Blog
Read our latest articles about Acupuncture, TCM and Mindfulness.
Nov 9, 2026TCM recipe: Snow Fungus & Pear Soup for Energy, Lung health, and Skin
If you grew up in a Chinese or Vietnamese household, or have spent time in Southeast Asia, you probably know Snow Fungus and Pear Soup (Suet Yi Tong in Cantonese and Chè nấm tuyết in vietnamese). In Vietnam, we often categorize foods like this as mát—cooling, hydrating, and refreshing for the body. Across Asia, it is famous as everyday skincare drink because snow fungus is packed with natural plant collagen...
Oct 29, 2026The dao of the seasons: TCM tips for autumn
The Dao of Autumn: Living with the Shift into Yin If you have been waking up with a dry, scratchy throat, feeling an unexplainable wave of melancholy, or wondering why your energy suddenly feels so much heavier—nothing has gone wrong. Your body is not acting weird, it is transitioning into a Yin season. In modern life, we often expect ourselves to operate like machines: maintaining the exact same output, productivity,...
Oct 27, 2026New location: Acupuncture in Oostenburg
After six years in practice—tracing back to a tiny spare bedroom in the Bijlmer and treating hundreds of bodies along the way—I am taking a gentle, meaningful step forward. Starting Thursday, November 5th, I will be holding space at Gezondheidscentrum / Huisartsenpraktijk Oostenburg every Thursday. It has been quite a journey to get here. After completing my Master’s in Psychology, I found myself walking two parallel paths. During the workweek,...
Sep 3, 2026The Ultimate TCM Comfort Food: Healing Chicken Congee
When clients ask me for a soothing (breakfast or lunch) recipe I almost always want give them the same dietary advice. Eat warm, cooked foods and congee. Whether when you are feeling bloated, tired, or recovering from a cold or feeling completely fine, everyone can use a good congee. Why? Because in TCM we say your digestive system relies on warmth to function properly. If you want a meal that...
Aug 25, 2026Late Summer in TCM: The Fifth Season for Grounding and Balance
In the Western calendar, we have four seasons, but Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has five. Between the end of August and the start of autumn lies an interesting period: late summer. It is a transitional phase. A time that is characterized by moving away from the outward, active energy (Yang) of spring and summer, preparing for the more inward, restful energy (Yin) of autumn and winter. This transition demands a...
Aug 24, 2026Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Acupuncture
Do you sometimes experience irregular bowel movements, cramps, or a severely bloated stomach after eating? You are definitely not alone. Figures from the Dutch Darmstichting show that 5 to 20 percent of the Dutch population deals with this to some extent. But where do these symptoms come from? And more importantly: how can acupuncture help to calm an irritable bowel? What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS, formerly...
Jun 8, 2026TCM Recipe: Mung Bean congee with Millet for Digestion and Cooling
Finding balance through food is one of the foundational pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). When the weather turns warm or when you feel your body holding onto excess internal heat, adjusting your diet is a simple and effective way to restore harmony. I was very excited about this weekends workshop and as one of the participants has requested a recipe during the workshop I’d thought it would be nice...
Jun 8, 2026The Dao of Summer: A TCM guide for the summer
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human body is viewed as a landscape with ecosystems, just like in nature. Within it, everything is interconnected—the seasons with our organs, and even our emotions—through the Five Elements theory (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water). Summer represents the most active, warm, and radiant element of them all: the Fire element. But how do you make sure you don't 'overheat' during the hot summer...
May 22, 2026Acupuncture for Burnout & Stress in Amsterdam
Stress and tension can cause a lot of disruption in both your body and mind over the long term. Think of irritability, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, gastrointestinal complaints, mood swings, and eye pain. Excessive and prolonged stress can ultimately lead to severe strain and burnout. Acupuncture is a natural and effective way to find relief from stressrelated complaints. Are you experiencing high work pressure, a difficult home situation, or...
May 12, 2026Your fertility journey and Acupuncture: How We Bring You into Balance When Trying to Conceive
For some people, it seems to happen effortlessly: getting pregnant. But when we truly listen and ask more, we often hear that the process is much less straightforward than it appears from the outside. Trying to conceive involves a lot, and you are not the only one experiencing this. According to the Dutch patient association Freya, approximately 1 in 6 people in the Netherlands face fertility issues (Freya.nl, 2026). Every...
May 8, 20263 Reasons Why Mindfulness is important
Without even realizing it, life sometimes passes us by incredibly fast. Suddenly, it’s the deadline of an important project and you find yourself stressed out, doing multiple things at once. Or, before you know it, time flies by and you are another year older. Many of the things we do daily happen on autopilot. As a result, we are productive and fast, but the question is: are we also intentional?...
