongue diagnosis is one of the unique treasures of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Different areas of the tongue reflect the health of five corresponding organ systems: liver, lung, spleen, heart, and kidney. 

*It is important to note that tongue diagnosis is performed as part of a thorough health consultation and tongue diagnosis should not be used as a substitute for standard medical care or to diagnose potential health problems.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK FOR?

• Body of the tongue: The normal tongue body should be flexible, shape of the tongue should

  be suitable to mouth size (not too puffy or narrow)

• Coating: The tongue coating is the layer over the tongue. A normal healthy coating should

  be white, thin and allow the tongue body to be seen through the coating.

• Colour. A fresh red (not too dark, too red or pale)

• Have suitable moisture (not too dry/wet)

• Cracks in the tongue body can be an indicator of disease progression

  A Chinese medicine practitioner will look at each of these areas and any imbalances seen can further confirm diagnosis. Tongue diagnosis will be done in conjugation with pulse taking and a full consultation.

Tips 

Here are some key points to keep in mind if you're thinking of undergoing a tongue diagnosis.

• Some disorders don't show up on the tongue. It should also be noted that TCM practitioners do not rely on tongue diagnosis alone in evaluating a patient's health.

• In most cases, the tongue is examined for no longer than 15 seconds at a time. Extending the tongue for longer may cause changes in tongue shape and color (two crucial elements of tongue diagnosis).

• Before receiving a tongue diagnosis, you should avoid food and beverages that might discolor your tongue (including coffee, beets, and foods made with artificial food coloring). Consumption of vitamin C may also affect your tongue coloring.

• If you use a tongue brush as part of your oral hygiene routine, discontinue use of the brush for at least a full day prior to your tongue diagnosis.

HOW DO I LOOK AT MY TONGUE?

Make sure you have good natural light. The tongue body needs to be relaxed so only stick your tongue out for short intervals at a time. Make sure you haven't eaten or drank anything recently that will effect the colour of coating on tongue.

A SIMPLE AT HOME GUIDE

We do recommend completing tongue diagnosis with your acupuncturist but here are some simple things that you can tell about your health at home:

• Qi Deficiency

Presentation: Slightly pale tongue with red spots. May be swollen with teethmarks on the side
Symptoms: Fatigue, poor appetite, over thinking and worrying

What it means - qi is the life force that drives every activity in organic life forms, according to TCM. It’s thought that a sufficient amount of qi is required to maintain the yin and yang of your body. When a person’s qi is balanced and in harmony, they’ll benefit from health, well-being, and contentment. When one’s qi is deficient, pain, suffering, and illness may occur. Dependant on where the qi deficiency is, individuals have different symptoms related to that organ, for example, Lung qi deficiency - shortness of breath

• Diet

The majority of a person’s qi comes from the foods they choose to eat and the air they breathe, so we would obviously look at an individuals diet and make nutritional recommendations. Typically, a Chinese medicine practitioner would reduce/eliminate raw and cold food. Utilising heat to cook foods by steaming, grilling or roasting can build qi. It will also be recommended that junk food, fried foods and dairy be dramatically decreased or removed. Warming and qi nourishing foods such as grains, pumpkin, chicken as well as spices like cumin, cayenne and ginger should be consumed frequently

• Slow down!

While Western culture tends to reward and admire people who are always on the go and constantly busy, TCM advocates for the opposite. Slowing down one’s lifestyle and not doing many things at once, or multitasking, is often recommended to get one’s qi in balance.

• Regulate sleep!

Sleep is as important as diet and exercise. Our bodies need sufficient sleep in order to maintain or build qi. Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes of qi deficiency.

• Dampness

Presentation: Swollen with teethmarks on the side and a thick white coating on the tongue
Symptoms: Fatigue, poor appetite, bloating and poor concentration

What it means: Dampness represents a condition existing within the body that is a reflection of dampness as it occurs in nature. Dampness arises from the body being affected in several ways. It can be due to either a problem arising from the inability of the digestive system to transport and transport fluids, or from the body being overwhelmed by external damp from the environment, (damp weather, damp living conditions, damp- producing foods). It can also arise as a response to an illness, or from the overuse of medication that promotes dampness, such as certain antibiotics. Phlegm is seen as a condensed form of dampness.

