Menopause on Fire? Anxiety and Chest Heat in Chinese Medicine

Menopause on Fire? Anxiety and Chest Heat in Chinese Medicine

ALL BLOGS, Ask Me Anything, Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM

There is a very particular kind of heat a woman can feel in midlife.

It rises into the chest and head. It can make the heart race, the mind spin, the sleep thin, and the skin feel itchy, dry or irritated no matter how much water we drink.

A client recently asked:

“I suffer from anxiety, heat in the chest and head, and lichen sclerosus. I am post menopause. I’d like acupressure, food medicine for the autoimmune aspect and anxiety, plus a breathing exercise.”

This is such an important question because many women will recognise some version of it.

It may not be lichen sclerosus for you. It may be hot flushes, burning feet, night sweats, tightness in the chest, palpitations, itchy ears, dry skin, vaginal dryness, bladder sensitivity, brain fog, fear that comes from nowhere, or that awful feeling of being tired and wired at the same time.

This blog is for women in peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause who feel as though the body has suddenly become louder than it used to be.

The Chinese medicine view: heat, anxiety and menopause

In Chinese medicine, the simple picture is this: energy has to flow.

Qi has to flow. Blood has to flow. Fluids have to flow. Warmth has to move through the body without getting trapped at the top.

Yin and Yang also have to keep talking to each other.

Yin is the cooling, moistening, holding quality. Yang is the warming, moving, active quality. We need both. We do not want a cold, flat life, and we do not want a blazing, restless one.

Symptoms are feedback. They are not moral failures. They are not proof that you have done something wrong. They are the body’s way of saying, “Something in here needs rebalancing.”

When a woman says, “I have heat in my chest and head,” I listen for Fire rising.

When she says, “I am anxious,” I listen for the Heart being unsettled.

When she says, “I am menopausal or post-menopausal,” I listen for Yin and fluids needing more care, especially the Kidney foundation. In Chinese medicine, the Kidneys are not only the two physical kidneys. They are the deep battery, the stored essence, the roots of water in the body.

Menopause can bring all Five Elements into one body

The Five Elements help us understand why menopause can feel so confusing.

In spring, we talk about Wood and the Liver: movement, flexibility and letting things flow.

In summer, we talk about Fire and the Heart: joy, connection, heat and sleep.

In late summer, we talk about Earth and digestion: the centre that helps us digest food and life.

In autumn, we talk about Metal, the Lung and Large Intestine: grief, boundaries, skin and letting go.

In winter, we talk about Water and the Kidneys: rest, bones, fear, deep reserves and the wisdom of not spending ourselves empty.

Menopause can bring all of these seasons into one body.

You can have summer heat in the chest, winter depletion in the bones, spring frustration in the Liver, autumn dryness in the skin, and late-summer worry in the belly.

This is why rhythm matters so much. We do not fix the whole woman by attacking one symptom. We help the whole system flow again.

See my books for full food medicine and acupressure for the complete five elements.

What is Bao Mai?

This is where Chinese medicine offers something very special.

There is a beautiful pathway in women’s health called the Bao Mai. Bao Mai means the Uterus Vessel, or more simply, the Heart and womb connection.

It is not one of the everyday meridians we talk about, like Liver or Kidney. It belongs to the deeper map of the extraordinary vessels, especially the Chong Mai, known as the Sea of Blood.

The Bao Mai is the communication line between the Heart and the uterus. It allows Heart Qi, Heart Blood and Shen, the spirit or mind, to descend and nourish the reproductive organs.

In Chinese medicine practice, the Bao Mai is used to understand ovulation, menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, PMS, irregular cycles, scanty bleeding, and the way stress and emotion can disturb hormonal rhythm.

In the fertile years, Blood and Qi move down from the Heart toward the womb. The monthly cycle opens and closes, and the body has a visible rhythm.

In peri-menopause and menopause, that rhythm begins to change.

The movement starts to return upward toward the Heart and brain. When that upward movement is smooth, it can become clarity, intuition and wisdom. It can become the woman who says, “I know what matters now, and I am not wasting my life putting others first.”

But when that upward movement is too hot, too rushed, or blocked by overwhelm, we may feel heat in the chest, pressure in the head, palpitations, anxiety, irritation, poor sleep or a sense that we cannot come down into ourselves.

Women’s seven-year cycles in Chinese medicine

Chinese medicine also describes women’s lives in seven-year cycles.

Around fourteen, the Conception Vessel, or Ren Mai, begins to flow and menstruation starts.

Around twenty-one, Kidney Qi matures.

Around twenty-eight, Qi and Blood are at their fullest.

Around thirty-five and forty-two, the Yang Ming channels begin to weaken, which may show in skin, hair and vitality.

Around forty-nine, the Conception Vessel weakens, reproductive energy declines, and menstruation begins to stop.

These ages are not rigid rules. They are broad brush strokes. But they give us a beautiful way to understand menopause.

Menopause is not a sudden failure of the body. It is a change in direction.

One acupressure point for anxiety and chest heat: CV17

The acupressure point I would use here is Conception Vessel 17, also called CV17.

