This summer time, I had the particular alternative to be taught for every week at Shen Nong Chinese language Medication Hospital in Hohhot, Interior Mongolia.
(The Chinese language characters say "Shen Nong Chinese language Medication Hospital")
I’m extraordinarily grateful to Dr. Kun Liu for giving me this chance. She’s been my TCM (Conventional Chinese language Medication) physician for the previous two years, and my well being has not solely improved, however I maintained nice well being by following her steering.
I used to be already involved in TCM earlier than I met her, and after assembly her, I gained much more religion in TCM. She's ready to make use of English and western drugs ideas to clarify Chinese language drugs, which actually resonates with a westerner like me. I additionally requested her to provide medical recommendation to my mom, and he or she actually took the time to know my mom's persona and mind-set, and he or she was in a position to advise my mom to vary sure weight loss plan and life-style components in a method that resonated along with her. After we adopted Dr. Liu's recommendation, we each had noticeable enhancements fairly shortly. For instance, my vitality ranges have been significantly better, and my mother's varied aches and discomforts diminished.
Dr. Liu's experience and kindness actually earned my respect and admiration, so I requested her if there have been any TCM books that she'd advocate I learn. She beneficial a ebook referred to as "The Foundations of Chinese language Medication" by Giovanni Maciocia. From that ebook, I realized quite a lot of TCM foundational data (I'm nonetheless within the technique of studying it). I'm actually grateful that at any time when I completed studying a chapter, I’d report my learnings and inquiries to her, and he or she'd patiently reply every time.
Dr. Liu visits her household in Interior Mongolia each summer time, and her household runs Shen Nong Hospital in Hohhot (the capital of Interior Mongolia). This 12 months, she requested me if I’m involved in visiting to be taught what it’s like at a Chinese language Medication hospital and expertise genuine Chinese language drugs remedies. I enthusiastically leaped at this chance, and it’s been a terrific studying expertise for me.
Under, I'll share my expertise and learnings from the week. Be happy to click on on the desk of contents to leap to that part:
Throughout my first day, Dr. Liu gave me a tour of the complete hospital. It was actually cool to see a Chinese language drugs hospital. The hospital has 4 flooring, and it makes use of western testing instruments to enhance Chinese language drugs prognosis, and as an alternative of capsules, sufferers get natural cures from the Chinese language drugs pharmacy and Chinese language drugs remedies.
(Moxibustion remedy room)
(Session room)
(Corridor with herb show)
(One other flooring's corridor with a ready space)
(Herb brewing room)
(Natural pharmacy)
After the tour, Dr. Liu advised me that I can observe and be taught on the departments of my selection within the upcoming week. I needed to undergo all of the departments, however I didn’t assume there could be sufficient time to actually be taught in so many departments in every week, so I needed to prioritize. I feel Tui Na therapeutic massage is essentially the most becoming for me as a result of I typically give massages to my mom at dwelling, in addition to to academics and classmates on campus on the college I'm attending in Fuzhou. Thus, I selected to spend most of my time within the Tui Na division.
1: Tui Na Therapeutic massage
There are two docs there: Dr. Su does therapeutic massage for adults, and Dr. Yun for kids. I realized that kids’s our bodies are totally different from adults, so that they get totally different massages than adults (sounds apparent once you say it, however I wouldn’t have considered this if nobody advised me). A lot of the youngsters that come to Dr. Yun for therapeutic massage accomplish that for digestive points, signaling that we as a society must be extra conscientious of wholesome consuming.
I spent most of my time observing and speaking to Dr. Su, who is a large muscular man with over 20 years of therapeutic massage expertise. His arms are tremendous muscular, and even the realm between his thumb and index finger (location of Hegu level) protrudes with muscle.
(Dr. Su massaging a affected person)
I advised him that I by no means went by formal TCM college, nor have I had formal therapeutic massage coaching. I’m merely a westerner who received actually involved in TCM, and I do therapeutic massage for myself and my mom just about on daily basis.
He advised me, “Tui Na therapeutic massage isn’t one thing you’ll be able to be taught by expecting a pair days. It takes years of apply below the steering of a instructor. Once you watch my actions, it seems actually easy, however it’s not simple to do. For instance, this rolling methodology seems easy, however it takes 3 to five years to get good at it. The sensation {that a} affected person will get will differ as your approach improves. Sufferers don’t like being massaged by new college students as a result of when the instructor offers the therapeutic massage, it’s actually snug, however when the coed offers a therapeutic massage, it’s painful and uncomfortable.”
I replied, “What! I all the time thought Tui Na therapeutic massage must be painful as a result of we therapeutic massage the locations with blockages, and when there’s a blockage, there’s certain to be ache, proper?”
He stated, “Sure, ache in a spot indicators a blockage in that space, however you probably have good therapeutic massage approach, you’ll be able to assist them unblock that space with out making them really feel a lot ache.”
