Vernal Equinox 春分

In the northern hemisphere, today Thursday March 20th is the Vernal Equinox. Even though we won’t be able to see it, at exactly 5:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time the sun will be at an exact vertical angle to the equator. Over the next few months the sun will continue angling more and more towards the Tropic of Cancer meaning the days for us in the Northern Hemisphere will continue lengthening until reaching an apex at the Summer Solstice. Today then is also the beginning of the next seasonal node, also called Vernal Equinox 春分.

At this point, in the Chinese calendar we are in the middle of Spring, but in the western calendar we celebrate Vernal Equinox as the beginning of Spring. In Persia this day was traditionally revered as the beginning of the year (called Nowruz), and Rosicrucian mystics count Vernal Equinox as the New Year as well (Happy Rosicrucian year 3378!). Even in ancient Rome, early calendars marked March as the beginning of the year which is why even today September is thusly named because originally it was the seventh month (septem meaning seven). October and November follow being the 8th and 9th months of the Roman year (octo is eight and novem is nine).

Why does the Chinese calendar regard Vernal Equinox as the midpoint of Spring? Because we are now at the balance point of Yin and Yang. If the height of Yang is the longest day (Summer Solstice), and the height of Yin is the longest night (Winter Solstice), then the midpoints and thus points of balance are the Equinoxes.

The three 5-day periods in this seasonal node are Swallows Arrive (xuanniao zhi 玄鳥至), Thunder Starts Resounding (lei nai fasheng 雷乃發聲), and Beginning of Lightning (shi dian 始電). In Yijing (I Ching) theory the Thunder Trigram – Zhen Gua 震掛 – is a Wood trigram, linking thunder and lightning, yang activities of the heavens, with Spring. Zhen Gua is composed of one solid yang line on the bottom, with 2 yin (broken) lines above. This is the image of Yang emerging from underneath, continuing to grow up and out. Spring is exactly that time of year – the time when Yang of the natural world is slowly starting to push itself up and out of the Yin of Winter. 

The main thing to focus on during this 15-day period is “Nourishing the Liver” (yang gan 養肝). One of the ways we nourish the Liver is to ensure normal Liver function. For example, this is the time of year to really ensure our patients' Qi is freely coursing (one of the main functions of Liver is to ensure normal coursing of Qi). The second “to do” during this time is to “both Clear and Supplement.” This means that when the Liver is hot or hyperactive, clear and sedate. When it is vacuous (e.g., has Blood vacuity), then supplement. Since any pattern of disharmony in Liver will impair some of its major functions, when we see Liver patterns during this seasonal node they must be treated. That said, this year, at least here where I am located, the weather is still chilly, especially in the mornings. As such we may have to protect the warm-Yang in the body at the same time we clear Liver or supplement the Yin-Blood. A beautiful example of this is harmonizing formulas such as Xiao Chai Hu Tang, or even Xiao Yao Wan. Both contain herbs that strengthen and supplement (e.g., Ren Shen, Bai Zhu) alongside herbs that course or clear Liver. We can also consider giving our vacuous patients pill-form warming and supplementing formulas together with powders or decoctions that have a more Liver coursing or clearing function.

As mentioned already, the Vernal Equinox is the time of balanced Yin and Yang. It is appropriate at this time to also have balanced mind states. Thus, one of the “avoids” during the Vernal Equinox is extremes of the Seven Affects. Chapter two of the Su Wen says that Spring is the time to not be angry. We should try to relax, and not allow our emotions to run too far in any direction. The second thing to avoid during this seasonal node is overdoing “bedroom activity.” Since sex stirs the Yang to mobilize Jing-essence, to keep an overall balance in health we need to seek a balance in sex. As this time of year is a time of balance, too much sex may deplete the Yin-Jing. That said, no sex at all can lead to stagnation in the circulation of Qi and Blood.

Diet for Vernal Equinox

Diet for the Vernal equinox should mimic the balance that is present in nature at this time. In general, the continued use of mildly acrid foods such as ginger and scallions help ensures normal coursing of Liver qi. This is especially useful for patients with Liver depression patterns. Patients who tend more towards vacuity patterns, especially Liver blood insufficiency, can increase consumption of sour foods such as pickles or vinegar. This year since the weather is cold though, we should continue to eat slightly warming foods. However, it is best to avoid very greasy or cloying warm foods (such as an overconsumption of very fatty meats), or very salty meals. While saltier and slightly greasier are ok in the cold of Winter, right now in Spring we need to be concerned with the normal and smooth movement of Qi and Blood in the body. The basic combination then is warming and acrid, such as the aforementioned ginger.

A simple tea most patients can consume during this time is rose bud tea. This tea is made by steeping Mei Gui Hua 玫瑰花 in hot water. Mei Gui Hua is warm and sweet and is found in the Qi regulating chapter of the Materia Medica. It courses Liver as well as gently quickens the blood. It is especially useful for our female patients who have menstrual irregularities due to Liver stagnation. In the Baijiquan 八極拳 system of Chinese marital arts, Mei Gui Hua tea is used as a general Qi and Blood moving tea for injury. For patients who suffer from more internal cold, Mei Gui Hua can be combined with Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig) or Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger).  

One traditional dish for Vernal Equinox is Stir Fried Pig Kidney with Eucommia (杜仲豬花). Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Organic pig kidney ¾ to 1 lb

• Eucommia bark (Du Zhong 杜仲) 6-9g

• 1 scallion, 1 piece of ginger (about the size of your thumb or a little larger), 1-2 cloves of garlic

• Cooking oil, salt, soy sauce

Directions: 

Cook Du Zhong in about 1 cup of water by bringing to a boil and then simmering until only about ½ cup of liquid is left

1. Cut kidneys into thin slices and then score one side of each slice; peel and slice the ginger, slice the garlic, and slice the scallion

2. In a pan, add a small amount of cooling oil, and start by cooking the garlic and ginger just until fragrant and / or the garlic is transparent. Add in the kidney slices and cook for several minutes. Then add a small amount of salt and soy sauce.

3. Add in the Du Zhong liquid, and cook down in the pan with the kidney. Add scallions. Cook until kidneys are thoroughly cooked through.

4. Optionally can add Gou Qi Zi (i.e., Goji berries) at end as well before liquid has cooked down, cooking until slightly plump.

This recipe supplements the Kidney, boosts essence, and nourishes the Liver blood. It is good for lower back pain, knee pain, declining visual acuity, or other symptoms of Liver and Kidney vacuity. Because it is warming it is especially useful this year!

Acupuncture for Equinox

When considering acupuncture recommendations, first we should think about how Wood phase (for Spring) is functioning in our patients. Ideally, we should all be in a state of balance, neither in a state of insufficiency nor of repletion. Relative repletion, especially during the time of transition into warmer weather, frequently manifests as stasis. This is because the Qi of the body, as the time of year is becoming more Yang, wants to move. But since cold weather is still lingering, Qi has trouble moving and stagnation is the result. Another possible reason for stagnation is a failure to increase physical movement this time of year. If this is the case then points that course Qi and Blood throughout the body should be chosen. My recommendation is to consider the Metacarpal Three Needles (掌三針) consisting of Ling Gu 22.05, Da Bai 22.04 and Zhong Kui. On the lower extremities we can add Ren Huang 77.21. If the repletion also manifests with some internal heat, consider bleeding the apex of the ear.

The opposite situation is having a patient with insufficiency of Wood, either in the case of Liver Vacuity (especially patterns of Liver Blood vacuity), or of general vacuity of the Yang. For Liver vacuity we can consider points such as the Upper Three Yellows (上三黃; 88.12, 13, 14). Alternately, we can choose the Lower Three Emperors (下三皇; 77.17, 19, 21), one main Dao Ma group for the Kidney. Why the Kidney Dao Ma group? Because strengthening Water-Kidney automatically strengthens Wood-Liver because of the Five Phase engendering cycle relationship.

I hope everyone will have a great Equinox, and Happy Rosicrucian year 3378!

Last Day of Winter 節分 and Beginning of Spring 立春 2025

Earlier this week on Sunday February 2nd, we arrived at a very special day in the traditional Japanese calendar – Setsubun (節分　― せつぶん). The word “setsubun” literally means the seasonal division, and refers to the last day of Winter. On this day in Japan, many people engage in practices that had their origin in Chinese exorcistic rituals, purging negative entities in preparation for the beginning of Spring the day after. One of the most common rituals is known as mamemaki 豆撒き, or the scattering of toasted soybeans.  

During this ritual, people will throw toasted soybeans out their front door while saying, Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! 鬼は外! 福は内!, or, “demons out and luck in!” In essence, this is a method of purging the negative Yin of the Winter and the old year (since the beginning of Spring is the new year in East Asian calendars), while welcoming in the nascent Yang of the new season.

If Sunday was Setsubun, the last day of Winter, then Monday February 3rd was the Beginning of Spring 立春, and the start of the Beginning of Spring Seasonal Node. Remember, while modern westerners are accustomed to placing the beginning of Spring in March, the Chinese calendar marks seasonal change by position of the sun and relative daylight. As the days are now getting longer, we are in the time of everything waking from Winter’s slumber. The darkest and longest nights are now 6 weeks behind us, and in only another 6 weeks we will be at the Equinox – halfway to when the days will get shorter again.

The Chinese use both a lunar and a solar calendar to mark time, and because of this there are two dates that are considered the beginning of Spring. One is called Li Chun (立春) – the “Beginning of Spring,” which is one of the twenty four seasonal node and the solar beginning of Spring. This happens every year in early February (and again, this year it was Monday February 3rd). The other beginning of Spring is the lunar, also known as Chun Jie (春節), the Spring Festival. This day is the Chinese Lunar New Year, and it falls on the second new moon following the Winter Solstice (with the rare possibility of it falling on the third new moon in some years with an intercalary month). The Lunar New Year is one of the most important traditional holidays in China, and is a time for people to visit with family and friends.  The lunar festivals traditionally last about 2 weeks until the full moon. This year the Lunar new year happened on January 29th.

During the Beginning of Spring seasonal node the Yang influences are growing in the natural world. As mentioned already, we are only about 6 weeks away from the Vernal Equinox (Chun Fen 春分), one of the two times of year when the Yang and Yin are most balanced and we have more equal day and night. Even with cooler weather lingering the days are getting longer and in northern New Jersey where I am, in the morning I am hearing some songbirds starting to return.  The increased activity in the natural world is also reflected in the names of the shorter 5 day segments (the 72 Material Manifestations of the year) that make up Beginning of Spring – Dong Feng Jie Dong 東風解凍 (The East Wind Liberates From Icy Shackles), Zhe Chong Shi Zhen 蟄蟲始振 (Hibernating Insects Begin to Stir), and Yu Shang Bing 魚上冰 (Fish Rise Up to the Ice).

Spring is the time associated with the Wood phase and the Liver, and the Liver is a Yang viscera (with Heart being the other Yang viscera). A traditional saying for Beginning of Spring is “Li chun yang gan shun tian shi, qu chu ji bing bao jian kang” – “At the beginning of Spring nourishing the Liver means to following the timing of Heaven, expel and rid yourself of disease and protect your health.” Diet recommendations at the Beginning of Spring then are designed to help and nourish Liver.

As a general rule this is the time to consume foods that help maintain normal Liver function, especially the Yang of Liver. Since the Liver governs free coursing, eating mildly acrid and warm foods will support this function. For example, appropriate foods this time of year include scallions, leeks, chives, cilantro, and garlic.  Here is another phrase for this time of year: “Duo chi jiu cai chao rou si, yang hu gan yang zhu sheng fa” – “Eat a lot of leeks and pork to nourish and protect the Liver yang and develop the nature of birth.”  In the Huang Di Nei Jing the Spring is associated with the term sheng 生 or “birth.” This is the same sheng as in, for example, Sheng Jiang 生薑 – fresh (or living) ginger. Tung recommended eating beef stewed with garlic for the treatment of Liver Vacuity (Tung, 1973). While he didn’t mention it specifically for Beginning of Spring, we can say that this recipe is perfect for the warming and strengthening of the Liver Yang that is now appropriate.