• Diet:
  Foods to resolve dampness include;
  Grains: Corn, barley, basmati rice
  Vegetables: Alfalfa sprout, button mushroom, caper, corn, pumpkin, radish, turnip,
  Fruit: Papaya, lemon, umeboshi plum
  Beans: Aduki, lentils,
  Fish: Eel, tuna,
  Herbs, spices: Aniseed, garlic, horseradish, marjoram, nettle, parsley, white pepper
  Beverages: Green tea, raspberry leaf tea, jasmine tea

• Foods to avoid in cases of dampness
  It is essential that those prone to dampness avoid excessive amounts of food that will contribute to promoting dampness in the body these include:
  Dairy products: milk, cheese, ice cream and all foods that contain high amounts of dairy products such as dairy milk chocolate. It is important to read food labels as some food (such as muesli) may contain high levels of milk powder. Yoghurt is perhaps the exception to the dairy food rule. Sheep and goat products are regarded as less prone to causing dampness. In dampness and phlegm, it is important to nourish the Spleen, which means that the consumption of raw, cold and processed sugary or fatty foods need to be limited to aid the spleen’s essential digestive function. 

EXPLORE MORE

Your Summer Health Guide - Our Top Tips

Summer is the most Yang season - hot, active, outward, expansive. The Fire element governs the Heart, which houses the Shen (spirit) and circulates blood. This is a time to nourish joy and keep the Heart balanced while protecting the body from excess heat and dryness.

1. Nourish the Heart and Shen (Spirit)

• Prioritize emotional balance, too much excitement or overstimulation can exhaust the Heart.

• Practice calming habits like meditation, deep breathing, or quiet reflection.

• Maintain a healthy sleep schedule, late nights can disturb Shen.

2. Eat Light, Cooling, and Moistening Foods

Favor:

• Cooling nature foods: watermelon, cucumber, mint, mung beans, chrysanthemum, lettuce, zucchini, bitter melon.

• Sour flavors: help astringe fluids and prevent excessive sweating — include lemon, lime, vinegar, and hawthorn.

• Moistening foods: pear, loquat, mulberries, tofu, seaweed.

Limit:

• Greasy, spicy, and very hot foods - they add internal heat.

• Ice-cold drinks (can shock digestion) - opt for cool, not cold.

• Sample tea: Chrysanthemum + Goji berry + Mint — clears heat, supports eyes and liver, mildly sweet and calming.

3. Protect Your Qi from Heat and Overexertion

• Avoid peak sun hours (11 am–3 pm).

• Rest during the hottest part of the day, follow a more Mediterranean rhythm.

• Keep moderate physical activity, overexertion depletes Heart Qi and Body Fluids.

• Take advantage of early mornings and evenings for exercise or walks in nature.

4. Use Herbs and Teas to Clear Heat and Support Fluids

• Mung bean soup (clears summer heat and toxins)

• Lotus leaf tea (lightens body and aids digestion)

• Bitter herbs like dandelion, andrographis, or Huang Lian (for strong heat signs, use with caution and guidance)

5. Balance Fluids and Prevent Summer Damp-Heat

• In humid climates, heat combines with dampness, causing sluggish digestion, fatigue, heaviness, or loose stools.

• Eat fewer greasy/fried foods.

• Use aromatic herbs/spices to transform dampness: ginger, peppermint, perilla, cardamom, citrus peel.

6. Sync with Nature’s Rhythm

• Wake earlier (around sunrise) and be active in the morning.

• Allow time for rest during midday heat.

• Sleep slightly later than in winter, but avoid overexertion or emotional highs in the evening.

TCM Tip:

“Sweat is the fluid of the Heart” - sweating excessively can weaken the Heart and deplete Yin and Qi. Rehydrate mindfully with warm or room-temp fluids and foods that nourish fluids.

Sleeping with the Seasons: How to Sleep Well in Summer According to Chinese Medicine

As the sun climbs higher and the days stretch longer, many of us find ourselves tossing and turning at night, struggling to fall or stay asleep. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this is no surprise. Summer is the season of Fire, one of the five elements in TCM, and it governs the Heart, which in turn houses the Shen, our spirit or consciousness.

Understanding how summer affects your body, energy, and mind can help you align your sleep habits with nature's rhythms, leading to deeper rest and greater overall harmony.

The Fire Element and Summer Energy

In TCM, each season corresponds to an element, organ, and emotional state. Summer’s Fire energy is expansive, active, and yang in nature. It's a time of growth, movement, and outward expression. The Heart, which rules over blood circulation and mental clarity, is especially vulnerable in this season.

When Fire becomes excessive, due to overexposure to heat, overstimulation, or emotional stress, it can disturb the Shen, leading to symptoms such as:

• Insomnia or restlessness

• Vivid or disturbing dreams

• Anxiety or irritability

• Night sweats or excessive heat at night

Summer Sleep Tips from Chinese Medicine

1. Sleep Later, Wake Earlier, but Not Too Late

Summer invites a more relaxed schedule. TCM texts suggest going to bed slightly later and waking earlier than in winter. Aim to rest by 11 PM to avoid taxing the Heart and Liver. Early morning walks (especially at dawn) can harmonize your internal clock with nature’s rhythm.