Apr 24, 2026The Benefits of Honeysuckle According to TCM and Thuốc Nam
Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in China and spread throughout Asia—including Vietnam—it has a deep connection with indigenous health traditions and rituals in many countries. In this blog, we dive deeper into Vietnamese traditions and a medicinal herb you need to know more about. But first, some background information. Within traditional Vietnamese medical practices, a distinction is made between two different branches: Thuốc Bắc and Thuốc Nam. What is...
Apr 7, 2026The Dao of the seasons: Spring time to bloom
"The three months of spring are called the time of sprouting and unfolding. Heaven and earth sprout. Ten thousand things come to full bloom. Go to bed on time at night, and rise early. Take a relaxing walk through the garden. Let grow, but do not destroy. Give, but do not take. Reward, but do not punish. This is Spring in harmony with Qi, and the cultivation of the Dao...
Apr 2, 2026Understanding Pain: How TCM Can Help
Pain is your body’s alarm system, warning you to step back from danger. But what happens when this protective system misfires and the alarm won't turn off? When pain signals persist for over three months, it becomes chronic. According to the UMCG (2026), chronic pain affects up to 1 in 5 people. In the Dutch population, that equates to over 3.2 million individuals. Understanding the root cause of pain and...
Mar 24, 2026What is Perimenopause? And how TCM can help
Have you been sleeping bad? Is your hair thinning, and are you suffering from hot flushes? If you are experiencing these and other symptoms, but are still getting your period, there is a chance you might be in perimenopause. Last week, I was reading an interesting article in the scientific journal Nature about perimenopause. In this blog, I will discuss the most important insights from this article and look at...
Mar 16, 2026Endometriosis through the lens of TCM and acupuncture
Endometriosis a common condition? As an acupuncturist, I believe far too little attention is paid to menstrual cycle issues, pelvic floor problems, and hormonal imbalances. Yet, I see these complaints on a weekly basis in my practice for the past five years. For Endometriosis Awareness Month, this blog post will focus on one of the most common conditions in my clinic: Endometriosis. In the Netherlands, doctors and gynaecologists estimate that...
Mar 9, 2026The benefits of the Red Dates: Why Jujubes (Da Zao) are an Essential for Women’s Health
Have you ever felt completely depleted? Exhausted and stressed? In my clinic, when I see signs of "Blood Deficiency"—like those, but also pale complexion, anxiety, and low energy—one of the first things I recomend to eat is are Jujubes, known as Da Zao (大枣). While some see it as just a tasty, caramellike snack, Da Zao is actually a powerhouse medicinal herb. In the spirit of International Women’s Month, I...
Feb 23, 2026Why we need to stop normalizing menstrual pain and PMS
How can acupuncture help with period pain, PMS, mood swings, and other menstrual complaints? We have to stop normalizing monthly menstrual struggles. Painful periods, lower back pain, migraines, mood swings, and other cyclerelated complaints are not part of a natural state of being. As an acupuncturist I’m here to tell you that these can be relieved. Acupuncture during menstruation can help with relief of symptoms, but preferably have an acupuncture...
- Feb 1, 2026
TCM Wisdom for the Winter
The shift from December into February can be for many of us—myself included— overwhelming. Where we just had a month of celebration, January can feel a bit dryer and empty. And then comes February with again some festivities for many of us. So let’s take a look at what TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) wisdom says about winter, drawing wisdom from Daoism with inspiration from nature. The TCM Perspective on Winter:...
Dec 9, 2025Notes from an acupuncturist - December 2025
Winter calls for deep rest and nourishing the Yin. Discover TCM tips for surviving December stress, including slowcooked foods, Moxa therapy, and protecting your Jing Qi.
Jul 24, 2025Notes from an acupuncturist - July 2025
Summer's high Yang energy can lead to pain and dampness. Learn how to stay grounded and cool with TCM wisdom, avoiding too much cold food while managing the season's Fire element.
Jun 26, 2025Notes from an acupuncturist - June 2025
Reflections on a recent presentation about the roots of TCM and the importance of inclusive wellness spaces. Plus, a simple tip: share your healthy habits with a loved one.
May 13, 2025Notes from an acupuncturist - May 2025
A holistic look at fertility involving the Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen. Learn why keeping your body warm and avoiding cold foods is crucial for reproductive health according to TCM.
Apr 24, 2025Notes from an acupuncturist - April 2025
Feeling tired this Spring? It might be your Liver working overtime or the 'Wind' pathogen. Explore TCM tips to boost energy, including movement, green vegetables, and protecting yourself from the wind.