Patients with chronic Liver fire should take care this seasonal node as Yang is on the rise everywhere. A traditional Beginning of Spring drink for these patients is Yin Chen Da Zao Tang. For this drink take 20g of Yin Chen Hao and 30g of Da Zao. Place in a pot with about 2 ½ cups water. Bring to a rapid boil then reduce and simmer for 30 minutes. Separate into 2 doses and drink in the morning and evening. This formula benefits qi, generates fluids, and protects the Liver. In the clinic we can mimic this basic formula with points such as Mu Yan 11.20 or Gan Men 33.11.

One more traditional dish for Beginning of Spring is Pork Bone Red Date Soup. Yes, even before bone broth became the latest health trend here in the US, it was considered an important food for health the world around. This dish can be taken daily; it builds blood, warms the interior without being too warming or drying, and can be taken both to prevent and treat colds.

Pork Bone Red Date Soup 豬骨紅棗湯

Ingredients:

• Pork bone, about 3 lbs

• Chinese dried red dates (Hong Zao, or Da Zao), about 6 pieces

• Ginger

• 1 Large scallion white

• Salt

Instructions:

1. Place washed pork bones into a slow cooker and add enough water to cover bones (about 2 quarts)

2. Cut ginger and scallion into large pieces, place in slow cooker with bones; add dates as well to slow cooker

3. Cook on low for 8 hours or more (the prep can be done in the evening and left to cook overnight)

4. Drink broth daily

Other vegetables or ingredients can be added to this soup as desired. To read more about general Spring health care please click here.

Happy Spring and happy year of the Wood Snake!

Taking Action Class with ToDo Institute

The ToDo Institute is once again running one of their excellent classes, AND offering us a discount (I get no kick back from this at all). This is the class that got me really going on writing the Practical Atlas of Tung's Acupuncture. If you're interested in Japanese approaches to psychology in general, and are interested in using these principles to work on some project (or just on yourself), this very low priced class is for you. Check it out! You can use the code “mccann” for a 20% discount.

Happy Year of the Wood Snake!

I want to wish everyone a very happy New Year! 我祝大家新年快樂，恭喜發財，蛇年大吉！

Great Cold 大寒 Seasonal Node

Today, Monday January 20th is the start of the Major Cold (da han 大寒) Seasonal Node. This year here in New Jersey, the weather is behaving just like the name of the node suggests. Yesterday we had snow and this week the highs will all be below freezing, and in the evenings temperatures will dip below 10 degree (-12 Celsius). However, despite the cold, the promise of this time of year is the slowly returning Yang. The days are getting longer and even by now we are seeing some migratory birds on the move. All of this is a reminder that Major Cold is the last seasonal node of Winter as in just a few weeks both the lunar and solar beginning of Spring arrives.

The three material manifestations of Major Cold are Hens Begin to Breed (Ji Shi Ru 雞始乳), Birds of Prey Act Fierce and Swift (Zhi Niao Li Ji 鷙鳥厲疾), and Rivers and Lakes are Frozen Within (Shui Ze Fu Jian 水澤腹堅). Notice here imagery of the impending Spring. In Five Phase theory the domestic animal associated with Spring is the chicken, and during Major Cold hens are getting ready to become pregnant with baby chicks that will hatch in Spring. Thus, even though the weather outside is still very cold, Yang is definitely on its way back as the gradually lengthening of the days attests to.

As the name suggests, the Major Cold Seasonal Node is the time of the year when the main environmental factor we contend with is cold. The first thing that Chinese medicine recommends for this time is to eat clear and easily digested foods (qing dan shi wu 清淡食物). Why is this? The Spleen and Stomach are the roots of Latter Heaven Qi. During the end of Winter even though the time of the year is still predominantly Yin, the Yang qi is being birthed. Eating clear and easily digested foods allows the Spleen and Stomach to move and transform appropriately, and to build Latter Heaven Qi. If foods are too heavy, overly greasy or overly sweet, then the ability of the Spleen and Stomach to move and transform is impaired. Easy to digest foods ensures that we continue to build Latter Heaven Yang Qi to get ready for the upcoming spring.

In addition to cold, the other main environmental pattern seen during Major Cold is dryness. Even with some wet snow and sleet on the ground this morning, lately my patients have been complaining of dry skin on an almost daily basis (this is even more so this year because during the ongoing pandemic we are all washing our hands more than usual). However, much of the environmental water is now bound up in snow or ice, making the air dry. Knowing this, the second recommendation this time of year is to stay warm but also be sure to not be too dry. Staying warm is obviously important in this time of greatest cold. But since certain organs are harmed by excessive dryness, such as the Lungs, we need to be vigilant there. For example, for those with forced hot air heating systems, it may be prudent to run a humidifier periodically. Sipping warm liquids such as herbal teas throughout the day can also keep our internal environment appropriately moist.

With patients who are cold, or have Spleen or Kidney vacuity patterns, continue to warm and supplement. Moxibustion, especially at points like Zu San Li ST-36, Qi Hai REN-6 or Guan Yuan REN-4 is still appropriate. Acupuncturists can include Tung’s point San Cha San 三叉三穴 frequently in point prescriptions. This point has the ability to warm yang and supplement the Kidney. Furthermore, since it pierces through Ye Men SJ-2, “Fluids Gate,” it benefits fluids, particularly of the upper orifices.

As already mentioned, during Major Cold we should emphasize consuming easily digested foods that protect internal warmth and strengthen the middle. Foods that satisfy this requirement include, for example, rice, glutinous rice (in moderation), yams (including nagaimo), peanuts, clear soups like chicken soup, and cooked vegetables. In general avoid raw vegetables, cooling fruits, very greasy meats, and very sweet deserts. When cooking make frequent use of fresh ginger, and other mildly warming spices like nutmeg.

In addition to protecting the Spleen with food, during Major Cold it is also important to consume foods that guard against dryness, and in particular Lung dryness. To this end traditional recommendations for food include consuming white wood ear mushrooms (Yin Er 銀耳) and pears, especially Asian pears.  A great traditional tea for Major Cold is Goji Berry and Red Date Tea (枸杞大棗茶). To prepare, take about 1 teaspoon Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) and 3 small red dates and place in a large mug. Cover with boiling hot water and let steep at least 5 minutes. After drinking about ½ the mug, refill once or twice more with boiling hot water. This tea supplements and moistens the Kidney and Liver, nourishes blood and supplements the Spleen.

Another good recipe for Major Cold comes directly from Tung’s writing. In his 1973 book on Tung’s Acupuncture he includes a chapter on dietary therapy. While not specifically listed for Major Cold, one of the recipes he gives is for pork kidney steamed with ginger strips. This simple dish treats kidney vacuity with dryness, manifesting for example with dry mouth.

As I’ve mentioned in some previous posts, since I do so much acupuncture in my clinical practice and I teach Qigong regularly, I really like channel based Yang Sheng practices in addition to lifestyle and diet that we usually discuss. One traditional recommendation for Major Cold is foot soaking and acupressure to support some of the goals we’ve already described above. The time of day associated with Major Cold is the Chou 丑 hour (1-3am). While I don’t recommend staying up too late, this practice can be done before bed, as close to that time as possible while still getting to sleep at a reasonable hour. Start by soaking feet in hot/warm water for 10-15 minutes, and Epsom salts can also be added to the water if desired. After that follow the soaking with acupressure on Yong Quan KD-1, Tai Bai SP-3 and Tai Yuan LU-9. This helps warm and strengthen the Kidney channel, and supplement the Spleen and Lung channels thus corresponding to some of the basic recommendations discussed above.

The last recommendation I’ll offer is gentle massage of the lower back. We all know that the low back is the abode of the Kidney, and gentle stimulation of the low back can thus relax and warm the Kidney. Furthermore, Major Cold is specifically associated with the 3rd lumbar vertebra. There are 24 total vertebrae corresponding one to each of the seasonal nodes, and this association is well known in esoteric Daoist circles. In the White Cloud temple in Beijing there is a diagram of the body carved in stone on the side of one of the walls that maps out the associations of the vertebrae with the nodes. So, in light of that correspondence, one great Yang Sheng practice for Major Cold is to sit quietly, starting with vigorously rubbing the palms together to get them as warm as possible. Then, place the hands on the low back in the area of L-3 feeling the warmth of the hands penetrating the back. After that rub the back to warm the area, or gently tap the low back.

I hope everyone is staying warm, and I’ll be back blogging next when Spring arrives!

Small Cold 小寒 Seasonal Node

After Winter Solstice there are only two more Seasonal Nodes in the Chinese calendar before the Chinese Solar New Year and the beginning of Spring - Small Cold (小寒) and Major Cold (大寒). As is clear from the names, temperature is an important part of understanding the last two seasonal nodes of the traditional Chinese calendar. Even though we are now in the half of the year where Yang is starting to slowly become more dominant, temperatures now are very, very low. What is more important is that now is the time of year when the potential for sustained cold is very real as, even though we are moving into Spring, January and February are usually the coldest months of the year.

This year Small Cold (小寒) starts today, January 5th. In 2024 this is just a few days after the Earth being in perihelion, the exact day when the planet is closest to the Sun. Perihelion happens each year about 2 weeks after the Winter Solstice, however the warmth of the season is determined by angle of sunlight, not proximity to the Sun, which is why even though we are close, it is still cold.

The three shorter breakdowns of Small Cold, the material manifestations, are Geese Head North (Yan Bei Xiang 雁北向), Magpies Begin to Build Nests (Que Shi Chao 鵲始巢), and Ring Necked Pheasants Begin to Crow (Zhi Shi Gou 雉始雊). In Chinese there is a saying that goes “Xiao han da han, leng cheng bing tuan” 小寒大寒冷成冰團 – “Small Cold and Major Cold, coldness is here and ice abounds.” The previous seasonal node was Winter Solstice, the time of the year when Yang qi is born again in the natural world. However, despite the growth of yang this month continues to become colder and colder. Why does cold continue to worsen even though we are moving to the Yang phase of the year?

Think of the movement of temperature as being driven by the fluctuations of yin and yang in the natural world. Even though the “switch” has been flipped from yin to yang, it takes time for the climate to catch up. Imagine driving a car at 75 miles per hour (I apologize to you all who use the metric system – I’m metric impaired). If you want to stop and go in reverse, first you have to hit the brakes. However, if you hit the brakes really hard, that car is going to continue skidding forward for quite a distance before you can start moving in the opposite direction. Thus, even though the brakes have been put on the Yin movement of the year, before we can really move towards the Yang we continue “skidding” colder and colder for awhile, before Spring truly warms up the Earth.

The health maintenance guideline for this season is similar to Winter Solstice. Specifically, during Small Cold we should focus on (1) Nourishing the Kidney (Yang Shen 養腎), and (2) Safeguarding the Spleen and Stomach (Baohu Pi Wei 保護脾胃). Winter is the time for all the Qi to be stored away internally – my Neijing students will remember this discussion from Su Wen Chapter 2. Since Kidney is the root of storage, and the root of Earlier Heaven (先天) Qi, we nourish the Kidney to nourish the body’s ability to store Qi away (i.e., the movement of Winter – 藏). While Kidney is the Earlier Heaven root, the Spleen and Stomach are the Later Heaven (後天). So, protecting the Later Heaven helps to ensure that Earlier Heaven is not excessively tapped into. This is especially important for our patients with conditions of vacuity (especially either Kidney or Middle Jiao vacuity), or patients with cold conditions (for example patients with chronic arthritic conditions – Bi syndrome from Wind, Cold and Damp).