2. Nourish the Heart and Calm the Shen

Calm your spirit with Heart-nourishing foods and herbs:

• Cooling teas: Chrysanthemum, lotus seed, and passionflower

• Heart-tonifying foods: Red dates, goji berries, watermelon, bitter melon

• Avoid excessive stimulants like caffeine and spicy foods, especially at night.

3. Avoid Overexertion and Excess Heat

While summer encourages activity, overdoing it, especially under the sun, can burn out your Qi. Choose gentle evening exercises like tai chi, qi gong, or yin yoga to wind down.

4. Create a Yin-Inspired Sleep Space

Balance the abundant Yang of summer by making your bedroom a Yin sanctuary:

• Use cool, light-colored bedding

• Keep the room dark and well-ventilated

• Try aromatherapy with calming oils like sandalwood or lavender

5. Embrace a Siesta Mindset

TCM encourages a short midday rest during the peak yang hours (11 AM–1 PM). A 20- minute nap can restore Heart energy and reduce nighttime restlessness.

A Final Word: Harmonising with the Seasons

Seasonal living is a cornerstone of Chinese medicine. By adjusting your habits in tune with summer’s Fire element, you can preserve your energy, support your Shen, and enjoy more restorative, peaceful sleep, even on the hottest nights.

Listen to your body. Respect the rhythms of nature. And remember: in TCM, health is not about rigid routines, but graceful adaptation.

Sleeping with the Seasons: How to Sleep Well in Summer According to Chinese Medicine

As the sun climbs higher and the days stretch longer, many of us find ourselves tossing and turning at night, struggling to fall or stay asleep. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, this is no surprise. Summer is the season of Fire, one of the five elements in TCM, and it governs the Heart, which in turn houses the Shen - our spirit or consciousness.

Understanding how summer affects your body, energy, and mind can help you align your sleep habits with nature's rhythms, leading to deeper rest and greater overall harmony.

The Fire Element and Summer Energy

In TCM, each season corresponds to an element, organ, and emotional state. Summer’s Fire energy is expansive, active, and yang in nature. It's a time of growth, movement, and outward expression. The Heart, which rules over blood circulation and mental clarity, is especially vulnerable in this season.

When Fire becomes excessive, due to overexposure to heat, overstimulation, or emotional stress—it can disturb the Shen, leading to symptoms such as:

• Insomnia or restlessness

• Vivid or disturbing dreams

• Anxiety or irritability

• Night sweats or excessive heat at night

Summer Sleep Tips from Chinese Medicine

1. Sleep Later, Wake Earlier, but Not Too Late

Summer invites a more relaxed schedule. TCM texts suggest going to bed slightly later and waking earlier than in winter. Aim to rest by 11 PM to avoid taxing the Heart and Liver. Early morning walks (especially at dawn) can harmonize your internal clock with nature’s rhythm.

2. Nourish the Heart and Calm the Shen

Calm your spirit with Heart-nourishing foods and herbs:

• Cooling teas: Chrysanthemum, lotus seed, and passionflower

• Heart-tonifying foods: Red dates, goji berries, watermelon, bitter melon

• Avoid excessive stimulants like caffeine and spicy foods, especially at night.

3. Avoid Overexertion and Excess Heat

While summer encourages activity, overdoing it, especially under the sun, can burn out your Qi. Choose gentle evening exercises like tai chi, qi gong, or yin yoga to wind down.

4. Create a Yin-Inspired Sleep Space

Balance the abundant Yang of summer by making your bedroom a Yin sanctuary:

• Use cool, light-colored bedding

• Keep the room dark and well-ventilated

• Try aromatherapy with calming oils like sandalwood or lavender

5. Embrace a Siesta Mindset

TCM encourages a short midday rest during the peak yang hours (11 AM–1 PM). A 20-minute nap can restore Heart energy and reduce nighttime restlessness.

A Final Word: Harmonising with the Seasons

Seasonal living is a cornerstone of Chinese medicine. By adjusting your habits in tune with summer’s Fire element, you can preserve your energy, support your Shen, and enjoy more restorative, peaceful sleep, even on the hottest nights.

Listen to your body. Respect the rhythms of nature. And remember: in TCM, health is not about rigid routines, but graceful adaptation.

Cosmetic Acupuncture for Spring (Getting your Skin Summer Ready)

SKIN HEALTH

Our skin has never been under such pressure as it combats the daily stresses of a modern day life, especially at seasonal transitions. When we talk about skin health and ageing naturally, a 360° approach is vital.

