Voices on the Mountain

Our good friend Alana Foeller joins us today to talk about the differences between Western and Chinese Medicine. Which route is better at treating what diseases?  What is health? And what is the goal of medicine?

For real this time, we get into the first two of these amazing points and their uses. 

Are you familiar with Ma Danyang's heavenly star points? Don't worry Steven had never heard of them before.  Today a short introduction to these points. Hope you enjoy tangents!

Wrapping up this series on diet we go over some lingering questions, get lost in nuts and spices, and review helpful attitudes on making dietary changes. 

Fat has gotten a lot of press over the last 70 years since the American Heart Association hypothesized a detrimental link between fats and heart health. While in the last decade or so this link has been challenged and debunked, its prevalence is still responsible for  many American's understanding and attitudes towards fat. And still we have an absence of knowledge about what types of fats we should be eating and how much we should consume. 

You know how we are always going off on tangents  mid-episode? Well this time we did a whole episodes worth right from the get go, you're welcome! In this episode we introduce an idea of movement as a part of your diet and get into some specifics for shoulder rehab. 

But seriously who doesn't like cake? And with all the carb bashing on this podcast you might think you have to give up your tasty treats. But what if we told you, you could have your health and eat cake too? Cake for breakfast you say? Now that's a diet we can all get behind.Steven's Recipe:Keto Shortbread8 tbsp Butter (or 4/5 coconut oil and 1/5 almond milk)1 tbsp Vanilla extract1.5 cups Almond Flour1/4 cup Coconut Flour1 tsp pure monkfruit powder1 tbsp baking powder1/4 tsp Sea salt8 egg whites (1 cup) (or sub 8 tbsp ground flax seed with 24tbsp water, mix first and let sit for a few minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients)4-8 tblsp almond or coconut milkOptional but recommended:¼ tsp or more of freshly grated nutmeg (esp for cold spleen/stomachs)½ tsp of Saigon cinnamon OR sprinkle on cake after baking (esp for those wanting a little more Yang)Mix together and put in an oiled glass cake pan (8x8 works well) or something of similar size, bake at 325-350F for 25-35 min until slightly browned on top and toothpick comes out clean.A fun chocolate variation of the shortbread!Same recipe as above, but I recommend using the flax seed meal instead egg whites, and adding 1 whole bar of dark chocolate, we use 86% Ghiradelli, since it’s been shown to have some of the lowest lead and cadmium levels of all chocolates on the market. I melt the butter in the baking dish in the preheating oven, and when it’s mostly melted, I add the chocolate bar for a few more minutes until melted, than fold all the melted butter and chocolate into the batter, then back into the baking dish to back.  Bake until butter knife or toothpick comes out mostly clean, that way it stays a little fudgy in the middle.

Running into a lot of conflicting  dietary advice? Eating--it seems like one of the simplest and most basic human activities. We've been doing it forever and today loading up your plate is easier than ever. But what should be on that plate seems to be a perpetual question.  In this series of episodes we lay a foundation for our conversations around food based on an understanding that has been around for 4,000 years and is just as relevant today as it was centuries ago.

You may have one, you most certainly know some one who does. Whether you are listening for yourself, or to empathize with those around you do not miss this episode. Today we get into the second half of the menstrual cycle from a Chinese Medicine perspective. While certain parts of this episode are geared more for practitioners there is plenty of diet and lifestyle advice for our muggle family. Enjoy!

You may have one, you most certainly know some one who does. Whether you are listening for yourself, or to empathize with those around you do not miss this episode. Today we get into the first half of the menstrual cycle from a Chinese Medicine perspective. While certain parts of this episode are geared more for practitioners there is plenty of diet and lifestyle advice for our muggle family. Enjoy!

We all learn our channels in school, it is something that we get quizzed on constantly throughout our education. The meridians are the foundation of any acupuncturists knowledge; but how sturdy is this base and what can we do to flush out our understanding of the Jing Luo.

