From the exuberant growth of spring to the chilling winds of winter, the seasons have a profound effect on our health and the way we live our lives. Nutrition in Chinese medicine considers multiple factors such as a person's body type, age, energy, and seasonal influences. In this way, a proper diet is used in Oriental medicine as both a healing and disease prevention system. By noting seasonal changes and influences and changing a diet accordingly, people can maximize their health during all times of the year.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, winter is the season in which yin gathers and hides qi (one's life force) in deeper layers. In physical terms, this means that the body is particularly susceptible to cold disorders, which can manifest as the flu, a sore throat, or breathing illness (like bronchitis).

By Alex A. Kecskes

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program began in October 1985. The week-long event was designed to draw attention to breast cancer and the lack of public communication about this often devastating disease. The founding members of the Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and Cancer Care, distributed brochures, addressed news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography. Their goal was early detection and treatment.

By Steve Goodman

It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In TCM the eyes are more accurately described as the window to the inner workings of the body, for in TCM the eyes are connected to all of the internal organs.

By Alex A. Kecskes

Winter and Fall allergies can cause a great deal of discomfort in many people, young or old. Symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and red, itchy eyes. Western medicine typically prescribes antihistamines, decongestants, or drugs that act on the nervous system. Dovetailing these efforts are steps to avoid the allergens altogether. While these may be effective in treating the allergic response, they often have undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness, immune system suppression or over-reliance on medications.

By Kathleen Rushall

'Asian body therapy' is a term that applies to several methods of healing. Body therapy can include acupuncture, acupressure, qi gong, tui na, and Thai massage. Each of these methods originated in different areas of Asia (from China and Japan to Thailand), and each utilizes the idea that the spirit, mind and body are intricately connected. Traditional Chinese medicine theory involves the five elements of Earth, Wind, Water, Metal, and Wood and believes that these elements play a role in a person's health. Along with the five natural elements, there are the 12 primary meridians and eight extraordinary meridians that are thought to be channels of energy constantly running through a person's body.

As early as 500 BC, the practice of yoga has been documented in India and practiced in multiple countries. Yoga is the tradition that combines physical and mental disciplines to achieve peace of mind and strength in body. There are several branches, or types, of yoga including Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Various kinds of yoga include different physical postures, or 'Asanas' as they are called within the practice. Each branch of yoga has several elements in common, the most important being the over-arching belief of the connection between the power of the mind and the body. When practiced consistently, yoga can tone and strengthen muscles (as well as form a lean body), but can ease stress, provide peace, and help to fight addictions.

Smoking is an addiction that can be beat with the practice of yoga. Kundalini yoga, in particular, is thought to benefit smokers in their battle to quit. Kundalini is a more vigorous form of yoga than others. Strenuous and repetitive movements stetch people's limits and particular attention to heavy breathing draws people's attention to the lungs and their current health state.

By Kathleen Rushall

Using Western and Eastern medicine in conjunction can often lead to the best health results, but there is one aspect all types of medicine have in common, one over-arching step towards serenity and well being. That common factor is touch. The healing power of touch is not to be underestimated as a powerful source of healing, although it is often overlooked.

Bitter, Pungent, Salty, Bland, Sweet, Astringent, Sour, Warm, Cold, Neutral, Hot and Aromatic.

To use herbs within the scope of Chinese Herbology, one must first understand the properties (the personality which dictates how an herb will function) of each herb beyond the scope of its category. Properties are tastes, temperatures, and qualities of an herb. The possible tastes are sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, bland, salty, astringent, and aromatic. It may have other qualities such as toxic. The possible temperatures are cool, cold, warm, neutral, and hot.

By Kathleen Rushall

Traditional Chinese medicine brings to mind acupuncture and the use of natural herbs as healing remedies. Cupping is a lesser-known treatment that is also part of Oriental medicine, one that can provide an especially pleasant experience. One of the earliest documentations of cupping can be found in the work titled A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies, which was written by a Taoist herbalist by the name of Ge Hong and which dates all the way back to 300 AD.

By Kathleen Rushall

Women of all ages and backgrounds can be affected by the condition of endometriosis. In fact, an estimated five to seven million American women currently suffer from this condition, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Endometriosis is derived from the word "endometrium," which is the lining of a woman's uterus. In this condition, organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments surrounding the uterus, and possibly the lungs, head, and other locations, are lined with the endometrium as well as the uterus. However, unlike the uterus, these linings are not expelled from the body during menstruation, but rather linger and are slowly absorbed into the body. This can cause symptoms ranging from pain during intercourse, before menstruation, low back pain, nausea, fatigue, and even infertility.