Cosmetic Acupuncture or Facial Rejuvenation is an extension of traditional acupuncture. It naturally helps make the skin look younger, smoother, and all-around healthier. And unlike more invasive procedures, facial acupuncture addresses not only signs of aging, but also the skin’s overall health.

In Chinese Medicine we believe that external skin quality is driven by our internal health. That means you can apply the best and most expensive skincare on your face but if you are stressed, not sleeping, eating badly or have a hormonal imbalance - what you apply to your skin will simply not be effective. The focus is to create long-term changes in the health of the skin and body, not short-term quick fixes. By this, we mean better collagen stimulation, a brightened skin tone, reduced jaw tension, and a softer appearance overall on top of health benefits like reduced anxiety and tension.

HOW IT WORKS

Chinese Medicine focuses on the processes of the human body as an energy system, whereby skin health and well being relies on the smooth and dynamic flow of energy or Qi through the body. Once internal causes that affect skin ageing are assessed, a prescription of body acupuncture will complement your holistic cosmetic treatment, allowing you to experience a full flow of energy that will support the facial acupuncture.

Facial cosmetic acupuncture focuses on rejuvenating, re-energising and addressing all signs of skin concerns by stimulating, repairing and renewing skin mechanisms from within the dermis.

The treatment involves superficially inserting tiny and painless needles on the face. As the needles puncture the skin, they create wounds within its threshold, which are called positive microtraumas. This process accelerates a cascade of crucial healing triggers, which facilitates increased micro-circulation and oxygen supply to the skin as well as encouraging the skin’s own repair mode. The rejuvenating treatment promotes detoxification and encourages production of newer and stronger collagen and elastin fibres resulting in improved firmness, elasticity, reduced fine lines, regeneration, healthier complexion and texture.  

But unlike Botox or dermal fillers, facial acupuncture isn’t a quick fix of any kind. The majority of people see improvements after just a few sessions of facial acupuncture, but we recommend 6 to 12 treatments once or twice a week to see optimum and long lasting results. After that, you can go into what we call a “maintenance stage,” where you get the treatment every four to eight weeks. 

RESULTS

Our natural 360° approach to your skin health will deliver lasting anti-ageing results:

✓ Lifting, firming & toning

✓ Fine line & wrinkle smoothing

✓ Revitalising & contouring

✓ Lift scarring

✓ Get that glow back

SPRING REJUVENATION

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is the season of renewal and growth, governed by the Wood element, which is closely linked to the Liver. This is the ideal time to detoxify, refresh, and awaken the skin after the stagnation of winter. Acupuncture during this period helps to stimulate circulation, clear toxins, and bring vibrancy back to the complexion. As we move into summer, the season of the Fire element, associated with the Heart, our focus shifts to hydration, cooling, and protecting the skin from excess heat and inflammation. By harmonising the body’s energy flow in spring, we lay the foundation for a radiant, balanced complexion that thrives through the warmer months, allowing the skin to reflect the vitality and lightness of the season.

THE ESCAPADA SKIN HEALTH PROGRAMME

This advanced signature cosmetic rejuvenation approach is an inspirational treatment that integrates Chinese medical wisdom with western scientific interventions. Our signature programme combines the latest specialised techniques of TCM beauty and western advancements.

Techniques include cosmetic acupuncture, medical micro-needling and facial rejuvenation techniques such as guasha, jade rolling and cupping.
The application of peptide infused masks and skincare botanicals, rich in natural active ingredients, further rebalance and nourish skin health. All of this combined with constitutional acupuncture and lifestyle guidance  for internal health, truly makes this a complete 360° body programme.

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Your Escapada Spring Health Guide

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Physicians have been seeing increasing symptoms of toxicity in their patients over the last few decades. Hormone imbalances, obesity, mental fog, memory loss, fatigue, lack of vitality, metabolic syndrome, sleep disturbances are all manifestations of toxins building up in our body.  Spring is upon us, a perfect time of year to support detoxification. As the seasons change, many of us are motivated to do ‘spring cleaning’ in our homes and gardens. The same need applies to our bodies. When the body is supported to detox, it can function more efficiently and gain resilience.

As we move from Winter into the Spring season, you may have noticed feelings of invigoration within you, with an urge to exercise and reconnect with nature, spending time outside in the sunshine, working in the garden. With the changing seasons, it is important to understand the natural changes which occur inside our body in response to the outside seasonal change. In Eastern Medicine, health is considered to be good when a balance between mind, body and the environment is maintained. To do this it is very important to adapt ourselves to the seasonal routine/regimen suitable for each season (diet and lifestyle changes). Spring is a season of energy, vitality, and celebration, but the changing environment creates changes in one's constitutional balance that should be addressed via diet and lifestyle changes. Also, the season change can affect some of us differently than others, e.g., the blooming flowers may make some individuals happy, the resulting pollen may exacerbate allergies in other constitutions.