Mar 28, 2025Notes from an acupuncturist - March 2025
As Spring arrives, the Wood element brings growth but also potential frustration. Learn how to care for your Liver with cooling foods, movement, and a visit to the 'Bloei & Groei' community gardens.
Jul 25, 2023Newsletter - July 2023
Discover how TCM supports fertility through Kidney, Liver, and Blood balance. Includes an immuneboosting Congee recipe and a spotlight on improved reproductive health with acupuncture.
Apr 21, 2023Acupuncture by Kim - newsletter - April 2023
Spring brings the Wood element and Liver energy, often causing irritability and headaches. Learn how to balance this with sour foods, stretching, and acupuncture, plus a special welcome discount.
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- May 8, 2026
3 Reasons Why Mindfulness is important
Without even realizing it, life sometimes passes us by incredibly fast. Suddenly, it’s the deadline of an important project and you find yourself stressed out, doing multiple things at once. Or, before you know it, time flies by and you are another year older. Many of the things we do daily happen on autopilot. As a result, we are productive and fast, but the question is: are we also intentional?...
- Apr 24, 2026
The Benefits of Honeysuckle According to TCM and Thuốc Nam
Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in China and spread throughout Asia—including Vietnam—it has a deep connection with indigenous health traditions and rituals in many countries. In this blog, we dive deeper into Vietnamese traditions and a medicinal herb you need to know more about. But first, some background information. Within traditional Vietnamese medical practices, a distinction is made between two different branches: Thuốc Bắc and Thuốc Nam. What is...
- Apr 7, 2026
The Dao of the seasons: Spring time to bloom
"The three months of spring are called the time of sprouting and unfolding. Heaven and earth sprout. Ten thousand things come to full bloom. Go to bed on time at night, and rise early. Take a relaxing walk through the garden. Let grow, but do not destroy. Give, but do not take. Reward, but do not punish. This is Spring in harmony with Qi, and the cultivation of the Dao...
- Apr 2, 2026
Understanding Pain: How TCM Can Help
Pain is your body’s alarm system, warning you to step back from danger. But what happens when this protective system misfires and the alarm won't turn off? When pain signals persist for over three months, it becomes chronic. According to the UMCG (2026), chronic pain affects up to 1 in 5 people. In the Dutch population, that equates to over 3.2 million individuals. Understanding the root cause of pain and...
- Mar 24, 2026
What is Perimenopause? And how TCM can help
Have you been sleeping bad? Is your hair thinning, and are you suffering from hot flushes? If you are experiencing these and other symptoms, but are still getting your period, there is a chance you might be in perimenopause. Last week, I was reading an interesting article in the scientific journal Nature about perimenopause. In this blog, I will discuss the most important insights from this article and look at...
- Mar 16, 2026
Endometriosis through the lens of TCM and acupuncture
Endometriosis a common condition? As an acupuncturist, I believe far too little attention is paid to menstrual cycle issues, pelvic floor problems, and hormonal imbalances. Yet, I see these complaints on a weekly basis in my practice for the past five years. For Endometriosis Awareness Month, this blog post will focus on one of the most common conditions in my clinic: Endometriosis. In the Netherlands, doctors and gynaecologists estimate that...
- Mar 9, 2026
The benefits of the Red Dates: Why Jujubes (Da Zao) are an Essential for Women’s Health
Have you ever felt completely depleted? Exhausted and stressed? In my clinic, when I see signs of "Blood Deficiency"—like those, but also pale complexion, anxiety, and low energy—one of the first things I recomend to eat is are Jujubes, known as Da Zao (大枣). While some see it as just a tasty, caramellike snack, Da Zao is actually a powerhouse medicinal herb. In the spirit of International Women’s Month, I...
- Feb 23, 2026
Why we need to stop normalizing menstrual pain and PMS
How can acupuncture help with period pain, PMS, mood swings, and other menstrual complaints? We have to stop normalizing monthly menstrual struggles. Painful periods, lower back pain, migraines, mood swings, and other cyclerelated complaints are not part of a natural state of being. As an acupuncturist I’m here to tell you that these can be relieved. Acupuncture during menstruation can help with relief of symptoms, but preferably have an acupuncture...
- Feb 1, 2026
TCM Wisdom for the Winter
The shift from December into February can be for many of us—myself included— overwhelming. Where we just had a month of celebration, January can feel a bit dryer and empty. And then comes February with again some festivities for many of us. So let’s take a look at what TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) wisdom says about winter, drawing wisdom from Daoism with inspiration from nature. The TCM Perspective on Winter:...
- Dec 9, 2025
Notes from an acupuncturist - December 2025
Winter calls for deep rest and nourishing the Yin. Discover TCM tips for surviving December stress, including slowcooked foods, Moxa therapy, and protecting your Jing Qi.