That was an enormous paradigm shift for me. Up to now, I all the time seemed for the painful factors on individuals and massaged these factors with extra drive. Because of this, I believed that not many individuals would love Tui Na therapeutic massage as a result of it entails ache. However Dr. Su made me understand that skilled Tui Na therapeutic massage isn’t painful but nonetheless very efficient. You don't have to make use of a lot drive on painful factors, and you need to use totally different strategies which can be extra snug. Studying this gave me much more motivation to enhance my Tui Na skills.
One thing else I realized from Dr. Su is that posture and kind is tremendous essential. It’s analogous to weight lifting: earlier than attempting to carry heavy weights, first be taught correct kind. In any other case, it’s simple to injure your self. A therapeutic massage therapist must be taught correct kind, in any other case they’ll put on down their physique shortly and even injure themselves.
A 3rd main studying level is that when giving a therapeutic massage, I must be relaxed. I shouldn’t tense my muscle groups and use quite a lot of drive from my palms or decrease forearms. The drive must be a pure drive that comes from the motion and rotation of my joints, whether or not it’s the wrist, elbow, or shoulders. This not solely offers extra drive, however it's additionally much less tiring for the therapeutic massage therapist. These are all widespread errors that non-professionals make, and I’m actually glad Dr. Su pointed these out to me.
Most of Dr. Su’s sufferers come to him for neck and shoulder issues, signaling that we as a society must be extra cognizant of our desk posture. Apart from neck and shoulder issues, some sufferers additionally come for decrease again points. I additionally received to watch him do a therapeutic massage for native accidents on the leg.
I requested him how we are able to forestall these neck and shoulder issues, and he advised me that it's actually not that sophisticated: Apart from correct posture, we must always rise up and do some easy neck and shoulder workout routines for a couple of minutes after sitting at a pc desk for 1-2 hours.
I requested if there are any particular workout routines to do. He stated, "No, any are high-quality. It's not that sophisticated." He then confirmed me some fundamental workout routines, and certainly, it's simply what you'd count on when you searched up "neck and shoulder workout routines" on the web.
One other factor is to not have AC blowing immediately onto our necks as a result of that chilly wind will enter our physique and trigger muscle groups to tense and contract. Additionally, in TCM, wind is a explanation for illness. For instance, in case you are sizzling and sweating so much, you then enter a chilly room with AC blowing in your again, it’s simple to catch a chilly (I personally skilled this just lately).
He normally makes use of extra superior therapeutic massage strategies just like the hand rolling methodology and vibration methodology, as these strategies don’t take quite a lot of vitality and are very efficient. However he stated these aren’t simple for me to be taught, so he took the time to reveal to me some newbie therapeutic massage strategies akin to palm pushing and sliding, double finger pushing, and round therapeutic massage actions. He additionally confirmed me a therapeutic massage routine for the again and legs, in addition to one to assist sleep (I requested this one as a result of lots of people I met have hassle falling asleep). I recorded movies of all of those, and I stay up for practising them sooner or later.
I additionally requested if there’s a therapeutic massage process for treating colds. He stated, “Not likely. If you wish to deal with a chilly, Gua Sha and cupping alongside the neck and higher again are more practical.” All in all, I received quite a lot of gems from my time within the Tui Na therapeutic massage division, and I'm actually grateful to Dr. Su for being so keen to show me.
2: Acupuncture
I had by no means gotten acupuncture from knowledgeable earlier than, and this time, I received acupuncture from Dr. Liu, whose specialty is acupuncture, and whom I love so much, so I felt very honored.
Final 12 months, I noticed an elder doing acupuncture on himself, and I requested him to indicate me tips on how to do it. Then I requested Dr. Liu if I can do acupuncture on myself. I feel since Dr. Liu is aware of I’m tremendous involved in TCM, have a little bit of foundational data, and practiced different TCM remedy strategies already, she agreed and gave me some directions.
(Simply to be clear, do NOT attempt acupuncture on your self and particularly not on others and not using a medical skilled’s permission and recommendation!)
I then practiced acupuncture on myself at dwelling. At first, my logical thoughts is aware of this needle is tremendous skinny and gained’t damage me. However at a unconscious stage, my physique nonetheless felt worry in direction of the needle. However after attempting acupuncture on myself for some time, I received used to the needles, and I don’t get as nervous.
When doing acupuncture on myself, I exploit a small tube to angle the needle, after which I merely press on the needle deal with. The needle simply goes into the pores and skin, then I exploit my hand to push and rotate the needle. The principle downside I confronted is that generally, I’ve hassle pushing the needle in deeper, so I used to be very keen to watch how Dr. Liu does acupuncture.
I already watched her insert needles into many sufferers. From her approach, I can see she’s tremendous proficient and skilled. She doesn’t want a tube. She inserts the needles in a short time however artfully, after which she’ll manipulate the needles by way of flicking, rotating, pulling, pushing, and angling. I really feel like I’m watching a dance between her palms and the needles. I used to be additionally shocked by the quantity of needles she used on every affected person.
(Dr. Liu doing acupuncture on her mom's backbone. That’s quite a lot of needles!)