Therefore as seasons change:

So should our eating habits, lifestyle and physical activity accordingly. Simply because, our body is built in such a way that it responds to every season in a unique fashion. When we fail to do so, that is when imbalance/diseases come knocking.

SPRING TIME

It is the long-awaited change of winter to spring. Seeds sprout, flowers bloom, and the sun warms the earth. There is a sense of renewal and new life all around. While winter was a time to conserve energy and reduce activity, spring is a time of regeneration, new beginnings, and a renewal of spirit. Spring is the ideal time for cleansing and rejuvenation for overall health and well-being.

Spring corresponds to the "Wood" element, which in turn is conceptually related to the liver and gallbladder organs, these two organs are usually the primary targets for springtime cleansing and health regimens. . According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi (energy) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. 

DETOX EFFECTIVELY!!

Put the juicing book down! Our bodies have some pretty amazing systems in place to make sure we don't become toxic but we need to support it in the right way to reduce/eliminate toxins. There is a misconception that our liver is just a dirty filter that needs to be rinsed out. (It's not. The liver doesn't store toxins, it transforms unsafe molecules into safe molecules that can be more easily removed from the body.)

So with that lets shift our attention to supporting the powerhouse that is our Liver!

OUR LIVER HEALTH GUIDE

~ NOURISHING NUTRITION:

Toxins to avoid:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Refined cane sugar
• Artificial Sweeteners
• Artificial additives & preservatives (check for numbers on food labels)
• Hydrogenated oils, often added to snack foods.
• Avoiding processed food altogether can be an easy way to avoid the above 4 items.
• Non-organic meats & diary which may contain hormones, pesticides & antibiotics in their feed.
• Any foods you know that you have a sensitivity to

• Relieve your liver by consuming less, especially highly processed foods and alcohol, while you increase your intake of lightly steamed vegetables and whole grains. In general, it is best to eat foods that are local and clean/organic to ensure that nutrients are dense and you can avoid any added chemicals

• To prevent or alleviate liver Qi stagnation (build up) add these foods to your spring diet: onions, garlic, mustard greens, watercress, asparagus, taro root, cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, artichokes, carrots, celery, turmeric, basil, mint, horseradish, pepper, cardamon, cumin, fennel, dill, ginger, sprouted grains, sourdough breads, extra virgin olive oil, molasses, kumquats, tangerines, grapefruit, and water chestnuts.

• Taste Sour - Foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver's qi. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing. Garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle. 

• Pungent-flavored foods stimulate circulation of Qi and blood, enhance digestion, disperse mucus, remove obstructions and improve sluggish liver function.

  Pungent foods you can add in include: mint, spring onions, ginger, horseradish, chamomile and black pepper

• Eating green foods will also help decongest your liver, promote Qi movement upwards and outward, and bring your body into harmony with the season. Nourish and support the liver by focusing on the intake of green, chlorophyll-rich foods: kale, parsley, collard greens.
  
  
  
  

~ MINDFUL MOVEMENT:

• Stretch - The liver controls the tendons. According to Chinese medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. Try yoga or tai qi.
  
  Eye Exercises - The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises

• Do more outdoor activities - Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Try hiking or take up golf

• Increase your movement—start an exercise program of walking, dancing, Qi Gong, yoga, running, swimming
  
  
  
  
  

  ~ TREATMENT

• Get Acupuncture: acupuncture is an amazing and gentle way to even out any ‘stuck bits’ in the body – be it physical, emotional or energetic. If you’re feeling sick, stuck, sad or just plain confused, see your local acupuncturist for a seasonal tune-up. You might find that while you’re doing all the above things in the right way a good acupuncture session or two can really help to turn things around.
  
  
  
  
  

  ~ LIFESTYLE/SELF CARE

• Let go: spring is the time of new beginnings. Let go of anything that was weighing you down during the previous heavy winter months. Take some time to sit down and clarify your goals and values. What brings you joy and happiness? Are you able to replace any of the things that have been negative in your life with these new positive aspects? The liver is a very emotional organ that loves to hold on to old anger and worries. Let these go! Take this season as an opportunity to emotionally relinquish things that are no longer serving you – situations, relationships and emotions – and welcome in the space for new exciting times.

