Chinese Medicine Healing Ways

August 2026

The ancient tradition of Chinese medicine is built on the premise that prevention is key for everlasting health. This begins with establishing healthy foundations that manifest energetic and physical balance. The primary goals are to promote free and abundant flow of qi within the body’s energetic pathways and balance the opposing forces of yin and yang throughout one’s entire being.

Treatments such as acupuncture, Chinese herbals, Tuina massage, cupping, and gua sha are provided by Chinese medicine practitioners for these explicit purposes. Incorporation of harmonious living habits and wholesome dietary protocols promotes everlasting vitality, optimal resilience, and minimal stress. Health is further maximized through practicing the Chinese exercises of qigong and taiji (tai chi). Their primary objective is to delay the onset of disease and pre-mature aging.

Particular energetic organ systems are delineated as a basis for Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment protocols. A primary example is the spleen energetic system which is traditionally known as “the source of life” due to extracting qi (vital energy) from the food we ingest.

Warming cooked foods such as lightly cooked vegetables, soups, and stews are recommended to build spleen qi as they require less energy to digest and support the digestive fire. This approach also varies according to the changing seasons. For example, lighter and more cooling foods such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, and peaches are recommended during the summer months.

Chinese medicine teaches us that spleen energy is negatively impacted by overthinking and worry. It thus helps to stay calm, centered, and focus on the food as it is consumed. Chew food thoroughly and take notice of its flavor, smell, and texture. Avoid eating when stressed out or emotionally to further protect spleen energy. And keep in mind that the sweet taste nourishes the spleen. Choose “full sweet” foods for this purpose such as sweet potatoes, oats, brown rice, squash, and apples. It is also recommended to drink a cup of ginger tea as an herbal tonic to build spleen qi.

Living life in a way that protects the body’s vital energy and essence has far-reaching positive effects on the quality and quantity of kidney energy – the root energy of the body and all other vital organ systems. Remember that the kidneys are depleted through excessive stress and fear, overwork, and over-indulging in sex. Protecting the body’s vital resources also means being vigilant about getting to sleep by 11pm each night to allow the liver organ system to maximize detoxification and have the chance to rest and reset. Doing so helps the liver keep qi and blood flowing smoothly through the body.

In terms of diet, eat a moderate amount of salty foods to nourish the kidney organ system. This may include seaweed which also supplies valuable trace minerals. It is further recommended to consume sour foods which have an astringent effect that contracts energy inward. We further learn from Chinese medicine that this promotes smooth flow of liver qi and prevents it from becoming stagnant or scatter. Recommended sour foods include pickles, sauerkraut, lemons, brown rice vinegar, and plums.

These are just a few of the many insights shared by Chinese medicine practitioners. Incorporating medical wisdom from both Western and Eastern approaches has far-reaching benefit to the quality and quantity of your life. Take time to explore all of your options and establish an attainable plan to manifest a foundation for producing the most vibrant and healthy life possible for yourself.