Summary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands eczema through the interaction between the body and the environment. An underlying weakness in the body’s vital energy, called Qi, can allow external pathogenic factors to attack – causing itchiness, inflammation, and dry, red skin. [1] The most common pathogenic factors causing eczema are combinations of wind, heat, and dampness. [2] The imbalance is determined by evaluating the entire person, including skin symptoms and appearance, as...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea. Doctors in China routinely use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal remedies to treat IBS. While Western medical doctors have shown reluctance toward these products, many are becoming more accepting. Medical researchers at the University of Sydney released a report almost a decade ago in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing strong scientific support for treating...

Acupuncture and Digestion Before the thought of needles makes you run away in fear, or simply skip this article, think about this: an acupuncture needle is only about the diameter of a thick hair, so acupuncture is not painful. My favourite way to describe acupuncture is to de-emphasize the ‘puncture’ part of the word and emphasize the ‘aaaahhhh’ part. Try saying it like a sigh: aaahhhhcupuncture. Many countries, including Canada and the US, once banned the ancient practice of acupuncture, a...