(Dr. Liu doing acupuncture on her brother's arm)
When it got here time for my flip, I used to be very excited. She recognized my pulse and stated I don’t have any diseases to deal with, so she picked some acupoints for well being upkeep, and most of those factors are ones I needled earlier than.
Dr. Liu stated within the west, most individuals are quite unfamiliar with acupuncture and afraid of needles, so she’ll normally use thinner needles. Though the impact is lower than thicker needles, the sufferers gained’t be so nervous and gained't really feel a lot ache. If they’ve an excellent expertise the primary time, they’ll be keen to come back again, which is essential as a result of it takes a number of periods of acupuncture for optimum outcomes. As soon as the sufferers acquire some confidence and luxury with acupuncture, then she will be able to use thicker needles for bigger results.
She introduced the prime quality needles that she makes use of in her clinic in America, so I skilled what she’d give her sufferers. When the needle went in, I barely felt something. The motion was tremendous quick, such that my eyes might barely catch the insertion. Then she manipulated the needles, and I felt stimulation alongside my meridian.
She additionally used a thicker needle, and I felt the insertion. It was a fast slight ache, and I might really feel the needle in my physique extra. Dr. Liu pointed to the pores and skin across the needle, and I noticed it was a bit crimson. Dr. Liu stated the crimson signifies Deqi, which suggests blood and qi has flown to the acupoint, and the impact may be very noticeable. Thicker needles can Deqi simpler, however the trade-off is that they damage extra.
Dr. Liu generally inserted needles for her members of the family after they have been consuming, sitting down and chatting, touring in a automobile, or napping. I simply love how handy and time-efficient acupuncture will be, and I plan to maintain practising on myself.
3: Moxibustion
My mom and I each have an excessive amount of coldness in our our bodies, so Dr. Liu beneficial us to do moxibustion at dwelling. She even despatched us a field of moxa sticks, pads and instruments. Naturally, I view moxibustion as an essential division to take a look at.
I requested the physician in cost there, Dr. Wang, about the commonest circumstances he sees. He stated that first is a deficiency in Yang vitality or having an excessive amount of coldness within the physique. This may be as a result of environmental components (e.g., chilly winters, AC) or dietary components (consuming an excessive amount of cold-natured meals). The second is a weak spleen (the principle digestive organ in TCM) and a chilly abdomen.
The hospital has quite a lot of set-up that permits for a lot bigger and more practical moxa remedies than one might do at dwelling. They provide two major varieties of moxa remedies. First is moxa alongside the Governing Vessel meridian (additionally referred to as the Du Mai in Chinese language), which runs alongside the backbone. This helps people who find themselves poor in Yang vitality. The opposite is moxa alongside the Conception Vessel meridian (additionally referred to as the Ren Mai in Chinese language) on the abdomen space, mixed with moxa sticks on the Zusanli level. This helps with a weak spleen and chilly abdomen.
(Dr. Liu explaining the hospital's moxibustion methodology to me.)
Since I received quite a lot of remedies on my again, akin to Gua Sha and cupping, Dr. Liu urged I attempt the moxa for spleen and abdomen. The docs there first ready a medicinal paste, which they placed on the pores and skin. Then they put some crushed ginger items onto of the paste (ginger has warming properties). Then they put moxa fluff on high and burn it. When the moxa burns, it would ship warmth down by the ginger and medicinal paste into the physique’s meridian channel under. This fashion, not solely does the affected person take up the moxa warmth, additionally they get the medicinal priorities of the ginger and paste. As soon as the moxa fluff is all burnt, the physician comes and does one other spherical, for a complete of three rounds (in TCM, odd numbers are thought of Yang, whereas even numbers are Yin).
(Me getting moxa alongside the Conception Vessel and Zusanli acupoints on the leg)
Throughout the entire course of, I needed to simply lie there. I used to be deciding whether or not I ought to do stuff on my cellphone or simply lie there and nap. I made a decision that it’s very uncommon for me to in a position to simply lie down and loosen up, and the moxa remedy may be very heat and comfy, so I closed my eyes and napped. Afterwards, I felt heat and energized. I’m not tremendous poor in Yang, so the impact in all probability isn’t as noticeable for me, however I’m positive for different Yang poor individuals, the impact could be extra vital.
I even have to understand how handy it’s to get moxa on the hospital. You don’t have to carry a moxa stick your self or fear concerning the smoke. You may get an enormous space moxa'ed suddenly, and you’ll simply lie there and nap!
4: Hearth Cupping
I keep in mind one time, I received meals poisoning, and I messaged Dr. Liu. She beneficial me to do cupping alongside my neck and again. My mom’s good friend gave us a set of vacuum suction cups earlier than, however we by no means used them. That was my first time utilizing them.
After doing the cupping, I puked and felt significantly better. I despatched an image of my cupping outcomes to Dr. Liu, and he or she defined that it’s clear that my abdomen received invaded by coldness (I ate some significantly bitter and uncooked lettuce stems stuffed with bitter milk), however puking helped to filter the toxins, and I’ll recuperate shortly.