We all learn our channels in school, it is something that we get quizzed on constantly throughout our education. The meridians are the foundation of any acupuncturists knowledge; but how sturdy is this base and what can we do to flush out our understanding of the Jing Luo. 

The missing finale on our Jing Series! It's a New Year which means Steven's herbal class has run it's course :( AHHHH :( But that means we get to nerd out on this podcast :) YAAAAY :) Make sure to follow and subscribe to the podcast so you can stay abreast to all of our new content this year.

We continue last weeks episode on how to conserve Jing and go over cures for the ever dreaded blue balls.

This episode kicks off our how to guide on conserving Jing. If this is completely new information then you are in the perfect place to absorb and learn, much like a child ... or even an emperor. 

Another episode that is short and sweet before we go long and deep next week. This episode covers  why we would want to conserve Jing and we scratch the surface on some internal cultivation practices. 

Enjoy a shorty this week so no one gets podcast fatigue. Learn about the intriguingly named Jade Liquid and a sex test for the Emperors that we would all like to take. 

It's not just a line from the Dark Crystal, it is a real thing! This is the first of 6 episodes where we start to the scratch the surface on how to build and conserve Jing. 

We break the seal on the bottle, tangents and swearing in this episode.  We have plenty of good content coming your way this year, be on the lookout for episodes bimonthly or save yourself the anticipation and hit the subscribe button to make sure you never miss an episode.

It's the festive season when people gather with friends to eat, drink, and talk story.  Alcohol traces it's roots back to beginning of human civilization and agriculture potentially being the first fermented substance humans manufactured.  In Chinese Medicine alcohol is also a foundational component, not only as a solvent but as a radical in the character Yi. Join us on the first part of our jaunt discussing alcohol and while tangential narratives are iconic of one under the influence we can assure you it was all sober fun.

Into the archives of the short little life of our podcasts we go:In the beginning, Steven and I were vamping on some Wu Xing ideas, and then we decided to hit record....Wu Xing or 5 Phases as it is often translated, is a philosophy at the core of Chinese thought. If Yin and Yang are like dancing a two step, Wu Xing is like the tango. And once you adopt this lens you can apply it anywhere, in the garden, in relationships, in the seasons and the clinic. Life unfolds according to the patterns and principles of Wu Xing. Join us as we play and dance with Wu Xing.

Finishing off the Ghost Points

Just like the ghost points themselves we are going deeper into the body as we cover more ghost points this week.

Ghostbusters!

Goodness Gracious Great balls of fire!

Is stress always good or bad?!?  According to TCM, what kinds of stress should be on our radar and what is the way to navigate these stresses for optimal health?  The TCM answers to these questions might surprise you!Tune in, practitioners and muggles alike, for a deep dive into this key element of a healthy lifestyle!

Is stress always good or bad?!?  According to TCM, what kinds of stress should be on our radar and what is the way to navigate these stresses for optimal health?  The TCM answers to these questions might surprise you!Tune in, practitioners and muggles alike, for a deep dive into this key element of a healthy lifestyle!

Is stress always good or bad?!?  According to TCM, what kinds of stress should be on our radar and what is the way to navigate these stresses for optimal health?  Tune in, practitioners and muggles alike, for a deep dive into this key element of a healthy lifestyle!

A point by any other name... The second part of our episode discussing the insight that point names provide to understanding how to use the points clinically. The ancients wrapped enormous understanding, experience and clinical guidance into the names of every point, and all we have to do is decipher them in the context in which they were given.  Based on Nei Jing concepts and excerpts, we delve into key digestive points.  We discuss the Great Luo ot the Stomach called 虚里 xū lǐ, and how that provides great insight into points like ST36 足三里 zú sān lǐ， ST37 上巨虚 shàng jù xū, etc.