It is in the centre of the chest, on the breastbone, roughly level with the nipples. Do not press breast tissue. Come to the centre line of the sternum, the flat bone in the middle of the chest.

Use two fingertips or the soft pads of your fingers.

For anxiety, heat, tightness and emotional pressure, CV17 can be a lovely place to make contact. It should not feel sharp. It should not feel like you are bruising yourself. It may feel tender, warm, achy, or as if the breath suddenly notices the space under your hand.

Place two fingers on the centre of the breastbone. Let your shoulders drop. Press gently and steadily. You are not digging. You are saying hello.

Stay for thirty seconds to three minutes. If you are very anxious, start with thirty seconds. Breathe slowly while you hold it. Let the exhale be a little longer than the inhale.

When you finish, smooth the hand down the centre of the chest to the upper belly, as if reminding the heat that there is a whole body below the neck.A simple daily cue is the kettle. Every time you boil the kettle, touch CV17. Tea, coffee, hot water, soup, whatever it is, let the kettle become your reminder.

Consistency matters more than intensity.

A breathing practice: Heart-Womb Breath

The breathing practice I recommend is Heart-Womb Breath.

If you have had a hysterectomy, if you do not have a uterus, or if the word womb does not feel right for you, use “lower belly” or “pelvic bowl.” The body still has a centre.

Think of anxiety as a house with all the lights on upstairs. The energy is in the head, eyes, jaw, temples, throat, chest and heart. The lower floor feels empty.

This breath helps you come downstairs again.

Place one hand on the centre of the chest, around CV17.

Place the other hand on the lower belly, below the navel, over the womb space or pelvic bowl.

Soften the jaw. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. As you exhale, imagine warmth travelling from the chest down into the lower belly, like honey moving slowly down a spoon.

Then gently inhale and imagine Qi flowing from the womb space up to the Heart. On the exhale, let it flow back down to the perineum and pelvic bowl.  Do this for three minutes.

The aim is not to create a mystical experience. The aim is to give your nervous system proof that it is safe to come down.

The felt result may be simple: the chest a little softer, the head a little cooler, the belly a little more present, and the breath less trapped.

Food medicine for anxiety, heat and immune over-alertness

The food medicine I would choose is warm miso with wakame.

Not a complicated protocol. Not a war against the immune system.

For autoimmune patterns, I do not love the phrase “boost the immune system,” because the immune system is not always weak. Sometimes it is confused, over-alert, inflamed, reactive or exhausted from being on guard.

The intention is not to whip it harder. The intention is to steady the terrain.

Miso is fermented and supports the gut environment. Wakame brings a mineral-rich seaweed quality. The warm salty bowl can help the nervous system feel fed, held and less frantic.

The simplest recipe is this:

Boil water, then let it cool for a minute. Put one teaspoon of miso paste in a mug or small bowl. Add a small pinch of wakame. Pour the hot water over, stir, let it sit for a few minutes, and sip slowly.

You can add spring onion or a few cubes of tofu if you want to make it more like a snack, but the basic medicine is miso, wakame, warm water and a pause.

Do not boil the miso hard. Warm is enough.

Warm tells the belly, “You are safe.” Scalding tells the body, “More heat is coming.”

If you are sensitive to soy, choose a miso that suits you or skip this. If you have been told to restrict salt, if you have thyroid issues, or if seaweed has been restricted for you, check with your clinician and keep the wakame tiny.

Lichen sclerosus and the whole-body view

As with many issues around sexual organs, conditions of the vulva can carry so much silence.

Women put up with itching, burning, pain, fear around intimacy, embarrassment around examination, confusion about creams, and sometimes worry that they will not be believed.

Please do not carry that alone.

Good care matters. Clear diagnosis matters. Follow-up matters. Your comfort matters.

You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to ask how to use your prescribed ointment properly. You are allowed to say that sex hurts. You are allowed to say that anxiety is part of the picture. You are allowed to want both medical care and whole-body support.

In Chinese medicine, we never separate the local from the whole.

A vulval skin condition needs local medical care. Absolutely. And the whole body can still be supported through fluids, digestion, sleep, breath, stress rhythm and gentle movement of Qi.

This is not either-or. It is both-and.  See my book Good Food Better Sex for explorations of sexual conditions and MENOPAUSE through the lens of Chinese medicine

Final thought

To every woman in peri-menopause, menopause or post-menopause: your body is giving you feedback about flow, cooling, nourishment, boundaries, rest and rhythm. You do not have to decode it perfectly. You only have to begin responding more kindly.

And if you would like to practise this kind of work with me in a steady, supported way, come into the Chi Flow membership. It is €39 a month, and after the three-month trial it becomes €20 a month, so you can keep building these small rhythms through the seasons with guidance, community and practice.

Ready to Start?

Join Chi Flow with Jo and begin restoring your energy, and feeling more like yourself again.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does heat in the chest and head mean in Chinese medicine?

In Chinese medicine, heat rising into the chest and head can suggest that warmth, Qi or emotional pressure is not moving smoothly through the body. In menopause, this may be linked with Yin and fluids needing support, the Heart being unsettled, and the body needing a calmer rhythm.