• Enjoy a sauna, steam, or soak to help with detoxification

• Get a facial and/or body treatment to slough off that dull, winter skin

• Walk barefoot to get grounded and reconnect with the season

• Do something spontaneous to rev up that sense of adventure

• Walk through nature and listen to the birds sing

• Call up an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and have a good chat

• Laugh

• Spring clean your home

• Try something new

try the seasonal rice cleanse

What Does the Rice Cleanse do?

It gives our body the chance to get rid of old waste products that have accumulated over the years due to poor nutrition caused by too much sugar, coffee, cigarettes, animal proteins, stress, environmental influences and excessive lifestyle.

What We should Fundamentally Consider:

We should always be aware that a cleanse can only be effective in the long term, if we gradually adapt and rethink our attitudes, behaviour patterns and nutritional habits. Our diet should be largely plant-based and contain very little, if any, ready-made products or foods containing preservatives. Sugar and coffee should not be a matter of daily eating habits for us. Especially directly after the rice cleanse, we should only eat easily digestible and delicately spiced food.

What Changes Can You Expect?

Improvement in; headaches and migraines, digestive problems, heartburn and stomach irritation, skin issues, menstrual cramps, sleep issues, concentration - clarity of thought, reduction of mucus in the nose and sinuses - reduction or disappearance of cysts and myomas, weight loss, strengthening of the immune system, calmer mind

How To Prepare the Rice:

1 part natural rice | 2 - 3 parts water

Preferably cook in a pressure cooker or rice cooker (also good to keep warm) for 45 minutes and let it simmer for 10 minutes! If this is not possible, then put it into a conventional pot with lid. Boil until the water has evaporated and the rice grain has opened well and is soft. The rice should not be too soft i.e. sticky and not too hard. it should have a good sweetish aroma and be slightly sticky.

Type of Rice:

Natural unpeeled rice. We do not use white husked rice. The natural condition of the grain stimulates our digestive system to work harder,
It needs more energy and more time to split the full grain and produce energy from it. Our body has to get used to this process and in the beginning of the cleanse, it will have difficulties to use and transform everything, which has the knock on effect of weight loss and we have to eat more rice to be really full. Once our bodies get used to it, we will not need to eat so much and we will be able to get enough energy from smaller amounts. It should also be mentioned that we add very little, less than a pinch of sea salt to the water.

PS: Regarding rice and arsenic - always wash your rice well, soak it overnight if necessary, and choose organic over conventional. That way you can minimise contamination. Jasmine rice and basmati rice are good choices.

How to Do Cleanse:

• You eat only cooked rice/congee/miso soup (recipes below) for three to eight days, and always only when you are hungry. Whole grain rice has a stronger detoxifying effect than white rice, but is more difficult to digest. That is why we recommend white rice (of good quality) if you have a weak digestion. Cooking the rice for a longer time makes it even more digestible. Cooked with more water for at least two hours, it becomes rice soup (congee- see recipe below), which is a real healing food in TCM.

• Meal times should be regular - in the morning, at noon and in the evening. If you are hungry, you can also eat a portion in between.

• The rice is prepared without spices, salt and fat. Please eat slowly and chew well! During the cleanse, sufficient rest and sleep are important. If possible, take a few days off for this!

• Suitable drinks: warm to hot water, herbal teas, about 2 to 3 litres a day.

• Please pay attention to your digestion - it should be regular! If you get constipated, put some dried plums in water in the evening and drink it the next morning (you can also eat the plums).

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why we all need some yoga & Breathework in our working day

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a common part of life. While short-term stress can be a motivating factor to get projects finished or get you through a busy day, slipping over time into chronic stress can negatively affect both mental and physical health.

When our body is in stress mode or working from our sympathetic nervous system it down regulates other functions impacting things likes clarity and focus. By providing circuit breakers such as yoga or breathe work in your day can be incredibly effective at impacting not only your body physically but also reaching your full potential at work and getting the best out of your day. .

Understanding Mindful Movement

Mindful movement refers to physical activities performed with heightened awareness and intention. Unlike high-intensity exercises that focus on speed and endurance, mindful movement encourages presence and connection between the mind and body. Examples include yoga, tai chi, qigong, and gentle stretching routines. These practices emphasise slow, deliberate movements synchronised with breathing, helping to release tension and promote relaxation.

Studies show that mindful movement reduces the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and enhances mood by increasing endorphin levels. Regular practice has also been linked to improved heart rate variability, a marker of resilience to stress.

The Power of Breathwork

The single most effective and cheapest tool at our disposal for stress management. Breathwork involves conscious control of the breath to influence physiological and psychological states. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, and alternate nostril breathing help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which counters the body’s stress response.