From that have, I received fascinated by cupping, and I requested Dr. Liu extra about it. She stated that I can do cupping as soon as each few weeks for well being upkeep, because it’s a great way to see the state of our inside organs and filter toxins. However cupping additionally sucks out Yang vitality, so if we do it too regularly, it may well make us weak.
Cupping is definitely fairly simple to do with these plastic vacuum suction cups, however Dr. Liu talked about that I ought to attempt fireplace cupping if I’ve the prospect. This week, I did. The cups for fireplace cupping are made from glass, and the practitioner places a burning cotton ball inside for a really quick period of time to create a vacuum, then the practitioner places that cup onto the affected person’s again and twists.
(Me getting fireplace cupping. You possibly can see the burning cotton ball.)
Once I tried it, I seen that the glass cup has a a lot thicker and smoother rim, so it feels extra snug than plastic suction cups. It’s additionally barely heat because of the warmth of the fireplace. Dr. Liu stated the suction drive of fireside cups can also be stronger, so it may be painful. However I didn’t really feel a lot ache, in all probability as a result of I’ve accomplished cupping many instances already, so my pores and skin is used to it. I keep in mind firstly, I felt cupping is painful, however over time, it damage much less. General, fireplace cupping was a enjoyable expertise!
I requested the physician in cost there, “What are the commonest circumstances you see for cupping sufferers?”
She stated, "Often it’s for coughs, again issues, and liver stagnation."
I discussed that I do cupping often for well being upkeep. She stated, “That’s nice. As soon as each month or so is sweet for that.”
5: Gua Sha
I first tried Gua Sha at dwelling purely out of curiosity. I puzzled if I’d really be capable to get some Sha (seen crimson or purple dots on the pores and skin that signify toxins) out from my mother’s shoulders and higher again. I barely received any. I requested Dr. Liu about it. She stated not everybody may have Sha (toxins) come out, particularly those that have a chilly or poor physique structure (which was the case with my mother).
One other time in Malaysia, I began rising a rash on my elbows. I requested Dr. Liu about it. She stated it’s as a result of damp warmth. Certainly, Malaysia may be very damp and sizzling, and I ate fairly a little bit of spicy meals there. She urged I do cupping or Gua Sha alongside my elbow space. I didn’t have cupping instruments, however I introduced my Gua Sha instrument. This time, crimson Sha (toxins) got here out, and I felt fairly happy. I additionally stopped consuming spicy meals, and my rash went away quickly after.
On the hospital, I needed to watch and expertise Gua Sha from knowledgeable practitioner. The practitioner who does Gua Sha is similar one that does fireplace cupping, and her identify is Dr. Wang. I watched her do Gua Sha on somebody, and I seen that her arm may be very relaxed. Coincidentally, Dr. Su got here in, and I commented that what he taught me about having relaxed arms whereas massaging appears to use to giving Gua Sha as properly. Each docs affirmed my statement.
I requested Dr. Wang if I can expertise skilled Gua Sha from her. She stated "Certain, however normally we must always do Gua Sha earlier than cupping, not the opposite method round." I had gotten fireplace cupping from her the day before today, so she might solely do my shoulder space, which didn't get cupped. I puzzled if the Gua Sha could be painful, however it wasn't. She placed on some therapeutic massage oil after which used the Gua Sha instrument to scrape my higher again and shoulders. After the Gua Sha, she took an image of my again to indicate me the outcomes.
(Me getting Gua Sha. You possibly can see the cupping marks from the day before today; Darkish purple signifies coldness.)
There have been some purple Sha (dots), which signify chilly toxins. I requested, "Is it due to air con blowing on my again? I caught a chilly due to it." She stated, "That's undoubtedly a purpose for chilly toxins. Your chilly isn't totally healed but, so it's not stunning."
Earlier than leaving, I requested if Gua Sha can be utilized for different areas of the physique just like the 4 limbs, and he or she stated Gua Sha is normally for the again and neck areas. I additionally requested if any oil works, together with meals oil. She stated, "Meals oil may be too oily. Gua Sha oil or important oils work finest."
6: Cup Sliding
Cup sliding is when the practitioner makes use of a suction cup to tug or slide alongside the affected person’s again. It’s sort of like a mixture of Gua Sha and cupping, however it goes deeper than Gua Sha, and it’s not stationary like cupping. One other distinction is that Gua Sha pushes on the pores and skin and makes use of friction to carry out Sha (toxins), whereas cupping and cup sliding pulls on the pores and skin to carry out toxins. For the reason that suction cups exert a pulling drive, it may well pull out Yang vitality too, however Gua Sha gained't. Additionally, cup sliding will help to align and dredge total meridians alongside the again, which is one thing Gua Sha and cupping can’t do.
I had by no means accomplished cup sliding earlier than, and I heard it may be painful. However regardless, I used to be very to attempt it. Dr. Wei did this remedy for me, and he first put a glob of strong oil on my pores and skin, then he put fireplace contained in the glass cup to create a vacuum, then he put that cup on high of the oil glob and slid alongside my again.