Continue having patients get to bed early. Also encourage warming therapies such as moxibustion, especially on points like Zu San Li ST-36, Guan Yuan Ren-4, Qi Hai Ren-6, and Huo Fu Hai 33.07. Patients who have long term Bi syndrome can do daily acupressure on Feng Fu Du-16. This is a special technique from the famous Chinese acupuncturist He Puren.

 In addition to the acupressure mentioned above, consider using the Leg Nine Miles Dao Ma Group (足九里) from Tung’s system. This is one of the best groups to use for Bi syndromes when multiple areas of the body are affected, or when we’re not quite sure where to start with a patient. The three points in this group are Middle Nine Miles, Upper Nine Miles, and Lower Nine Miles (88.25, 26, 27), with the middle point overlapping Feng Shi GB-31. Patients can be taught to do Paida (拍打) in this area as a daily health maintenance regimen.

Dietary guidelines for Small Cold are similar to Winter Solstice. Since we want to protect the Middle Jiao in particular, the first basic guideline is to eat foods that are easy to digest and take foods at regular intervals. Since most of us are coming out of holidays with lots of eating going on, it’s also a good idea to cut back on intake of meats and other heavier foods.

Patients with overall yang vacuity should consume yang warming foods such as lamb, venison, alcohol (in small quantities), and warming spices like cinnamon. Meats can be taken in moderation, but moderation is important. Traditional Chinese lists would add dog meat to the “should” list, but I have to admit that’s way out of my cultural comfort zone! These same patients should avoid cold foods such as duck, rabbit, chrysanthemum, mint, milk or yoghurts. Patients who are prone to cold damp conditions (such as arthritic patients) should do the same as already mentioned and especially avoid cold-damp producing foods such as oranges and orange juice, tropical fruits, and the overconsumption of refined sugars.

Instead of a traditional dietary recipe for this node I’ll offer readers a medicated wine. This formula is specifically for the treatment of Bi syndromes due to cold in the channels, and can be taken by patients over the age of 40 for the prevention of joint problems as well. The recipe is actually given to us by Tung in his original text from 1973. I have modified the original recipe slightly by removing some hard to get and somewhat controversial ingredients. While Tung was an amazing acupuncturist, he was also familiar with a number of Chinese medicine therapies including the basic use of herbal medicine.

Ingredients:

• Huang Qi 1 30g

• Wu Jia Pi 30g

• Placenta (powdered) 1.5g

• Ge Jie 1 piece

• Chuan Niu Xi 9g

Place all the herbs in an appropriate amount of grain alcohol (e.g., vodka), and let soak for about 1 month. Then, so consume about 1 shot per day or as otherwise needed. For patients with ongoing, active Bi syndrome pain, I suggest combining with external liniments (跌打酒). We did a class through eLotus in August 2019 on Tung’s acupuncture and external herbs for injury management which can be found on their website. 

I hope everyone had a great New Year. Stay warm!

Winter Solstice 冬至 2024

Early morning in NJ today

Here in northern New Jersey we woke to a snowier morning than I was expecting. A thin but substantial layer of white blanketed everything. And as is typical of those early snowy mornings, it was quiet and still. Things moved a little more slowly, and even our morning Qigong session at 8am didn’t really start until 10 or 15 minutes after that.

Today is quite a special day. Earlier this morning at 4:21am Eastern Time we reached one of the most important astronomical events of the solar year – the Winter Solstice. This day is the natural embodiment of post tenebras lux, as it is the literal as well as metaphorical return of light. Thus, Solstice is the original Winter holiday, and the basis for why other holidays – Christmas, Julian Calendar New Year, Hanukah, Saturnalia – are celebrated this time of year. It is the promise of the eternal renewal that is part of the cyclical process of the cosmos.

“Winter Solstice” means two things. It is the name of the 15 days seasonal node that starts today. It is also the exact astronomical moment when the elliptical orbit of the sun reaches the point where, because of the tilt of the planet, the sun’s rays hit the Tropic of Capricorn at 90 degrees. This angling of the planet towards the sun means the fewest hours of daylight for the northern hemisphere out of any day of the year, and in the most northern latitudes there is 24 hours of darkness (this is Summer Solstice for the southern hemisphere). However, after today the Earth’s path around the sun changes such that the tilted northern hemisphere will gradually be hit more directly by the sun’s rays, slowly making the days longer and the warmer.  

The Chinese term for Winter Solstice (dong zhi 冬至) literally means the “extreme of yin,” and symbolically this node is represented by Hexagram 24, which is comprised of one Yang line at the bottom of 5 Yin lines. Hexagram 24’s name is Return – Fu (復). What is returning? The Yang and the light are returning. One of the basic laws of Yin-Yang theory is that of mutual transformation. When something reaches an extreme, then it naturally reverts to the opposite. Now is when Yin has reached its extreme thereby giving birth to Yang. The smaller segments, the Material Manifestations, for this node are Earthworms Congeal (Qiu Yin Jie 蚯蚓結), Moose Deer Shed Their Horns (Mi Jiao Jie 麋角解), and Aquifers Stir (Shui Quan Dong 水泉動).

During Winter Solstice we should consider the Chinese folk saying, “Dong zhi yang sheng you da dao, xia bing dong zhi shi miao zhao” (冬至養生有大道，夏病冬治是妙招) – “Nourishing life at Winter Solstice is a great Dao, treating summer’s disease in winter is very clever!” (Yes… It rhymes better in Chinese…) What can we do then to stay healthy during this time period? The first basic recommendation is taken from the Su Wen chapter 1: “Zao shui, wan qi” (早睡晚起) – go to bed early and sleep late. Winter is the time of year that is most yin, and, ideally, we should sort of be hibernating, both physically and mentally. Finding more time for rest and reflection puts us into harmony with the Yin of Winter.  That said, too much sleep is also not great. Sleep (which is Yin) when excessive damages the Yang, which is why the Su Wen says excessive sleep (literally, lying down) injures the Qi (久臥傷氣). The recommendation I typically give patients is that 7-8 hours of sleep is plenty for the average healthy person.

The second recommendation is “Chi xu yun dong” (持續運動) – persist in moving. Even though Winter is the time of yin quietude, as mentioned above the Winter Solstice marks the birth of yang.  Because movement is Yang it is important for us to “persist in moving” during this time of year. Appropriate exercises include gentle movement such as Taiji, Qigong or Yoga. 

To stay healthy this time of year there are also some things to avoid. Since this time of year has an abundance of Yin influences (i.e., the cold and dark) and a lack of Yang, the first admonition is to guard against weakening the Yang Qi. As Winter Solstice is the time of Yang Qi’s birth in the natural world, it is important to be sure that there is adequate Yang Qi in the body. For patients with Qi Vacuity cold it is especially important to avoid excess cold exposure. This is a time period where those patients can apply moxibustion at home on points such as Qi Hai REN-6, Guan Yuan REN-4, or Zu San Li ST3-6. Alternately, they can do moxibustion on Tung’s point Huo Fu Hai 33.07. Another traditional recommendation for this time of year is to try exposing oneself to sunlight as much as possible. If possible, traditional medicine recommends allowing the back to be exposed to the sun, and this can be done inside a warm room with large windows. Why the back? In Chinese medicine the back is seen as Yang while the anterior of the body Yin. Warming the back is a way to warm and strengthen the Tai Yang (greater Yang) channel, and in general the Yang of the entire body.

The second thing to be cautious of during Winter Solstice is excessive “bedroom activity.” Since Winter is the time of storage, a traditional recommendation for the season is to guard our sexual vitality. Jing essence is the stored and most precious form of Yang Qi, and is stirred during sex. Hence Chinese medicine suggests guarding against excessive sexual activity in Winter. However, we should be careful to not read this only literally. More broadly, sexual activity is a metaphor for expending our essence on all levels. This is why in many cultures around the world this time of the year is the time of reflection and planning for the next year to come. It is a time to step back and move inwards rather than to expend our vitality outwards.

In terms of diet, this is the time of the year to eat more foods that help supplement the Kidney and Spleen, such as rice congees, lamb, beef, shan yao (nagaimo), and winter squash. It is also appropriate to eat a small amount of mildly acrid foods such as fresh ginger, scallions and black pepper (to help keep things moving and to birth yang). Try to avoid cold foods in general, or foods that are difficult to digest such as greasy, raw, or very spicy foods. This is especially so for those patients who tend towards Spleen and qi vacuity patterns.

Here’s a traditional recipe for Winter Solstice:

Longan and Lamb Soup 龍眼羊肉湯 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Lamb (deboned and cut into chunks)

• Dried longan fruit (龍眼肉) 15g

• Fresh ginger (peeled and sliced) about 20g

• Scallions (chopped)

• Salt

• Cooking wine

Directions:

1. Put lamb in a pot with 3 cups water, bring to a boil and simmer for just about 2 minutes; strain out lamb and discard water to remove the fat

2. Place lamb back into pot with enough water to complete cover the meat (6-8 cups), the sliced ginger and scallions, dried longan, and a small amount of cooking wine

3. Bring to a rapid boil on high flame, then reduce flame to a low simmer and cook for about 2 hours; remove from heat and add salt to taste

This recipe warms the interior and builds Qi and blood, and nourished the Heart to quiet the Spirit.

In the north of China there is a long tradition of eating dumplings around Winter Solstice. In Japan, where dong zhi is pronounced tōji (とうじ), a common tradition is to take baths in water scented with Yuzu citrus. One of the foods of choice in Japan is kabocha, where it is commonly stewed together with adzuki beans to create a dish called itokoni (いとこ煮). The red color, as a symbol of Yang, is thought to ward off evil and confer good luck.

The Gallbladder and Winter Solstice

Yes, the Gallbladder channel has a lot to do with Winter Solstice, yet in my experience even many Chinese medicine practitioners are slow to make this connection. In Chinese medicine there are 12 main channels in the body, each linked with an internal organ. These 12 channels are also associated with the 12 watches (時辰), the 12 two-hours time periods that make up the day in the traditional Chinese method of counting time. Since there are 12 months in the year, the 12 watches of the day correspond each to one of the months. The Gallbladder channel is associated with the time 11pm – 1am, the Zi (子) hour. This time of day, because it is a Water phase earthly branch, is the time that goes with the second month of Winter, the month of the Winter Solstice.

This helps us see the Gallbladder channel in a new and interesting light. One of the things I mention when I teach is that we, as Chinese medicine practitioners, eventually need to deepen our understanding of Chinese medicine beyond the very basic things we memorize in our initial training. I think our inability to do this is what leads some to eventually adopt all sorts of supplementary ideas (let’s all do muscle testing, tuning forks, or use a pendulum to decide what herbs are good for a patient, as examples) that have nothing to do with Chinese medicine. For me, Chinese medicine is deep enough and rich enough of a medical system in its own right that not even 5 lifetimes would be enough to really study all of it!

So, back to the Gallbladder… In school we all memorize a Five Phase association with each of the organs and channels, but this is just the beginning of understanding the complexity of these theories (special thanks to Heiner Fruehauf for opening my eyes to looking at the channels in this layered way). To start then, we know that the Gallbladder is a Wood Phase channel. But that’s only step one!

As I just mentioned above, the Gallbladder is associated with the Zi Hour (11pm-1am), the time also associated with the second month of Winter and the Winter Solstice. This time of day is a Water time of day (not a Wood time of day). Thus, the Gallbladder channel, while primarily Wood in nature, also has a Water association. This helps us understand why the Jing Mai chapter of the Ling Shu (LS10) says that the Gallbladder channel governs disorders of bones, and why the Gallbladder is one of the Six Extraordinary Fu, and a Fu that stores clear essence (清精之腑).

In addition to the Water and Wood associations, Gallbladder is also a Fire organ. Why? The Gallbladder is the Shao Yang. Each of the six channel families is associated with one of the Five Phases, and the Shao Yang specifically has a Fire association. The Shao Yang is also one of the pivot channels (the Yang pivot channel), meaning it is also symbolic of the Winter Solstice – the time of year where all of nature pivots towards Yang.

