Neil Kingham

For years after I was first introduced to Chinese Medicine I searched for a course on Chinese Nutrition, in vain. This vital aspect of the Chinese Health Arts just isn’t commonly taught in the West. Why not? Possibly because it’s also not commonly taught in China. But the difference is that in China, using food as medicine is common knowledge among the common people. Sadly, the same can’t be said for the UK!

So I’m very pleased to be able to announce the launch of the first course of its kind in the UK. I’ve designed a 4 weekend (8 day) course for Chinese Medicine trained practitioners to learn the principles and practice of Chinese Nutrition. A further 2 weekend (4 day) foundation course is available for those with no Chinese Medicine background.

This diploma course is suitable for any kind of therapist or practitioner who would like to add Chinese Nutrition to their practice. It takes place at the College of Naturopathic Medicine, London, with the foundation module starting in September, and the nutrition module in November.

For more info visit the CNM website

Chen Pi Chicken is quite a common dish in China – Chen Pi is dried tangerine peel, and it is often used to flavour chicken. This is a great barbeque recipe, or it can be grilled or roasted.

The dish ‘orange chicken’ available in many Chinese restaurants in the West is probably a westernization of chen pi chicken (cooked with orange juice instead of peel)

Ingredients:

6 chicken drumsticks
1 tsp shaoshing rice wine (or dry sherry)
1 tsp soya sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp chen pi, chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, crushed
0.5″ piece of root ginger, very finely chopped

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together, covering the chicken evenly, and leave to marinate for at least an hour (overnight is preferable) then barbeque, grill or roast until the chicken is cooked and the juices run clear. Can be eaten hot or cold.

Energetics:

Chicken is a very nourishing food. The chen pi, ginger and garlic add warmth and movement to the dish, and help to clear Phlegm. Overall this recipe is strengthening and warming, and benefits conditions of Qi stagnation and Phlegm.

Using acupuncture alongside IVF is becoming quite common, and there has been a great deal of research on this topic in the past few years which indicates that acupuncture increases the chances of a successful IVF cycle by 40-50%.

Beginning before the IVF cycle and continuing through to childbirth where necessary, acupuncture improves ovarian function, leading to larger numbers of better quality eggs, regulates the hormonal system, nourishes the uterus and foetus to help prevent miscarriage, and reduces stress and anxiety.

The treatment works in two ways – by following along with the IVF process to enhance each stage of the procedure, and also by helping you to deal with any side effects of the drugs, and by reducing stress and helping with any other health problems that occur along the way.

So, as well as the increased chance of a successful IVF cycle and subsequent birth, women who have acupuncture treatment also feel happier, more positive and more relaxed during the process. In my practice, women tell me that they have greatly enjoyed the acupuncture, and found that it has really helped them through what is normally a very stressful time.

Acupuncture treatment should normally be weekly throughout the IVF process, and ideally should start slightly before you start the IVF. For women who are needle-phobic it is also possible to use acupressure and tui na techniques during IVF in a similar way to acupuncture.

The elderflowers are starting to appear round my way, so I thought it was the ideal time to share this simple recipe for elderflower cordial. This cordial is so easy and quick to make, and tastes easily as good or better than any cordial you can buy.

In Chinese medicine elderflowers have a cooling energy, and help to drain Dampness and clear Phlegm. They have an affinity with the Lung, so can be used when there is a cough with sticky yellow phlegm. They also help to ‘release the exterior’, which means that they can fight off colds in the early stages.

Ingredients:

1.3kg sugar
1.8ltrs boiling water
25-30 fresh heads of elderflowers
50g citric acid
2 oranges, sliced
2 lemons, sliced

Note: Citric acid is available from chemists, home-brew shops or online.

Method:

Put the sugar in a large bowl or pan, and pour on boiling water, stir to dissolve sugar. Leave to stand for 30 mins. Sort the elderflower heads, pulling the flowers from the stalks (but no need to be too fussy, small bits of stalk won’t cause any problems). Add the flowers to the sugar syrup with the rest of the ingredients, mix well, cover and leave overnight.

Sterilize some bottles using a commercial sterilizing solution or by putting them through a dishwasher cycle (if safe to do so) – at the same time sterilize any other equipment you will use (funnels, bottle tops, jugs, spoons etc) in the same way, or by rinsing with boiling water.

Strain the elderflower liquid through a sieve lined with muslin or a clean teatowel, and into the bottles.

Storage & Use:

The cordial will keep in the fridge for a few weeks. For longer term storage, fill plastic drinks bottles 3/4 full and freeze. It will keep in the freezer for many months. To use, dilute with water to make a very refreshing summer drink!