🌼 🌱Exciting Discoveries! Lately we’ve been seeing more and moe gynaecologists and midwives approve the use of acupuncture with fertility, pregnancy and post partum support.
TCM and acupuncture can play a role in enhancing fertility outcomes for people who are on their journey to conceive.
Thanks for reading Acupuncture by Kim! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.## Fertility in TCM
In TCM, fertility is viewed through a holistic lens, recognizing that optimal reproductive health depends on a balanced flow of Qi, the body’s vital energy. TCM practitioners identify different patterns of disharmony that might affect fertility, such as kidney yang deficiency, liver qi stagnation, and blood deficiency, among others.
With acupuncture we help to increase blood and qi flow to the reproductive organs, regulate hormone levels, and reduce stress, all of which can enhance fertility. In my clinic I also use acupuncture to support a healthy pregancy, labor and post partum.
If you or someone you know is on a fertility journey, consider a gentle and holistic approach like acupuncture to help you on your journey🙏☯️.
TCM Recipe: Immune-Boosting Congee
I’m in team congee for breakfast, congee for lunch and congee for dinner. I really love congee. Congee is a popular asian rice porridge, which our mom used to make for us as a kid when we were sick. I didn’t like it back then, but when I got older I started to discover that congee is so soothing and warming. It always brings me back home. And it’s gentle on the digestive system and TCM spleen and can be easily combined with any leftover toppings you have. Here’s a simple recipe for an immune-boosting using the ABK soup pack herbs you can get at the clinic today!
Ingredients (4 servings)
1 rice cup white rice. Jasmine rice is preferred but any white rice will work. Also leftover rice works.
about 2,5 L bone broth or vegetable stock
a little bit of fresh ginger
2-3 pieces green onion, cut into 3
1 large Carrot cut into cubes
salt
pepper
soy sauce
sesame oil
half of the ABK soup pack - wash the herbs before use
Toppings (pick one or three): spring onion, cilantro, fried onion, preserved vegetables, kimchi, bacon, sausage, fried egg, century egg, chilli oil, meatballs, soy sauce sauteed mushroom, sauteed tofu.
Sides: bread sticks, Youtiao, churros or something else fried and neutral.
Instructions:
Bring the stock/broth to a boil in a large pot with carrot, ginger, onion. Additionally add half of the ABK soup pack in there as well.
Rinse and drain the rice under a tap a couple of times to remove the starch and any impurities. If you use leftover rice, skip this step.
Add the rice and salt to the pot. Bring the pot to a boil on medium high heat.
Once the water is boiling, simmer for 1 hour on low heat, stirring every 10 – 15 minutes.
After 30 minutes check the consistency of the congee. Add more boiling water to thin it out or cook it longer to thicken it up.
Once the congee is at the desired state check the seasoning. Add more salt if needed.
Pour into bowls and add the toppings. Enjoy😊
What does Yoga have in common with TCM?
We actually love Yoga! Both Yoga and TCM are ancient practice for health and well being. Yoga has been around for 5000 years, TCM is a bit younger and has been there for about 3000 years. In Yoga one of the focusses is the activation of Prana through the body. We can compare the Prana with Qi that runs through our meridians. Both Yoga and TCM have an holistic view on health and focus on bringing the body, mind and spirit into a balance. There are many types of yoga, but my favorite are Ashtanga and Vinyasa. The more active styles.
If you’re in the Amsterdam area, I can highly recommend the Asthanga and Vinyasa yoga practice at AV Yoga Shala right next to the clinic. At AV Yogashala you can join Mysore practice. The groups at AV Yoga Shala are small and personal. They are guided by yoga teacher and expert Jessica. Jessica is a devoted yoga teacher with years of experience and who honours the clasical yoga tradition. She recently moved her yogastudio next door from my clinic. Make sure to drop by and try out one of her classes!
Experience Moxa therapy
One of the new additions to the treatments is Moxa therapy. In my clinic I use Japanese Moxa. Moxibustion/moxa is a traditional East Asian therapy that involves burning dried mugwort on or near the skin on specific acupuncture points to promote healing. Moxa can be used to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and boost the immune system. Moxa is especially helpful for those who experience cold or stagnant conditions, such as chronic pain or poor digestion. It’s also a great way to strengthen the immune system and prevent illness. If you are curious about this, feel free to ask for Moxa in your next acupuncture session!
I hope you find this newsletter helpful. If you have any questions, feedback or want to say anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email . Acupuncture by Kim is meant to be a community and an evolving space created together with you 🙏😊
Take care and hope to see you soon ☯️
X Kim
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