What is the Bao Mai?

The Bao Mai is the Heart-womb connection in Chinese medicine. It is linked with the extraordinary vessels, especially the Chong Mai, the Sea of Blood. It helps explain the relationship between emotions, the Heart, the uterus, menstruation, fertility, menopause, hot flushes and anxiety.

Why can menopause cause anxiety and hot flushes in Chinese medicine?

Chinese medicine sees menopause as a change in direction. In the fertile years, Blood and Qi move down toward the womb. In peri-menopause and post-menopause, this movement begins to return upward toward the Heart and brain. If the transition is too hot, rushed or blocked, symptoms may include anxiety, palpitations, poor sleep, heat in the chest and head, or hot flushes.

What acupressure point helps menopause anxiety?

CV17, or Conception Vessel 17, is a useful acupressure point for anxiety, chest tightness and emotional pressure. It is found in the centre of the breastbone. Press gently for thirty seconds to three minutes while breathing slowly.

What food medicine supports menopause anxiety and immune over-alertness?

Warm miso with wakame is a simple food medicine option. Miso is fermented and supports the gut environment. Wakame brings a mineral-rich seaweed quality. Together, they make a warm, steadying bowl that supports the body without overstimulating it.

Can Chinese medicine cure lichen sclerosus?

No. Lichen sclerosus needs medical diagnosis and care from a GP, gynaecologist, dermatologist or vulval clinic. Chinese medicine practices such as acupressure, breathwork, food medicine and Qi Gong may support the whole body alongside medical treatment, but they do not replace it.

Go Deeper with Our Books

For those wanting to understand how movement, breath, and Chinese Medicine principles, Jo’s books provide practical guidance rooted in lived experience and clinical wisdom.

👉 Buy Five Element Wisdom cookbooks

Explore how to Find Your Flow and Live Well with Parkinson’s.

Movement does not need to be extreme to be powerful.
Small daily expansion reshapes the body.
Steady breath reshapes the nervous system.
Gentle repetition rebuilds confidence.

Every human body carries extraordinary capacity for renewal when given the right rhythm.

If you want to soften into strength, come and practice with us.

When to seek medical help

Please speak to your GP or specialist if symptoms worsen or spread, if pain, itching, heat or anxiety starts waking you at night, if you notice new skin changes, lumps, thickening, ulceration or bleeding, if your prescribed treatment is not helping, or if there is any change in medication.

And if you ever have chest pain that feels severe, crushing, unusual, or comes with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, jaw pain or arm pain, seek urgent medical help.

Chinese medicine and home practices can support the terrain of the body, but they do not replace diagnosis or medical treatment.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Topics: Breathwork, Parkinson’s support, sleep practices, Qi Gong, acupressure.

Salty Taste in Your Mouth? What It Could Mean for Women Over 40

Salty Taste in Your Mouth? What It Could Mean for Women Over 40

Ask Me Anything, Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM

Salty Taste in Your Mouth? What It Could Mean for Women Over 40

Have you ever noticed a salty taste in your mouth that just won’t go away, even when you’re not eating salty food? For many women over 40, changes in taste, thirst, or cravings can be subtle signs that the body is asking for support.

In Western medicine, your GP might check for dehydration, mineral imbalances, or underlying illness, and sometimes tests come back normal. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we look at the body through a different lens: one that connects your tastebuds, emotions, and energy systems.

In TCM, a persistent salty taste is linked to the Water element and the Kidneys, the powerhouse of your vitality, longevity, and hormonal health. November in Chi Flow with Jo, our focus is on the Kidneys and Jing, the deep essence that governs everything from bone strength to hormonal transitions in peri- and post-menopause.

Before we begin, a gentle reminder: this information is for complementary self-care and should be used alongside medical advice, not as a replacement.

The Five Element Framework & Food Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element Food Medicine teaches us that each organ and its meridian system is linked to one of nature’s elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. Each element has a season, time of day, emotion, colour, and sensory organ, clues that help us understand our bodies and the signals they send.

For example, the Water element relates to the Kidneys and Bladder, the season of winter, the emotion of fear, the colour black, and the sensory organ of the ears.

By noticing patterns, such as craving salty foods, changes in hearing, or feeling more fearful or anxious, we can identify which element needs nourishment and use food, flavour, and cooking methods to restore balance.

Why Salty Taste Points to Kidney Imbalance

In TCM, the salty flavour is the taste of the Water element. If you’re noticing a salty taste when you haven’t eaten anything salty, it can mean the Kidney system is out of balance, either overworked or needing deeper support.

The Kidneys store Jing, your essence, which is like your lifetime battery. Jing powers your growth, fertility, hormonal cycles, and how you age. As we enter peri, mid and post-menopause, Jing naturally declines, which is why it’s so important to protect and nourish it.

There’s also a fascinating connection between the Kidneys and the Heart. In the destructive cycle of the Five Elements, Water (Kidneys) controls Fire (Heart). If Water is weak, Fire can flare, leading to high blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, and restlessness. For our listener with a salty taste and high blood pressure, this connection is especially relevant.

