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Dāng Guī : uses and benefits

Dāng Guī : uses and benefits

by | 2828,Mar, 2024 | medical, medicaltcm

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The “Ginseng of women”

Dāng Guī, or Radix angelicae sinensis, is a plant commonly used in Chinese pharmacopoeia. A highly versatile herb, it finds its strength in the treatment of women’s health problems, particularly deficiencies and blood stasis. Often referred to as “Woman’s Ginseng” for its indispensable contribution to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gynecology, Dāng Guī literally translates as “state of return”. This reflects its ability to restore a state of health.

However, it benefits people of both sexes thanks to its various properties: warming, nourishing, moistening and invigorating. Chinese angelica is used for a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal, dermatological and digestive disorders.

Herbaceous plant of cool climates

Dāng Guī is a large, fragrant, herbaceous perennial grown in cool, humid climates at high altitude. It is found in the provinces of Gansu, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Hubei in China, as well as in the mountainous regions of Korea and Japan.

The plant grows to around one metre in height. It has grooved purple stems, large bright green leaves and large flat clusters of small white flowers that bloom in summer. It is the roots that are used in Chinese pharmacopoeia. These are harvested in autumn, when the plant is three years old.

The roots are then carefully cleaned, dried, slowly smoked and cut into thin slices. The best quality roots seem to come from Gansu province, and are long, moist and fragrant.

Although the whole root is generally used, different parts of it are attributed to different functions: the head (Dāng Guī tou), the body: Dāng Guī shen, the tail: Dāng Guī wei.

Dāng Guī is prepared in a variety of ways, depending on the desired effect.

L'angélique chinoise, trésor de la mtc

Chao Dāng Guī (dry-roasted) is warmer, drier and less invigorating to the blood, making it more suitable during pregnancy.

Jiu zhi Dāng Guī (wine-roasted) and cu zhi Dāng Guī (vinegar-roasted) have a stronger blood-toning action. Finally, charred Dāng Guī (tan Dāng Guī) is hotter and stops bleeding.

Nourishes and tones the blood

Dāng Guī is one of the most popular Chinese herbs. For nourishing the blood, it is the main TCM medicine. Its sweet (tonifying) nature, tones the blood; its pungent, bitter nature drains and harmonizes the blood; its hot nature, nourishes the blood, dispels cold and penetrates the organs that store, generate and control blood (liver, spleen and heart).

Dāng Guī has a strong, sweet, earthy flavor with a bitter aftertaste. Its slightly pungent, warm aroma and taste, which attacks the tongue a little, is a reminder of its invigorating energy.

Dāng Guī is therefore included in prescriptions for blood deficiencies manifested by signs and symptoms such as pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, dry skin, blurred vision, palpitations and tinnitus.

It is recommended in all cases of anemia.

Treats menstrual disorders

ginseng de la femme

As mentioned above, “women’s ginseng” plays a special role in women’s health, particularly in the regulation of menstrual disorders: premenstrual syndrome, amenorrhea, painful or irregular periods.

It is generally indicated for most gynaecological disorders rooted in blood deficiency, particularly those associated with blood stasis and/or cold.

Dāng Guī is also often used to moisten the intestines and relieve constipation due to dryness, which is a common consequence of blood deficiency. Finally, it is a valuable remedy for many skin conditions (swollen wounds and abscesses and slow-healing wounds).

The legend of Dāng Guī

la légende de dang gui, la plante du retour

According to Chinese legend, once upon a time, a young married couple lived happily ever after. One day, the husband was forced to leave their home to prove his strength and courage by going into the mountains to survive the dangers of the environment and collect medicinal herbs. When he left, he asked his wife to wait three years for his return. He said that if he didn’t return after that time, it meant he was no longer alive and she would have to find a new love.

Three years passed, and he didn’t return, so she found a new love and remarried. Shortly afterwards, the husband returned. His wife was heartbroken to have remarried. Her heartache weakened her condition, and she fell ill with sadness, no longer wanting to live.

