How often do fully grown adult feel so confused, and that the world is so confusing, suffer from overthinking, overlap of ideas, tics like shaking things in his hands, move around in circles, move his lips while thinking, and how to solve this issue, are there any great herbs for example that might help? I am officially diagnosed as ADHD or autism, I took many meds currently in sertraline, but so far it doesn't help me in this issue so much.

I'm recovering from pneumonia and an infected mediastinal mass that grew in my chest. To fight the infection I have been on IV antibiotics (ampicillin-sulbactam) and now I'm taking an oral antibiotic (amoxicillin-clavulanate.)

The doctors said I could take probiotics to improve my gut microbiome. Right now I'm taking a Lactobacillus rhamnosus 10 billion cell capsule each day. I'm wondering what eastern medicine typically recommends for probiotics. Is there an eastern probiotic product that is available for purchase in America? I'm curious if there is a consensus within eastern medicine on what comprises a healthy gut microbiota and how to achieve and maintain it.

29m here. I am beginning to think I may have early stage lupus. I haven't been diagnosed (and I know it takes forever to get dx'd with it) but I am speculating since nothing else seems to explain my issues.

I've have a rash on my face, hands, and back of the neck, and more importantly have had joint issues and tendonitis for years that makes my body seem about as a resilient as that of a 70 or 80 year old man. I am underweight and have trouble gaining weight. Any little thing can just ruin that join or muscle or tendon for months or years. Digestive issues, chronic fatigue, insomnia, got shingles at 27. Also have a significant joint effusion in my left hip. Something's going on.

Now, I have also been going to TCM herbal treatments on and off for about a year and a half. They initially said I had a diseased pulse with liver and gallbladder heat, weak spleen, qi stagnation, kidney deficiency, and dampness. Now, it's mostly the liver that's stressed, with more minor kidney deficiency and some dampness/phlegm. The digestive issues have improved the most out of anything here and are very minor to negligible most of the time now. The joint issues are less bad than they were initially, but it's still there and impacts my daily life A LOT - I went from barely able to walk 200 metres to now running on a machine for over 15 minutes. The rashes on my body have not gone away and nor has the fatigue. There was a point where all my TCM diagnoses got to virtually 100% recovered but after stopping treatment it all just seems to come right back. It is worth mentioning that my diet has been completely changed - never eat/drink cold, reduced damp forming foods, greasy, more vegetables, etc.

I should note that initially I was doing aggressive herbal treatment for about 6 months and in the last year or so have reduced it to on/off treatment. When I had my hip looked at, I did some blood tests which suggested low-end of normal white blood cells and slightly out of range low platelets. They said it was nothing. Kidney function appears to be unaffected.

How would you frame this from a TCM point of view and how should I approach treatment? Is acupuncture the way? Is this even curable? I am concerned about getting western treatment since immunosuppressants will simply stagnate the qi even more.

Many believe that congee is a miracle food that nourishes the stomach. Still, I’ve repeatedly pointed out that improper consumption of congee can harm the digestive system instead of supporting it. Despite this, I often see people recommending congee as a cure-all. While this perspective has drawn criticism, I want to share an essential idea: whether congee is suitable depends on your health needs.

Who Should Avoid Congee, and Why Doesn't It Heal Everyone's Stomach?

Let’s first understand the principle behind congee's supposed stomach-nourishing properties.

In TCM, digestion is described as “消化” (xiao hua):

• "消" (Xiao): The process of breaking down solid food into a paste-like, digestible form.
• "化" (Hua): The absorption of nutrients after food is fully broken down.

The organs responsible for "xiao" are primarily the teeth and stomach. Chewing thoroughly allows teeth to help share the stomach’s workload. This is why TCM teachings emphasize mindful eating and chewing instead of rushing meals.

Congee, being soft and pre-cooked, reduces the workload of the stomach by partially "pre-digesting" the food during cooking. This can temporarily alleviate strain for individuals with weak digestive function (middle Jiao deficiency).

However, for healthy individuals, digesting solid food is part of the stomach’s regular responsibility. Over-relying on congee can lead to long-term problems. Imagine always avoiding challenges: would we advise someone with back pain to never use their back or tell an anxious person to avoid all stress? Such avoidance doesn’t solve the root issue; it delays recovery.