Acupressure for Kidney & Heart Balance: Kidney 3 (Taixi)

One of my go-to points for restoring Kidney strength and calming the Heart is Kidney 3, known as Taixi; the Great Ravine

Location:
You’ll find it in the hollow between your inner ankle bone and your Achilles tendon. Slide your finger accross from the ankle bone until you feel a soft dip before the tendon, that’s Kidney 3.

Benefits:

  • Nourishes Kidney Yin and Yang
  • Supports Jing (vital essence)
  • Calms the mind and reduces anxiety
  • Helps regulate blood pressure via the Kidney–Heart connection

How to use it:

  1. Sit comfortably with one ankle crossed over the opposite knee.
  2. Press gently but firmly with your thumb into the hollow.
  3. Breathe slowly and deeply for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Repeat on the other side.

Practise twice a day for best results.

This isn’t about forcing change, it’s about steady, consistent support for your body’s own balancing mechanisms.

Food Medicine: Corn Silk Tea & Kidney-Nourishing Foods

Corn silk tea is a gentle, traditional remedy in TCM for supporting the Kidneys and Bladder. It’s mildly diuretic, helps clear dampness and heat, and supports healthy fluid balance without overstimulating the system.

To make from fresh corn:

  • Peel back the husks and collect the silky threads from 2–3 corn cobs.
  • Rinse well.
  • Simmer in 1 litre of water for 10–15 minutes.
  • Strain and sip warm.

To make from dried corn silk:

  • Available loose or in teabags from health food shops.
  • Steep in hot water for 5–10 minutes.

The tea has a naturally sweet, grassy taste and can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Other Kidney–Jing supporting foods:

  • Black beans and adzuki beans
  • Black sesame seeds
  • Walnuts
  • Seaweed
  • Dark leafy greens
    Bone broth
  • Miso
  • Berries

Hormonal tip for women over 40:


 As Jing declines, we may notice hot flushes, poor sleep, low mood, or bone loss. Supporting Kidney Jing through food medicine can help ease these changes and improve energy, mood, and resilience.

You’ll find many more recipes for Kidney health and hormonal balance in my books, Shiatsu & the Art of Conscious Cooking and Good Food: Better Sex.

Qi Gong for Kidney & Hormonal Support

Qi Gong is a beautiful way to move energy through the Kidney and Bladder meridians, strengthen the lower back, and support hormonal balance. One of my favourites is the Kidney–Bladder Stretch and I’ll be teaching it in the free class at the end of the month. It’s great for encouraging flow of cranio-sacral fluid up and down the spine, massaging and supporting the kidneys

This combination of stretch and spiral massages the fascia, stimulates meridian flow, and harmonises the body during hormonal transitions.

If you’ve been experiencing a persistent salty taste, TCM reminds us to look deeper, to listen to what the body is telling us about our Kidneys, Jing, and hormonal balance.

You now have three simple tools to try:

  • Kidney 3 acupressure for Kidney–Heart harmony
  • Corn silk tea and Kidney-nourishing foods for deep vitality
  • Kidney–Bladder Qi Gong stretch to keep your energy flowing

WATCH THE PODCAST

Boost your Jing with Qi Gong, Acupressure & Food Medicine

In November Chi Flow with Jo, we’ll spend the whole month focusing on Kidney and Jing energy, with daily live Qi Gong, acupressure guidance, and seasonal food medicine to support you through hormonal changes.

Join us and give your Kidneys the love they deserve.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

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Strengthening Immunity with Chinese Medicine

Strengthening Immunity with Chinese Medicine

Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, Energy Update

Strengthening Immunity with Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), immunity is not just about fighting off colds and flu, it’s about maintaining balance, resilience, and a strong energetic boundary that protects body and mind. This protective energy is called Wei Qi, and it surrounds us like a shield, just like the glowing Ready Brek adverts from the 70s.

Wei Qi is built from the food we eat and the air we breathe, combined with our inherited energy. If digestion is sluggish or breathing is shallow, our immunity weakens. When both are strong, our body creates a radiant protective force field.

In this blog, I’ll share three simple ways to strengthen immunity every day, through food medicine, acupressure, and Qigong, so you can support your health naturally.

Food Medicine for Immunity

The immune system in TCM belongs to the Metal element, governed by the Lung and Large Intestine. These organs thrive on the pungent flavour and are nourished by white foods.  (See my books for full 5 element outline of which foods for which organs)

Pungent Foods: Garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and chilli. These help disperse phlegm, open the lungs, and push pathogens out of the body.

White Foods: Mushrooms (especially shiitake and reishi), radish, cauliflower, and pears all support the Lung and Large Intestine.

Fermented Foods: Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and miso restore the microbiome of the gut, where 70% of immunity resides.

Balance tip: Too much dairy, sugar, or refined carbs weakens the Spleen, creating dampness that suppresses immunity.

If you crave sweets, try a squeeze of lemon or a little sauerkraut, the sour flavour balances sugar cravings and helps keep the Spleen strong.