When he learned of her condition, the man brought her some of the herbs he had found in the mountains during his absence. She ate them, hoping they would be poisonous, but the herbs did the opposite, and she regained her health. The herb was then named Dang (meaning “state of”) Gui (“return”).

This story illustrates the power of this plant’s medicinal properties, which are found in many Chinese pharmacopoeia preparations.

Wu Wei, the magic of non-action

Wu Wei, the magic of non-action

by | 2828,Feb, 2024 | healingArt

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A highly instructive Taoist concept

Wu Wei ( 无为) is a Taoist concept commonly translated as “non-action” or “effortless action”. It designates an attitude to life that consists of acting in harmony with the movement of Nature and its laws. Lao Tzu (see box) made it a principle of ideal government, and several Chinese emperors had their thrones inscribed with “wuwei” on a lacquer panel.

This principle is particularly interesting to explore at a time when Man is living against the natural flow of life, seeking to own, plan and control everything, including nature. With wu wei, it’s all about surrendering to the flow of life, letting it flow through us and guide us. This does not mean passivity, but rather the right and appropriate action.

Our lives are increasingly disconnected from nature and its rhythms. Social conditioning values overactivity, competition, speed of execution and “always more”. From an early age, we are programmed to please our parents, to succeed, to conform to social rules, and thus to meet external expectations. To such an extent that we lose touch with who we are and what our deepest aspirations are. Most of the time, we act out of duty, not out of a vital impulse. We prefer “DOING” to “BEING”.

Rediscovering harmony with nature

Swiss adventurer Sarah Marquis has devoted her life to blending in with nature, traversing the most hostile lands with no food reserves or villages in her path. There she survived hunger and thirst, awakening the fabulous resources that each of us possesses deep down inside, the so-called animal instinct. She explains how, after spending some time away from “civilization”, she can sense the presence of water 5 km away!

Of course, life on earth requires a certain number of actions to maintain life: feeding ourselves, learning, taking care of our health, our children… But these tasks should be carried out in a way that contributes to our fulfillment, and not reduce us to a state of virtual slavery.

The Yang Sheng principles of Chinese medicine point in the same direction: the more we live in harmony with nature and with our own nature, the healthier we are.

Practising Wu Wei means accepting to let life work through us. This state of availability is characterized by an absence of effort, an ease that allows the right action to take place at the right time and in the right way.

It requires trust in life, in the intelligence at work within and around us, which the Chinese call the Tao.

Letting go of our conditionings and beliefs

This means letting go of our social conditioning and beliefs, and responding more spontaneously and intuitively to events, like a toddler who hasn’t yet been shaped by school and society. It also means putting aside our egotistical goals and desires, as well as countless social pressures.

Practising Wu wei means returning to a simpler life, reconnecting with our complete being, both material and spiritual. To do this, we have to give up certain aspects of our lives that are a source of stress, resistance and suffering.

Everyone has experienced this characteristic Wu Wei state at least once in their life. He/she has experienced that state of grace where events follow one another as if by magic, and we achieve unexpected results without having done anything special. Sometimes it can even seem like a miracle.

Flow or the magic of wuwei

Top-level athletes are familiar with this state of optimal functioning. They seek this state, which they call the flow or the zone.

“In a state of flow, the athlete seems to be able to perform under extremely favorable conditions, such as concentration, automaticity of movement, pleasure and a feeling of balance between the challenge and his or her skills,” explains researcher and author Jackson.

This is also the case for artists, or scientific geniuses, who in moments of inspiration receive musical notes, words, recipes… or even mathematical equations. They are then in a state of availability and connection with Nature and its intelligence, allowing it to penetrate them.

But experiencing Wu Wei in this way does not mean living in the spirit of Wu Wei. Living Non-Action is a philosophy of life; it implies a rethinking of our priorities and a gradual transformation of our state of being. In an upcoming article, we’ll look at the paths and practices that can bring us closer to this state of Wu Wei.