(Cup sliding on a affected person. Left: fireplace contained in the cup to create a vacuum. Proper: Sliding the cup alongside the again.)
General, I really didn’t really feel a lot ache, perhaps as a result of my issues aren’t that severe. My outer shoulder space felt a bit ticklish, and the practitioner stated that signifies wind. A small space on my again damage, and I do know I’ve a knot there from unhealthy desk posture. Afterwards, I had quite a lot of purple Sha on my higher again, which I wasn’t shocked by since I do know it’s as a result of AC blowing on my again. I noticed others with each purple and crimson Sha, indicating each chilly and warmth toxins, and that's actually because after chilly wind enters the physique, it may well flip sizzling because of the physique having internal warmth.
The practitioner advised me to drink extra heat water afterwards to assist excrete the toxins that got here out from the cup sliding; in any other case, the physique will re-absorb some. Later, my again muscle groups felt fairly relaxed and comfy. General, it was an excellent expertise for me.
7: Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is one other TCM remedy that actually received my curiosity. I do know that in principle, the ear represents the complete physique, and needling particular factors on the ear helps to deal with issues in particular areas of the physique.
(The left aspect exhibits that totally different components of the ear corresponds to totally different components of the physique. The best aspect exhibits all of the acupoints on the ear.)
I additionally received auricular acupuncture from Dr. Wei, however he didn’t really use needles. As an alternative, he used little beads on bandage tape and caught them onto my ear. Surprisingly, quite a lot of these factors damage.
(The beads are pressed onto particular acupoints)
He advised me a lot of the acupoints he picked are associated to the mind and pondering an excessive amount of since he is aware of my persona is the sort to overthink.
He requested me, “How is your sleep?”
I stated, “Good. I normally go to sleep fairly shortly.”
He stated, “Do you get up simply?”
I stated, “I don’t assume so.”
He stated, “If these factors damage, it’s seemingly that you just lack deep sleep.”
I then thought of it, and I spotted I do get up fairly simply at sounds. He helped me understand that I do sleep fairly flippantly.
I additionally stated, “The factors on my left ear damage greater than on my proper ear. Does that imply I exploit my left mind extra?”
He stated, “Keep in mind that that the left mind controls the appropriate aspect of the physique and vice versa. So really, you utilize the appropriate aspect extra. Put in different phrases, your overthinking is usually for random issues versus logical pondering for work associated issues.”
I used to be fairly shocked and stated, “Actually? However my persona is a really logical sort, and I really feel like I’m all the time utilizing my mind for work. I do know I’m a left-brained particular person.”
He stated, “This non-logical pondering that drains your vitality may be unconscious, so that you’re not very conscious of it.”
Later, I mirrored on his feedback. I spotted that certainly, random wandering ideas typically pop up in my thoughts, and if I don’t attempt to cease them, they only hold wandering and persevering with. It’s very noticeable throughout meditation as a result of I’m attempting to clear my thoughts. However once I’m not meditating, these wandering ideas are nonetheless there within the background; I’m simply not conscious of them, however they’re certainly draining my vitality. The purpose of meditation is to keep up that serene mind-set all through the day, so this auricular acupuncture expertise helped me understand how restricted my cultivation is.
He pressed on some extra beads on my ears, which in fact damage, and stated, “These factors are associated to your liver. You’ve some liver stagnation.”
I stated, “Oh…I’m not too shocked as a result of I’ve been sleeping a bit late for the previous whereas, and I went by a really busy and bodily worrying time earlier than coming right here.”
On the finish of the remedy, he stated, “I’ll go away these beads in your ears. To optimize the remedy outcomes, it’s best to therapeutic massage time everytime you keep in mind. A minimum of 5 instances a day. After 3 or 4 days, you’ll be able to take them off. They’ll in all probability fall off naturally after showering."
I requested him, “So can I purchase these beads and put them on my ear myself?”
He stated, “Nicely, you in all probability can’t precisely discover the factors in your ears, so the impact gained’t be stellar.”
I additionally requested, “How come I hardly ever see individuals with these beads of their ears? Is that this a uncommon remedy?”
He stated, “It’s not that properly promoted in China. Some main hospitals present it although. It’s fairly efficient for sure circumstances like these associated to the mind, ear, and insomnia.”
I requested additional, “What if I merely therapeutic massage my ears? Would which have an analogous impact?”
He replied, “Merely massaging your ears would have a comparatively small impact in comparison with the beads as a result of the beads can precisely give quite a lot of drive to the right factors. In the event you merely therapeutic massage your ears, you may not hit the required factors, and your drive is quite small and dispersed. It would take a 12 months of therapeutic massage to get the identical quantity of impact as this remedy you bought in the present day.”
All in all, auricular acupuncture/beads was a extremely cool expertise, and the physician helped me see extra clearly the state of my thoughts and physique.