👉 Try this warming tea: simmer sliced ginger, lemon, cinnamon, and turmeric with water. It clears the lungs, supports digestion, and boosts Wei Qi. https://joannefaulkner.ie/2020/03/26/store-cupboard-tea-for-immunity/

 

Acupressure for Immunity: Spotlight on Lung 1

One of the most powerful acupressure points for immunity is Lung 1 (Zhongfu – Central Treasury).

Location

Find your collarbone and trace outward to the outer chest near the shoulder.

About three finger-widths below the collarbone, in the small hollow before the upper arm muscle, you’ll find Lung 1.

 

 

Benefits in TCM

  • Opens the chest: Helps release congestion, phlegm, or shallow breathing.
  • Regulates Lung Qi: Supports immune function by strengthening Wei Qi.
  • Releases grief: The Lung is associated with sadness and letting go. Massaging Lung 1 can help process emotional heaviness.
  • Relieves pain: Useful for tight shoulders, chest heaviness, or difficulty taking a deep breath.

How to Use It

  • Gently massage or press into Lung 1 for 30–60 seconds while breathing slowly and deeply.

  • If the point feels tender, that’s a sign your lungs may be under strain—keep massaging until it eases.

For extra benefit, place your hand in a “crane’s beak” shape (fingers together touching the thumb) and circle your elbows forward and back. This combines acupressure with movement, encouraging Qi to flow freely.

Qigong for Immunity

Qigong combines movement, breath, and intention to circulate energy. A simple exercise for the lungs and immune system is:

  • Form “crane’s beaks” with your hands.

  • Place them so that they are tapping into Lung 1 on each side of the chest.

  • Gently circle the elbows forward and back, opening the chest.

  • Breathe in through the nose, drawing breath deep into the lower lungs; breathe out, softening the shoulders.

This movement clears congestion, releases emotional heaviness, and strengthens the protective Wei Qi boundary.

Emotional Balance & Immunity

In TCM, the emotion linked with the Lung is grief. Prolonged sadness constricts breathing and lowers immunity. Practices like singing, humming, or even chanting vibrate the chest, stimulate the vagus nerve, and release stuck emotion, helping the lungs expand again.

When you feel low, bring awareness to your breath. Open the chest, massage Lung 1, and let Qi flow again.

WATCH THE PODCAST

In the full podcast, we explore how you can use reflective listening to transform your relationships, whether with a partner, family member, or friend. 

Join Us This Month in Chi Flow with Jo to Build Your Immunity

Chinese medicine doctors were traditionally paid to keep people well, not to treat illness once it arrived. That’s also the philosophy behind Chi Flow with Jo.

Through daily Qigong practice, food medicine recipes, and acupressure routines, we create a strong immune system that protects us physically and emotionally.

✨ If you’d like to strengthen your immunity, balance your energy, and feel supported by a vibrant community, join us in Chi Flow with Jo. Doors are open now, and we’d love to welcome you.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below).


Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support on your journey to an emotionally healthy heart and attend Maya’s live talk for FREE.
To work with Maya visit https://mayabenharroch.com/

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

.
How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Ask Me Anything, Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM

How to Reduce Uterine Fibroids Naturally: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Uterine fibroids are a common concern for many women, often causing discomfort, heavy periods, and lower abdominal pain. 

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, these benign growths are linked to stagnation, whether of Qi (energy), blood, or dampness accumulation. 

In this blog, you’ll discover how to reduce fibroid symptoms naturally using Qi Gong, food medicine, acupressure, and womb connection, from a TCM perspective that treats the whole woman, not just her symptoms.

Understanding Uterine Fibroids in Chinese Medicine

In TCM, health is about the smooth flow of Qi and blood. When this natural flow becomes obstructed, due to stress, trauma, or lifestyle factors, it can lead to stagnation. Over time, stagnation can contribute to conditions such as uterine fibroids, menstrual pain, lower back stiffness, and even recurrent urinary tract infections.

TCM identifies three primary causes of stagnation in the lower belly:

  1. Physical Trauma – Surgery, childbirth, or injury can disrupt the circulation of blood and Qi.
  2. Emotional Trauma – Stress, grief, or unresolved emotions can create blockages in the body.
  3. Lack of Movement – A sedentary lifestyle can slow circulation and contribute to dampness accumulation.

By addressing these root causes, we can begin to dissolve stagnation and restore harmony to the womb space.

Qi Gong for Uterine Fibroid Relief

Qi Gong, an ancient practice that combines breathwork, movement, and meditation, is a powerful tool for unblocking stagnant energy. One particularly beneficial exercise is Rabbit Springs Qi Gong, which involves deep belly breathing and gentle massage to stimulate circulation in the lower abdomen.

Try This Qi Gong Breathing Exercise:

  1. Place your hands on your lower belly, just below the navel.
  2. Inhale deeply through your nose, imagine you are smelling a rose,, expanding your belly like a balloon.
  3. Exhale fully, drawing your belly button back toward your spine.
  4. Repeat for three minutes, allowing warmth and energy to flow into the uterus.