Now, the theory is interesting but in the end if it has no practical application to medicine for us it is of no use. The Gallbladder association with Wood, Water and Fire though actually clarifies why some points on this channel actually do what they do. Let’s take Tung’s Nine Miles Dao Ma Group. The main point of the group, Middle Nine Miles (88.25 Zhong Jiu Li 中九里) overlaps Feng Shi GB-31. In Tung’s acupuncture one of the things this point treats commonly is pain (in multiple parts of the body). The Wood phase partly deals with the smooth movement of Qi and Blood in the body, and the Shao Yang as the pivot has the same function. The Gallbladder channel having a Water (and a bone) association then helps us understand why Middle Nine Miles is indicated for bone spurs (i.e., a type of stagnation at the level of bones). 

Lastly, “lack of strength in the nerves” (神經衰弱) is an important indication for Middle Nine Miles. This term is actually a psychological symptom, often translated as the now out-dated term neurasthenia. Neurasthenia included a wide range of presentations such as insomnia, fatigue, depression and a wide range of anxiety based disorders. As we said above, the Gallbladder as the Shao Yang has a Fire association. Furthermore, we know that the Shao Yang communicates with the Shao Yin (Heart), the other pivot channel. The close connection with the Fire and Heart illustrates the use of this point in treating Shen-spirit disorders. This is why in my clinic the stressed-and-tired Winter Solstice treatment is the combination of Middle Nine Miles with the Lower Three Emperors (77.17/18, 19, 21), one of the main point groups for the Kidney.

Obviously there’s a lot more exploration we can do for any channel – looking at the other channel connections, names of points, etc… One of my resolutions for the coming year (and I encourage everyone else to do the same) is to try as hard as possible to look more and more deeply at Chinese medicine so we can better understand the system and how to use it in the clinic. Happy Solstice!

Great Snow 大雪 Seasonal Node

The Great Snow seasonal node starts today, Friday December 6th. While we don’t have snow right now here in New Jersey, I think the best way we should look at the names of this and the last seasonal node is figuratively. Certainly, in some places by now there is snow, but most of the snowiest weather in the Northeast US will likely come later in the season. What we do have now is a dramatic turn towards much colder weather, and because of that we are in the time of year with the potential for real snow. Tonight in New Jersey the temperatures are going to dip into the low 20s (that is well below 0 Celsius). In my opinion, this is the best way we can think of the nodes’ names – the potential for snow as a symbol for the seasonal change we are witnessing.

Great Snow is the last Seasonal Node before Winter Solstice, representing the final stage of the most Yin time of year and symbolized by the hexagram Kun 坤, composed entirely of Yin (broken) lines. The two weeks of Great Snow are the longest nights of the year, culminating with the Solstice after which days will slowly grow longer again. The Material Manifestations for Great Snow are Spangled Drongos Cease to Sing (He Dan Bu Ming 鶡旦不鳴), Tigers Begin to Mate (Hu Shi Jiao 虎始交), and Water Irises Grow (Li Ting Sheng 荔挺生).

Great Snow Daoyin Posture

The main way to guard health in this period is to focus on warm supplementation, while at the same time avoiding exposure to cold. Thus, the Neijing tells us during Winter it is appropriate to “avoid the cold and seek warmth” 去寒就溫.  Along these lines we can continue practices such as preventive moxibustion on points like Qi Hai REN-6, Guan Yuan REN-4 and Zu San Li ST-36. Another guideline from the Huang Di Nei Jing for the Winter is to “Nourish Yin” 秋冬養陰. While this may seem counterintuitive for the cold time of year, the meaning of ‘Yin’ in this passage refers to the body’s ability to store, and thereby regenerate, its vitality. Yin means being able to be in a state of quite, rest and solitude. Therefore, during this Seasonal Node try to get more sleep, attempting to get into bed earlier. Sleep is one of the best Chinese medical prescriptions for supplementing the Qi and strengthening the Kidney!

In terms of Tung’s acupuncture, Nourishing Yin (in other words, nourishing consolidation and containment) means we should focus on Zones 7 and 8 on the legs. The point groups that will focus on Kidneys, the organ of the season, are the Lower Three Emperors (Xia San Huang 下三皇), and the Penetrate Kidney Three Needles (Shen Tong San Zhen 腎通三針). These points are easily and quite effectively combined with the moxibustion suggested above.

Aside from acupuncture and moxibustion, in the colder seasons medicated wines have a long tradition of use in Chinese medicine. They are a cost effective way of taking small doses of expensive or hard to find herbs, and alcohol itself is a preservative to stretch the shelf life of medicinal products. Since alcohol is warm, acrid and sweet by nature, it has the ability to warm and expel cold, and supplement the Qi and Blood while also circulating them. Thus, medicated wines are appropriate for Winter. One traditional medicated wine that is prepared during Great Snow is Gecko Wine (Ge Jie Jiu 蛤蚧酒). To prepare, soak one pair of Gecko (ge jie 蛤蚧) obtained from a Chinese pharmacy in 1000ml of grain alcohol of at least 80 proof (vodka is a good choice). Let sit for at least 1 month, and then take 1 small shot glass daily in the evening. Gecko has a Yang warming and Kidney supplementing effect. While we’re on the topic, here’s a quiz for readers… What Tung point mimics the function of Ge Jie? We can discuss this in our Facebook group.

In addition to medicated wines this is the time of year to eat warming, and especially Kidney supplementing, foods. Although many people think of Chinese herbs as the main way to supplement Kidneys, in Chinese there is a saying, “medicinal supplementation cannot be as good as supplementing with food” (cao bu bu ru shi bu 藥補不如食補). Foods appropriate for Great Snow include lamb, beef, chicken, venison, shrimp, and mussels. In addition to these animal products, foods to emphasize this Seasonal Node are walnuts, almonds, or other nuts, and warming spices such as ginger and cinnamon. Since this time of year can be cold and dry it is appropriate to cook soups or stews as they are both warming and moistening. Sipping warm water throughout the day is also an excellent recommendation for people who feel dry (i.e., our patients with Blood or Yin vacuity). Now is the time of year to continue using root vegetables such as yams or turnips that traditionally could be kept in cold storage for Winter consumption.

Chrysanthemum Greens 茼蒿

While warming foods are good for the season, the pitfall is overconsumption creating too much heat and stagnation in the digestive system. As such, if possible, this time of year we should also occasionally consume some foods that help very gently clear heat, open the Stomach, and descend yang (to consolidate it).  In that vein, one traditional vegetarian recipe for Great Snow is Garlic Chrysanthemum Greens. This is one of my favorite veggies, and the nice thing about this recipe is that it combines greens, which are gently cooling, with the warmth of garlic to support the Yang.

Garlic Chrysanthemum Greens 蒜泥茼蒿 

Ingredients:

• Edible chrysanthemum greens (Tong Hao 茼蒿) ½ lb.

• 1 small garlic bulb

• Sesame oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

 Directions:

1. Rinse chrysanthemum greens and chop into 1 inch pieces

2. Peel, crush then chop garlic

3. Bring a pot of salted water to boil, then blanch chrysanthemum greens by immersing in water for about 3 minutes; then drain

4. Mix greens with chopped garlic, and a small amount of salt, pepper and sesame oil to taste; serve slightly warm or room temperature

This recipe loosens the center, rectifies Qi, disperses accumulated food and opens the Stomach.

Later today in our online Qigong practice we will also start practicing the Great Snow Daoyin posture. Stay warm, and happy Winter!

Small Snow 小雪 Seasonal Node

Today as I woke, I looked outside and saw a wintry mix of snow and light rain – the first snow of any sort here this season. This is welcomed, as in New Jersey the last month has been particularly dry, and even in the suburbs there have been small fires in wooded areas. This first glimpse of snow in my area is right on time as today, Friday November 22nd, starts the Small Snow (xiǎo xuě 小雪) seasonal node. Since it seems that I haven’t posted about this seasonal node in a few years, I made it my task to do it first thing when I came into my clinic this morning.

This time of year the evenings temperatures are just above the freezing mark. Sundown is early, and by the time I head home most nights after seeing patients, it is well past dark. We are heading into the most Yin and the darkest time of year. The three smaller segments of Small Snow allude to the gradual unfolding of the new, Yin, Winter season – Rainbows Stay Hidden Out of Sight (虹藏不見), Heaven Qi Ascends While Earth Qi Descends (天氣上騰，地氣下降), and All is Blocked Up and Has Completed Winter (閉塞而成冬).

Daoyin Posture for Small Snow

Preventive health guidelines for Small Snow are similar to immediately previous seasonal nodes. The thing to focus on this segment of early Winter is to nourish the Kidneys and protect the Yang Qi. During winter we need to get a little more sleep, getting into bed a little earlier and ideally sleeping past sunrise. The Neijing tells us to, “not disturb the yang - go to bed early and rise late. You must wait for the shining of the sun (無擾乎陽，早臥晚起，必待日光).” Since at a fundamental level Kidney represents the Water phase, it is just a symbol in the body for the movement of Winter – quiescence and storage. Being a little more quiet, a little more rested, and a little more inward-directed puts us in resonance with the Qi of Winter.

Environmental cold is the main Qi for the time period from Small Snow to Small Cold (just after New Year). Cold easily harms the Kidneys, and thus nourishing Kidney and protecting the Yang (against Cold) are more or less two sides of the same coin. Trying to stay warm is one way to protect the Yang. Be sure to dress appropriately for the temperature, and avoid unnecessary exposure to cold. Moxabustion can be continued on points such as Guan Yuan REN-4 or Qi Hai REN-6. If appropriate, some patients can take small regular doses of herbs like Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan in pill form.

As the weather gets colder another pitfall is stagnation of Qi and Blood. As a result, lately in my clinic many patients have been complaining of an increase in pain and stiffness. One of the best formulas for moving Qi and Blood is to increase movement (which is why in some systems of acupuncture, such as Tung’s, we combine movement with needling). Encourage patients to engage in some regular movement activity or exercise. If the weather allows, walking outside is great, or if the weather is bad then doing some easy exercise inside is a good substitute.

Diet should also be modified to match the Small Snow node. A very simple recommendation is to take a small amount of fresh ginger every morning just before breakfast, or alternately start the morning with a light ginger tea. Ginger warms and protects the Yang, and circulates Qi and Blood internally, thus satisfying the basic recommendations previously mentioned.

Another easy idea to follow for diet is to avoid foods that create internal heat rising, and incorporate foods that are gently heat clearing and Qi descending. This may sound contradictory, but the ancient Chinese realized this time of year people are prone to eating more meat. Before refrigeration in Winter there would be less access to fresh fruits and vegetables. If people consume more meat than usual over the next few weeks (think Thanksgiving with lots of turkey and heavy desserts), they may be prone to internal heat from dietary causes. The way to counteract this is consuming just a little heat clearing and Qi descending foods. One traditional food for Small Snow that does this is daikon radish. Small amounts of bitter greens, or more salty foods are also appropriate.

Here is a traditional recipe for Small Snow…

Lamb and Daikon Soup 羊肉白蘿蔔湯

Ingredients:

• Lamb ½ lb. (boneless)

• Daikon ½ lb.

• ¼ large onion

• Ginger, cilantro, salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Blanch lamb, drain away water and then cut lamb into cubes

2. Place blanched lamb back into pot, add ginger and sliced onion. Cover with an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil Simmer for around another hour.

3. Cut daikon into cubes and add to pot, cook for another 10 minutes until daikon are translucent

4. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro and add salt/pepper to taste

This recipe warms the stomach, supplements Qi, protects the Yang and restores vigor to a weak body.

