As the world slows in winter, nature offers us an invitation to do the same. Bare branches, quiet mornings, early nightfall — all point us inward. In Chinese medicine, winter is associated with the Water element, which governs the Kidneys and adrenals — the root of our vitality, resilience, and willpower. It’s a time [...]
Spring may have sprung but I'm still treating plenty of colds and flu in clinic and recently spent a week in bed myself with a flu. I recuperated quickly though as I received some acupuncture treatments and was fortunate to have my partner and my sister cook me up some wonderfully nourishing soups. Soups [...]
Golden turmeric milk is an infusion of turmeric and other delicious warming spices in a milk of your choice. It's easy to prepare, tastes great and has some wonderful health benefits. I'm not big on promoting super foods as I believe all foods have medicinal properties and the ingredients of this tea are no [...]
According to the Australian bureau of statistics, 3.5 million Australians (15.3%) had arthritis in 2014-15. The prevalence was higher amongst women than men and also increased with age. While most arthritis patients seem to experience relief from joint pain during autumn, the pain appears to be exacerbated in winter and spring. So how can you be [...]
This is a smooth, creamy and completely delectable soup that will warm you up from the inside on cold day. It has been adapted from a wonderful book called Recipes for Self-Healing by Daverick Leggett. Ingredients (for 4) 1 cup dried chestnuts, soaked over night 2 Tbsp coconut oil 2 brown onions 2 cloves [...]
This healthy fusion of Chinese herbs and good old fashioned porridge has been adapted from a wonderful cook book called Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen. It is a wonderful way to introduce warmer breakfasts into your diet when the weather cools down. Autumn is the ideal time to start supporting your immunity before the winter cold [...]
The winter solstice is usually around June 21st each year in the southern hemisphere. This is the shortest day of the year after which the days once again grow slowly longer. Arriving at the solstice can be like coming to the dark night of the soul where we reach our darkest point and from [...]
When cold and flu season looms it's time to start thinking about how to stay well through winter. You are constantly being exposed to infectious agents and yet, in most cases, you are able to resist these infections. Exposure alone to viruses and bacteria does not always lead to illness, it is a weak immune [...]
In Chinese Medicine winter corresponds with the energy of our Kidneys, our most important storehouse of energy. They are the root of all yin (cooling energy) and yang (warming energy) within the body and our foundation for a healthy, vital life and for graceful longevity. Your Kidney energy is particularly vulnerable to exhaustion or [...]
Congee is basically a slow cooked rice porridge whose therapeutic qualities can be altered depending on what other ingredients are added. Generally, rice congee is a digestive enhancer and improves assimilation. The basic rice congee is easy to digest and is as much a great first food for babies (if made with organic short [...]