Practicing this exercise during the day, while making tea, doing laundry, or in moments of stillness, can increase Qi energy to the area, and gives an internal massage reducing pain and improving blood flow.

Emotional Healing: Connecting with Your Womb

In Western culture, we often avoid focusing on the lower belly and the sexual organs, but in TCM, this area is the foundation of vitality and creativity. Taking time to connect with your womb can bring profound insights and healing.

Many people are comfortable engaging with their thoughts and emotions, residing predominantly in the realms of the mind and heart. However, the lower belly and sexual organs often become repositories of shame and discomfort, leading to disconnection from this vital area. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this region is recognized as a powerful energy center, essential for creativity, vitality, and overall well-being. By acknowledging and releasing any shame associated with our sexual center, we can unlock profound healing and restore the harmonious flow of energy throughout the body. Embracing this aspect of ourselves not only enhances personal health but also deepens our connection to our inherent life force.

Practice Womb Meditation:

  • Find a quiet space and sit comfortably.
  • Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
  • Bring your awareness to your uterus—what does it feel like? What messages does it hold?
  • Approach this connection with kindness and curiosity, releasing any stored emotions or fears.

When we acknowledge and nurture our womb space, we open the door to profound healing and transformation.

Foods to Reduce Fibroid Growth

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the flavors of foods are deeply connected to specific organs, energy systems, and corresponding emotions. In my book, Good Food: Better Sex, I explore how these flavor profiles can influence our physical and emotional well-being.

By understanding and incorporating these flavor-organ-emotion relationships into our diet, we can create meals that not only satisfy our taste buds but also support our holistic health and emotional well-being.

Food is medicine. The following foods work with the Kidney and Liver energetic system and can help move stagnant blood and support liver health, which is key for hormone balance.

Top Fibroid-Fighting Foods:

  • Rhubarb & Aubergine – These ‘slippery’ foods promote blood circulation and ease stagnation.
  • Kidney Beans & Black Beans – Strengthen kidney Qi, supporting reproductive health.
  • Ginger – A warming spice that enhances digestion and circulation.
  • Dark Leafy Greens – Help cleanse the liver and regulate oestrogen levels.
  • Chia Seeds – moisten the intestines, ease dryness and support hormone flow

Incorporating these foods into your diet can help create an internal environment that discourages fibroid growth.

Want more food medicine? Find healing recipes in Good Food: Better Sex.

Acupressure for Uterine Health

Many gynecological issues, including uterine fibroids and endometriosis, stem from Qi stagnation and blood stasis in the lower abdomen. 

This stagnation can lead to the formation of masses, painful cramps, and irregular cycles. Spleen 6 helps to invigorate blood circulation, breaking up congestion in the uterus and promoting a smoother, pain-free menstrual flow.

Acupressure is a simple yet effective way to move stagnant Qi and blood in the uterus.

Spleen 6 (Three Yin Crossing) Acupressure Point:

Locate this point by placing four fingers above the inner ankle bone.
Apply gentle pressure with your thumb and massage in small circles.
This point supports uterine health, but avoid during pregnancy as it strongly moves blood.

By encouraging the free flow of Qi and blood, Spleen 6 soothes uterine spasms, helping to relieve dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and endometriosis-related discomfort. Women with PMS symptoms, bloating, or lower back pain often find significant relief through regular acupressure on this point.

Massaging this point daily can help ease fibroid symptoms and improve overall reproductive health.

WATCH THE PODCAST

In the full podcast, Joanne shares her tips in Qi Gong, Food Medicine and Acupressure to help relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids, from a Chinese medicine viewpoint.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Womb Wisdom

Your womb is more than just a physical organ, it holds deep wisdom, creativity, and power. 

Try meditating and give your lower belly a voice, allowing your womb to speak.  Develop a loving relationship with this part of your body.  By practicing Qi Gong, nourishing your body with healing foods, and fostering a loving connection with your womb, you can create an environment that is relaxed and healthy.

May you be healthy, vibrant, and deeply connected to your body. 💖

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

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Brain Fog? Are you eating at the right time of day?

Brain Fog? Are you eating at the right time of day?

Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, Recipes

Understanding Thyroid Issues and Brain Fog

As many of you may already know, brain fog and difficulty concentrating can occur during menopause. In Chinese medicine, this brain fog is typically attributed to poor stomach and spleen function.

Stomach and spleen are paired together and are a part of the Earth element.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), brain fog is often attributed to poor stomach and spleen function due to the fundamental role these organs play in digestion and the generation of energy (Qi) and blood.

The Role of the Stomach and Spleen in TCM

  1. Transformation and Transportation:
    • The stomach and spleen are considered the central organs of digestion in TCM. The stomach receives and breaks down food, while the spleen extracts the essential nutrients and transforms them into Qi and blood, which are then transported throughout the body.
  2. Source of Qi and Blood:
    • The spleen is responsible for producing Qi and blood from the nutrients extracted from food. This Qi and blood are vital for nourishing the body, including the brain.
  3. Mind and Spleen Connection:
    • The spleen is also linked to the mind (Yi) in TCM. Clear thinking, memory, and concentration are believed to be influenced by the health of the spleen. If the spleen is weak or dysfunctional, it can result in poor nourishment to the brain, leading to symptoms like brain fog.

