The Golden Month is the 40-day post-natal period when women are encouraged to rest, recover and regain her health. Much blood is lost during and after childbirth, resulting in a blood and Qi deficiency, and a woman is very susceptible to disease. Any illness that she contracts during the post-partum period is believed to remain with her for the rest of her life. Moreover, any existing illness the Mother has had prior to childbirth can be healed during the Golden Month. In fact, on occasion, a doctor will advise a woman plagued by illness to become pregnant and use her Golden Month to restore her health. Such is the power to heal of this significant time. And this is why the month is called "Golden".

In China, childbirth is a family affair and is honoured as a special time when family and friends welcome the baby and give the mother the special attention needed to regain her health. There is a sense of connection between the generations and a continuation of the ancestral lineage, a sense that childbirth is a collective and collaborative life event. In the West, there is often an abundance of beautiful flowers after childbirth, but there is not much help from friends or family. This aspect is essential to the Golden Month, when family comes to the assistance of the Mother, who is not allowed to cook for herself, leave the house, or do any physical labour. Delivering a baby results in a loss of Yang. As a result, the Mother is in a state of Cold and is extremely susceptible to Cold penetrating and lodging in the body. Therefore, she should also abstain from bathing, washing her hair, exposing herself to cold water or cold temperatures or wind, swimming, eating cold foods such as salads or uncooked foods, drinking cold fluids, sexual intercourse, and excessive exercise. If the Mother does not observe these practices, she will be subject to pain, aches, arthritis, and other illnesses in future. 

To regain Yang, or heat, and restore energy and balance to her system, a new Mother must eat Yang foods that are warming in nature, such as lamb or other red meats, red kidney beans, and lentils. It is essential to restore blood because a tremendous loss of blood can lead to insufficient blood in the heart, which transforms food Essence into blood and circulates it. The spirit, or Shen, resides in the heart so insufficient blood in the heart can lead to the Mother feeling lethargic, unable to sleep, unable to bond with her baby, unrelenting despair, worthlessness, sadness, anxiety, apathy, and feeling separate from reality. This is often in western societies referred to as "Postpartum Depression". Eating simple foods such as congee, chicken soup, and porridge can also help to restore heat and balance, and being constantly surrounded by family that tends to your every need can help to alleviate the symptoms associated with the post-partum period. 

The end of the Golden Month is celebrated with a ritual bath containing a mixture of herbs prescribed by a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, which signifies the close of the "official" period of resting and restoration for the Mother, and marks her return to regular life.

For more information on the Golden Month, you can read the same-titled chapter in Xiaolan Zhao's book "Reflections Of The Moon on Water" found online or at the Xiaolan Health Centre.

Although it may seem a little premature, it is never too early to start preparing your body for the changes that happen when one season transitions to the next. This is often a time when people get worn down, and sick with various aliments. The transition can be particularly difficult when going from summer to autumn, and this soup is often used by people who know Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help prevent colds, and to generally boost the immune system, leading to a greater chance of avoiding the illnesses that can often plague the body at this time of year.

Follow the simple recipe below to make your own Change of Season soup:

Ingredients

2-3 oz. each

Codonopsis Root
Strengthens Qi and nourishes blood

Astragalus Root
Builds protective defenses, helps to tonify blood and lungs

Dioscorea Root
Helps to tonify and balance lungs and kidneys

Chinese Lycii Berries
Strengthens liver and kidneys


Instructions

Fill a large stock pot with water and add the herbs. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 4-6 hours, adding more water to replace any water that may evaporate away. Remove the herbs and drink the broth by sipping throughout the day, or use as a base stock for other soups. This will make about 4 litres of soup. The broth will have a slightly bitter taste. 


It's as simple as that! Remember, prevention is preferable to treatment!

Joining our team here at the Xiaolan Health Centre, in partnership with Dr. Winnie Siu, N.D., Dr. Aviad Elgez, ND, is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who graduated, with recognition and awards for academic excellence, from the accredited Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2008. Dr. Elgez also holds a psychology degree from York University. In 2013 he completed advanced training in Environmental Medicine (with Dr. Walter Crinnion) and Nutrient based Intravenous Therapy.

Dr. Elgez's focus is placed on preventing, diagnosing and treating environmental-related symptoms and conditions.

We welcome Dr. Elgez to the Xiaolan Health Centre! For more information, please visit Dr. Elgez's profile page on the main Xiaolan Health Centre website here. 