8: Herbs
Chinese language natural drugs is quite advanced and requires formal medical schooling, which I don’t have, so I didn’t spend a lot time on the herbs division. Nonetheless, I used to be nonetheless curious to watch them a bit. My first impression was, “Wow, that’s quite a lot of herbs. Most likely a whole lot of herbs.” I additionally noticed that the herbalists are very busy. They get quite a lot of prescriptions, so they’re working continuous to meet these requests.
I went early one morning to speak with the herbalists earlier than they received busy. A whole lot of Chinese language natural drugs can also be meals, akin to Chinese language yam or jujubes. I requested an herbalist, Dr. Tan, if the standard of those are greater than what you’d discover at a grocery store.
He advised me, “Natural drugs has totally different high quality ranges. Prime quality drugs are quite costly. The grocery store high quality ones are less expensive. As docs, we now have to have medical ethics. We have to take into consideration the severity of the affected person’s sickness together with their monetary state of affairs. We gained’t advocate a medication they’ll’t afford.”
I additionally seen that they use an attention-grabbing scale instrument from historic instances quite than a contemporary digital scale to measure most herbs.
(Dr. Tan utilizing a measuring scale to weigh herbs)
They demonstrated it to me, and I seen that the measuring course of may be very quick. I requested concerning the accuracy of this scale. They stated, “With regards to natural drugs, you don’t need to be actual to the milligram. Once we get a certain quantity of natural drugs components and cut up it into a number of days, the precise quantity of every ingredient will differ from everyday. That’s high-quality. There’s all the time a suitable vary.”
Dr. Tan stated if I’m involved in studying natural drugs, I ought to get a ebook and begin accumulating. He additionally taught me the primary components that college students ought to be taught. It will possibly nourish Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang. I’m very grateful for his assist and encouragement.
9: Natural Paste for San Fu
I simply occurred to go to the hospital through the San Fu interval of the 12 months, and the hospital was providing a medicinal paste utility particularly for that interval. Principally, San Fu is the most well liked interval on the Chinese language lunar calendar, and it’s an opportunistic time to deal with winter diseases and make the physique stronger for the winter. The San Fu natural paste is designed for this, and the physique can take up the properties of the paste by bodily contact.
(Left: Me getting the San Fu paste patches utilized. Proper: After the paste patches have been taken off.)
I had patches of the paste utilized to acupoints on my again and throat for about an hour earlier than eradicating them. What a neat technique to put together the physique for the winter!
10: Chinese language Train
Each western and Chinese language drugs emphasize the significance of standard train for well being upkeep. Within the west, train will be categorized into 4 main classes: cardio, energy, flexibility and mobility, steadiness and coordination. Sports activities, going to the health club, and yoga are all extremely popular, and folks normally train to enhance their physique form, to extend their energy, or to strengthen their coronary heart and lungs.
Chinese language workout routines (e.g., Taichi, Qigong, Baduanjin, and many others.) have fairly a unique taste and totally different targets, akin to to
Train the assorted inside organs (not simply coronary heart and lungs)
Domesticate a peaceful and concentrated thoughts
Flexibility and steadiness
Power and endurance (however to a lesser diploma than energy coaching and cardio)
The aim that's in all probability hardest to know is the primary one: how can we train organs aside from the guts and lungs, such because the liver or kidneys or abdomen? In TCM, each organ has corresponding meridians that circulate by the organ, and these meridians run alongside the complete physique. So once we do stretches, akin to in yoga and Chinese language workout routines, we stretch and stimulate the meridians, which in flip workout routines the corresponding organs. Once we train the interior organs, we enhance total physique well being and longevity.
Chinese language workout routines additionally are inclined to alternate between clean and gradual actions with sudden forceful actions. The entire time, the thoughts must be calm and centered. The gradual and clean actions typically contain positions that enhance our steadiness or stretches that enhance flexibility and perhaps energy, and the length of those workout routines can enhance our endurance and supply some cardio impact.
Shen Nong hospital is positioned subsequent to a river, and one morning, Dr. Liu took me for a stroll alongside that river. She advised me her father and many individuals stroll alongside this river each morning and do their morning workout routines there.
(The river beside Shen Nong Hospital)
That morning, Dr. Liu demonstrated Baduanjin to me. Baduanjin can actually be translated as "Eight Section Brocade". Brocade means a woven material, sometimes with gold or silver thread. The implication right here is that these are a sequence of eight workout routines that are supposed to be accomplished or woven collectively, and they’re valuable workout routines in that they’ve nice well being advantages.
I attempted to be taught Baduanjin earlier than from YouTube movies, and it's alright, however I'm positive my actions aren't totally correct. Once I watched Dr. Liu do it, I seen a few of her actions are totally different from what I noticed on YouTube.
(Dr. Liu doing Baduanjin)
(Me doing Baduanjin)
She defined that there are other ways to do a number of the actions, and no matter I want is ok. When she noticed me doing the actions, she simply discovered inaccuracies and helped me appropriate them. This was actually useful for me, and now that I do know I can do these actions correctly, I'm way more keen to apply them at dwelling.
