Autumn represents the beginning of the Yin cycle in Traditional Chinese medicine. It is a period of time when things start to slow down in anticipation of the winter months ahead. Moving from the expansive, external nature of summer towards the more internal nature.
Autumn is a time to prepare for change. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is considered the “dry” time, and it is important to nourish your yin during this time. The dryness of this period typically can reflect on the body as dryness or itchiness on the skin, the experience of dry coughs, sore throats, sinus congestion, headaches, and even constipation.
Carefully choosing the foods we eat may be all the medicine we need at times. Here are a few simple autumn recipes that we have curated for you to enjoy during these splendid Autumn months. If you're interested to learn even more about herbal therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, visit our herbal therapy page.
Our clinic has over thirty years of experience, and we aim to deliver the best Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments in Hong Kong. To make an appointment, feel free to contact us today, our friendly staff will be happy to help. Alternatively, you can call +852 2526 7908 or email info@chinesemed.hk.
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Article Contents:
What Is Chinese Herbal Therapy?
What Is Chinese Herbal Therapy?
Chinese herbal therapy is part of a larger healing system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also includes acupuncture, cupping, lifestyle advice, and more. Chinese herbal therapy uses plant-based, natural ingredients to treat the underlying causes of the patient's disease. Most of the herbal medicines used are made from different flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, and roots of plants.
Chinese herbal therapy is one of the most comprehensive and oldest forms of herbal therapy in the world with over 5,767 medicinal substances recorded in the materia medica (TCM medicinal substances book). The herbal information on traditional uses, dosages, and contraindications for each herb, as well as any available information on its drug interactions, and any conventional medical research is available in great detail.
How Can Chinese Herbal Therapy Help You?
The underlying principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine differ from Western notions about health, and illness. If you're looking to cure the root cause of your disease in a holistic and natural way, Chinese Herbal Therapy may be a form of alternative medicine that may be a good choice for you.
TCM practitioners believe that disease arises from imbalances in the body and Chinese herbs are prescribed to correct these imbalances over time. Each person's body constitution is unique and the treatment modalities and prescriptions are altered to fit that changing environment. Through continual work, together we aim to treat the underlying disease.
An extension of Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy is dietary and lifestyle advice. Picking the right foods and eating with the seasons can be all the medicine you need sometimes. Living in alignment with the seasonal cycle can provide a layer of protection against common diseases characteristic of the season, as well as cultivate a preventative mindset over time.
Healthy Beetroot Salad
INGREDIENTS
4 beetroots
1 cup of Greek or goat yogurt
1 teaspoon of dill
1 small sweet onion
THE RECIPE
Cut beetroots finely and place it into a bowl.
Mix with yogurt, dill, and onion.
Pour mixture over the beetroot.
Allow it to sit for fifteen minutes.
WHY?
Beetroot can be particularly helpful for nourishing the blood. Yogurt can help to nourish the body's yin, it also benefits the intestines, and help to cool the internal system.
Porridge With A Twist
INGREDIENTS
1 cup oats
2 ½ cups water
Tahini
1 Apple
1 Pear
THE RECIPE
You can choose to leave the oats soaking overnight or cook them directly over a stovetop
Chop apple and pear into pieces.
Whilst you’re cooking the oats, add tahini, add chopped apple, and pear
WHY?
Oats act as a warming Qi tonic for the Spleen and Stomach. This can be particularly effective for those who are suffering from constipation.
Digestion is crucial to our overall health. When the digestion system isn’t working properly, the rest of the body suffers. Quality of sleep may deteriorate, and result in a lack of energy. The skin may also be affected.
By adding tahini, apples, and pears, this recipe will help nourish and strengthen the body’s yin.
Carrot & Tofu Quiche (EGG-FREE, DAIRY-FREE!)
INGREDIENTS
4 carrots
1 pound tofu
Salt
1 small onion
1 clove garlic
½ teaspoon of dill seed
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Sesame seeds
Pastry pie dish
THE RECIPE
Steam carrots.
Mash carrots!
In a separate bowl, blend tofu with a pinch of salt and a cup of water. Ensure to use enough water to allow for a creamy consistency in the tofu mixture.
Chop the onion and garlic, and add it to the tofu mixture.
Add grated orange rind, dill, and parsley to the tofu mixture.
Stir in the mashed carrots.
Pour the mixture into the pastry dish
Add sesame seeds.
Bake at 350 degrees for forty minutes.
WHY?
Tofu, carrot, and parsley provide nourishment for the yin, blood, and qi. The onion, garlic, dill, and orange add warmth as well as counteract any dampness or congestion that may be experienced from the heaviness of the pastry.
Special Sesame Treats
INGREDIENTS
2 cups sesame seeds
2 tablespoons melted butter
¼ cup of honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
THE RECIPE
Dry roast the sesame seeds.
Grind the roasted sesame seeds into a fine powder.
Stir all the ingredients together, and then press it together.
Let the mixture harden.
Shape the mixture into marble-sized spheres.
WHY?
Sesame seeds strengthen the yin, and honey acts as a sweet tonic for the qi. Eating a small quantity of these delicious desserts can help to counteract dryness in the Autumn season.
Chinese Herbal Therapy at Health Wise
Ensuring a balanced diet is a great first step towards taking a preventative approach to your health. Get in touch with us if you want to take another step further! Our clinic has over thirty years of experience, and we aim to deliver the best Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments in Hong Kong. Learn a bit more about our Chinese Herbal therapy treatments at Health Wise:
Our Formulas
Our formulas contain a combination of herbs that are uniquely selected to support your health. Our registered practitioners are qualified to blend herbs that address your symptoms and treat your whole body. Our herbal dispensary will mix the unique herbal formulas as prescribed by our practitioners to treat your diagnosis.
Herbs Sourcing
Our herbs are carefully sourced from growers and manufacturers that we trust to provide pure and effective herbs.
Our Process
You are always changing so we believe your herbs should change accordingly. We adjust your formulas to suit. In addition, we will provide clear directions on how to take your herbs. When you need a refill just come on in.
For bookings give us a call at +852 2526 7908 or email info@chinesemed.hk. Chinese Herbal Therapy treatments by our certified practitioners are both safe and effective. You can opt for the herbal consultation-only session, or add herbal consultation to your acupuncture session.
The benefits of Chinese Herbal Therapy increase over time and can yield long-term health benefits. Thank you for reading this short article. For inquiries about Chinese Herbal Therapy. you can follow this link to contact us.
Learn More About Chinese Medicine
Be sure to visit our Health Wise Blog, we have several informative articles to help our patients. Here's a series of articles that we think may be beneficial:
We aim to continue to provide more useful Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture information at our Health Wise Chinese Medicine's Newsletter page.
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