One of the main concerns in the world of health care today, both in western medical circles and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. There are numerous factors for why this is, such as increasingly sedentary lifestyles, coupled with unhealthy diets, stress, and overwork. We have seen the incidence in heart disease steadily rise over the last fifty years to the point that today heart disease and stroke are two of the three most common causes of death in Canada and that every seven minutes someone in this country dies from cardiovascular disease. We ask ourselves questions like “what can be done about this?” Traditional Chinese Medicine has numerous modalities for prevention and one of the most effective is specific herbs that are used for this purpose. Much of TCM focuses on prevention rather than just treating specific symptoms. The following herbs are often used in TCM in relation to the heart.

Hawthorn: A common shrub in the Rose family, hawthorn berries have been used for centuries to treat high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and the hardening of the arteries. The leaves and flowers also contain antioxidants which destroy free radicals and increase coronary artery blood flow.

Monascus: A purple-red mold which is used in red yeast rice, a principal component of fermented foods popular in China. Contains cholesterol lowering statins. The pharmaceutical drug Lovastatin, used to manage cholesterol, contains derivatives of monascus.

Taxillus chinensis: A type of mistletoe, taxillus increases blood movement, replenishes the kidneys and liver, and aids in increasing the movement of blood through the circulatory system.

Ligusticum sinense: Often harvested in spring and dried in the sun, most rhizomes (a type of root system) of ligusticum are grown in Hunan and Sichuan provinces in southern China. It has been shown to relieve hypertension, prevents cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It also has tranquilizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Panax notoginseng (Sanqi): Often referred to in TCM as “Sanqi”, panax notoginseng differs from other types of ginseng in that it is particularly effective in treating heart and blood flow issues. Sanqi lowers cholesterol, improves cardiovascular function, and also benefits the nervous and immune systems. It has also been shown to lower arterial wall pressure, increases coronary blood flow, prevent blood clots, and reduce cell damage. It also has the added bonus of inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells, a double benefit for men who have traditionally suffered from heart disease more than women (although the statistics on this have changed in recent years).

It is always of good benefit to be concerned about heart health. Increasingly, it is become an essential concern for the health of all Canadians. By taking steps to control blood pressure, manage cholesterol, and promoting healthy circulation, we can vastly improve the state of our health and help bring down the soaring rates of cardiovascular diseases. By utilizing these simple but effective remedies which have been used for thousands of years, we can all contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a healthier heart. Go on, have a heart!

The Xiaolan Health Centre is please to announce our partnership with Moving Meditation Instructor Janet Slavin. Incorporating elements of Tai Chi, Moving Meditation is a Healing Art program that has many restorative health benefits and will greatly enhance the treatments you receive at the Xiaolan Health Centre.

For those interested, Janet will be providing a free introduction and demonstration of Moving Meditation on June 9th from 9:00am to 8:00pm. Please sign up with reception at the Xiaolan Health Centre, or just show up on June 9th and we will accommodate you. 

See our Events page for more details!

Join us and experience the gentle yet powerful program for yourself!

This year in the Chinese zodiac calendar is the year of the Wood Sheep. What does this mean exactly? The article below by Astrologer Susan Levitt will give you an idea of what it means:

Sheep year is time for healing, kindness, and diplomacy. Sheep correlates to the Western sign Cancer, the sign of the mother and nurturer. So what is of value in Sheep year is intimacy, family, and close friendships. We can be more caring, gentle, and sensitive with each other. This is the year to develop a wild heart, open to love and acceptance on all levels.

Another theme of Sheep year is to express your creative side. Now is the time for artistic development and cultivation of beauty. Now is the time for artistic development and cultivation of beauty.

People born in Sheep years (2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967,1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907) are artistic, kind, inspired, very empathetic, and naturally creative. They appreciate beauty in all its forms, and are connoisseurs of the best life has to offer. They can find success in artistic fields, especially the healing arts. With a tendency to be introspective, Sheep require solitary peaceful moments to replenish. Sheep often struggle in youth until their first Saturn return at age 28 – 30, but as they age become stronger and discover their true calling. The most fortunate part of a Sheep’s life is when they are an elder.

The mildness of Sheep can hide an independent streak. In the wild, Sheep are surprisingly tough and able to tolerate sever weather and scarcity of food. Sheep have this natural ability to survive when one must, and are far stronger than they appear. A Sheep can be calm and charming, yet is very focused and determined. A Sheep won’t be told what to do, stay at a job they dislike, or be forced to compromise. If you are not a Sheep favorite, and Sheep does have a small select group, Sheep won’t confront you but will just go their own way. So keep the peace this year while developing your spiritual path and exploring creative adventures in the arts.