Deep breathing techniques increase oxygen supply, slow the heart rate, and lower blood pressure. Additionally, breath awareness encourages mindfulness, helping individuals stay present and reducing rumination on stressful thoughts. It can be really useful in the moment to calm reactive response - I think we have all had those moments with colleagues we wish we could take back.

Integrating Mindful Movement and Breathwork for Stress Relief

The combination of mindful movement and breathwork creates a synergistic effect that enhances stress management. When practiced together, these techniques:

1. Reduce Physical Tension – Slow, intentional movements relieve muscle stiffness and promote relaxation.

2. Calm the Nervous System – Controlled breathing shifts the body from a state of fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest.

3. Enhance Emotional Regulation – Increased awareness of the body and breath fosters a sense of control and emotional balance.

4. Improve Focus and Clarity – Mindful practices enhance concentration, reducing the impact of stress-induced distractions.

Feeling flat?BOOSTING YOUR LIBIDO with Chinese medicine

Chinese Medicine & Low Libido

Defining sexual dysfunction is tricky, because we are all individual and have different feelings and expectations regarding what’s ‘normal’ for us, ranging from being highly sexual to rarely interested. However, issues may occur when your own level of sexual interest and function changes, or isn’t aligned with that of your partner. To a certain extent, it’s normal for sexual desire to wax and wane and a low sex drive is often the result of major life changes such as illness, having a baby, menopause or ironically from the pressure of trying to have a baby. When the solution is pills for men, an anti-depressant or injection for women, all with side effects, lets look at a more natural approach, that, yes, will take more time, but it will be so worth it with long lasting results.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), low libido and poor sexual function are often seen as an imbalance of Yin (female energies) and Yang (male energies)

In particular, as they relate to the Kidney organ-meridian system (which in TCM includes not only the kidneys themselves, but also the sexual organs and hormones). When the functioning of the Kidney organ-meridian, Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang are healthy and in balance, sexual vitality and performance are also likely to be strong. However, deficiency of Kidney Yang may dampen sex drive, and low levels of Kidney Yin may decrease stamina and performance (even if the desire for sex remains). Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang perpetually influence each other. All imbalances have different diagnoses in Chinese medicine and are treated with different combinations of herbs and regular acupuncture treatments.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO:

1. Movement

Women can often hold tension and repressed emotions in the pelvic area which can lead to stagnant sexual desire. Repressed emotions don’t disappear, instead, they reveal themselves in unhealthy ways and disrupt harmony in the body. The liver, in Chinese medicine, is believed to play the primary role in regulating and ventilating the flow of qi, blood, and fluids in the body's circulatory systems. The liver meridians regulate the menstrual cycle and circulate blood and hormones to and from the the uterus, ovaries, and sex organs. The Chinese medicine mindful movement Qi Gong, is an amazing movement to bring into your daily routine as there are many styles of qigong that are specifically targeted for circulation in these channels and to get the energy moving. It can help you restore your libido if you practise regularly. This qigong style is unique in that the sexual qi is quickly charged as you do the exercises, which involve shaking and vibrating the sexual organs. If your low libido comes from a place of deficiency rather than stagnation, there are numerous routines and sequences to slowly start building back up your energy and therefore build back up your sexual energy and desire. Overtraining your body can result in depleting already depleted reserves.

2. nourishing nutrition

Healthy sexuality depends on the healthy energy that you put into it, so all the attention we pay to sexuality revolves around good management of Qi (energy). You can’t put pour from an empty cup. In Chinese medicine when we look at treating low libido, we look at nutrition that will strengthen our kidney energy. This is where the real long term solutions come into play. Foods that strengthen kidney yin are red dates, black sesame seeds, seaweed, grains like barley & millet, walnuts, black beans, kidney beans, and veggies like string bean, sweet potato, tomato, water chestnut, yam, zucchini.

Herbs:
Maca is a root plant native to South America that is said to nourish the endocrine glands which produce and release sex hormones, so improving vaginal sensitivity as well as stimulating the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands, which in turn support and balance hormones and so boost flagging desire. Add a teaspoonful of the powder to a smoothie or hot drink daily.
If depression and fatigue are responsible for low libido, tonic herbs like ginseng and ashwagandha help build stamina and energy, regulate metabolic rate and protect against mental and emotional stress.

There are also some foods that are known as natural aphrodisiacs. Figs, bananas and avocados are considered libido-boosting and also provide important vitamins and minerals that can increase blood flow to the genitals and promote a health sex life.

As a general rule eat ‘food of love’ - A vibrant, energising, balanced diet plays a major role in delivering the same benefits in the bedroom, while heavy, fatty foods will make you feel sluggish. We all know that food affects your mood, behaviours and most importantly your relationship and sex drive.