Why Long-Term Congee Consumption Can Worsen Digestive Issues

1. It Doesn't Address Root Causes Congee reduces digestive strain, which is helpful for short-term weakness (recovery from illness or surgery). However, treatment and regulation are needed for conditions like phlegm-dampness, blood stasis, or qi stagnation—common in chronic digestive issues. Simply having congee is like using a crutch for a knee injury; it may ease symptoms but won’t resolve the underlying problem. Instead, try practices like:
   • Abdominal Massage: Use your palm to circle your abdomen gently.
   • Pressure Points: Massage areas like the Zhongwan (Ren-12) and Tianshu (ST-25) points, which may release tension and support digestion.
2. It can cause aggravated dampness in the body. Overconsumption of congee, especially when it replaces solid food, increases water intake. For people prone to dampness—a common issue today—this can worsen symptoms like bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Western medicine notes that too much congee dilutes stomach acid, while TCM warns that excess dampness obstructs digestive function. For individuals with symptoms like a heavy body, thick tongue coating, or loose stools, strategies like regular moxibustion, guasha, or light exercise to promote sweating are more effective than relying on congee.
3. Fermented Foods Are Better for Absorption While congee is easy to digest, fermented foods are easier to absorb. Fermentation breaks down complex proteins and starches into simpler, bioavailable forms, reducing the body's need to produce digestive enzymes. Examples include sourdough bread, yogurt, miso, and fermented rice wine. These foods are especially beneficial for those with weakened digestion or food intolerances, as they reduce the digestive burden. For example, individuals with gluten sensitivity may react to wheat-based porridges but tolerate fermented wheat products like sourdough bread, demonstrating the distinction between "digestibility" and "absorbability."
4. Avoid Overgeneralization TCM emphasizes individualized treatment. Overreliance on congee as a universal “stomach-healing” food ignores the diversity of people’s health needs. Chronic issues like food intolerances, anxiety, or digestive disorders often require targeted interventions, not just dietary adjustments.

Key Takeaways

• Excessive congee consumption can exacerbate dampness-related symptoms like bloating and fatigue. If you have these symptoms, reduce congee intake and focus on addressing dampness through TCM practices like moxibustion or abdominal massage.
• Digestibility (as with congee) and absorbability (as with fermented foods) are equally important. For most people, a balanced diet with solid foods is preferable to relying solely on congee.
• Avoidance or oversimplified “care strategies " cannot resolve long-term health problems. Early, proactive intervention is crucial.

I’ll write more about preparing congee healthily soon—stay tuned!

For most of the day I don’t have an appetite.

I’ve heard increasing a hormone called Ghrelin can stimulate appetite.

Does anyone know of plants or herbs that can increase the desire to eat? Just looking to learn more and do some research but not sure where to start. Thanks!

PS: It can’t be mind altering because I need to be able to work and drive.

And fatigue as well.

Happy Thanksgiving guys.

I've been diagnosed with varicocele, one on each side for about a year now. Looking to avoid surgery because I know it's not a permanent cure. A man I knew got the surgery, then the six kids he wanted, but then the pain came back so I can only guess that surgery's a temporary solution.

Either way, coming out of college, I'm broke and don't know if I have the time or money to seek medical counseling from a TCM professional.

If there are catch-all drugs prescribed to cure varicoceles, I'd be grateful if you all let me know.

As for relevant informations, let's see:

• One side of pelvis is higher than other
• Flexible, close to achieving splits
• Lower back has mild feel; like taut strings or a stuck rock ... in any case, plenty of cracks when I stretch
• Sleep ... regular now. What preceded the diagnosis a year ago was a series of sleepless nights. Roommate kept me up playing video games in the room. Moved him, but by that time I guess the damage was done. Highly stressed then. Not now.
• Libido ... I still get morning wood every morning, so regular. Used to be addicted to porn. I've quit masturbating for a year now.
• Exercise ... I can do a one-handed push-up. Lifted heavy before the diagnosis. After, I've kept it to calisthenics.

This should be everything of note from the sticky. If I haven't mentioned it, it'd be because I think it's okay. Excuse me if this post is long. Best.

I'm curious what places are legit/ recommended for education in Chinese medicine? What universities are best or even available in the US/ Thailand/ Japan?

Hi, I (22F) have experienced a decline in health during a long period of time (years) that has resulted in my current state of health being very bad. I’ve tried going to the normal western healthcare system and told them about my symptoms, but they did a blood test, checked for 3 markers and said I was fine. I live a very calm and healthy life, and I don’t understand what is causing my health to become so bad. 

Current symptoms:

• extreme fatigue (can sleep for 12+ hrs, but am still tired)
• Dizziness
• Feeling physically weak and like I am about to faint
• Ringing in ears
• Congested sinuses (not that I cannot breathe, but there is a sensation of congestion higher up in the tract)
• Brain-fog
• My period has been getting very light, and recently black cloths have appeared in it. My period has always been regular and always had a healthy, normal red colour. 
• My tongue is swollen and has prominent teeth makes on the sides (especially in the mornings), and the colour is light pink - a bit lighter than optimal.