For this state provides an incredibly pleasant sensation that makes our lives more beautiful and our actions more effective. It’s the perfect way to embellish our lives and those around us. Indeed, by connecting deeply with nature, we naturally respect all life around us.

Lao Tseu, the father of wuwei 

According to Chinese tradition, Li Eul or Lao Tan, better known as Lao-tseu or Laozi (Old Master), lived in the 6th century B.C. He is considered the father of Taoism, and is one of the mythical figures of ancient China, like Confucius.

His life has given rise to many legends: after a miraculous birth, he is said to have lived for two hundred years, and to have given some teachings to the young Confucius. He was archivist and astrologer to the Zhou emperors. He then fled westwards, disgusted by the decadence of this dynasty. Before crossing the border into India, he is said to have entrusted the guard with his philosophical testament, the Tao-tö king (or “Book of the Way and Virtue”), a major Taoist text. We don’t know how he died.

Lao-tseu is considered by Taoists to be a god (太上老君, Tàishàng lǎojūn, “Supreme Lord Lao”) and their common ancestor. He is depicted as a white-bearded old man, sometimes riding a buffalo.

The tao aims to purify man and lead him to the right path and virtue. One of Lao Tzu’s main doctrines is that of non-action, which should encourage people not to expend energy unnecessarily, and to detach themselves from cumbersome desires. Taoist thought proposes meditation as a condition for opening up to the world.

Causes of illness

Causes of illness

by | 2727,Nov, 2023 | Health for everyone

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Internal and external causes

Chinese medicine is known as traditional medicine. Like all traditional medicine, it seeks, through its diagnosis, to identify the cause(s) of a pathology.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), health is the result of a healthy overall energy balance. Illness occurs when this balance is disrupted. TCM then focuses on re-establishing this balance.

Its diagnosis therefore focuses on the balance between organ health (yin) and organ function (yang). It also determines energy imbalances according to the theory of the five elements, each organ being linked to one of these five elements, or five energies.

TCM classifies the causes of illness into two main categories:

  • internal causes,
  • external causes.

Internal causes

One of the main factors of internal origin is our emotional state. Emotions and the way we experience them affect our organs. In this way, emotions experienced excessively, for too long, or on the contrary totally repressed, will cause energy imbalances over time.

Here’s an overview of how each emotion, linked in TCM to an organ and an element, impacts our health.

Schéma des trois réchauffeurs
  • Excessive anger and frustration, as well as repressed anger, damage the liver, hindering the free circulation of energy in the body. This energy stagnation can lead to pain, muscle tension, headaches or digestive disorders.
  • Hysteria, excitement, exaltation and excessive laughter can lead to an imbalance in the heart, disrupting sleep and even speech.
  • Obsessive thoughts, mental rumination and excessive intellectual work can unbalance the energy of the spleen, leading to digestive disorders, dizziness, a feeling of having one’s mind bogged down, fatigue on waking even after a long night’s sleep, and for women, menstrual disorders.
  • Sadness, regret, depression and melancholy will affect the lungs and the diffusion of energy in the body, and may result in spontaneous sweating, dyspnoea and a weak voice.
  • Fear, phobias, apprehension and paranoia will damage the kidneys and can generate chronic low back pain, incontinence, night sweats and sometimes tinnitus.

We won’t go into further detail here on the internal causes of illness, so as to focus on the external causes of the 5 climatic energies. There are, of course, other factors that can trigger illness besides internal and external causes.

External causes

Everyone has heard of the 5 elements (or 5 energies), but few know that this is a model or template that can be applied to many different fields. So, for TCM, the external causes of disease are linked to abnormal climatic variations, which are then perceived as pathogenic factors likely to invade the body and upset the Yin/Yang balance, thus generating a large number of illnesses.

These climatic anomalies, or climatic perversions, are thus classified according to the five-element theory into five climatic energies, each linked to an element as shown in the table below.