This is the last seasonal node post before Thanksgiving here in the Unites States next week. In the spirit of this holiday, I want to express my gratitude for all of you reading this blog who form a community of medicine that I think continues each day to make a tremendous difference in people’s lives. In my opinion the world today is in a state of sickness (as we’ve seen from earlier events this month). My wish this Thanksgiving week is that we all continue to try healing the world. It is a tall order, but I think this is our task. And the task is healing on a physical level, emotional level, social level, and political level. The immenseness of this job reminds me of this quote from The Analects of Master Kong:

曾子曰：士不可以不弘毅，任重而道遠。仁以為己任，不亦重乎？死而後已，不亦遠乎？

Zeng Zi said, “a scholar-official must be determined and strong as his burden is heavy and the path long. Benevolence [towards all people] is the burden he considers as his to sustain – is it not heavy? Only with death does this burden end – is that not long?”

My wishes to everyone for a happy Thanksgiving and peaceful Winter.

Beginning of Winter 立冬 Seasonal Node

It is ironic that as we enter the dark time of the year, we are about to enter a dark time in US and world history. I hope everyone reading this is taking time to move inward to recharge and regroup. We’re all going to need it going forward.

Nelson and Enzo - Yin and Yang

This time of year is also probably the one where I feel the seasonal shift most. In the northern hemisphere the world is slowing down, darkening, and entering a stage of hibernation. All I seem to want to do is sleep a little more, walk with Nelson and Enzo my dogs, and practice Taijiquan. I also think more of family, and of the past. The inward turn of the season is something I feel viscerally.

This makes sense to me as today, Thursday November 7th we enter the Beginning of Winter (立冬) seasonal node. As of today we are only about 6 weeks away from the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice – also aptly called the hibernal solstice. While in the modern American calendar we think of Winter Solstice as the start of Winter, in Asia the seasons are calculated by the balance of Yin and Yang in the natural environment as evidenced by the relative balance of day and night. Since Winter Solstice is the darkest time of year, it is the apex of Yin, and hence mid-winter. Therefore, the early part of November is the beginning of Winter, the time of year moving into the darkest and most Yin. It is interesting to note that in many European traditions, the Winter Solstice was also celebrated as Midwinter.

Chapter 2 of the Huang Di Nei Jing says Winter is the time of “closing and storage” (閉藏). It is the season of hibernation and represents the death phase. However, this should not be construed as a bad thing. We need to enter the phase of ultimate silence and stillness, in other words the death phase, so that Yang (and Yang is life) can be reborn again. The organ associated with the Winter is the Kidney, and the phase is Water. Keeping this in mind will help us understand the basic health recommendations of this seasonal node. 

The three Material Manifestations that make up the Beginning of Winter Seasonal Node are Water Begins to Freeze (Shui Shi Bing 水始冰), Earth Begins to Harden (Di Shi Dong 地始凍), and Pheasants Dive into the Watery Abyss to Become Giant Clams (Zhi Ru Da Shui Wei Shen 雉入大水為蜃). All three contain striking Yin images, specifically images of water, of earth, and of moving deep to a hidden and quiet place. The main environmental manifestation of Winter is cold, and East Asian medicine teaches that cold creates hardness and stagnation. Thus, as expressed in these names, both water and the soil of Earth become hard and impenetrable. 

The first suggestion for this seasonal node is to nourish and protect the Yang, or warmth of the body (養陽護陽). This is especially true for seniors, since as we age the body become less tolerant of temperature extremes. Be sure to dress appropriately for the cooler temperatures. Likewise, foods should be cooked or warmed when eating. This is not the time for copious amounts of raw vegetables, juices, or chilled foods and beverages. Soups and stews are winter foods! While in some seasons eating too many warming foods can trigger internal heat, this is less so in Winter. Why? For one, Winter is cold. Eating warming foods is necessary to counteract the exterior temperatures as they drop. Second, the natural Qi movement in Winter is inward and downward. As already mentioned, this is the time of “closing and storage.” Eating more warming foods in the Winter allows the body to secure and store that warm vitality, thereby strengthening the body for the seasons to come afterwards. Thus, eating more warming foods in Winter has fewer side effects than doing so in other seasons.

Another recommendation for Beginning of Winter is the consumption of tonics. These are East Asian herbal formulas, often in pill form, that have an overall strengthening effect on the body. The specific tonic should be determined based on individual need, but in general formulas such as Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan can be taken in small but regular doses. Additionally, in terms of Tung’s Acupuncture, we can utilize the Lower Three Emperor’s 下三皇 Dao Ma group frequently with patients, either remedially or in a Nourishing Life capacity.

Since Winter is the season of the Kidney, the third recommendation for Beginning of Winter is to safeguard the Kidney and the Jing-essence. According to East Asian medicine there are three things that really deplete the Kidney and the Jing: (1) excessive sex, (2) staying up late and getting too little sleep, and (3) losing one’s temper. Excessive sex is something that varies greatly from person to person. The question to ask patients is does sexual activity leave one feeling refreshed, or tired and worn out. If the latter, then it may be excessive. Staying up late goes directly against the movement of Winter, which is the movement of hibernation; Su Wen chapter 2 tells us that in Winter we need to get to bed a little earlier and sleep a little later, waiting until well after sunrise to get out of bed (早臥晚起，必待日光). Lastly, losing temper or having a generally angry disposition harms the Kidney. In the 39th chapter of the Su Wen it says that anger causes the Qi to rise (怒則氣上). Since the movement of Kidney is a movement of downward storage, anger forcing the Qi to rise depletes Kidney (i.e., it is the opposite movement of Kidney) and impairs the storage of Qi that is the natural and essential movement of Winter.

As more people move indoors this is the time of year for upper respiratory tract infections. Allergies are still plaguing some as well. In East Asian medicine this means that the exterior layers of the body are being challenged. A great basic acupressure to teach patients to help both expel and protect against wind evils is stimulation of Feng Chi GB-20. Massaging this point on a daily basis can help ward off colds and relax stiffness of the next and back that is a main characteristic of Taiyang patterns. If there is concurrent nasal congestion, they can also include acupressure on Ying Xiang LI-20. For this, have them hold Feng Chi on one side of the head while simultaneously pressing into Ying Xiang on the other (for example, their right hand presses right Feng Chi, while the left hand presses left Ying Xiang). Hold until there is a sensation of clearing in the sinuses, and then switch sides. Here’s a video I did of this for my own patients.

Diet for Beginning of Winter

The basic idea for Beginning of Winter diet is to focus on foods that are nourishing and supplementing agents. In general then we want to focus on foods that are warming and nourishing, usually meaning more animal products. We can incorporate foods that are slightly oilier, while still consuming in season fruits and vegetables while they last (we are in the very tail end of apple season here in New Jersey). Foods to incorporate more regularly include lamb, beef, chicken, sparrow, soybeans, sesame, wood ear mushrooms, peanuts, sweet potato, and persimmon (fresh or dried). Warming spices to use include ginger or cinnamon. And patients who are dry or have Yin insufficiency can take either cow or goat milk.

China is a land of multiple culinary traditions and thus seasonal eating recommendations vary from place to place. In the north of China people eat dumplings (jiaozi 餃子), especially those made of lamb and scallion (we’ll discuss a dumpling legend below). In the west of China where it is particularly cold people commonly eat more beef and lamb often in hot pots. In the areas of the high plateaus and mountains the weather is very dry and as such more fruits and vegetables that are still in season are consumed. In the south of China, where it is still relatively more warm even though it is Winter, duck, chicken and various types of fish are traditionally eaten now (i.e., foods that are supplementing but not overly warming). 

One simple traditional recipe for Beginning of Winter is Ginseng Congee. To make this simply put 1 cup of rice in with about 8-10 cups water (increase or decrease based on how watery you like your congee), and 9-12g of high quality sliced and dried ginseng root. Bring to a boil and then simmer for at least 40 minutes, or until the rice starts to break up to make a porridge like soup.  Another idea that is easy to implement is adding Gou Qi Zi (Goji berries; 枸杞子) to a favorite chicken soup recipe. Doing so focuses the recipe on building the blood, and strengthening the Liver and Kidney.

Zhang Zhong Jing and the legend of dumplings…

Did you know that one of our most famous historical doctors, Zhang Zhong Jing, was not only a master of herbal medicine but also a culinary innovator? According to popular Chinese legend, Zhang was the inventor of the dumpling – jiao zi (餃子). Zhang held a mid-level government position in Changsha. The year he retired from political life he did so around the Beginning of Winter seasonal node. On his travels back to his hometown he came across many people who had suffered frostbite, and as a result had lost parts of their ears. This touched Zhang deeply as he felt sorrow for the suffering of those poor folk.

Once home he found his hometown suffering from an infectious epidemic. The people were starving from lack of food, and also suffering from frostbite. To remedy this he had his assistants set up a large pot on a public square to cook up a remedy. The formula he decided on was a combination of mutton with a number of very warm cold expelling herbs known as Qu Han Jiao Er Tang (去寒嬌耳湯) – Delicate Ears Expelling the Cold Decoction. After cooking the meat was chopped up and wrapped in small wheat flour skins in the shape of ears, and then cooked more and served to the people together with some of the soup. And thus, the dumpling was born, as well as the tradition of eating them around the Beginning of Winter!

Hoarfrost Descends 霜降 Seasonal Node

I just returned yesterday afternoon from Australia where we had another fantastic class. I thought the students were all great, and I hope we were all engaged enough that I’ll return in the next year or so for more lectures. Returning home the weather was surprisingly warm for this time of year. However, although today is also unseasonably warm, starting tomorrow the temperatures here are going to drop, and at night it will be just barely above the freezing mark. This is just in time, as today, Wednesday, October 23rd, starts the next seasonal node - Hoarfrost Descends (Shuang Jiang 霜降).  

Hoarfrost Descends Daoyin Posture

We are now in the last segment of Autumn as the next seasonal node is the beginning of Winter. The days are clearly getting shorter and darker and soon here in most of the United States we go off Daylight Saving Time. When that happens the sun will be setting much earlier. The name Hoarfrost Descends refers to the frost that happens early morning when we have much colder overnight temperatures, and is derived from the Old English meaning of frost resembling an old man's beard. Anyone who lives in colder climates will know that this looks like, and this is the time of year when we start seeing it. 

The shorter 5-day segments of Hoarfrost Descends are Chai nai ji shou 犲乃祭獸 (Dholes Start to Sacrifice Beasts), Caomu huangluo 草木黃落 (Vegetation Withers and Defoliates), and Zhechong xianfu 蟄蟲咸附 (Hibernating Insects Stop Up Their Burrows). A dhole is a type of wild dog native to many parts of Asia, and the image of them sacrificing beasts is an image of the harvesting of food. Autumn is harvest time, which is why the Neijing says in many chapters that Spring Engenders, Summer Flourishes, Autumn Harvest, and Winter Stores (春生，夏長，秋收，冬藏). Interestingly, in Chinese astrology, the dog is associated with the Earthly Branch Xu (戌), which goes with the 9th lunar month (i.e., October in the solar calendar). The other two segments of Hoarfrost Descends offer additional images of the closing down and increasing Yin of the season.

The ancient text Yue Jin Qi Shi Er Hou Ji Jie says, “the Qi is solemn during Hoarfrost Descends. It is when the Yin starts to condense.” Since we are moving into the Yin and colder part of the year, the first traditional recommendation for Hoarfrost Descends is to protect against the cold and preserve internal warmth. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather on any given day. When eating, keeping the Spleen and Stomach warm helps warm the entire body. Traditional Chinese foods for Autumn include lamb and rabbit, and this is the time to eat more stews and soups. Spices such as ginger and cinnamon can also warm the body. Hoarfrost Descends is a traditional time to take tonics. Therefore, this time of year most people can take small doses of Spleen and Stomach tonics such as the Four Gentlemen (Si Jun Zi Tang), or other similar formulas. Generally speaking, for asymptomatic people, taking tonics in pill form at a lower but consistent dose is beneficial.