Addressing Brain Fog in TCM

To alleviate brain fog, TCM practitioners focus on strengthening the stomach and spleen through various methods:

Dietary Therapy:  Find out more in my books

Consuming easily digestible foods that are warm and nourishing, avoiding cold and raw foods that can burden the spleen.  Plus using specific foods that strengthen the spleen and stomach, enhance digestion, and remove dampness and phlegm.

    Acupuncture and Acupressure:

    Stimulating specific points to boost spleen and stomach function, promote Qi and blood flow, and clear dampness.

    Qi Gong:

    Engaging in gentle exercises to enhance overall Qi circulation and support the digestive organs.

    How Poor Stomach and Spleen Function Leads to Brain Fog

    Understanding the connection between brain fog and the function of the stomach and spleen in TCM highlights the holistic approach of Chinese medicine, where maintaining balance and harmony within the body is key to overall health and mental clarity.

     

     

    THE MERIDIAN CLOCK 

    The Earth element is from 7am-9am and 9am-11am according to the Chinese meridian clock.

    One of the best ways to make sure you are boosting your stomach and spleen function is to have a really protein-filled breakfast within those times.

    ACUPRESSURE FOR BRAIN FOG:

    STOMACH 3: relaxes the tendons, regulates Qi and blood and relieves swelling and pain.

    STOMACH 2: benefits the eyes, clears heat, cleats the sinuses.

    Watch the full Ask Me Anything episode to see how I demonstrate connecting with these two points.

    MOVING ENERGY THROUGH THE 3 DANTIANS

    While practising those points on the face can be beneficial to relieving brain fog, it is always important to remember to bring your energy back down to the lower dantian.

    THE THREE DANTIANS

    In Chinese medicine we have 3 dantians:

    Upper in the head, Middle in the centre of the chest and Lower in the lower belly which is your power source.

    These are our 3 major energy centres. 

    The lower dantian is where we want to focus our energy and always return to. It has a lot to do with your sexual energy, your relationship to your lifeforce energy. Connect here and don’t be afraid to spend time in your lower belly around your sexual organs!

    WATCH THE FULL VIDEO TO LEARN MORE

    Tune into this Ask Me Anything episode to learn more about connecting with your lower dantian, how to find it, and more about its importance to your body’s power seat.

    In Summary

    The key to stopping sweet cravings lies in understanding and balancing the stomach and spleen energy through the 5 Element System of TCM. By incorporating the right foods, practising acupressure self-care, gentle Qi Gong exercise, and being mindful of your body’s signals, you can achieve the freedom and balance you’re looking for.

    Remember that balance is key. Even healthy foods should be consumed in moderation.

    Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

    Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    My Menopause Story

    My Menopause Story

    Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM

    At 34, I had a rough birth with my twin boys.  That’s me in the photo.  It’s taken just after putting up the Christmas tree so I know I had another 3 weeks and a kidney infection before I gave birth to them on January 5th 2003.  They weighed 6.7 and 6.3 lbs – that’s a lot of baby for a 5-foot woman to carry.  So when they were delivered via emergency C-section at 40 weeks after 2 days labour, I had nothing else to give.

    My body didn’t even have the energy to contract my uterus so I haemorrhaged and almost died. Yes I saw the white light and someone had a chat with me.  It was an amazing experience and being so knackered I wasn’t sure I wanted to come back.

    But back I came to look after my twin boys and run the environmental empowerment organisation I owned,  The company worked with the regeneration of Ballymun, well known for its high levels of unemployment, drug usage and high-rise tower blocks. It could be a dangerous and stressful area of Dublin to work in. I over identified with the success of the projects and worked way too much. I had qualified as a shiatsu practitioner in 2002 but this job was where the money was.

    When the twins were 2, I found out my partner was having an affair within the company. I was just too exhausted to carry on. I turned the business into a community development. I left him and my business.

    That’s when my Peri-Menopause symptoms started. I would get so dizzy I thought I was going to black out.  The first one happened on a busy motor way which triggered panic attacks leaving me feeling anxious all the time. My sleep pattern was disrupted and I was so exhausted I would forget my children’s names. I felt so isolated and alone, I often thought I wasn’t going to make it. My whole body hurt. I was only 5ft tall and weighed 14 stone because I comfort ate all the wrong food.

    Luckily I had my background of Chinese Medicine and Shiatsu to guide me.  I started to improve my diet following Traditional Chinese Medicine Guidelines.  I began to practice a Chi Gong and receive regular shiatsu. I started with baby steps, little by little. I’m 55 now with no panic attacks, and no anxiety. I sleep well, and can remember what I walked into a room for. My skin is glowing and I have no grey hairs. Keeping the weight off can be tricky but I know what to do when the pounds start climbing on and if I have the odd bad nights sleep I know which points to press, which foods to eat and which Chi Gong exercises to do to ensure that things come back to balance naturally. My life is good, I have a sense of purpose, I wake up feeling rested, and I am happy.

