Could you use more Energy?

Energy is a central focus of Chinese Medicine. In the clinic it’s common to hear people say they feel tired, or even just that they could use some more energy. Energy is called Qi (pronounced Chee) in Chinese medicine. Although Qi is more than the ideas that the English word Energy contains. Its a lifeforce, the force which provides movement, flow, and at the same time nourishment to the body.

Qi is more of a Yang quality. There are more than 10 different kinds of Qi in the body – Defensive Qi – or the energy that protects us from getting sick from exposure to external pathogens, is just one example. Food Qi, know as Gu Qi is another.

How do we make Qi? Food and Air are the two main ingredients. We can breathe in Qi. This is why breathing is so important and exercise therapies in Oriental cultures are centered around breathing (Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi etc).

The second way to make Qi is from food. “Gu Qi” literally means “food Qi” – which is the energy our bodies get from nutrients extracted from our diet.

Making energy essentially depends on 2 things:

1) The source – having fresh air and nutrient appropriate food to begin with

2) The machine – Our body is essentially a machine to make energy. The bodies ability to process the air – the techniques we use to breathe, our posture, our habits and the bodies digestion are essential to extracting good Gu Qi from food and fluids. If you tune up your car to make it run better, doesn’t it makes sense to tune up your body from time to time?

Chinese Medicine practitioners are very concerned with your digestion as it’s the essential way for the body to make the energy it needs to heal itself. Even if you’ve come in with a sprained ankle or a headache, good digestion is important to the long term healing of your body.

Practitioners will often ask about bowel movements, appetite and the in’s and out’s of what you eat on a regular basis.

Good digestion means you will recover quicker from injury, react better to stressful and unforeseen events and generally be able to eat a wide variety of foods without too many side effects.

If you experience bloating, gas, diarrhoea or loose stools or constipation (not going every day) on a frequent/normal basis then your body could probably do with a tune up.

When you have acupuncture, there are many ways an acupuncturist can “boost your energy”. One common way is throught strengthening the organs in the processes above – the Spleen and Stomach are central to healthy diegestion. The Lungs are essential to breathing and getting Air Qi into into your body.

THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER MARIE HOPKINSON. THERE ARE MORE ARTICLES ON MARIE’S BLOG ABOUT WHAT TO EAT TO OPTIMISE YOUR DIGESTION ACCORDING TO CHINESE MEDICINE.

Tips For Going Sugar-Free

Tips For Going Sugar-Free 
- Marie Hopkinson

Trying to kick Refined sugar in your life? 

1) Go cold turkey - it’s better just to quit sugar, throw away your sugary
treats and spend a few days letting your body and mind adjust. Pick a time when things aren't too stressful. After a week, the cravings will significantly subside and your body will thank you enormously.

2) Remove temptation - throw away or put the chocolates and lollies out of sight so your not visually tempted.

3) Plan your treats. Quitting sugar doesn't mean you can’t have any treats. There are tons of sugar-free recipes online. Refined sugar replacements like maple syrup, coconut sugar, dried fruits, agave syrup can be used in cooking or making raw sweet treats. I recommend getting away from the sweet flavour as much as possible but having access to some of these in the first week or 2 will make it easier.

4) Look after your Spleen. The more you nurture your Spleen Energy, the less your body will crave sugar and the better you will feel.

Why Should I quit sugar? 

Sweet is the flavour of the spleen energy in Chinese medicine. It’s a very important organ for digestive processes. A small amount of sweet helps the Spleen, but too much can overwhelm the Spleen Qi (pronounced “chee”). When we crave sweet especially after eating a meal, it indicates the Spleen Qi is weak. (You will usually get diarrhoea or loose bowel movements, and see toothmarks on the tongue as well). Since the Spleen makes energy for your body to function, when it can’t diegest well, it can be a cause of tiredness.

Refined cane sugar overwhelms the Spleen energy. In a biomedical sense, this corelates with rise and subsequent drop of blood sugar levels. This gives you an instant burst of energy or buzz, followed by a low...usually lower than you felt before you ate the chocolate or lollies.

Sweet-natured foods that can nurture the Spleen energy include root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and unrefined, cooked grains like barley, rice and millet.