Wood Fire Earth Metal Water
Wind Heatwave Humidity Dryness Cold

Wind

Wind is a pathogenic factor in itself; it is Yang. It induces movement and generates other climatic phenomena. It propagates and displaces pathogenic elements. The wind we’re talking about here is, of course, the climatic factor, not the internal wind, which is a TCM-specific notion that we won’t go into here.

Femme avec parapluie renversé par le vent

Heatwave

Heatwave is Yang. It is extremely penetrating. It generates fire, as well as dryness. Heatwave penetrates the body following prolonged exposure to intense heat (sauna, sun). It produces perspiration, restlessness, thirst and fatigue. When it penetrates deeply, it can lead to urinary tract infections. Heatwaves lead to heatstroke.

When this heat comes from the transformation of pathogenic factors stagnating in the body, it is transformed into fire. Fire is an aggravation of internal heat.

Dryness

Dryness is Yang in nature, damaging the blood and drying out body fluids, leading to dehydration. It is produced either by a dry climate, or by drying phenomena (diarrhea, heavy sweating, repeated vomiting).

If the lungs are affected, a dry cough will develop. If the intestines are affected, some form of constipation will appear.

Cold

External cold penetrates as a result of prolonged exposure to cold, either by staying in cold places for long periods, or by frequent ingestion of cold food.

When there’s a lot of Cold, Yin becomes abundant, and too much Yin tends to injure Yang. When Cold blocks Yang’s dynamism, it can no longer perform its Qi management and warming functions, leading to illnesses characterized by a drop in the body’s activity: reduced vitality, exhaustion, chilliness.

This can lead to joint pains, aches and pains in the back, as well as intestinal pain and diarrhea. Other examples include lumbago and stomach flu.

Humidity

TCM considers Dampness to be heavy and sticky. It tends to sink or stick close to the ground, and is difficult to get rid of. We readily associate it with something improper or murky… fungi, molds and algae thrive in damp environments. It is on the basis of these particular characteristics of Humidity that TCM qualifies different states of the organism.

Humidity is of the Yin type, and therefore injures the body’s Yang energy. It is caused by exposure to a humid climate. Humidity hinders movement, slowing everything down.

It causes a feeling of heaviness, general fatigue, joint pain with swelling, the sensation of a crowded head, abdominal distension and loose stools.

Humidity often affects the lower part of the body and the pelvis (leucorrhoea may appear). In extreme cases, moisture in the body is transformed into mucus, which can cause cysts, tumors or circulatory disorders (excess cholesterol in the blood). The spleen is also affected. Moisture damages the spleen, which is no longer able to perform its transformative function properly.

Resisting climate perverts

Of course, these climatic perversions do not affect individuals in the same way. An individual’s ability to resist these perversions depends on his or her capacity to resist, and therefore on the strength of his or her Zheng Qi. Zheng Qi can be translated as Straight Qi or Correct Qi.

Zheng Qi is thus the synthesis of the vital Qi that ensure the proper functioning of the organs, Qi and Blood, as well as the Yin/Yang balance and harmony between the body and its environment.

This is why the strength of Zheng Qi will determine whether or not an individual falls ill. The climatic perverse is merely the triggering factor.

Fatigue according to the 5 elements

In TCM, the 5-element theory is applied in various fields. It also applies to fatigue. Before we reach the point of exhaustion or “burn-out”, let’s take a look at our state in terms of the 5 energies.

Wood-type fatigue

Physical signs: excessive sighing, premenstrual syndrome, irregular periods, lump in the throat, tendon tension…

Emotional state: irritable, moody, impatient, too many expectations of self, perceived as “aggressive” OR as a doormat.

Causes: constant stress, feeling trapped, tight schedules, frustration, agitating environmental factors (too much noise, frequent disagreements, etc.).

Fire-type fatigue

Physical signs: restless sleep, memory loss, flushed feeling, spontaneous sweating, heart palpitations.

Emotional state: controlling, feelings of rage, excessive vulnerability, significant lack of joy.

