Neil Kingham

Moxibustion refers to the burning of Chinese Mugwort (or Moxa) – normally as an accompanyment to acupuncture or tui na in order to provide a gentle source of heat. It can be used as a way of stimulating acupoints, or used to warm a whole area.

There are a few ways of using moxa – it can be attached to the end of an acupuncture needle, or made into a cone which is then placed onto the body on top of a protective medium such as a slice of ginger or layer or salt (depending on the desired outcome) or a moxa stick is used. A moxa stick is a tube of densely packed moxa which is lit at one end and then brought near to the effected area to warm it up.

Moxibustion has the effect of stimulating circulation and healing, warming the body and dispelling Cold. It is especially useful for people and conditions which are worse in the cold and respond well to heat. It is commonly used for pain, infertility, and weakness or lack of energy. It is also used during pregnancy for breech presentation and is an essential component in many of the traditional techniques for health maintenance. It is very pleasant and relaxing to receive.

Many of the ancient doctors recommended moxa on points such as Ren4 or Ren6 (the Dan Tien) or St36 (leg 3 miles) in order to ‘nourish life’, prevent ageing and increase longevity. Regular use of moxa on points such as these was seen to have a qi-enhancing and life-preserving nature and was performed routinely after the age of around 30. I find these practices extremely useful, but unfortunately they are rarely performed these days, even by acupuncturists.

All acupuncturists and most tui na therapists will be trained in the use of moxibustion. Moxa sticks are also suitable for home use, provided you have been shown the correct technique.

Cinnamon is one of the most useful culinary herbs for warming and stimulating the Yang. It is used to improve circulation, dispel Cold and relieve chills and also to strengthen the Qi in cases of exhaustion and debility.

It can be used regularly by those with poor circulation, cold hands and feet and weakness or fatigue. By strengthening the Yang it improves weak digestive systems and clear Dampness, and can help to treat frequent urination, loose stools and lack of libido.

A tea made by boiling a cinnamon stick in water, taken hot will promote sweating and help to prevent or ward off a cold.

It also helps to enhance the effect of other Qi and Blood tonifying herbs or ingreidients when they are used together. Thus, cinnamon is often added to traditional tonic herbal formulas.

Use cinnamon in cooking to benefit from its strengthening and warming qualities. Porridge with a little cinnamon is a warming, strengthening way to start a winter morning. It has the effect of strengthening both the Blood and Qi.

CAUTION: Cinnamon should be avoided by Hot natured people (hot hands and feet, red cheeks, etc) and during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

This is a soup to strengthen the knees and back.

Chronic weakness, pain or slow healing of the knees and/or lower back can be related to the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine. This soup recipe contains ingredients traditionally used to strengthen the Kidneys, and reinforce the knees and back. It also helps to circulate Qi and Blood, and is high in silicon which is essential for the strength of the bones and connective tissues.

This soup can be used to aid healing after an injury or surgery, or to maintain health of the lower back and knees.

1pt ‘real’ chicken stock, made from broken chicken bones
2 handfuls pear barley or yi yi ren
2 handfuls black beans (cooked)
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
2 sticks celery
1 large carrot
Black pepper
Dash of shaoshing rice wine

Note on ingredients: Yi Yi Ren is also known as coix or Chinese barley, and can be cooked in the same way as pearl barley. It is used in Chinese herbalism for clearing dampness, especially when this relates to joint pain. Shaoshing rice wine is a Chinese wine commonly used in cooking. Both are available from Chinese supermarkets.

Directions:

Simmer the barley or yi yi ren and celery in the stock for 45 minutes. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook for 10 minutes more, then add the carrot and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until all ingredients are cooked. Add the cooked beans, a dash of rice wine and a good amount of black pepper. Cook for another couple of minutes, then serve.

Serves 2.

This soup will also freeze well.