In a biomedical sense, theses foods have a low gylcemic index, which means they take longer to break down and don’t require the same biochemical reaction that refined sugary-sweet natured foods do. They won’t quickly spike and lower your blood sugar level.

The golden rule of Chinese diet therapy, and longevity practices in general is EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. Balance isn’t just a  token yin-yang symbol, but it’s a guiding key principal to achieve health and longevity in life.

FREE Sugar-Free RECIPES ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

www.metrohealth.com.au 

Metro Health and Medicine

200 Whatley Crs 

Maylands, WA 6051

Mulberry Power

Mulberries are coming in season now in Australia. According to Chinese medicine they have really unique properties for a fruit.

Most fruits have a heat-clearing nature, but Mulberries are a tonic. They tonify the Kidney Energy (Qi) and Blood. These functions mean they are great food for:

- Helping hair growth
- Helping hair look lustrous and moisturised.
- General weakness, tiredness and low energy from deficiency.
- Helping the kind of insomnia of waking up in the night (especially when there is night sweating)

Mulberries are a special fruit because you can't buy them from a shop, so you need to pick them yourself, making their Qi (Energy) more potent because they are so fresh.

Try some mulberries for yourself and realize the power of this nutritious, medicinal food

Mulberries can be mixed with Chinese herbs for a really yummy tonic food - Go Qi Zi (GoJi Berries) and Da Zao (Red Dates) are medicinal foods.

Winter

Winter

Seasons are a major aspect of Chinese medicine, they influence the ways in which we should live, and the kinds of illnesses that are prevalent in the various seasons. Winter is the season where things retreat, hibernate and rejuvenate. Just as the weather becomes cold, and nature retreats, our lifestyle should also change to suit the climate. 

I took this photo on one of my trips to the tea village in Changsha

Wearing warm clothing, avoiding the wind and protecting the lower back (which is known as the “kidneys house”) is an important way to maintain health. Kidney energy relates specifically to winter via the Water Element. Water is reflected in tranquillity, stillness, rejuvenation and gestation. It’s the Kidney energy that is directly influential in reproduction and fertility. Water energy accumulates in hibernation and rest, this should be encouraged during Winter with longer sleep time (go to bed later and get up later), resting during the day by lying down flat after lunch for about 20 minutes, and sweating less by engaging in non-sweat producing exercises like stretching and gentle walking. 

Generally winter is the season where we don’t need to do much exercise. Certainly opening the pores during sweating creates an easy-access path for External Pathogens like Wind-Cold to invade and cause colds and flu’s.

The primary focus of winter is to allow the body to rest, sleep and recover from any cold and flu’s, and avoid exposure to External pathogens. For healthy people, winter should be a season of storing up the nourishing Post-natal Kidney Essence (Jing). 

Click here for a winter recipe! 

I feel Energised

Energy is such a precious resource to our human world - it can seem like a finite resource - we only have so much and then once used, it is gone. We often use phrases like "conserve your energy" or "that took up alot of energy" or "I dont feel like I have the energy for that".

In life things take time but also take energy. Some things can seem to take us longer when they are energy-draining tasks.

In Chinese medicine we think a great deal about energy. It is one of our bodies vital substances - known as Qi (pronounced Chee), it is made from Air and Food, and uses the finite resource of Kidney Jing Energy (that you are born with) to assist with Qi formation. Good breathing, Clean Air, Good Digestion and Good food that is healthy and and a mostly cooked diet will lead to good Qi production in one's body. Although Qi production does use some finite resource, the body is constantly able to make Qi provided the right ingredients (Food and Air) and manufucturing equipment (the health of your organs) are in good working order.

Your organs make Qi but they also require Qi to run the machine. Chinese medicine also considers the management of energy as a way to enhance health.

Quite often when we feel tired, it is not from exhaustion of Qi (i.e. not Enough energy) but from a stagnation of Qi. In stagnation, the body is producing enough Qi but it is stuck and not easily accesable.

The main differentating symptom here is in stagnation, the person will feel better with exercise, and in Qi deficency they will feel exhausted from doing exercise.

There are things which mentally energise us. Putting us in a "good mood" or some tasks can be energy-givers. Some people are energised by social life, others by solitude and time alone to refelct and think. Some find nature is the most peaceful and energising place, others like the stimulation of a big city with the hustle and bustle of something going on.

