There is a lost art (and I use the term ‘art’ deliberately) in examining a patient or even ourselves. Simply by looking at ourselves and consciously seeking a diagnosis in TCM can reveal where we need to concentrate in our lives even when we don’t feel sick. The problem with disease is that very often, it gives minor warning symptoms […]
Looking Diagnosis in TCM
The Microcosmic Orbit and its relationship to the cosmos
The Microcosmic orbit is reputed to give higher energy to the practitioner but in many ways, it mimics that which we see in the greater cosmos.
Qi Circulation
When studying or reading about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it can appear at first glance to be very functional – this point for that illness and that meridian for this organ or function. Too often, it can be easy to lose sight of the very essence of TCM and the broader philosophy that underpins it – qi circulation. There is […]
Qi in the body – An Overview
The depths to which Traditional Chinese Medicine can go seem to have no end – It is a bottomless pit of interdependency, a roundabout which doesn’t really have a start or an end. Trying to pinpoint an exact position in TCM is a bit like trying to find a start to the yin-yang cycle – there isn’t one really, it’s […]
Conception Vessel
The Conception Vessel (‘Ren Mai’) runs along the midline of the front of the body and forms a Qi circuit with the Governing Vessel which runs along the back midline. If you were to ever train Qi, these two vessels would be where you begin – they are considered the primary qi channels which direct energy to all the other […]
Pericardium
The Pericardium meridan originates in the middle of the chest where a branch descends through the upper, middle and lower burners (it is paired with the San Jiao (Triple warmer) meridian). The main branch crosses the chest where it emerges at the nipple before running down the middle of the interior arm and forearm. It ends at the outer corner […]
Triple Warmer Meridian
The triple warmer meridian (also known as the San Jiao, triple burner or energizer!) is paired with the Pericardium meridian. Yang in nature, it runs from the tip of the 4th (ring) finger and ends at the lateral end of the eyebrow. It is responsible for the movement and transformation of solids and fluids throughout the body and also circulates […]
Stomach – TCM
The Stomach in TCM is responsible for ripening and rotting of food. It is called the ‘sea of grain and water’. It’s function is digestion but this term should be taken in a much wider sense – the stomach ‘digests’ thoughts, emotions, worries and anxieties as well as food.
Small Intestine – TCM
The Small Intestine in TCM is credited with the separation of solids and liquids. Food is digested and ‘ripened’ by the stomach, the essences are extracted by the spleen and then food travels to the small intestine where the turbid and clear are separated. From the small intestine, liquid waste is then sent to the bladder and solid waste to […]
Large Intestine – TCM
The main function of the Large Intestine in TCM (‘Da Chang’ ~ ‘Great Intestine’) is to receive the remains of food sent down from the small intestine, absorb the good fluid from it and send the solid waste to be excreted. On another level, this also applies to our emotional wellbeing and those holding onto old feelings or going through […]