11: thirtieth Anniversary Celebration
I simply occurred to go to through the 12 months and week of their thirtieth anniversary celebration, and I used to be honored to attend.
(The banner in Chinese language says "An enthusiastic congratulations to Shen Nong Chinese language Medication Hospital for its thirtieth anniversary")
Apart from the crimson carpet and fireworks on the hospital, additionally they held a lunch banquet celebration. I noticed quite a lot of the docs and workers within the hospital practising for his or her performances after work, they usually have been fairly entertaining. I used to be additionally shocked that these docs needed to carry out, however I suppose this can be a Chinese language tradition factor: organizations need their workers to carry out of their banquets.
(Shen Nong Hospital workers performing on the banquet)
(Half of the viewers on the banquet.)
Throughout the banquet, Dr. Liu's dad, her brother, and Dr. Liu herself all gave speeches. I realized about all of the difficulties and challenges that they went by over the previous 30 years. Many individuals may envy the success of her father, however once I heard concerning the hardships he's needed to endure, I really feel that he's completely deserving of his success, and most traditional individuals wouldn't be keen to endure such hardships.
Throughout the banquet lunch and later one other banquet dinner, I skilled extra of Chinese language tradition. I seen many individuals from different tables coming round to provide congratulatory messages or good needs, after which everybody clinks their cups collectively for a toast. This occurs again and again.
At first, I assumed it's the identical as a western toast, however Dr. Liu identified to me that respecting elders is essential in China, so when you do a toast with an elder, it’s best to ensure that your cup is decrease than theirs. Furthermore, humility is essential in Chinese language tradition, so an elder will in all probability attempt to put their cup decrease than yours, so it’s essential make a aware effort to place your cup decrease than theirs. Additionally, when you give toast to others, it’s best to begin with the eldest/highest (e.g., the highest chief) after which go down the hierarchy. Earlier than, I knew that the Chinese language actually worth respecting elders and hierarchy, however it was fairly eye-opening to see it in actual life in banquet etiquette.
12: Music
Dr. Liu is involved in studying a Chinese language stringed instrument referred to as the Guzheng. She stated that enjoying music is a good way to loosen up the thoughts and free it from all of the energy-draining pondering that the majority of us are all the time doing. Taking part in music may also create a way of peace and nurture optimistic vitality in order that our thoughts is sharper once we return to our work.
This all jogs my memory of the aim of meditation, however I do know that meditation will be fairly onerous and unappealing for some individuals, and enjoying a musical instrument could possibly be an excellent different. In reality, plenty of actions will be meditative, akin to music, artwork, studying for pleasure, knitting, working, gardening, and many others, and what works finest for every particular person differs.
Anyway, Dr. Liu managed to ebook a lesson with a famend instructor referred to as Mrs. Luo Bing on Monday, and I had the prospect to take a seat in on that lesson.
(Dr. Liu studying Guzheng from Mrs. Luo)
Mrs. Luo's mom got here to the hospital that day, and Dr. Liu personally gave her remedy. Throughout the Guzheng lesson, Mrs. Luo primarily centered on educating Dr. Liu, whereas a few of Dr. Liu's members of the family have been ingesting tea and chatting with Mrs. Luo's mom. There have been two Guzhengs within the room, and after I listened and noticed for an hour or so, the instructor invited me and different members of the family to attempt enjoying too.
It was a really distinctive expertise enjoying the Guzheng. I bandage-taped little picks (much like guitar picks) onto my fingers and used them to pluck the strings. Surprisingly, I used to be in a position to be taught a easy 1-minute track in about an hour, and within the course of, I realized lots of the fundamental actions.
(Me studying the Guzheng)
Dr. Liu stated that Mrs. Luo is de facto good as a result of she did an awesome steadiness of educating the fundamentals in an attention-grabbing method whereas additionally giving the coed a way of accomplishment all in simply a few hours. Different academics may make you apply the identical motion again and again for a number of periods, which could make college students really feel bored and like they're not enhancing.
I additionally seen that this instructor actually loves the Guzheng, and he or she'll play songs for us too to extend our curiosity and admiration for the Guzheng. Once we practiced, she gave us area and time, and he or she got here by every now and then to assist. When she gave recommendation, she used intelligent analogies. For instance, she stated issues like "Calm down your fingers. Use the center finger as when you're scratching your head. Use the thumb as when you're urgent on a pen."
I keep in mind Einstein stated, "In the event you can't clarify it merely, you don't perceive it properly sufficient." From these intelligent analogies, I can inform Mrs. Luo is an skilled on the Guzheng. Later I noticed a few of her movies on social media, and he or she really carried out on worldwide phases and taught well-known individuals from different international locations. Wow, what an honor it was to take a seat in on this lesson!
13: Chinese language Tea Tradition
Within the west, we normally steep a considerable amount of tea in a cup or teapot for a very long time. However in China, particularly southern China, they steep tea leaves in a cup for a really quick period of time, perhaps simply 20 to 30 seconds, after which pour out that tea into small cups (roughly the dimensions of shot glasses) for everybody to drink. Then they repeat the method again and again. With every steep, the flavour adjustments a bit. Originally, it's a bit gentle, then it will get stronger, then it will get lighter once more on the finish.
It's sort of much like how within the west, individuals wish to drink alcohol at social gatherings, and you retain refilling that alcohol. In conventional Chinese language social gatherings, they drink small cups of tea. As time goes on, the flavour of the tea adjustments, they usually really feel extra energetic from the tea. The host may also change up the tea to provide everybody a unique expertise. I really fairly take pleasure in it because it feels extra cultured and more healthy in comparison with alcohol.
Beforehand, Dr. Wei was a provider of tea leaves, and he’s an skilled with reference to Chinese language tea. Throughout many gatherings on the hospital's tea room, he talked about tea to company.
(Dr. Wei speaking about tea to company)
(Certainly one of Dr. Wei's lovely tea cups. He’s a collector.)
From him, I realized many issues:
The explanation the Chinese language don't steep tea for a extremely very long time is to stop the bitter taste that comes out from over-steeping.
To maximise the style of the tea, first sniff the tea, then take a sip, then swallow and breathe out.
Good tea may be very salivating, particularly after you swallow.
If the tea may be very sizzling, you’ll be able to keep away from burning your tongue by slurping the tea.
When utilizing these small cups to drink tea, we normally drink it in three sips. Don't drink it in a single sip.
Smelling the nice aromas of tea and salivating have well being advantages.
Various kinds of tea really all begin out as the identical tea leaf, however by totally different preparation strategies, they turn into totally different teas.
Various kinds of teas have totally different results. For instance, inexperienced tea is cooling (extra appropriate for the summer time), whereas black tea is warming (extra appropriate for the winter). That's as a result of black tea went by a frying course of, whereas inexperienced tea didn't.
Don't decide a tea by its value. An affordable tea that tastes good to you is healthier than an costly tea that doesn't style good to you. If a tea tastes unhealthy to you, regardless of the worth, it's not an appropriate tea for you.
Dr. Wei's assortment of teas are fairly high-end, and I don't assume somebody like me can totally recognize the greatness of his teas, however I'm very grateful for his generosity, and because of him, I now have an appreciation for and fundamental understanding of Chinese language tea tradition.
14: Tourism and Meals
Dr. Liu's household is de facto hospitable, they usually needed to ensure I received the chance to discover Hohhot's vacationer spots in my restricted time there. They took me to many locations, together with WenHua Gong Meals Avenue, Dazhao Temple (and the entire outside market round it), a fountain present at Donghe Sq., and the Huhtala Grasslands.
(Wenhua Gong Meals Avenue)
(Me consuming bamboo sticky rice and candied hawthorn at Wenhua Gong Meals Avenue)
(Me outdoors the Dazhao Temple)
(The purchasing space outdoors Dazhao temple)
(A purchasing road outdoors Dazhao temple)
(Fountain present at Donghe Sq.)
(Fountain present at Donghe Sq.)
(Huhtala Grasslands shortly after sundown)
(Me at Huhtala Grasslands close to sundown)
(Me attempting archery for the primary time at Huhtala Grasslands)
Apart from the fantastic vacationer websites, I additionally received to eat plenty of scrumptious meals, together with hotpot, BBQ, banquets, and conventional Mongolian meals. My favorites are
Tempura BBQ (it's like regular Chinese language BBQ, however with tempura-like batter)
Sticky rice in a bamboo tube (the sticky rice absorbs the flavour from the bamboo)
Mango rose pudding (I actually recognize that meals artwork)
Mongolian roasted bread (crispy on the skin, smooth and fluffy on the within)
(Me consuming tempura BBQ and a bowl of rice noodles)
(Left: Mango rose pudding. The restaurant proprietor stated they freeze mango items to make that rose. Proper: Mongolian roasted bread.)
(Conventional Mongolian meals. I actually favored their stir-fried mushrooms and skinny smooth pancakes. The watermelons are recent and regionally picked, and they’re tremendous candy.)
I didn't come to Hohhot for tourism and meals, however I can say it's an awesome place to go to if that's what you're on the lookout for!
Conclusion
This entire week was such a wealthy expertise for me. I used to be already an enormous fan of TCM earlier than as a result of it offers free and easy-to-do-at-home well being recommendation for everybody (I wrote about this in my TCM sequence). However after this examine journey, I’m much more keen on TCM. My major aim was to be taught extra about Tui Na therapeutic massage, and I received plenty of gems that I’ll apply at dwelling. As a bonus, I received steering on acupuncture, cup sliding, and Chinese language workout routines.
Apart from Chinese language drugs learnings on the hospital, I received to expertise quite a lot of Chinese language tradition, akin to banquet etiquette, Chinese language music, and Chinese language tea tradition. And naturally, it was actually enjoyable to go to lots of the vacationer websites and eat plenty of scrumptious Mongolian meals. An enormous heartfelt due to Dr. Liu, her household, and all of the individuals at Shen Nong hospital for this unforgettable week!
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