There is a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine focusing on the importance of post natal care for the new mother.

In Chinese the term for this six week period is ‘Chan Ru’, which translates to ‘childbirth’ and ‘cotton mattress‘. This highlights the value that was placed on rest and recovery.

A time honored tradition at this time was to observe ‘Zuo Yuezi’, meaning to ‘sit out the month‘. The new mother would have 30-40 days at home, to replenish her energy reserves.

Whilst it is not always achievable or practical to have a month of seclusion, aspects of this tradition can still be incorporated for their rich benefits.

For millennia, Traditional Chinese Medicine practices have been used post birth to aid recovery. These include dietary and lifestyle advice (Yang Sheng) and modalities such as Chinese Herbal medicine, Moxibustion and Acupuncture.

In Chinese Medicine, the period following childbirth is seen as a time when the mother’s Qi and blood are depleted and she is susceptible to the cold.

A treatment known as ‘Mother Warming’ can be used at this time where applicable. A non-invasive and relaxing treatment, it uses Moxibustion to warm specific acupuncture points on the lower back and abdomen in the week or two following the birth. Your Chinese Medicine Practitioner will determine if this technique is suitable for you.

Dietary Therapy also plays a vital role, focusing on foods that are nourishing and easy to digest. Including warm and well cooked foods such as broth, soups, stews, root vegetables and medicinal rice porridge (congee) is recommended.

Congee can be made from rice (or barley) and is traditionally slow cooked in a saucepan or crock pot. Different ingredients are then added for their therapeutic benefits. Additions that are useful to nourish Qi and blood, include red dates, goji berries, fresh ginger, sesame seeds, mushrooms or adzuki beans.

Here is a recipe that I posted previously for a mushroom congee. The basic recipe can be used as a guideline if you wish to substitute the mushrooms.

To find out more on how Chinese Medicine treatment may be of benefit to you or discuss your individual health care concerns, feel free to contact me for a chat.

Elisabeth

Welcome to Spring – Flowers are blooming, birds are nesting and wind, rain and sunshine abound!

The first few weeks of the season are very much a transition time, both externally in our environment and internally in our bodies as well.

As we emerge from the chilliness of Winter, we may find some sluggishness and lingering health issues left over from the colder months

For many, this can be the start of hay-fever. Acupuncture can be very effective in addressing hay fever symptoms. For links to research, click here to read my post on Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) and Acupuncture.

Whilst tempting to launch headlong into new and vigorous health programs to throw off the Winter, we need to be mindful that the weather can still be chilly and unpredictable. Therefore it is important to dress warmly and still include some nourishing and warming foods in the diet.

In Chinese medicine, the energy of our bodies starts to move up and out in Spring, ready for more activity and expansion. The organ of focus at this time is the liver.

Eating foods to support our system at this time, can help with immunity, allergies, hormone levels and digestive function.

Start to shake off the sluggishness of winter by introducing some invigorating foods to help support the liver. These include foods such as fennel, caraway, coriander and watercress. Remembering that soups, slow cooked foods and root vegetables still have their place in the cooler conditions of early Spring.

A course of Acupuncture can help to re-balance and reset – in preparation for the active season ahead.

During an Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine consultation, I will go through diet and lifestyle advice to help you prepare for the sunny days to come.

Elisabeth

This transition between Summer and Autumn has been tumultuous to say the least! The switch of the seasons, particularly of Summer to Autumn, can be a challenging one for our health. In Chinese Medicine this change represents a movement from the outward expansion and heat of Summer to the inward reflection and conservation of energy in Autumn.

This transition coupled with the changeability of the weather, can leave us feeling off kilter – sluggish, congested and tired. Whilst the lungs and respiratory system are often impacted in Autumn with the cool and dry weather, this in-between time and recent humidity can impact the digestive system too. The external damp in the environment can affect us internally also, leading to bloating, diarrhea and other digestive upsets. Other symptoms of dampness can include lethargy, sinus and aching, swollen joints. Any chronic health complaints may also escalate at this change of season.

If you are feeling a little depleted, or out of balance, a Chinese Medicine consultation can help identify some of the underlying causes of the symptoms you are experiencing. A course of Acupuncture and some diet and lifestyle adjustments can help to re-balance and get you back on track. Food and lifestyle (Yang Sheng) are an integral part of Chinese medicine and part of consultation and treatment will involve guidance on changes that you can make, to help you adjust to the season ahead.

Stay tuned for an Autumn newsletter and some recipes coming soon.

Elisabeth