While it is important to keep the Spleen and Stomach warm, since Autumn is the Metal and therefore Lung season, supplementing the Lungs and preventing upper respiratory tract infections is a key seasonal strategy. One of the traditional teas for late Autumn is called Jin Qi Hua Cha (金芪花茶). To make this tea take 5g Huang Qi and 3g Jin Yin Hua and simmer in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. When finished, remove the herbs and let cool to just below boiling. Add 3g of good quality Jasmine Tea and let steep for only about 2 minutes. Strain and enjoy! Alternately, this can be made with granular concentrates that approximate the same dosage of raw herbs. Jin Qi Hua Cha gently clears heat and drains fire, but at the same time it supplements and rectifies the Qi, and harmonizes the center.

In addition to herbal teas or other formulas we can continue thinking of what acupuncture points or protocols would be appropriate for this time of year. Since Autumn is still the Metal time associated with the Lungs, for generally healthy patients we can needle the Zu Si Ma (Leg Four Horses 足駟馬) Dao Ma group. This is the main group of points in Tung’s acupuncture for the Lungs. It also can treat chronic sinus congestion or nasal dryness associated with seasonal allergies. For other allergy patients (a common complaint still) consider adding in point such as San Jian LI-3 or Mu (木穴11.07).

One traditional recipe for Hoarfrost Descends is Angelica and Ginger Lamb Stew (Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Dun Yang Rou 當歸生薑燉羊肉).

Angelica and Ginger Lamb Stew

Ingredients: 

• 1lb. Boneless lamb meat, cut into cubes

• 6-8 cups water, vegetable stock, or chicken broth

• 20g Chinese Angelica (Dang Gui 當歸)

• 15g Fresh ginger root (peeled and sliced)

• Cooking oil (peanut oil is traditional)

• Black pepper

 Directions:

1. Coat a thick metal pot with some cooking oil and heat over medium flame. Place cubed lamb meat in the pot and brown.

2. Add water (or broth), angelica and ginger. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a medium simmer (other vegetables can be added as desired).

3. Cover part way with a lid and simmer for about 90 minutes. Add black pepper and salt to taste.

4. Remove Angelica before eating (or just eat around it!). Ginger can be eaten.

This dish warms the yang and scatters cold, moves Qi and quickens the Blood – the perfect recipe for the season!

Stay warm and stay healthy. Next blog posts will be for Winter…

Chong Yang Festival 重陽節

Although I usually blog about seasonal shift, sometimes it’s interesting to look at traditional Chinese festivals. Chong Yang Festival 重陽節, also known as the Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. This year, 2024, that falls on today, Friday October 11th. This is also a great reminder that the Chinese calendar is both a lunar and a solar calendar. For example, traditional holidays such as Double Ninth Festival and the Lunar New Year are celebrated on days of the lunar cycle. However, seasonal changes, such as the 24 Seasonal Nodes, are calculated based on the solar calendar.

The Double Ninth festival has its roots in traditions that date back over 2,000 years. It's a time for people to celebrate longevity and pay respects to the elderly, as the festival has come to symbolize good health, long life, and respect for the aged. Traditional activities include:

• Climbing mountains: This is the most iconic custom. Climbing is symbolic of warding off disease and seeking higher aspirations.

• Drinking chrysanthemum wine: Chrysanthemum flowers are considered to have cleansing and health-boosting properties. Like other medicated liquors, chrysanthemum flowers are steeped in some sort of grain alcohol to produce this drink.

• Wearing Shan Zhu Yu 山茱萸 leaves: Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus; Japanese dogwood) was believed to have protective powers against illness and evil spirits.

• Visiting graves: Double Ninth is also a time to remember and honor deceased ancestors, much like the Qingming Festival 清明節 in spring.

Relationship Between Chong Yang Festival and East Asian Medicine

Chong Yang Festival is closely linked with East Asian medical principles that emphasize balance and health maintenance. The autumn season, when the festival is held, marks a transitional period in nature, which according to traditional medicine, is a critical time to focus on strengthening the body and preventing illness.

1. Climbing mountains reflects the belief in promoting physical health and the prevention of ailments through exercise.

2. Chrysanthemum: The consumption of chrysanthemum wine during the festival is significant as chrysanthemum is known to have cooling, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties. It is often used in formulas to treat colds, fever, and eye disorders.

3. Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis): The practice of carrying or wearing Shan Zhu Yu leaves also reflects East Asian medicine’s preventive approach to health. Shan Zhu Yu is used for treating Kidney and Liver vacuity, strengthening yang, and warming the body to guard against autumn-related ailments.

These traditions emphasize the broader East Asian medical approach to seasonal health, prevention, and maintaining a harmonious balance between the body and the environment.

Cold Dew 寒露 Seasonal Node

This fall I’ve been back to teaching and we’ve run some great classes first in Ireland, and then later for ASNY in New York City. It’s really great getting back to in-person classes. Our next European class is planned for February where we will be doing a look at Tung’s acupuncture for reproductive health and a look at Neijing and Nanjing treatment strategies in Tung. More details to come soon on those classes.

Right about now, here in the Northeastern United States fall is definitely underway. The leaves are slowly starting to change color and the evening temperatures are steadily dropping. This is right on time as yesterday, Tuesday October 8th, was the start of the Cold Dew (Han Lu 寒露) Seasonal Node. The smaller segments of Cold Dew are Hongyan lai bin 鴻雁來賓 (Swan Geese Come and Stay), Jue ru dashui wei ge 爵入 大水爲蛤 (Siskins Dive Into the Watery Abyss to Become Clams), Ju you huanghua 菊有黃華 (Chrysanthemums Display Yellow Flowers).

Characteristic of Cold Dew is the significant difference between day and night temperatures. For example, lately the daily highs in northern New Jersey have been hovering near 70 degrees, while evening temperatures are dropping to the 40s. That’s about a 30 degree temperature difference! This time of year people have a hard time dressing appropriately for the temperature because what we feel in the morning is not the same as what we feel in the afternoon. The best solution is layering so that one can adapt to the changing thermometer as the day progresses. This is especially important for the elderly, or for other people who, because of either constitution or illness, have diminished toleration for extremes of temperature.

Because of the gradually cooling temperatures, one of the recommendations for Cold Dew is to avoid overconsumption of cold foods, including for example raw vegetables, iced beverages, or foods eaten right out of the refrigerator. Overconsumption of cold foods, especially in patients with weak Spleen/Stomachs, easily leads to abdominal discomfort or diarrhea. These people should drink warm beverages including for example ginger tea (adding honey to protect against Autumn dryness).

For acupuncturists, this is the time of year to do direct moxa on Zu San Li ST36 for patients in order to warm the center. In my clinic I prefer direct Japanese style rice grain moxa, and I believe that clinically this is the most effective way to do moxibustion on Zu San Li. Alternately, direct moxa can be applied at Huo Fu Hai 33.07. If patients are particularly sensitive to exterior cold, or if they are prone to seasonal allergies and upper respiratory problems, then adopt the strategy of warming the surface. For this needle points such as Ling Gu 22.05 and Dai Bai 22.04, in combination with direct moxibustion at Da Zhui DU14.

One of my favorite things this time of year is apples! All sorts of varieties are now commonly available. According to Chinese medicine apples are sweet and sour and have a slightly cold nature. Therefore, regular consumption helps generate fluids, stop thirst, and moisten the Lungs. Since dryness is the seasonal characteristic of Autumn, these functions make apples great for this time of year. However, since apples are cold, as mentioned above, overconsumption of raw apples can lead to digestive upset for some people. Moderation is always the key.

Like apples, other foods that are slightly moistening or sour can be eaten during Cold Dew, but also like apples they should be eaten in moderation. Moistening and yin nourishing foods include Chinese red dates (da zao 大棗), walnuts, chestnuts, yams, peanuts, Chinese white wood ear mushrooms, and lily bulbs. Slightly sour foods include hawthorn, lemons, grapes, pomelos, grapefruits, star fruits, and other similar fruits.

Here is a traditional recipe for Cold Dew…

Cold Dew Congee 寒露粥 

Ingredients:

• 100g Rice

• 30g Lily bulb 百合

• 20g Lotus seeds 蓮子

• 4-6 dried red dates 紅棗

• 10g Gingko nuts 銀杏

• 8-10 cups water

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients into a large pot, bring to rapid boil on high flame

2. As soon as boiling, reduce to medium and simmer for 40 minutes to 1 hour, until rice starts to break up and become oatmeal-like

3. Add sugar, or honey to taste

This recipe moistens the lungs, stops cough, clears the heart, quiets the shen. Being a congee it is also warming and supplementing for the middle jiao.

Additional Nourishing Life 養生 Practices for Cold Dew

Since I practice a lot of acupuncture I’m predisposed to liking Nourishing Life practices that work directly with the channels or acupuncture points. So, I’d like to offer some other ideas we can apply during this seasonal node.

Cold Dew is the segment of the year just after Autumn Equinox. It is a part of the time of year represented by the Xu (戌) Earthly Branch, and the phase Yin Soil (i.e., earth) as the transition period at the end of Autumn heading towards Winter. This is the time associated with the Arm Jueyin Pericardium channel as well as the fifth cervical vertebra.

One of the problems we come up against during Cold Dew is the decreasing temperatures, and especially the increasing gap between day and evening temperatures. Since cold is associated with the Water phase, even though Cold Dew is the Pericardium channel time, the Water phase channels (the Bladder and Kidney) are susceptible to problems. In particular, exposure to cold in the evening can cause stagnation in the Qi and Blood circulation of the upper back, leading to stiffness and tightness or pain. Legs can also be affected, likewise experiencing stiffness or pain. So, with all that in mind, here are some easy Nourishing Life practices for Cold Dew:

Rubbing the Bottom of the Feet: The bottom of the foot is home to the first point on the Kidney Channel, Yong Quan (湧泉穴). Yong Quan is located just behind the ball of the foot and sometimes it is known as the “Great Medicine” (大藥) at the bottom of the feet. Once or twice a day rub the bottom of the foot over the area of Yong Quan 100 times. This warms and stimulates the Kidney channel, and can be used to treat forgetfulness, insomnia, low back pain, and internal cold.

Soaking the Feet: Soaking the feet in the evening is another excellent way to warm the channels of the feet and legs, and it is a second method of working with Yong Quan. One of my common recommendations for Cold Dew is soaking specifically with Epsom salts. To do this, dissolve Epsom salts in hot water and soak feet each evening for 10-15 minutes. Like the previous method of rubbing the bottom of the feet, soaking warms and stimulates the Kidney channel, and can be used to treat forgetfulness, insomnia, and low back pain. For added therapeutic effect, Chinese herbal formulas can be added to foot soaks based on an individual’s pattern differentiation. For example, patients with Qi vacuity can soak with herbs such as Dang Shen, Huang Qi or Bai Zhu. Patients with Kidney vacuity low back pain or the like can soak with Du Zhong, Xu Duan, and Sang Ji Sheng.

Acupressure at Wei Zhong: Weather change and exposure to cold, as mentioned, can create stiffness in the back or legs. One of the master points for increasing Qi and blood circulation in the back and legs is Wei Zhong (委中穴; BL40), located at the back of the knees. While seated, press deeply into the point on both sides simultaneously, until a slightly sore or numb sensation is felt and hold for a few seconds. Release pressure (one press and release equals one stimulation). Stimulate 25-50 times in a sitting. Optionally, medicated liniment or medicated oils that warm the channels, expel cold, and move the Qi and blood can be used while pressing the point.

Fire Cupping the Upper Back: The last traditional recommendation I’ll offer for Cold Dew is the use of fire cups on the upper back. Fire cupping (火罐) can warm and expel cold, resolve the exterior, and course Qi and quicken blood in the channels. When done on the upper back it relieves stiffness in the muscles as well as prevents colds. However, after cupping, be sure not to leave the area exposed. Common points to cup include Jian Yu (肩髃穴; LI15), Jian Jing (肩井穴; GB21), and Tian Zong (天宗穴; SI13). Another area to cup is the back of the neck, as the fifth cervical vertebra is associated with Cold Dew. Just as with the previous recommendation, cupping can be done after the application of a medicated liniment or oil.