Copyright 2015 Susan Levitt All Rights Reserved

As many of our patients know, Xiaolan has been out of the country, studying Qigong in China since November 26th, 2014. After an intense 3 month period of study, Xiaolan then spent Chinese New Year surrounded by friends and family, where she is currently. She will be returning to Canada on March 12th, 2015 and all of us at the centre, as well as her patients, are most excited for her return!

There will be some changes coming to the centre after her return, including increased booking options for patients, new classes and events, as well as a refreshed and rejuvenated health centre. There will also be some changes to our fee schedule and appointment structures. Please check the Fee Schedule page of the Xiaolan Health Centre website for updated information.

We wish Xiaolan a great remaineder of her travels, and for a safe and speedy return home!

Today is Chinese New Year's Day and we would like to wish you a happy and prosperous 2015! 

2015 is the year of the Wood Sheep. We will be doing another blog post later this month specifically about what that means, but for today we will focus on Chinese New Year traditions.

Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration of the year in Chinese culture and there are many traditions to herald in the New Year. Here are some helpful tips to help you celebrate the New Year in Chinese style and encourage good luck in the new year:

Red Envelopes

Known as Hong Bao, red envelopes containing money are the most ubiquitous gift of the Chinese New Year. Mostly given by older relatives to younger children (although often employers give employees bonuses in red envelopes, among other exceptions), it is believed that the envelopes will bring health and good luck to the persons who receive them.

Cleaning

One of the most important traditions in the lead up to New Years is the thorough cleaning that is done in the days before New Years. It is thought that by thoroughly cleaning the house, the bad luck and misfortunes of the past year will literally be swept away, providing room for the new good luck to come in. Cleaning is to be avoided on actual New Years, to prevent any incoming good luck from being swept away.

Decorating

After thoroughly cleaning the home, it is decorated for New Years, as most often families will gather together in the home to eat, drink, and entertain themselves, rather than going out to a restaurant. The most common decorations include banners, lanterns, and charms to ward off evil spirits, all in red of course.

Dinner

New Years dinner is the most important meal in the year. This is often a reunion dinner, as people will travel the country to reunite with family at home. The movement of people during Chinese New year is considered to be the largest annual human migration on the planet, with over 2 billion trips made during the New Year period. 

The Colour Red

Red is the colour of Chinese New Year. Red is considered the luckiest colour. It wards off evil and brings good luck. Red is commonly worn on New Years, including red socks and underwear for those who do not want to wear red on the outside. Decorations, fireworks, clothing, envelopes...red is everywhere!

Fireworks

The lighting of fireworks, as well as fires, is commonly thought to ward off bad spirits and bad luck that come after New Years to threaten people and their property. These bad entities are kept at bay by fire, loud noises, and the colour red.

Gifts

The most common gift to give during Chinese New Year is Hong Bao; however, gifts of fruit, baked goods, alcohol, sweets and desserts, candles, charms, and trinkets are also appropriate. What is not appropriate as gifts are clocks or watches (signifying the end of time and death), umbrellas, handkerchiefs, or shoes (signifying the parting of friends or lovers) or knives or scissors (also signifying the severing of ties), anything in pairs of four (unluckiest of numbers), or cut flowers (usually given for funerals).  

Happy Chinese New Year from the Xiaolan Health Centre and we would like to wish you all the best for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

One of the main Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods which we practice at the Xiaolan Health Centre is Tuina massage, a therapeutic form of massage which has been practiced in China for more than 2000 years. Literally translated as “push and grasp”, Tuina is a manipulative therapy used in conjunction with acupuncture, as well as herbal medicine and Qigong, as one of the four main branches of TCM.

Tuina has often been described as an acupressure technique used to stimulate the body’s vital energies (Qi) and meridians. The practitioner may use fingers, elbows, knees and hand techniques to provide relief for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, several other forms of acute and chronic pain, as well as stress related disorders such as insomnia, headaches, and constipation; and works with the body’s energies at a deeper level. In TCM terms, Tuina is considered an external treatment, corresponding to the Eight Principles first discussed in the seminal TCM text “Yellow Emperors Canon of Medicine” (475-221 BCE) and is considered to be the forerunner of all forms of bodywork and therapeutic manipulation. A typical treatment session lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour and is always tailored to the individual patient’s needs.

Tuina is one of the most established, trusted, and reliable treatment modalities in TCM and we invite you to the Xiaolan Health Centre to experience the healing potential of Tuina for yourself.

Xiaolan Health Centre

www.xiaolanhealthcentre.com