Lifestyle:

• No drugs, alcohol, medication, birth control 
• A generally healthy and varied diet (not vegan or keto or any particular diet, just avoiding sugar and processed foods)
• Low toxic lifestyle: no makeup, perfume, body lotions, hair care products etc that contain toxic chemicals
• I used to workout more, but then I got so tired I could only go for walks, and now I am so tired I can only take very very short walks.
• I have a generally good circadian rhythm (go to bed around 8-9 pm and wake up 8-9 am). 

Lately my symptoms have been getting so extreme I have had to take a break from studying and work. I now live with my parents and feel so exhausted and dizzy that even basic tasks like taking a shower or cooking dinner has becoming very difficult to manage. 

I don’t know where to turn or who to ask. The regular healthcare system says they cannot find anything wrong, but I feel this cannot be normal. I need to do something about it. Because of where I live, and of life circumstances, I am unable to meet with a TCM practitioner in real life. If anyone has any tips on what I can do, or what could be causing these symptoms, please leave me suggestions in the comments or send a message direct to me. All tips and suggestions are very very welcome. I am desperate and don’t know what to do. Thank you.

Hi,

I am recently pregnant. I was taking bupleurum and peony formula and you gui wan and was advised to continue for a few weeks into the pregnancy. I was just wanting confirming/validation that it is safe to do so? Googling gives a range of answers. I will speak to my Dr but she is away until next week.

Thank you

Male, 33yo.

I first must say that I am grateful for all this medical knowledge. For years, I self prescribed herbs with sometimes success, but usually worsening condition. I have been suffering mostly from headaches and mild insomnia, all worst in the cold season, but in September, I started to develop more alarming symptoms. I was loosing weight for awhile already, but was attributing it to not lifting heavy anymore due to my sciatica(L-4, L-5 protrusion). Now, I was having bouts of super high energy, where I would eat way more than normal, followed by little crashes of digestive issues (food stagnation mostly). I was having a lot of blood sugar disregulation too (postprandial hypo - or hyper? - glycemia, exercice induced... etc.) It was very scary and I was confused about how much to eat. Loads of physical anxiety too. I suspected hyperthyroidism, pre-diabetes, autoimmune stuff or all of the above. I went to see the practitioner for herbs.

Herbs calmed down the crazy eating right away along with the anxiety. I am now at my third formula (a week in) and I like it. Feel happy on it and its keeping the headaches at bay. It is the most complex so far and would appreciate your insights on it. During my appointments, I don’t have enough time to ask questions and would like to clarify some stuff. From what I understand, I have Liver Yang rising or Liver Fire with maybe a bit of Wind and clearly Heat, all from simultaneous excess and deficiency. Sorry if poorly phrased. From experience, Hot food like garlic and onions give me headaches. Some tonics herbs too. Movement gets rid of headaches, unless pounding. Stress and a long to-do list brings can bring on hypoglycemia. Histamine foods or heat can get the blood rushing to my head.

Now, here are my questions. What should I do to make the treatment as efficacious as possible? Will tonification such as in this formula be able to eventually control Liver Yang (and make me less sensitive)? Should I avoid high energy activities such as salsa dancing and weightlifting (I feel it sometimes helps and sometimes not)? Can retaining semen harm Yin? And finally, are treatments able to bring back Organs to optimal functioning and if so how long does it approximately takes? (I know I will always have to be careful though...)

Thanks for taking the time to read. I know you can’t give me any diagnostic based on this report alone, but any insights on the formula or recommendations would be appreciated.

https://preview.redd.it/e8ro3eiijh3e1.jpg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15ac3d6c767be4779613e0540fb478a897b3e363

The harmony of all organs being measured by their pulse, with three fingers on the wrist.

When content, the pulse is harmonious.

When discontent, emotional or craving, there is an organ (and its corresponding meridian) which is discordant with the rest of the organs and this is expressed as an emotion or craving corresponding to that particular organ, as well as a irregular pulse.

That's just my hypothesis as someone who hasn't studied traditional chinese medicine, so please be kind.

Hello! I'm unsure if this is the right place to ask, but I found these forgotten Bak Foong pills sitting at the back of my shelf, and discovered that they've been expired since February 1st of this year. My first instinct was to throw these out as with all expired consumables, but my mom made a fuss about how these were very expensive and that I must take them regardless. They are unopened with the air-tight seal still intact and since they are dry, I doubt there would be any bacterial growth but I would still like to make sure that the pills and ingredients are still safe for consumption. I think these were bought early to mid 2023 if that information is of any use, and I attached pictures along with the ingredient list. Any help is very much appreciated, thank you!