Stay warm, stay healthy, and eat lots of apples!

NYC Class this Weekend!

This Sunday, September 29th, I’ll be in NYC teaching what I hope will be a really interesting class on the analysis of point functions.

Here’s the problem… Most acupuncturists are taught acupuncture points through memorization of point actions without engaging with an in-depth understanding of why points do what they do. To remedy this, our class will provide an understanding of acupuncture points by combining Tung's acupuncture concepts and classical Chinese Medicine principles based on texts such as the Neijing and Nanjing. We will explore key acupuncture points and indications to establish a framework for analysis, allowing participants to move beyond mere memorization. Additionally, we will begin a discussion of strategic point combination and how this enhances treatment. This class will be an excellent introduction to Tung’s principles using points all acupuncturists already use on a daily basis, and it will also be useful for practitioners already familiar with Tung’s points.

Join us if you can. Click on the photo to go to registration information. Seats are limited and running out fast!

Happy Mid-Autumn Moon Festival 中秋節快樂

Today, Tuesday September 16th, is the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a festival held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month each year. It is celebrated all throughout Asia, including in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The Mid-Autumn Moon always falls on a day of the full moon, and originated as a harvest festival that has been celebrated as far back as the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE).

As a harvest festival it is a time of family gathering, thanksgiving and prayer. One of the favorite foods of the holiday is mooncakes. These are tasty round pastries usually filled with sweet pastes made from lotus seeds or dates. Sometimes they also contain other things such as seeds, nuts, or salted egg yolks.  The round shape of the cakes mimics the shape of the full moon, and the round shape also symbolizes completeness, fullness, and therefore, family harmony and reunion.

Aside from these associations with mooncakes, they also are connected to an interesting political story. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE), when Mongol rulers controlled China, Chinese revolutionaries, led by Zhu Yuanzhang (who later founded the Ming Dynasty), used mooncakes to secretly plan their uprising. According to legend, they hid messages inside mooncakes instructing people to rebel on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This clever strategy helped coordinate a successful revolt against the Mongols, making mooncakes a symbol of unity and resistance in Chinese history.

I'd like to wish everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Moon festival and express my gratitude for being part of your extended family!

Point Functions and Indications

Did you know that traditionally, Lung 5 did not clear Lung Heat? Ok, ok…. To be fair, it did clear Lung Heat, but the association of Lung 5 with a specific function, or any acupuncture point for that matter, is something modern. 

What I am talking about here is the difference between a point function or action (功效) and a list of indications (主治). While in modern textbooks each point is described in terms of actions and indications, this was not the case historically. For example, in Deadman, Lung 5 is said to: clear heat from the Lung and descend rebellious Qi, regulate the water passages, activate the channel, and relax the sinews. Indications on the other hand are specific disease or sign/symptoms. For Lung 5 these would include cough, coughing phlegm, dyspnea, nosebleed, pain in the arm and shoulder, etc… The list is long. However, while these are present in modern textbooks, traditionally only the indications would have been listed, not actions. I’m actually old enough to have gone to school before books like Deadman’s Manual of Acupuncture. We just had Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (affectionately known as CAM). And, in CAM, there are NO actions – only indications. In this sense, CAM is much closer to how pretty much all books were written historically. Points are given a location, needling or other treatment recommendations, and then a list of indications.

Point actions were, as Deadman points out, mostly something developed after World War II. Now, this did not happen of course ex nihilo. Point actions were deduced by looking at larger themes hinted at by point indications. Moreover, point categories were historically given actions. For example, Ying-Spring points were said to treat body heat. That’s a point action. Yet, in the 20th century all points were eventually described in text books as having actions. This is why Deadman and Al-Khafaji in their Manual of Acupuncture (1998) say, “In general, it can be said that the ascribing of actions to acupuncture points is a modern (i.e. 20th century) practice, and one that draws from the Chinese herbal medicine tradition.” As they point out, this was partly done to help integrate acupuncture with the practice of herbal medicine, the dominant form of Chinese medicine in China both at that time, and today.

To be clear, I’m not implying that I think actions are a bad idea. I think for beginning students they are a good summary that can help with ease of understanding when points can be used. But… (there’s always a but) in my opinion they sometimes over simplify points. For example, when we look at Lung 5, other traditional indications include diarrhea, abdominal distension, and vomiting. Lung 5 also has knee pain and lumbar pain on the list! These indications are not as easily understood through the lens of point actions. To do so would need some significant extrapolations and mental gymnastics. Yet, by looking at indications and deeply analyzing them we can see much larger ranges of what points treat beyond the actions that while useful for beginners, can be limiting for the more experienced clinician. Deeper analysis of indications also elucidates the myriad connections in the body between the five phases, different organs, channels, and tissue systems.

 Over the last few years this topic has been of particular interest to me, and has been useful for both my understanding of Tung points as well as regular (i.e., conventional) points. If anyone is interested in exploring this topic with me, my next two classes will be devoted to analyzing point indications for conventional acupuncture points.  

September 20-22 I will be teaching for 3 days in Dublin, and during that class we will cover single point analysis as well as point combination. And again, unlike most of my lectures, the topic will not be Tung points but rather conventional acupuncture points. People interested in this class (there’s still room left) can contact the course organizer in Dublin for more information and registration.  

After that on Sunday, September 29, ASNY is sponsoring my class in Manhattan where we will do a shorter analysis of conventional acupuncture points. Both of these are excellent opportunities to deepen understanding of the full range of both how and why points do what they do.

Below please find an excellent video that our friend Lorraine Wilcox did on the topic of point functions and indications. I hope to see some of you either in Ireland or NYC!

Beginning of Autumn 立秋 Seasonal Node

By all accounts it has been an incredibly hot and humid summer here in the Northeastern United States. After some intense rain yesterday though, we have what will probably be a short break in the heat (but not humidity). I’m not sure what the rest of August will bring, but we’re enjoying the cooler air for the time being. a very hot July, it’s nice to have August be a bit more seasonable. 

Even if it doesn’t last the rest of the month, this year again the slight cooling is on time as today, Wednesday August 7th, is beginning of Autumn (and the seasonal node of that same name) in the traditional calendar. Although in the modern western world August is a summer month, the Chinese calendar is concerned with the relative balance of Yin and Yang in the natural environment over temperature as a marker of the seasons; this is closely tied to day length. Summer Solstice in June was the longest day of the year. By now the days are getting gradually shorter, and we are only 6 weeks away from the Autumnal Equinox, a day of balanced light and dark. Therefore, even though August weather can still be hot we are in the time of growing Yin and contraction in the natural environment.

In the Lü Shi Chun Qiu (The Spring and Autumn Annals of Lü Bowei; 呂氏春秋), the classic text of Chinese philosophy from the 3rd century BCE, it is said that the Emperor Shao Hao (少昊), and his son Ru Shou (蓐收) are the sovereigns associated with the three months of Autumn. This obscure statement sheds tremendous light on the essence of Autumn, and eventually allows us to understand how to stay healthy this season. 

According to some legends (since they do vary), Shao Hao was one of the Five Emperors (五帝) of ancient China. His mother was a weaver goddess who fell in love with the planet Venus, and the result of that union was Shao Hao. Together with his son Ru Shou, Shao Hao settled on Chang Liu Mountain where they ruled over the Western Heavens and controlled the setting of the sun. Remember, the west is associated with the Metal phase, and therefore Autumn. Certainly, Autumn is the time of year that corresponds to sunset during the day, and in Chinese astrology Venus is the planet of the Metal phase, and thus too corresponds with Autumn. Even the son’s name, Ru Shou, has the word “shou” (收) within – the word meaning “to harvest” or “to collect,” an attribute of Autumn. The Neijing says that when we move and behave in a way that allows us to resonate with Autumn, we are in the state of Nourishing the movement of Harvest (養收).

In early Autumn (August is the first month of the season) we experience the ongoing but very gradual shift to shorter days and, eventually, cooler temperatures. In other words, we are shifting more and more to the Yin phase of the year. Yet, August in particular can still be damp and humid. It is also the time of tropical storms which bring moisture and wind – an external event. In Chinese medicine, weakness in the Spleen and Stomach leads to damp accumulation – an internal event. In early Autumn we therefore should avoid dampness externally and simultaneously strengthen the digestive organs internally. One way to accomplish this is to eat light and clear foods, increase the amount of seasonal vegetables, and eat a little less meat. Vegetables can be consumed lightly steamed or stir-fried, or in the case of light salad greens, raw. In general avoid overly hot, spicy foods. Congees are appropriate to help strengthen the digestive organs and one traditional congee recipe for this seasonal node is Euryale Seed and Discorea Congee (Qian Shi Shan Yao Zhou 芡實山藥粥).

Euryale Seed and Discorea Congee (Qian Shi Shan Yao Zhou)

芡實山藥粥 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (use glutinous rice if available)

• 200g Euryale seed (Qian Shi )

• 200g Discorea (Shan Yao )

• 200 g sugar

 Instructions:

1. Grind rice, Euryale seed, and Discorea to a powder. Mix the three together with sugar and blend well so evenly mixed

2. In a pan, add 50 – 100g of blended powder to cold water, enough to make a thick soupy consistency

3. Put over medium flame and warm for several minutes, stirring occasionally

4. Enjoy in the morning on an empty stomach (consume warm)

This congee strengthens the Spleen, stops diarrhea. However it is contraindicated for patients with diarrhea due to infections, or with damp heat type diarrhea.

In addition to dietary recommendations we can perform acupressure on supplementing points such as Zu San Li (ST-36). If patients tend to cold and vacuous patterns of the Spleen and Stomach, gentle direct thread moxa at Zu San Li is also applicable. According to the noted moxibustion scholar Lorraine Wilcox, the time around the beginning of Autumn is also a special time for applying prophylactic moxibustion in an effort to strengthen the body for the cold season to come. Those familiar with Tung’s acupuncture can needle the Zu San Tong (足三通) Dao Ma group, consisting of Tong Guan 88.01, Tong Shan 88.02 and Tong Tian 88.03. These points are the main Dao Ma group for Heart, but really they function like Pericardium channel points, which is why they are indicated for Spleen and Stomach problems. Furthermore, in terms of Five Phase theory, supplementing Heart will strengthen Spleen because of the engendering cycle relationship between Fire and Soil-Earth.

Autumn is the season associated with the Lungs, and thus even though we should avoid very spicy foods, mildly acrid foods are good this time of year for Lung function. These foods include ginger, scallion, leek, and black pepper. Mildly sweet and slightly sour fruits also help moisten and benefit the Lungs, including the now in-season stone fruits (i.e., plums and peaches). This recommendation however should be based on individual patient characteristics. For example, if patients have Spleen vacuity with dampness they should avoid overly sour foods.

As August continues and into September as the weather does become cooler, we need to be cautious of sudden returns of very hot and humid weather, a common weather pattern here in New Jersey. In Chinese this is called “The Old Tiger of Autumn” (Qiu Lao Hu 秋老虎). When the old tiger rears its head again Summerheat pathogens are a risk – symptoms of this include headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, poor appetite, stuffy chest, heavy or fatigued limbs, and possibly diarrhea. If intense hot and damp weather returns, focus the diet on foods that are cooling and moistening. Foods to consider adding on a daily basis include all sorts of sprouts (e.g., mung bean or alfalfa), cucumbers, muskmelon, winter melon, tomato, and loofah. Mung beans are very cooling, and in hot weather they can be made into a sweet dessert soup. For more serious conditions consider giving patients formulas such as Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San.

