Neil Kingham

This is a very simple broth that can be eaten as it is, or with noodles added to make heartier dish. The shiitake mushrooms, seaweed and garlic in this soup all have anti-cancer properties. Shiitake mushrooms are known for boosting the immune system, and seaweed is extremely high in minerals.

Both the seaweed and mushrooms are strong flavours, which create a delicious broth as they cook, so there is no need to use stock in this recipe. However, a light chicken or vegetable stock could be used if desired.

Ingredients:

8 dried shiitake mushrooms
6g dried kelp or other seaweed
3pts water
4 carrots, chopped into small pieces
1 bunch spring onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Soya sauce

Directions:

Rinse the mushrooms and seaweed, and place in a saucepan with the water and garlic. Bring to the boil and simmer gently with the lid on for 1 hr. Remove the mushrooms and seaweed with a slotted spoon and as soon as they are cool enough to handle, chop into bite-size pieces (remove and discard the tough stalks from the mushrooms.) Return to the pan, along with the carrot and simmer for another few minutes, then add the spring onions. Simmer for another few minutes until carrots and onions are soft. Add a few dashes of soya sauce to taste.

To serve, either eat as a broth as it is (serves around 4) or add dried noodles and simmer further until noodles are cooked (serves 3)

My Calendula (English Marigold) is full of flowers at the moment. As well as using the petals in cooking, they are also valuable for their remarkable skin-healing properties. Calendula promotes tissue repair, reduces inflammation and infection, and helps to prevent scarring.

This very simple ointment or balm can be used for chapped hands, minor burns, insect bites and minor wounds like cuts and grazes. To use, wash the area thoroughly, dry gently, and apply the ointment. Repeat a couple of times a day.

Ingredients:

Calendula flowers (approx 20-30g)
Olive oil
Petroleum Jelly (eg vaseline)

Directions:

Put the marigold flowers in a clean jar, and add enough oil to just cover. Allow to stand for 1 week, then strain off the oil into a measuring jug. Now however much oil you’ve got, measure twice as much petroleum jelly, and melt in a bain-marie or carefully in a saucepan on a very low heat. Once melted, take off the heat, and stir in the calendula oil. Pour into a sterilised glass jar and allow to set.

This ointment will keep for some time, at least 6 months, and is best kept in the fridge.

Optional variation: You can also combine St John’s Wort flowers with Calendula to enhance the effect of the ointment. Although St John’s Wort is most well known for it’s internal use as an anti-depressant, it is also very useful as a wound healer. Use equal parts of Calendula and St John’s Wort, and make as above.

If you don’t know much about acupuncture, it can be confusing to learn that there are different styles or schools, with different philosophies and ways of practicing. This article explains the main differences, to help you choose what is right for you.

Medical or Traditional?

The main difference is between the modern, Western ways of working (so called ‘medical acupuncture’) and the ancient, oriental styles (‘traditional acupuncture’.) These 2 are so different, that to call them both by the name ‘acupuncture’ is quite misleading.

Medical Acupuncture is a recent creation, based entirely on the principles of Western scientific medicine. Training courses for qualified Western practitioners (such as GPs, nurses, physios etc) are very short – typically around 5 days. This therapy is used almost exclusively for pain relief, although it may occasionally be used for other conditions. Sometimes physical therapists such as chiropractors or physios use this kind of acupuncture in their practice, in which case it is sometimes called ‘dry needling’.

Traditional Acupuncture is the ancient therapy developed in China, and now widely practiced across South East Asia and the world. It is a holistic treatment, based on a fundamentally different way of viewing health and disease. Training courses take around 3 years. It is probably ‘traditional’ acupuncture that you think of when you think of acupuncture. It can be used a very wide range of physical, mental and emotional conditions.

It is my experience (as a traditional acupuncturists) that most people don’t realize the huge fundamental difference between these two. Unfortunately, I often meet people who have had medical acupuncture, and found that it hurt a lot, and didn’t work, and have then dismissed acupuncture completely. The experience of medical acupuncture being quite painful seems common – this doesn’t surprise me, given the amount of training and needling practice that traditional acupuncturists have to go through before they are allowed to practice.