Energy-suckers are often things we have to do but we loathe the thought of them. It might be people who bieng around are just simply draining. When you leave their company it seems they have sucked the life out of you.

When life gets busy, it can seem like all our time is spent doing important things, but there isnt any left for the Energy-giving activities.

What are your energy-givers? Make time and plan in sometihing energy-giving this week.

What are your energy-suckers? How can you minimise the impact of Energy sucker activity on you?

If you struggle with sleep, digestion or find yourself sighing alot then acupuncture can help a great deal in your energy production and mobilisation of Qi. Seek out an acupuncturist near you that can help re-balance your bodies Qi so your Energy factory is at optimum working level. 

Mental Wellbeing with Chinese Medicine

When it comes to looking after our mental wellbeing, Australians are increasing their use of herbal and natural medicines...

72.9% of Australians who sought help for a mental health issue, used some form of natural medication in 2001 (National Health Survey, 2001). 

According to the National Health Survey (2004-5), the three leading conditions Australians sought help for with a Complementary Medicine Practitioner* were Arthritis, Asthama and mental or behavoural disorders.

As mental illness becomes more prominent in Australia, it is increasingly important to be aware of what natural and herbal medicines are available, and how we can use them.

Many patients want to stop using or avoid using western drugs or are looking to treat some symptoms that drugs are not tackling in their situation. It's important to consult with health professionals including your western doctor if you are going to change any Western medicine (drugs). 


Chinese herbs have been used routinely in China for centuries to treat a variety of mental illnesses.  For conditions ranging from anxiety and insomnia to psychosis and mania, they can be used by themselves or in conjunction with western drugs. 

One reason why Aussies are turning to herbal medicine is because they are dissatisfied with the treatment options Western medicine presents them.  In some cases patients find the side effects of drugs are worse than the disease itself.  Because a Chinese herbal prescription is matched according to the patients constitution and disease symptoms, there are rarely any side effects.
However, the answer is not necessarily in one or the other. In China, there is widespread integration of the two medical systems, therefore many patients are treated with a combination of western and Chinese medicine. In Australia, patients have increasing health options and, while drugs are not the only solution, they are not necessarily bad either. 

To understand Chinese medicines' role in mental health, we must first understand a little Chinese medical theory.  The system of Chinese medicine is a unique and very different system to what we commonly associate with medicine (pertaining to Western medicine).  Chinese medicine looks more at the body as a whole rather than one diseased or malfunctioning part. 

If one organ or area of the body is inadequately performing, this will ultimately impact the entire body.  This is one fundamental difference between Chinese and Western medicine. 

Chinese medicine considers the cause of disease as internal or external.  Internal causes include prolonged poor dietary habits (overeating, eating too much of cold or hot foods, eating during mental activities such as watching TV,  business lunches, eating while arguing etc) and excess emotions (worry, over thinking, hate or anger, sadness/grief, joy).  Emotions are linked with a specific major organ.  An excess of an emotion can damage that organ, leading to symptoms showing that organs functions have been impaired.
A famous saying in Chinese medicine is "Worry knots Spleen Qi". (Qi is a Chinese word,  pronounced Chee.  It roughly translates into “energy”, although the western concept of energy does not include all the functions of the Chinese word, Qi) 
Worry, over thinking or pensiveness, is the emotion liked with the Spleen.  The Spleens main job in Chinese medicine is to digest food (transports and transforms food and fluids). An example of worry knotting Spleen Qi is when a person has a problem weighing heavily on their mind, they can't stop circling over and over it.  This leads to decreased appetite (a symptom that the Spleen's function of digestion has been impaired).    

External causes of disease are the six pathogenic factors: wind, damp, fire, cold, dryness and sumerheat.  Fire may invade, initially causing a sore throat and other common cold symptoms. Fire can also arise internally, from stress (causing stagnation initially then transforming into heat), from diet and emotions. In a mental illness such as depression, fire can rise upwards, harassing the Heart-Spirit (know as the "Shen" in Chinese).  Fire causes symptoms of insomnia with excessive dreams, red face and eyes, feeling hot, headache, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), easily angry/ bad temper, irritability.   

