Articles

Western studies have confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture for fertility outcomes. For over 20 years, Rachel Blunk, L.Ac., has worked with reproductive endocrinologists to help improve fertility outcomes for patients. In this article, Rachel discusses 2 cases where she used acupuncture and herbs for queer couples using IVF for successful implantation.

LGBTQI patients are more likely to have had a negative experience with a previous healthcare practitioner–anything from the practitioner using the wrong name to refusing to treat them unless they stop taking gender-affirming hormones. We can help repair our patients’ trust in their healthcare providers by building a more inclusive practice. Even those of us who are part of the LGBTQI community have a lot to learn about being inclusive practitioners.

The principles of holistic medicine we were trained in taught us to see each person as an individual – an individual who is in a certain place and time, impacted by their history and their environment. We commit not to treat anyone as a diagnosis, an identity, or a health problem, but as a person. This is both ethical and effective. Having your whole self in the treatment room, feeling safe and seen, results in a powerful healthcare relationship – regardless of whether your practitioner shares your identity or not.

Count the number of transgender people you are knowingly familiar with in your daily life. Now, count how many transgender patients you knowingly have in your practice. Bonus points if you got past the fingers on one hand! Many Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have little to no experience treating trans people, or coordinating gender-affirming care with other medical professionals. Moreover, there is a significant lack of research about transgender experience in general, and certainly in the realm of allopathic transgender medical care. Compared to allopathic medicine, the scarcity of information on transgender care in Chinese medicine is even greater.

These 16 formulas are commonly prescribed to Men and are considered Men's Essentials for your herbal formula. Learn how to use each formula sorted with pin yin name, alternate name, functions, indications, typical tongue and pulse, and the ingredients so you can easily select the best formulas for your patients!

There are many ways to increase your knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine, one of which is to learn about paired relationships between single herbs, called Duì Yào. These pairings can be very helpful for understanding single herbs and learning formulas. The concept can be translated as "pair medicine" where two herbs are used together to emphasize and harmonize one another, improving the medicinal effect. Read on about Dāng Guī Bŭ Xuè Tāng which contains Dāng guī and Huáng qí and how the 2 herbs enhance one another.

Yu Dai Wan supports the female reproductive system, at once clearing and tonifying to protect and balance vaginal flora and fauna. In traditional Chinese medicine normal vaginal discharge is produced, stored and secreted by the Kidneys, transformed and distributed by the Spleen, secured by the Ren Mai, and controlled by the Dai Mai. Occasional excessive vaginal discharge is classed as “Dai Xia Bing,” which roughly means “issue below the belt or below the Dai Mai.” Yu Dai Wan strongly drains excess damp-heat, while at the same time nourishing the Blood and protecting the Spleen, in order to bring about lasting change.

Explore 8 popular formulas that invigorate the blood, commonly prescribed for women's health support. Discover how to use each formula sorted with pin yin name, alternate name, functions, indications, typical tongue and pulse, and the ingredients so you can easily select the best formulas for your patients!

Fu zhang refers to a sense of fullness, discomfort, blockage or obstruction across the either the upper or lower abdomen, or across the abdomen as a whole. Pi man is distension specifically in the epigastric area. As a general rule, abdominal distension is due to an obstruction to the correct movement of Spleen and Stomach qi. The obstruction itself may be due to the presence of some pathogen, internal or external or due to weakness or stagnation of qi.

This easy chart shows 13 popular digestive formulas and how to use them including pin yin name, alternate name, functions, indications, typical tongue and pulse, and the ingredients so you can select the best formulas for your patients with ease!

Qing Wei San was written by Li Dongyuan and published in his classic formula book, Lan Shi Mi Cang/Secrets from the Orchid Chamber, in 1336 A.D. Qing Wei San is indicated for Stomach heat and fire causing occasional toothache, and occasional mouth sores on the tongue and lips.

Food stagnation corresponds to indigestion or an upset stomach. Food stagnation is not a disease but rather a variety of symptoms that are experienced; including mild abdominal pain or cramping and a feeling of fullness soon after eating. This article covers three popular formulas for Food Stagnation; find out which formula is best for you and your patients.

The primary goal of Zi Sheng Wan is to strengthen Spleen Qi and specifically the Spleen's ability to transform food and transport fluids, thus invigorating digestive function and increasing the absorption of nutrients. Secondarily it eliminates the blockage of food stagnation and dampness that has accumulated in the Stomach and Intestines due to the improperly digested food, and clears heat or damp-heat that may have been generated from the chronic stagnation.

Explore 23 headache formulas and learn the pin yin name, alternate name, functions, indications, typical tongue and pulse, and the ingredients in an easy to follow comparison chart.

Headache (tou tong 头痛）is pain in the head. Almost everyone will experience a headache at one time or another. As an isolated event in response to some postural, physical or emotional state, a headache is part and parcel of life. When persistent or recurrent, or when they interfere with normal functioning, headaches suggests chronic imbalance that requires intervention.