Causes: lack of intimacy with self, prolonged exposure to other people’s negativity.

Earth-type fatigue

Physical signs: tiredness after meals, loose stools, bloating, lazy legs

Emotional state: unmet needs, feeling misunderstood, longing for things other than those already acquired, jealousy.

Causes: overthinking, sitting too long or too often, poor diet.

Metal-type fatigue

Physical signs: tired after long talks, shortness of breath, sweats easily, tired after exercise, feels cold, gets sick easily, chronic cough, prone to allergies, chronic fatigue, eczema.

Emotional state: overly critical, hard on self or others, demanding precision/overly perfectionist, “unfair”, sense of loss and grief, quickly cuts ties, holds grudges.

Causes: very frequent use of voice (e.g. teachers), untreated grief, hereditary factors, lower gastrointestinal problems.

Water-type fatigue

Physical signs: adrenal fatigue, hair loss, low back pain, cold limbs, low libido, erectile dysfunction, fertility problems, urinary frequency.

Emotional state: difficulty staying still, “too tired”, restless, anxious, fearful, worried about money, overly tolerant of risk OR frozen in fear.

Causes: prolonged periods of overwork, persistent anxiety/fear.

Tuina

Tuina

by | 3131,Jul, 2023 | medical, medicaltcm

An ancestral energy technique

According to the ancient Chinese, animals practised massage long before humans did. They used it for comfort, grooming and even healing. So it’s only natural that humans, because of their animal instincts, should have used massage on themselves, their children or their partners. We all know the reflex of immediately rubbing an area of our own body after receiving a blow.

Chinese massage is therefore considered to be the oldest branch of Chinese medicine. Massage techniques have evolved, refined and systematised over the centuries. Tuī Ná is the culmination of this science, born of this natural instinctive gesture.

Old writings dating back to the Shang dynasty (1800 BC) describe massage methods for treating infants.

The most famous ancient text on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)’ Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine), completed between the first century BC and the first century AD, includes passages on the use of these massage techniques and their use in the treatment of certain illnesses.

Chinese massage is listed as a major treatment method. Since the Wei and Jin dynasties (220 – 420 AD), Tuī Ná massage departments have been official specialities in the Chinese government health system.

One branch of TCM

Tuī Ná, literally to push (tui – 推) and to grasp (na – 拿), is a discipline in its own right in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is also sometimes referred to as An Mo (按摩), which refers to massage in general and means ‘calming through touch’.

Tuī Ná massage therefore obeys the Taoist principles that underpin this medicine based on energy balance.

The practice of Tuī Ná is therefore specifically Chinese, and takes account of the meridians and acupuncture points. Tuī Ná comprises around thirty techniques and manoeuvres designed either to disperse energy blockages or to stimulate or tone up the qi or vital energy. These techniques include “mo fa”, which means circular rubbing, “Ya fa” or overpressure, and “ma fa”, which means wiping (or rubbing). It also includes massage of certain acupuncture points (acupressure), stretching techniques and joint mobilisation.

By acting on reflex zones, this massage balances and stimulates both body and mind. Its aim is to circulate and rebalance energies, which also has an impact on emotional balance, since in TCM everything is linked. In fact, any muscular or ligament tension will lead to an energy blockage, affecting the free circulation of qi and therefore overall health. Similarly, a strong emotional charge can, over time, lead to energy blockages and even muscular tension. This can lead to pain.

Numerous health benefits

 

Tuī Ná massage is generally performed without oil, sometimes on clothing or through a piece of cotton cloth. It promotes the proper functioning of the organs, particularly through acupuncture points, thus preventing illness from taking hold. It is also effective in reducing or even eliminating muscle and joint pain.

According to modern research, Tuī Ná is a therapy that regulates the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the endocrine system, the immune system and the nervous system. It also aids digestion and improves muscle and skin metabolism.