Year Of The Tiger:

Feb 14th is Chinese New Year, and we are entering the volatile, unpredictable and dynamic Year of the Tiger. You may think that 2009 had its upheavals, but the Chinese Zodiac perdicts more of the same for 2010.

In the year of the tiger we can expect to see extremes. This is certainly not a quiet year! There will be volatility and big changes. While this can mean disputes and disasters it can also be a cleansing time, allowing for renewal and positive changes. And extremes of bad luck and problems are balanced by extremes of good luck and success.

If the force and vigour of the tiger can be channeled into positive actions and projects, much can be achieved. People born under the signs of Tiger, Horse, Rooster or Dog can expect the most favourable year of all the Chinese signs.

Celebrating Chinese Year:

Before the new year arrives, it is traditional to clean the house, to ’sweep away’ the bad luck that may have accumulated during the previous year. Then, once the new year has started, avoid cleaning for a few days so you don’t ’sweep out‘ the good luck!

Red is considered a lucky colour – decorate your home with red candles, ornaments, drapes, and decorations, and wear red clothes.

An old tradition involves getting the family together on new year’s eve to make dumplings together. If you don’t know how to make Chinese dumplings, get the family together anyway, and cook and eat something something else together!

Tangerines and Oranges, which represent good luck, are often served at New Years Eve.

On New Year’s day, children are given red envelopes with money in, which again symbolizes good luck. The red envelopes with lucky characters on can be purchased from all manner of oriental shops at this time of year. The amount inside need not be large, but should consist of new notes, with the total being an even amount. As the number 4 is unlucky, the total amount should not have a ‘4′ in it.

“Gong Xi Fa Cai” – (Congratulations and Prosperity!)

Known by acupuncturists in New York as ‘The Urban Stress Point’, this acupoint on the top of the foot is one of the most popular points for dealing with stress.

In Chinese Medicine terms it helps to ’spread the Liver Qi’ – this means that it deals with Qi stagnation, which can cause symptoms such as irritability, frustration, depression, mood swings, stress, irregular periods and pain.

It is also a nourishing point for the Liver Blood and Yin, making it useful for insomnia, dry skin, weak nails etc. The Liver relates to the eyes, and Liver 3 is often used for dry and blurry eyes.

It is located on the top (dorsum) of the foot between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals. To find it, place your finger at the meeting point of the big and 2nd toes and slide it up the groove away from the toes. A pronounced depression can normally be felt at the location of Liver 3. You may have to press with a little more pressure if you can’t feel it.

For any problem that is worse with stress, Liver 3 can be used.Simple acupressure on this point can be used to help to relieve stress and clear the head and eyes. Apply pressure until a Qi sensation is felt or until the point is slightly sore.

‘The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs’ by Ron Teeguarden

Ron Teeguarden is an American herbalist who overcame serious ill health at an early age by using Chinese herbs, and has since specialised in the ‘tonic’ herbs, which is what this book is all about. The tonic herbs are those considered most safe and useful for the general population, and Teeguarden here describes his 22 favourites in detail. Some, such as ginseng, are well known, others you may have come across (goji berries, dang gui, cordyceps) and still others are more unusual (morinda root, deer antler, gynostemma.) Each herb has a number of pages devoted to its effects and uses, how to take it, and what to look for when purchasing.

Another couple of dozen herbs are given brief mentions – these are the ’supporting cast of herbs’ and then a number of herbal formulations are described along with specific advice for different goals – ‘mental energy’, ‘fertility’, ‘athlete’s programs’ etc. Teeguarden sells a number of his own formulas in the USA, but to his credit, also mentions plenty of traditional formulas which are easily available outside the states.

Teeguarden is certainly enthusiastic about these herbs, you’d be forgiven for thinking they can cure all disease and bestow immortality! Still, the book is an excellent introduction to the topic with enough info to start trying some herbs yourself if you choose to. It is written for the layperson in an easy to read style, and although a little Chinese medicine knowledge would help, it is not necessary.

It is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk