Ginger is an essential ingredient in the global culinary culture and is regarded as a medicinal ingredient with health benefits. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners explained how to promote self-immunity and alleviate symptoms of COVID during the pandemic by using ginger. When people talk about ginger, they are usually referring to fresh ginger. Fresh ginger…

The theory of five elements is an ancient philosophical thought that studies the concept, characteristics, and laws of the five elemental energies of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The five-element theory is used to explain the occurrence, development, change, and interrelationship of everything in the universe. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) applies the theory of…

Meridians (Jing-Luo in Chinese medicine), are the paths or routes that run “qi” (vital energy) and blood lengthways through the entire body. Meridians connect all the organs, limbs, five sense organs, and nine body orifices—they communicate interior, exterior, and upper and lower sides of the body. They are the main trunk of the body system…

Both Asian and Western literature have found that turmeric has many benefits, including anti-inflammation, prevention of cardiovascular disease, prevention of dementia, prevention of cancer, anti-depression, improvement of skin quality, and the like. Especially during the pandemic, improving one’s immunity has become the main act to fend off COVID. Dr. Dawei Guo, a physician at the…

The theory of yin and yang is an ancient philosophical theory that studies the connotation of yin and yang and the laws of its movement and change. Yin and yang are used to explain the occurrence, development, and change of everything in the universe. The theory of yin and yang holds that the world is…

Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition, sometimes beginning during childhood, that causes itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections. In the following case, a 49-year-old male, who worked in scientific research for the U.S. government, suffered from chronic eczema and suffered long-term itchy skin on his arms, back, and legs. Eczema is…

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of the blood flowing through the blood vessels, is consistently too high. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. If your blood pressure readings are between 120/80 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg, it could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure. The…

If you visit chapels and cathedrals, glowing haloes are often seen around divine beings and saints in murals. Such imagery is used to indicate the holiness or greatness of these individuals. In reality though, as long as a being is alive and metabolizing, it will emit faint light. While a human body’s luminescence is usually…

Dr. Jonathan Liu, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner with more than 26 years of professional medical experience, shares the story of one of his patients. Ms. Ren, a middle-aged woman, is fond of literature and spends much of her time reading. At one point, Ren suddenly experienced a sore neck and dizziness after reading…

Traditional Chinese medicines are herbal in nature, so many people are under a major misconception that these medicines can be used to treat diseases when one is sick, and to replenish the body when one is not sick. Compared to the pharmaceutical drugs of conventional Western medicine, the herbal medicines appear to be simple in…