What's my name?!?! Insight into points comes through many avenues, but the perhaps the most fundamental is the name.  The ancients wrapped enormous understanding, experience and clinical guidance into the names of every point, and all we have to do is decipher them in the context in which they were given.  Based on Nei Jing concepts and excerpts, we delve into key digestive points.  We discuss the Great Luo ot the Stomach called 虚里 xū lǐ, and how that provides great insight into points like ST36 足三里 zú sān lǐ， ST37 上巨虚 shàng jù xū, etc.  And check out the second half of this content in the subsequent episode.  

The second part of this fascinating discussion on Qi Hua. Enjoy! Two of the the most telling and essential Nei Jing quotes covered in this episode is: 《素问·灵兰秘典论》三焦者，决渎之官，水道出 焉。膀胱者，州都之官，津液藏焉，气化则能出矣。 From the Su Wen, Ling Lan Mi Dian Chapter: "The triple burner, the water managing and irrigating official, the water ways come from here.  The bladder, the river managing official, Jin Ye is stored/controlled here, therefore Qi Hua can function/come from here." 《素问·六节藏象论》脾、胃、大肠、小肠、三焦、膀胱者，仓禀之本，营之居也 From the Su Wen, Liu Jie Zang Xiang Chapter: "The spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, triple burner and bladder, the root of receiving food/nourishment, the residing place of Ying nutritve.

Qi What?!?  Is it Qi transformation or transformation with Qi? Ever been confused by the seemingly amorphous description of this essential lower burner function?  Check out this episode for a deep dive into what this key physiological process is and how to treat dysfunctional Qi Hua all rooted in Nei Jing goodness!  Enjoy! Two of the the most telling and essential Nei Jing quotes covered in this episode is: 素问·灵兰秘典论》三焦者，决渎之官，水道出 焉。膀胱者，州都之官，津液藏焉，气化则能出矣。 From the Su Wen, Ling Lan Mi Dian Chapter: "The triple burner, the water managing and irrigating official, the water ways come from here.  The bladder, the river managing official, Jin Ye is stored/controlled here, therefore Qi Hua can function/come from here." 素问·六节藏象论》脾、胃、大肠、小肠、三焦、膀胱者，仓禀之本，营之居也 From the Su Wen, Liu Jie Zang Xiang Chapter: "The spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, triple burner and bladder, the root of receiving food/nourishment, the residing place of Ying nutritve."

The World Cup gets everyone focused on football, female athletes and this year ACL injuries. We join the trend and look into ACL tears with a TCM outlook.

Does TCM agree with intermittent fasting?  Who does it fit and who should be cautious? Check out this episode for some great info on how TCM approaches lifestyle choice!This second half of the intermittent fasting episode dives deep into multiple quotes from the Nei Jing and other classics.  For an introduction to the topic check out the first half!

Does TCM agree with intermittent fasting?  Who does it fit and who should be cautious? Check out this episode for some great info on how TCM approaches lifestyle choice!This first half of the intermittent fasting episode  introduces the topic and the second half dives deep into multiple quotes from the Nei Jing and other classics.  Hold onto your trendy diet hats!

Who you calling Fu? This episode covers the concept of "San Fu Tie," a classic treatment in Chinese medicine that corresponds to three distinct periods between mid-July and mid-August. We discuss the significance of the timing of this treatment and how it aligns with the natural rhythms of the body and the environment. By doing so, the practitioner can use the least force to achieve maximum efficacy.  We also explore how using these external herbal treatments to disperse cold during the summer can treat diseases that are exacerbated in the winter, like asthma. By following the natural flow of energy and adapting treatments accordingly, Chinese medicine practitioners can optimize the body's healing process while minimizing the use of aggressive techniques.  We also share the classic herbal formula from Ming dynasty Dr. Zhang Lu 张璐!And of course, for you classics nerds out there, one of the key Nei Jing quotes we cover in this episode:“春夏养阳，秋冬养阴，以从其根” from 素问·四气调神大论

In this episode we introduce our podcasts co-hosts Steven Wong and Asher Loring. We hope you our listeners are as big of TCM geeks as we are, enjoy!