Shen 神 Shen can be translated as “Spirit” or “Mind”, and implies our consciousness, mental functions, mental health, vitality, and our “presence”. Shen lives in the Heart, where it retires to sleep during the night. If the Shen is disturbed, there may be insomnia. Shen is specifically said to live in the Blood Vessels (part of […]
It has been translated as “vital energy”, “life force”, or “Breath” but no single English word will suffice. This is because of the nature of Qi. It can have different manifestations in different situations. Qi can even be material and is said to “condense” into matter. This is what occurs according to TCM, when a […]
By Dr. Ken Y Wang Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, especially elderly men in their sixties, seventies and eighties. It has been suggested that if every man lives long enough, he will eventually develop prostate cancer. In western countries, it is the cancer most frequently found in men after […]
By Dr. Kenneth Wang Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a mixed group of disorders that involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The stomach and duodenum (upper part of the intestine) are the most common locations where ulceration occurs. The rate of occurrence of PUD is variable and depends on ulcer type, age, gender and geographic location. […]
Hepatitis Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) does not have a term or definition that specifically refers to the current understanding of hepatitis. In modern medicine, hepatitis is often caused by different viruses, which result in acute or chronic liver problems. Infection of the hepatitis A, B and C viruses are the most common forms of viral […]
 Gout Gout is a metabolic disorder which results in raised blood levels of uric acid and the formation of crystals of uric acid salts in the joints. Uric acid is a natural element which results from the normal break down of food and the building up of body tissues. The clinical presentation of gout […]
Contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis describes an acute inflammatory condition of the skin or mucosa that results from contact with certain irritant substances or stimulants. The condition occurs in all ages and both sexes, but there is a higher incidence in children than the elderly and women are more commonly affected than men. A characteristic of […]
Colorectal Cancer  Colorectal cancer is a Western medical term and is not specifically discussed in classical TCM texts. However, the main symptoms and signs of the disease are recorded in the following conditions: Intestinal mass ‘chang ji’: refers to movable abdominal mass accompanied by pain or distention. Bloody stools ‘chang pi’: refers to projectile […]
Human body constitutions in TCM The constitution of each person is influenced by congenital and acquired factors, and this varies from person to person. In the other words, the body’s metabolism, functioning of organs and organ structure all combine to determine our susceptibility to pathogenic factors.In TCM, there are five different types of physical constitutions: […]
An Overview of TCM Kidney The TCM understanding of the kidney is more extensive than the Western understanding of the anatomical kidney, regarding it as the root of life and the origin of our individuality as human beings. It is no wonder that the kidneys are considered to be one of the most important organs […]
TCM Theory, Immunity and Dual Treatment In the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the documentary records for the Chinese word “immune” was first seen in the 18th century in the bookMian Yi Lei Fang (Formulas for the Immunity from Plague). “Plague” had been a common term used by ancient Chinese to refer to […]
The four methods have their unique clinical functions and cannot be replaced by one another. Sometimes, false manifestations of a disease occur which emphasize the importance of integrating all diagnostic methods. The above methods are esential to determine the cause and origin of the problem from which an individual suffers. As has been discussed in […]
 The health of your thyroid gland truly makes or breaks your daily energy level, the ability to sustain a healthy weight for your frame, overall metabolic function, and can even affect your emotional life (if thyroid function is low, depression can result; if thyroid function is high, anxiety can result). Your thyroid is […]
In general, disease is perceived as a disharmony (or imbalance) in the functions or interactions of yin, yang, qi, xu?, zang-fu?, meridians etc. and/or of the interaction between the human body and the environment. Therapy is based on which “pattern of disharmony” can be identified.Thus, “pattern discrimination” is the most important step in TCM diagnosis. […]
TCM’s view of the human body is only marginally concerned with anatomical structures, but focuses primarily on the body’s functions[ (such as digestion, breathing, temperature maintenance, etc.): “The tendency of Chinese thought is to seek out dynamic functional activity rather than to look for the fixed somatic structures that perform the activities. Because of this, […]
Jing (Essence)The refined and precious substance that is the material basis for all life. It influences our constitution, reproduction, growth and development, and our longevity. It is the foundation for the production of Qi and aids in the production of marrow. There is both Prenatal and Postnatal Jing. Xue (Blood)Blood is the densest of the vital substances, […]
Cultivate the soil before planting the seed. While infertility may appear to be the core problem, it is actually the manifestation of a deeper underlying imbalance. Through our approach of creating a healthy and fertile body, we correct the imbalance and leave it to the body to do what it was created to do: live […]