Chinese herbs are used to move stagnant energy, clear fire or other pathogens, nourish (or boost up) deficient Blood, Energy, yin or yang, according to the diagnosis.      

Common Patterns 

In Western countries like USA, Australia and the UK,  "Liver Qi stagnation” is one of the most common patterns.  The Liver has the chief function to ensure smooth flow of Qi.  Without this smooth flow, there will be stagnant Qi. More about how to help this below...

If you are in a predominantly sitting position all day, (work at a desk) with increased mental activity, there is more opportunity for Liver Qi to become stagnant.  Depression, Anxiety, decreased mental clarity can all arise from Liver Qi stagnation.  Serious mental illness such as Bipolar Affective Disorder (Manic depressive) and Schizophrenia can be seen as complications of this same pattern. 

It is important to keep Liver Qi flowing smoothly. Apart from Acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbs, there are things you can do yourself to promote smooth flow of Liver Qi.  Gentle, regular exercise is the best thing to move Liver Qi.   Singing is another fun way to move Liver Qi.  (Loud belly singing is very therapeutic). Next time you feel depressed or sad, try singing!

See More about Liver Energy Stagnation Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i308M4Ff7eg

Diet Advice

Beneficial foods for the Liver Qi; Pungent flavors & small amounts of mild spices, onions, garlic, mustard greens, watercress, turmeric, basil, mint, peppermint, horseradish, pepper, cardamon, cumin, fenel and  ginger.
Sour Flavors such as citrus', vinegar, pickles, sour cherry and plum in small amounts.
Fresh vegetables, some fruits, sprouted grains, asparagus, taro, cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, beetroot, Jerusalem Artichoke, sourdough rye bread, extra virgin olive oil, molasses, small quantities of high quality meat, protein and fish.





*Complementary Medicine Practitioner includes 7 practitioners -  Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Naturopath, Osteopath, Herbalist, Traditional Healer and Hypnotherapist 

New Years Resolution...Part 2

In part one, we looked at the Spleen's role in thinking.

In the Huang Di Nei Jing it says the "Spleen stores ideas worrying beyond measure with out self-control will injure ideas" 

This concept that the Spleen stores ideas, is a link to digestion of both food and thoughts,  reinforced by another quote from the Nan Jing “...the Spleen stores ideas and intelligence”

This same passage states “the Kidneys store essence and Will”.  Will or Zhi as it is known in TCM, is the activation of our decisions into reality.

So when we make a new years resolution there is a complexity of steps involving success! Let's look at how Chinese medicine sees this process: 

An Idea – Spleen energy. Lack of ideas? Dont know what to do or what you want to do? Lots of Circular thinking - that's weak Splen energy. 

A conversation – no, talking to yourself is not a sign of madness…but you need to decide within yourself what you will do. Not every idea is a good one. Whether we “think it through” , weigh up pros and cons, imagine possible consequences. – this is all the Spleen energy which digests thoughts and imaginations.

A decision – Gall Bladder energy is needed for this part.

The Gall Bladder is responsible for courage. A person with weak Gall Bladder energy will be chronically indecisive, timid and lack courage to put forward their ideas and self into the world. Naturally assertive people who are comfortable with themselves have healthy Gall Bladder Energy. Overly confident people or those who can't help themselves in piping up, having to be right and letting everyone know can be linked to an excess of Gall Bladder Qi.

Follow through - Will Power (Zhi) to act on the decision and follow through. “The spirit of the Kidneys, the Zhi, rules the will, drive, ambition and survival instinct” Huang Di Nei Jing

This is where most new years resolutions come undone. If you already have the resolution then you’ve already decided what you want to do. Kidney energy is what’s needed for a strong Will (Zhi).

An interesting saying in Chinese medicine about the Will is that ACTIVATING THE WILL, STRENGTHENS THE WILL. Which means each time you act on the decision in accordance with your new years resolution, it further strengthens your resolve. 

My next post will focus on ways to strengthen the Will (Zhi) and Kidney Energy. 

These ancient texts of the Yellow Emperors Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) even mention acupuncture points to strengthen the Zhi, the Gall Bladders decision making energy and other aspects of our mental functions can be treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine. 

To all my readers, Happy New Year. I truly hope this new year is better than you've had so far and more fun than you could imagine!