Supporting Shen (Mind & Spirit), Especially in Perimenopause In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food choices play an important role in treating the body, mind, and spirit with the TCM concept of Shen encompassing both mind and spirit. Additionally, in TCM, seasonal changes influence not only how mood issues manifest but also the dietary recommendations used […]
COOLING OUT HOT FLASHES WITH DIET
(A Traditional Chinese Medicine-based Diet) I recently returned from a 3-week vacation to Japan and of course, had fallen “off the wagon” regarding my diet—not for weight loss, but to control my hot flashes. Waking up hot in the middle of the night is where I draw the line. It is now summer and our […]
GOT HOT FLASHES?
Try “Cooler” Meals Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Hot flashes and night sweats are very common in women undergoing the menopause transition. In fact, about 80% of these women experience the aforementioned vasomotor symptoms either during perimenopause, after menopause, or in both phases. For most, flushing ceases after a few years, but for the latter […]
Seaweed Cools You… & the Planet
My book-in-progress, The Hot Flash Diet, is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts, focusing on the need to maintain balance between Yin (cold, moist, & calm) and Yang (hot, dry, & active), especially during the menopause transition. As I learned more about Yang Excess and/or Yin Deficiency as the basis for developing hot flashes and […]
“Heart Fire” & Perimenopause in Summer
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), health is maintained by a balance between Yin (female, cool, moist, calm) and Yang (male, hot, dry, active). During the menopause transition, generalized heat and hot flashes are due to Yang Excess (“full heat”) and night sweats are due to Yin Deficiency (“empty heat”). Both types of heat often flare […]
Hydration: “Cool” Choices
Staying hydrated is important, yet experts continue to debate whether a person needs the oft recommended “eight 8-ounce glasses of water” a day. Beauty consultants claim that skin benefits from drinking this amount. Massage therapists talk about muscles needing more fluids when working out to be able to “flush toxins away.” Yet, medical professionals declare […]