Types of Traditional Acupuncture

The main style of traditional acupuncture practiced all over the world is TCM (‘Traditional Chinese Medicine’.) This is what is taught and practiced in China, and is the standard for most Western courses in traditional acupuncture. It has a history stretching back over 2000 years, and given the name TCM in the 1950s when a structured syllabus was first created for teaching across China (until then there were many regional variations)

Other countries have developed slightly different styles of their own, for instance Japanese acupuncture which is known for its very gentle techniques, and use of abdomen diagnosis (feeling the abdomen as a diagnostic tool). Korean acupuncture also has slightly different theories, and it tends to favour treating constitutional problems. Some Korean acupuncturists only use acupuncture points on the hands for their treatments. On the whole though, Japanese and Korean acupuncture are quite similar to TCM.

Auricular acupuncture uses acupuncture points on the ears to treat illness. It can be used alongside other styles (in which case body points will also be used) or on its own. A recent creation – the NADA protocol – uses 5 acupuncture points on the ear in the treatment of addiction.

5-elements acupuncture was created in the 1950s by an Englishman, JR Worsley, who had trained in different countries in Asia. It focuses on treating constitutional imbalances, and is said to specialise in psychological and emotional conditions (though these can also be treated by other styles of traditional acupuncture). It is quite different in theory and practice to TCM.

Finally, ‘Classical Acupuncture’ is a new term for an old medicine. It is a catch all term to describe ancient ways of practicing that predate TCM, particularly incorporating Taoist ideas and techniques.

Choosing an acupuncturist

It is important that you know the difference between medical and traditional acupuncture, but the differences between different traditional styles might well not concern you much.

if you are looking for an acupuncturist, more important things to consider are the practitioners training and experience. How long have they been in practice, and have they treated your condition before? Do they practice any other branches of Chinese medicine that could also be of use to you? (tuina massage, herbs, qi gong, nutrition.) And most importantly, do you get on with them and trust them?

‘The Way Of Qigong – The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing’ by Kenneth S. Cohen

The problem with most books on Qi Gong or T’ai Chi is that they are very style specific, and aren’t really relevant to people not practicing that particular style. In ‘The Way Of Qigong’ Ken Cohen answers this problem with a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Qi Gong that is applicable and useful for everyone.

The detailed first section takes us through the basics – What is Qigong, where does it come from, and how does it work. Cohen gives detailed descriptions of the Chinese terms – Qi, Jing, Shen, The Dan Tian, and so on. Each is explained in simple terms, without resorting to jargon. We then have a very interesting section which discusses the research on Qigong, and the relationship of Qi to bioelectricity, hormones, light and consciousness.

Of most practical use is the next section, dealing with the specifics of Qigong practice. We are given detailed instruction on time and place of practice and the correct posture. Breathing techniques are also described in detail.

Cohen then goes on to describe specific Qigong exercises and meditations, including ancient forms such as the 8 Brocades, Bone Marrow Cleansing and the Taiji Ruler. The detailed descriptions and plentiful diagrams are enough to practice these exercises immediately at home.

Further sections go on to talk about An Mo Gong (self healing massage), which is hard to get information on, but a wonderful practice and something that always forms part of my morning routine, External Qi healing, ‘The Dao of Diet’, tea, and sexual Qigong.

All in all, this is a manual not only of history and background, but also of practical and useful techniques and information for Qigong practitioners of all styles. Ken Cohen has over 40 years of experience, and this shows through in the detail and the references to his own personal experiences, and also with quotes from the Qigong classics. A must for anyone interested in Qigong.

The book is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

My Calendula (Pot Marigold) plants are in full bloom now, and as well as making my garden look great, I’ve been using the petals in my food. The bright orange colour looks amazing, and they have a slightly tangy flavour.

Pick the flower heads off when they are fully open, and then pull off the petals. You will probably want to rinse them or give them a good shake to remove any blackfly (to which the plant is prone.) Regularly taking off the blooms in this way also ensures that the plants keep on producing more flowers.

You can use the petals as a substitute for saffron in any recipe. The petals are also excellent sprinkled onto a leafy salad. Cook them with rice or add to cottage cheese for colour. Or sprinkle some into sauces, soups and casseroles. You can also make calendula tea by steeping the petals in boiling water.

Energetics of Calendula:

Calendula flower is cooling and detoxifying. Taken internally, it clears heat and toxins, reduces inflammation and infection and stimulates Qi and Blood flow. The infusion (tea) drunk hot, is effective at reducing a fever, and is especially appropriate when the fever is accompanied by inflammation. The tea is also used to stop bleeding, and can benefit ulcers.

Calendula is also used externally for its excellent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties (look out for a post on this aspect coming soon…)

CAUTION: Calendula is a uterine stimulant, and should not be used by pregnant women without expert guidance.

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