3. Treatments

Acupuncture |

Acupuncture is increasingly an applied treatment for numerous sexual health conditions, it has become a popular, natural treatment for improving libido without side effects. Taking a whole body approach to issues like low libido, acupuncturists understand that challenges with libido can be an indication of a deeper, underlying issue. Acupuncture works to restore optimal health rather than suppressing or masking a particular symptom and essentially encouraging your body to do its normal job and functioning - equilibrium.

Acupuncture increases your sex drive by:

• Improving circulation - Acupuncture promotes blood flow along the pathways that surround the reproductive and other organs that affect sex drive

• Balancing hormones—Acupuncture helps stimulate hormonal glands

• Relieving stress—Acupuncture can restore emotional balance and help you relax

• Your practitioner can also work with you on a range of individual dietary and lifestyle choices that may be preventing your body from being in its optimal sexual health status

Herbal Medicine |

Herbal medicine can be a wonderful way to support your body as your herbalist can combine herbs to make formulas and tonics specific to your individual needs. For example, formulas can be created to nourish your blood in combination with herbs to improve circulation which is vital for hormonal and sexual health. For women, herbs that help to regulate the menstrual cycle and support healthy female reproductive function include white Peony root and Dong Quai.

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is a popular blood nourishing formula. They are often taken with female reproductive tonics traditionally used to tone and preserve the Yin (such as Rehmannia, Chinese Licorice and Ginger) and promote the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood to the ovaries, uterus and pelvis (such as tangkuei and Chinese Angelica root). Chinese medicine has a long tradition of using safe, gentle aphrodisiacs and may be all you need to get your sex life back on track.

At-Home Acupressure |

Acupressure can be a really lovely way to stimulate circulatory points but to also connect with your partner with touch. Touching is a powerful thing, especially in areas that relate to a holistic view of your partner and research shows that the act of physically touching your partner helps create intimacy and relieve stress. So get your favourite oils ready.

• Give a foot massage & incorporate these points

KIDNEY 1
On the sole, in the depression when the foot is in plantar flexion, approximately at the anterior third and the posterior two thirds of the line from the web between the 2nd and 3rd toes to the back of the heel.

SPLEEN 4
On the medial/inside aspect of the foot, in the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone.

Gently massage Kidney 1 (KI1) and Spleen 4 (SP4), which are both located on the feet. These are considered very powerful points for balancing the subtle energies in the body while simultaneously promoting an increase in blood flow to the core of the body. Both of these points are directly and intimately connected to both the male and female reproductive organs. A foot massage will also give a quick boost of circulation and warmth to the feet, Chinese medicine maintains that cold feet means poor circulation and poor circulation makes it harder to orgasm. This may also give you a pass to continue wearing socks during sex!!

• Massage Stomach 30

Level with the superior edge of the pubic bone, 2 cun (roughly 2 finger- breaths) lateral to the mid-line. It can also be found halfway from the midline to the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle at that level. Stomach 30 (ST30) is right near a main artery, which again, helps to increase blood flow in the body. Slowly press on this pressure point for a few seconds, hold, and release.

4. Self Care

Join Forces |
In ancient Chinese medicine philosophy, yin and yang (night/day, hot/cold) is a concept of dualism, describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. These interactions require a mutual interdependence and connection. Poor sexual health and low libido can often have roots in a lack of connection with your partner. This can happen for a variety of reasons, lack of time, stress, busy schedules with children etc. Make time for date night or allow space where intimacy and connection can happen.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, sex, in the context of a supportive relationship, is important. The Taoist sages would say that having sex connects us energetically to our partners. This is known as He Qi, which literally means “joining energy.” It refers to the way that in a good sexual relationship, both partners contribute energy to each other. By doing this, the Taoists believed that it was possible to use sex to increase lifespan and heal the body.

Sleep & Time |
Many of us have a hectic lifestyle that can lead to sleep deprivation. Being busy also makes it difficult to make time for sex and intimacy. People who balance work with caring for aging parents or young children are often left exhausted, which can lead to a reduced sex drive. It is like during from an empty cup. At times we all need to reflect where we can cut down on unnecessary stress or rushing around. Try and prioritise what needs to be done in the week, you may have more time than you think on your hands.

Stress Management |
No matter how healthy you are, being stressed out can affect your sex drive and decrease your kidney Qi (energy). Women are particularly susceptible to the effects that stress can have on one’s sex life, according to research. Try to manage the stress in your life with rituals and practices that resonate with you, such as mindful movement (yoga, Qi Gong), meditation, time for you. This also allows time for connection with yourself, as if this is lost than connection with others can be hard.