Here’s a formula from the Zun Sheng Ba Jian (遵生八箋) – the Eight Treatises on Following the Principles of Life. Written by a scholar by the name of Gao Lian at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the text is an almost encyclopedic collection of all manner of Nourishing Life (養生) recipes, techniques, theories, etc… One of the formulas specifically for Autumn is called Conserve the Spleen Pill (攝脾丸). It treats damage to the Spleen that happens during the Autumn months that leads to abdominal distension and diarrhea. The ingredients listed are Mu Xiang, He Zi, Hou Po (ginger fried), Wu Bei Zi (slightly toasted), and Bai Zhu (earth fried). These ingredients would be ground to a powder and made into pills the size of a Tung Tree seed, and 10 pills would be a daily dose.

I hope everyone is having a great end of Summer and start of Autumn!

Ghost Month 2024!

Yes, it’s that time of year once again! Today is the day in the traditional calendar that that Yama 閻王, the King of Hell, opens the gates of the hell realms, allowing the spirits of the deceased to wander the earth – basically a one-month vacation for ghosts. This is Ghost Month, the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

This supernatural sojourn lasts until the end of the lunar month (the 8th lunar month starts on September 3rd), when the gates of Hell are once again closed. The culmination of the month is the 15th lunar day (this year on August 18th), which is known as Zhong Yuan Jie (中元節).

Throughout this month there are many taboos that Chinese culture observes. These include not allowing the elderly, the very young or generally physically weak people to do various activities outside at night. This is the time of day when ghosts are most active! Qigong should also not be practiced outside late at night during this time. Since I personally usually practice outside in the evening, during Ghost month I skip Qigong and practice martial arts such as Baguazhang instead. Martial arts are traditionally used to ward off mischievous spirits, which is why martial arts demonstrations often accompany displays such as Lion Dancing that are used to consecrate businesses, or exorcize negativity in a building or other location.

Whether or not we believe that this month is the time of ghosts, what this custom perhaps does is remind us of how the natural balance of Yin and Yang is shifting in a very real way this time of year. Not long ago we came to the beginning of Autumn in the East Asian calendar. Even though days are still hot in August, it is true that we are in the early part of the Yin portion of the year. After the Summer Solstice the days start to slowly get shorter. By August here in northern New Jersey plant growth is mostly over. Even the grass is growing more slowly than before. In the environment we are seeing a significant increase in dampness and humidity – and water is a Yin substance. Thus, one of the main pathological environmental factors our patients now complain of is dampness, or summerheat-dampness (a combination of pathogenic Yin and Yang together).

When I look at customs like the ghost month, I see other interesting health recommendations, such as the prohibition against activities outside in the evenings. Ghosts or not, there are so many mosquitoes and insects outside that there’s no way I can practice slow moving exercises like Qigong outside! These types of insects, as vectors for disease, can cause serious problems in people who might be more vulnerable – such as the elderly, the young, or the sick.

Other health recommendations this time of year also focus on counteracting the growing Yin. In some parts of China around the time of Summer Solstice there is the custom of hanging herbs such as Ai Ye and Shi Chang Pu above doors. Both Ai Ye and Shi Chang Pu are aromatic, and the aromatic nature is Yang that can disperse Yin influences as well as ward off insects.  Some people will also put powdered Xiong Huang (realgar) at the bottoms of doors to keep bugs out of the house (realgar is a very toxic medicinal).

In terms of internal herbal medicine, this is the time of year when a lot of patients benefit from formulas such as Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Tang. This formula contains aromatic and Qi moving medicinals such as Huo Xiang, Hou Po, Chen Pi and Bai Zhi to transform damp. It also includes medicinals that likewise strengthen the Spleen so as to allow for normal movement and transformation (the Yang functions of the Spleen). This idea of expelling the Yin and supporting the Yang is the same principle underlying the use of San Fu moxa (see previous blog posts).

So, please be careful out there and avoid the Yin, ghosts or not. But, just to be sure, I for one will be burning some joss paper outside later today to appease some ghosts!

Preparing for the Seasons to Come – A Medicated Liquor

One of the maxims in Chinese medicine is that it is usually best to treat disease before it arises, and part of that is being well prepared ahead of time. The second chapter of the Su Wen says, “Thus, the Sages did not treat disease that were already manifest, they treated disease that had yet to arise. They did not treat what was already in a state of disorder, they treated before disorder arose” (是故聖人不治已病，治未病，不治已亂，治未亂). It goes on to explain that doing this was akin to digging a well after one is thirsty, or forging weapons after war has already broken out. Both are too late to do as much good as possible.

In this spirit we can use this time of year to start preparing formulas to use in a few months, once the weather becomes cold again. A very traditional format of herbal formulas that is particularly suited to the colder weather is medicated wines (also called medicated liquors since they are made with distilled spirits, not actual wines). Ethyl alcohol is warm, acrid and sweet. This combination means that it can warm and course the Qi and Blood, as well as supplement at the same time. When herbal formulas are prepared in alcohol (i.e., ethanol) the functions of the ingredients are amplified in this therapeutic direction.

One very useful formula that we can start preparing now for use in colder weather is Song Ling Tai Ping Chun Jiu (松齡太平春酒), a formula I will simply translate into English as Great Harmony Eternal Spring Wine. Here are the ingredients…

Great Harmony Eternal Spring Wine

Ingredients:

• Shu Di Huang 250g

• Dang Gui 125g

• Hong Hua 15g

• Gou Qi Zi 125g

• Fo Shou 15g

• Gui Yan Rou (i.e., Long Yan Rou) 250g

• Song Ren (pine nuts) 125g

• Fu Shen 50g

• Chen Pi 25g

Directions:

• Choose as best quality possible for each of the above medicinals. Place in a clean wide-mouthed jar with about 2.5 liters of vodka, or another distilled spirit of similar alcohol content. Allow the medicinals to soak for at least a month (although up to three months is preferable). Periodically the mixture be stirred with a clean spoon, or simply shaken a little to agitate the liquid. Once ready, take one or two shots per day as a dosage (spread out if two).

This formula was a favorite of the Emperor Qianlong (1711 – 1799; r. 1735 – 1796), one of China’s most important Emperors and one of the longest reigning monarchs in world history. The formula, crafted by Imperial physicians, was one of the Emperor’s longevity tonics. While we find a few variations on the formula today, in general the major ingredients and thus therapeutic thrust of the formula is the same. Overall the formula strengthens the Spleen, benefits the Qi, and nourishes and quickens the Blood. It is contraindicated for patients with significant internal heat patterns, and for those who normally cannot consume alcohol.

The very interesting name of the formula is deserving of a short discussion. The first word Song (松) means a pine tree, and the second word Ling (齡) means years of age. At first glance this is an odd combination of words – age of a pine tree. Put together it is a reference though to long life. The pine, as an evergreen, is a symbol of enduring life and youth, which is why pine nuts are seen as a longevity food. These two words are also reminiscent of the Chinese phrase Song He Yan Ling (松鶴延齡) – “live as long as the pines and cranes.” Both of these are powerful symbols of longevity in Chinese culture. Finally, going back even to the works of Confucius, in the Analects there is a passage that says, “The Master said, "When the year becomes cold, then we know how the pine and the cypress are the last to lose their leaves” (子曰：歲寒，然後知松柏之後彫也). Thus, in old age (when the year becomes cold) it will be apparent who maintains youthful vigor. We know from history that Emperor Qianlong certainly did!

I hope everyone is staying cool and dry, and that we are all thinking of how we can start preparing for the colder months a little ways off in the future.

Minor Heat 小暑 Seasonal Node

It turns out that this June was the hottest on record yet, and that means that 2024 may be one of the hottest overall years. The change in climate is palpable in almost all parts of the world, yet unfortunately there are still climate change deniers putting everyone at greater risk.

In terms of seasonal shift in the northern hemisphere, we are entering the hottest time of the year and just a few days ago on July 6th we started the Minor Heat (Xiao Shu 小暑). This seasonal node marks an important change in the movement of Qi in the natural world. Summer Solstice (Xia Zhi 夏至) began the transition from Yang-expansion to Yin-contraction in the environment. Therefore, Minor Heat is the first seasonal node in the nascent Yin time of the year. However, although we are transitioning into the Yin time of the year, it is still hot and getting hotter. Weather change happens slowly. Think of it like a train barreling ahead at high speed. Once the conductor decides to stop the train and put it in reverse, she first puts on the breaks. Even though the breaks are applied, it takes several hundred feet before the train actually stops. Only then will it very slowly start moving in reverse. The movement of the seasons is just like this. Once we have flipped the switch from Yang to Yin, the weather still continues to warm for some time before the very slow movement in the opposite direction begins.

The smaller segments of the seasons for this Node are Warm Winds Arrive (温風至), First Lotuses Blossom (蓮始開), and Hawks Learn to Fly (鷹乃学習).  These three are the traditional Japanese version of the mini-seasons. The Chinese version is slightly different, with the second being called Crickets Take Up Residence in Walls (蟋蟀居壁).  Personally, I’d rather have lotuses rather than crickets invading my house!

The most important “to do” recommendation during this time is to nourish the Heart by maintaining an optimistic outlook – something I’m personally trying to do despite what I mentioned in the introduction above. Why is this? June and July are the months associated with the Fire phase. Also, if we overlay the 12 time periods of the day with the 12 months of the year (i.e., the 12 two-hour periods of the day that each correspond to one of the primary channels), June is the time of the Heart channel and July the Small Intestine channel - both are Fire. Since this is the Fire Phase time of year, it is the time of the Heart Zang. We nourish the Heart by keeping a calm mind and being optimistic. Pessimism or other negative emotional states can lead to patterns such as Liver stagnation, which in turn can transform into heat and harass the Heart. We can also nourish the Heart and regulate the Fire phases by doing some specific Qigong exercises (we are doing some of these in our online practice sessions).

As mentioned above, the first 5-day period of Minor Heat is known as Wen Feng Zhi (溫風至), - Warm Winds Arrive. This certainly describes what is happening in the weather right now, especially in the Northeastern United States! The weather has been hot and humid. Therefore, we need to be careful about environmental dampness damaging the body. As clinicians we should instruct patients who are prone to damp patterns on how to eat, dress, etc… In this light the main “to avoid” this time period is undue exposure to cold and excessive consumption of cold items (both cold temperature and cold thermal nature). While it may seem logical to be in cold places in cold weather, there is certainly a problem in the west with using air conditioners to cool rooms to temperatures lower than we’d feel comfortable with in winter! Furthermore, the overconsumption of cold (and especially cold and sweet) food and drink damages the Spleen leading to more damp accumulation. Instead, we should drink beverages that are cooling, as well as either bitter (to drain), or acrid (to move). This will cool the body without developing damp stagnation. Examples include green teas, or chrysanthemum and mint herbal teas. In China summer is the season to drink green teas such as the famous Dragon Well – Long Jing Cha 龍井茶.

Diet for Minor Heat

Because now is the time of significant dampness and heat, in general we should consume foods that are cooling and either bitter or acrid (which can drain damp). For example, this is the time of year to consume in-season fresh greens. In addition to chrysanthemum and mint we can also consume lotus leaf tea; lotus is a plant with a summerheat cooling nature that is also slightly bitter to drain heat and dampness. Advise patients to sip fluids throughout the day so they don’t dehydrate rather than drinking copious amounts of iced beverages all at once that may exacerbate damp conditions. If patients have damaged fluids, they can consume cooling and moist vegetables (such as cucumber) or fruits (such as watermelon).  

One traditional recipe for this time of year is congee made from Yi Yi Ren (pearl barley) and adzuki beans. This basic combination is mild and neutral in temperature, and both the Yi Yi Ren and adzuki beans drain dampness. Yi Yi Ren strengthens the Spleen and adzuki beans clear heat as well.

This time of year it is also a great idea to start preparing herbal formulas that will be used in the colder weather. One of my next blog posts will discuss making a medicated wine for the cold seasons to come.