Edit: Thank you to everyone who replied!

Image 1: A picture of what the pills look like (small, dark brown, round beads). There does not appear to be any discoloration or abnormal growths. The seal is shown to be intact. There is a bubbly texture on the seal because the pills are filled to the top and they are pushing against the seal creating some imprints but the seal has no openings or punctures. When shaking the pill bottles, they still move and sound like normal, dry \"beads\", which means the inside environment is not damp either.

Image 2: A picture of the bottom side of the pill box, showing the directions, ingredient list as well as the highlighted expiry date which reads \"February 1st, 2024\".

My father was diagnosed with lung cancer a few weeks ago and they are still figuring out what stage he's at and whether they'll use surgery or chemo/immunotherapy. In the meantime they gave him iron to strengthen his body in anticipation-his kidneys are weak and indirectly lower his red blood cells. He likes making medicinal teas for himself, so I wanted to bring him some Chinese ingredients to add to his regimen.

I thought of :jujube, goji berry, longan, lotus seed. Also make him try some snowfungus soup with pear. Also, I suppose astragalus is to be avoided?

Anything I should avoid in that list? Anything else you recommend ? (Just fyi I do have a TCM doctor where we live but I'm waiting to see what course of treatment my father will undergo before consulting her.)

Thank you for your help!

One of my mentors once asked, "If all the traditional Chinese herbal medicine books were lost and we moved away from China, could we revive traditional medicine?" My answer is a resounding yes! When we develop keen sensory awareness and carefully study the properties of plants, animals, and minerals around us, documenting our observations meticulously, we can naturally recreate a new herbal compendium over time.

As both a TCM practitioner and former Western chef, I love exploring the intersection of traditional medicine and culinary arts. Today, I'd like to share my insights about basil – a herb so revered in Indian courts that it's used in sworn testimonies and considered sacred.

A TCM Perspective on Basil

Growing up eating basil and later studying TCM, I've developed a unique perspective on this herb. From a traditional medicine viewpoint, basil primarily belongs to aromatic herbs that dispel dampness, similar to Perilla leaf (Zi Su) and Schizonepeta (Jing Jie). Like most fragrant herbs, it demonstrates properties that soothe the liver, eliminate dampness, awaken the spleen, and regulate qi.

Taking sweet basil (the most common variety) as an example, I've observed that it can awaken the spleen and eliminate dampness. However, its liver-soothing properties are relatively mild. Unlike mint or rosemary, which provide an immediate sense of clarity and openness, basil offers a gentle, sweet aroma that creates a sense of comfort – perhaps explaining its prominence in Mediterranean cuisine.

Historical Context and Traditional Uses

The classical text "Compendium of Materia Medica" describes basil as having pungent and warm properties with slight toxicity. It notes basil's ability to:

• Harmonize the middle burner
• Aid digestion
• Dispel adverse qi
• Eliminate dampness
• Treat gum diseases (when used as ash)

The "Dietary Principles" text adds that basil can eliminate fishy odours when cooked with other ingredients. Notably, the famous practitioner Li Dongyuan suggested that basil could be substituted with Agastache (Huo Xiang) in treating toothache and bad breath, indicating their similar properties.

The slight toxicity mentioned in classical texts shouldn't cause alarm—many common herbs, including coriander, carry similar warnings, simply indicating that moderation is key. Beyond its traditional roles in awakening the spleen and eliminating dampness, basil's ability to dispel adverse qi makes it particularly relevant during epidemics.

Different varieties of basil – lemon basil, pepper basil, and clove basil – each carry unique aromatic properties. Interestingly, lemon basil shares remarkable similarities with Schizonepeta in terms of its properties and effects, regardless of their botanical classification.

Contemporary Relevance

In today's context, basil's aromatic properties, which awaken the spleen and dispel adverse qi, make it a valuable herb for both culinary and health purposes. Its traditional use in preventing and addressing epidemic influences feels particularly relevant in our modern world.

Whether you're a cooking enthusiast or interested in traditional medicine, incorporating basil into your diet can contribute to both gastronomic pleasure and general well-being. Its aromatic properties promote digestion and help maintain a healthy internal environment.

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this page so I hope this is okay to post here.

I started going to a new acupuncturist recently for fertility support for PCOS. I have regular cycles and usually ovulate every month, however, my body struggles to regulate hormone levels, sometimes they will be in normal range and other times they will be way off. I also have general anxiety and mentioned this to my acupuncturist in the beginning.