Among other things, it has been shown to : 

  • Alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
  • Reduce the pain associated with fibromyalgia
  • Improving dizziness associated with cervical osteoarthritis
  • Relieve the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea
  • Contribute to the treatment of cervical radiculopathy

 

The qualities of a Tuī Ná practitioner

It’s difficult to explain in technical terms what makes a good Tuī Ná, because it’s all about energy.

That’s why a Tuī Ná practitioner needs several years’ training in this energetic dimension.

According to the tradition of Chinese medicine, he will first take care to develop his energy through disciplines such as qi gong, tai chi and even kung fu. These practices will enable them both to optimise their own vital energy and refine their sensitivity to perceive and identify the energies around them. They will spend time in nature, learning the language of plants. They can also learn to understand and use the healing energy of sacred places. Over time, they will be able to feel stagnant energy and blood.

In fact, a good Tuī Ná massage depends on the practitioner’s energy, his feeling and his ability to transmit energy. This presupposes that the practitioner is well anchored to the ground, with joints that are supple and relaxed, in order to guarantee a good flow of energy. The breath should be abdominal and full. If they are tense, they won’t be able to deliver the same quality of energy. The whole body is involved in the massage.

This is why a good Tuī Ná massage is a genuine therapeutic tool that has a profound effect. Although it can often be painful, it is nonetheless life-saving.

Awaken your inner Tuī Ná masseur!

We encourage everyone to find the ultimate bliss. Since massage is instinctive and natural, why not give it a go? We suggest you start by working on deep relaxation and breathing. You can do this by practising tai ji tchuan, qi gong or any other mindfulness practice.

At the same time, you can start Tuī Ná with friends and family. To do this, put on loose-fitting clothes, release all your tension and start with a technique. Initially, you should not exceed ten minutes. Then debrief with your partner so that they can express their feelings.

You can use this simple video as inspiration. Don’t hesitate to spend time in nature or with your favourite animal before practising Tuī Ná. Practising this art will develop your feelings and help you to reconnect with yourself. This will gradually improve your health.

Never practise Tuī Ná in the following circumstances:

  • A bad mood or upset
  • After an argument
  • In a state of great sadness or anger
  • Immediately after your secular work
  • In the event of illness

This list is not exhaustive. As you will have realised, massage is an exchange. So it’s with a warm heart that you offer the best to those around you… and to yourself.

The acupuncture

The acupuncture

by | 3030,May, 2023 | medical, medicaltcm

An energy therapy that spans time

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, which dates back thousands of years. Its exact origins are shrouded in legend and myth. But it is estimated that the medical practices behind acupuncture began in China over 2,000 years ago.

According to legend, acupuncture was discovered by accident. A Chinese healer noticed that pain in certain parts of the body could be relieved by inserting needles into other parts of the body. This observation led to the development of acupuncture as a healing technique.

The use of acupuncture spread in China over the centuries. Practitioners developed complex systems of acupuncture points and specific techniques to treat various disorders. Acupuncture is often combined with other therapeutic techniques, such as moxibustion and cupping.

Over time, acupuncture spread to other parts of Asia, then gradually became popular throughout the world. The word acupuncture was coined by the Jesuits in the 16th century when they discovered Chinese medicine; its real name is Zhēn Jiǔ, meaning the art of metal needling and moxibustion.

A Taoist vision of Man and the Universe

Acupuncture was introduced to Europe in the 17th century by Willem Ten Rhyne, a Dutch physician, but really took off in the mid-20th century. Scientific studies are regularly carried out to evaluate its effectiveness. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) an “official medicine”. Acupuncture, an integral part of TCM, is therefore recognized as a medical technique.

According to UNESCO, “Traditional Acupuncture is a therapeutic art which bases its diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning on a Taoist energetic vision of Man and the Universe”.

Acupuncture is based on the concept of Qi (pronounced “chi”), which is considered a vital force present throughout the universe and within the human body. According to Chinese medicine, when Qi circulates freely and is balanced in the body, health is present; conversely, blockages or imbalances in Qi can lead to health problems.

Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the body by inserting fine metal needles into the skin at varying depths. The needle has a sleeve, often made of twisted copper alloy, which acts as an antenna to let the qi flow in and out. These acupuncture points are located along energy channels called meridians, which are considered to be the circulation routes for Qi in the body.

Acupuncture meridians

Acupuncture meridians, also known as energy channels, are the invisible pathways through which Qi (vital energy) flows in the body, according to TCM.

A complex network of meridians connects different parts of the body, forming an interconnected energy system. According to TCM, these meridians carry the vital energy called Qi throughout the body. There are 12 main meridians associated with specific organs and named after them. For example, the liver meridian is associated with liver function, the bladder meridian with urinary function, and so on. Each meridian has a specific course through the body, and passes through specific acupuncture points.

The most commonly used points number 361, but there are over 1000 acupuncture points in the body. Each meridian is associated with a specific organ and physiological function.

Each meridian is associated with specific characteristics, such as times of day when its energy is most active, seasons of the year, emotions and symptoms that may be linked to its imbalance.

For example, the lung meridian is associated with autumn, sadness and respiratory problems.

Freeing the flow of Qi

When Qi is blocked or unbalanced, the practitioner of Chinese medicine looks to see which meridians are affected. A diagnosis is then made, and a therapeutic strategy defined. Inserting acupuncture needles into the points will restore energy balance by stimulating the flow of Qi, and releasing energy blockages.

The needles are left in place for a certain length of time (usually between 20′ and 45′), and can also be stimulated by different means (manual, electrical, moxibustion). Acupuncture brings about a global rebalancing of this energy network, which in turn affects organ function. As the acupuncture sessions progress, balance returns and health is restored.

Sometimes, acupuncture treatment can be combined with a prescription for Chinese pharmacopoeia. The number of sessions required will depend on the individual patient and how he or she responds to the treatment. In general, the longer the illness or disorder, the more time (and therefore acupuncture sessions) will be needed to overcome it. Conversely, an acute, mild or recent disorder can be resolved in one or two sessions.

The many benefits of acupuncture

The benefits of acupuncture are many. It can help relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality and strengthen the immune system.

It can also be used to treat menstrual disorders, fertility problems and sleep disorders. This list is far from exhaustive…

In certain rare cases, there may be an over-reaction after an acupuncture session, which may suggest a worsening of symptoms. But don’t panic, as everything usually returns to normal within a few hours.

In some Asian countries, notably China and Vietnam, although allopathic medicine has taken on a major role, people still turn to their ancestral medicine when they don’t get the results they expect from so-called Western medicine.

The meridian network

What has been translated as meridian is called in Chinese 经络 Jīng Luò, meaning “meridians and collaterals”. Jīng 经, before referring to “meridian”, means “to pass through”, or “channel”. Luò 络 translates as “entwined”, “continuous”. So the Jīng Luò constitute a network of intertwined, continuous channels that allow you to “pass through”.

The main channels all communicate with each other. This inter-connection is supported by other smaller, or secondary, channels called luò (collaterals). They are fundamental in connecting all parts of the body.

The existence of this vast network explains the holistic vision of TCM. This network extends throughout the entire body. Consequently, to act on one part is to act on the whole entity. Conversely, it is impossible to isolate a part without considering it as a whole. The network principle is fundamental to understanding how acupuncture works.

Channels and collaterals, like rivers, allow free circulation. This means the free circulation of the fundamental TCM substances qì (气), blood (血 xuè) and body fluids (浸液 Jìn yè). In classical texts, there are numerous images referring to the circulation of qì and blood in the body, likening them to rivers and seas. The names of many acupuncture points refer to this, such as Qū chí (LI11) the elbow basin, Chǐ zé (Po5) the ulnar swamp, Qì hǎi (Ren6) the qì sea, Fù liū (Rn7) restore the current, to name but a few. The term 经 Jīng itself can be translated as river.