From the first session my gut wasn't sure about the acupuncturist being right for me due to the following concerns:

• spoke more than they listened and cut me off when I was talking

• When I explained my PCOS they said I didn't have confirmed PCOS unless I had cysts. When I explained that my GP said that not everyone with PCOS has cysts they said that in Chinese medicine, PCOS is caused by dampness which shows up as cysts, weight gain and irregular cycles. I have lean PCOS and although I have had irregular cycles before, when I manage my lifestyle my cycles are regular however I still struggle with mild symptoms related to androgens and testosterone.

• asked if I have a gynaecologist. I said a doctor gave me my diagnosis based on my bloods and symptoms they said that for their records they needto say that they told me to visit a gynaecologist so I agreed. They added that most people who get acupuncture are sceptical of the doctors and lectured me on the benefit of both even though I am not sceptical of western medicine and use doctors.

• They mainly focussed on talking about me going on a carnivore diet which seems pretty extreme. When I tried to talk I think they thought I was going to bash meat as they said that often people who come to get acupuncture are vegetarian or vegan, I am neither but didn't get a chance to say.

• They seemed a bit insecure and I felt like they needed reassurance from me to say that the treatment made me feel better.

-They kept on saying that they knew my body and don't need to hear anything else

-assumed my anxiety was due to overthinking when it is actually more situated in my body than my mind

-questioned whether I was really ready to be a mother. When I said yes she said that most people don't say that and told me that being a mother is really difficult as if I didn't know.

• always starts late, talks for most of my time slot with only 10 -20 mins acupuncture time. Sometimes finishes early.

• kept saying that she wants to help people, is good at helping people, knows people very well, gives every person a different treatment as soon as she knows them.

Now that I have listed all those things I feel I may have answered the question for myself but does anyone with expertise in Chinese medicine have anything to add? Is this actually okay?

I really enjoy having acupuncture and trust that the acupuncturist knows what they are doing but with this lady I felt like she maybe wasn't right for me. I have had multi bed acupuncture before and found the acupuncturists more attentive and had a better experience and improvements in my health and well-being than this current person.

I have a seemingly antibiotic resistant UTI caused by the bacteria serratia marcescens.

Can Chinese medicine help with this?

There is a local woman who I know is good. But concerned because of the type of bacteria it is. I've now finished my third antibiotic and only got the correct one for this type of bacteria the third time.

It's due to end today and I still have stingning sensation and needing to urinate A LOT.

I also have CFS so I am really struggling with fatigue from this.

Hi everyone, I have 2 questions about becoming an acupuncturist.

1. Before enrolling into a masters/doctoral program for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, what are some things I can do in the meantime to gain experience in this field? (I am looking for some insight into specific programs, certifications, work or volunteer opportunities.)
2. Are there any expedited processes to becoming an acupuncturist that don’t require a masters or doctorate degree?

(I am wanting to change career fields and study/practice acupuncture. I already have a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics (basically clinical nutrition for those who don’t know), and I currently work as a Neurophysiologist in spine surgery, monitoring the neural conductivity of the spinal cord based on specific nerves and muscles monitored via sub dermal needle placement. Additionally, I already have $144,000 of student debt, so going back to school at this time is not an option for me, but would still like to pivot in that direction if possible.)

How is the bobinsana plant used as a contraceptive? And are there any other healing plants that can be used as contraceptive?

Hi My parents keep nagging me, that I should stop reheating food because it causes dampness. I should avoid reheating vegetables especially. But I am working and already wake up early and I don't want to wake up even earlier to cook my food for my work lunch.

Do you have any tip what food I can prepare the day before that is nutritious and not causing dampness? I love vegetable, any special vegetable that is OK to reheat without problems?

Appreciate any advice.

What food would you reccomend most to remove phlegm and dampness from spleen/stomach?

If you had to choose one, which would you pick?

Backstory: I’ve had seemingly endless minor health issues for the last 5 years and have seen naturopathic doctors for the last 10 years. I lean heavy into natural medicine (or rather, maybe just away from TWM?) for many reasons.

But when I step back to look at where I am: many issues are still unresolved or are only managed with supplements. I have a growing pile of supplements I take everyday and I feel dependent on them. This has me wondering if naturopathic medicine is really any better than Western medicine.

I saw a TCM practitioner for the first time a month ago and got instant (temporary) relief. If I could rely solely on TCM for care, I think I would.

I recently tested positive for Babesia and am desperate for a solution.

So I feel like I’m at a crossroads. Do I continue to see a naturopath or just my PCP coupled with the TCM?