    The problem for me is that I was suffering Adrenal exhaustion. My kidneys, had nothing left in the tank to balance my hormones naturally, which meant I was either on overdrive with my heart bouncing out of my chest or too exhausted to move of the sofa.  For you it might be your liver making you feel bloated or gaining weight around your middle or your spleen out of balance, craving sweet food to give you energy but with a brain fog to see nothing clearly.

    There are no two people the same / there are no two menopause is the same / there are not two solutions the same.

    Which is why I created Chi Flow with Jo Intermittent fasting programme.

    • A fasting schedule that increases gently and slowly – not eating from 8pm to 8am – could you do that?
    • 30 min Daily Qi Gong exercises working on the Spleen and Liver (recordings also sent daily)
    • Daily Live Check in – for Q&A and support
    • Daily nutrition advice and recipes
    • Free access to Live Boost metabolism Talk
    • Join me LIVE in my kitchen for easy simple healthy recipes including Castor oil pack to clear a fatty liver
    • Closed Facebook group for sharing and support

    We are often told we need to endure or just wait for the menopause to pass, but that can take years.

    Don’t regret getting older – this is your time to shine.

    So if you are

    • The queen of stripping: taking off layer after layer, with skill and speed when a hot flush hits?
    • Too exhausted to do anything, but when your head hits the pillow, you find it impossible to sleep?
    • A supplement junkie, trying everything to thicken hair, reduce hot flushes, help you sleep, stop your joint pain but nothing works long term?
    • Too nervous to go out because anxiety and heart palpitations appear out of nowhere?
    • Slowly gaining weight around your middle but your arms and legs are staying skinny?

    It’s never too early and it’s never too late to make changes so you can be more confident, less anxious, get fitter and stronger, find your purpose, say goodbye to self limiting beliefs and negative emotions.

    YOU CAN DO IT ! 

    Your best life experiences are still to come

    “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”

    Lao Tzu – Chinese Medicine Philosopher.

    At the end of the month I will be giving a FREE fasting and the menopause Qi Gong class – to receive the live link and the recording sent to your email – simply CLICK HERE or enter your email into the form below.

    Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

    Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Fasting for women over 40 – Chinese Medicine Style

    Fasting for women over 40 – Chinese Medicine Style

    Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, HEALTH & WELLNESS

    I have been intermittent fasting for quite a few years now and it is my saving grace. At only 5 ft small, I have to watch my weight and especially since as I age (I’m 55), extra wobbles and curves can creep up and stay on.  I use Intermittent fasting together with the Qi Gong exercises in Chi Flow with Jo to get fit and healthy not necessarily to get skinny, and it works

    At the beginning of every year everybody in Chi Flow with Jo practices intermittent fasting/digestive resting for 6 weeks. (Chi Flow doors open on January 2nd in preparation for fasting the night of Sunday 7th January // Doors will close Monday 8th of January to begin the 6 week Programme)

    It’s super easy and supper effective – I use my knowledge of Chinese medicine to do it safely and easily so that following the fasting period I don’t rebound back, end up craving the sweet stuff and piling on more of the pounds I lost.  I am also careful not to stress the body by excessive dietary changes or intensive cardio training.  This combination can often exacerbate symptoms or sore joints, brain fog and hot flushes.

    Our main goal in Chinese Medicine and Chi Flow with Jo is to move, often stagnant, Liver energy (akin to Non Alcoholic Liver Fatty Disease) and support the Spleen meridian system by clearing dampness from the body. Which if left unchecked can be the cause of many conditions such as joint pain, inflammation, hot flushes, brain fog, anger, irritation, sugar addiction, heavy limbs and a slow metabolism

    I have found my weight has been stable and within my healthy range, my energy levels are clear and consistent throughout every day, I don’t suffer any dietary issues or inflammation and I have not experienced prolonged brain fog associated with menopause and age bracket. I enjoy consistently high mental energy and clarity. 

    One menopause symptom I have to watch is Insomnia and after overindulgence at Christmas I can find my sleep patterns all over the place.  Intermittent fasting helps get my circadian rhythm and sleep cycles back to normal.

    I am not alone: This method of watching when you eat rather than what you eat has become very popular. In 2019, it was the most Googled diet on the planet.  But Traditional Chinese Medical wisdom has long recommended eating during daylight and resting the digestive organs at night.  This is part of living in harmony with the circadian cycles and following the energy of nature.

    The Liver is the organ in charge of metabolism.  After a meal, the fat is stored by the liver around the belly. Between meals, stored fat is slowly released, keeping body cells supplied with energy. However if the liver is congested through over-eating, eating at the wrong time, or toxic overload from medication, excess hormones, alcohol and fats, the liver is not able to metabolise the energy already stored so we can’t shift the belly weight, feel exhausted, suffer sore joints, disturbed sleep, even our nails and hair begin to thin.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine always recognised the early meal as the most beneficial to health. If you eat during earlier hours it gives your body more time to incorporate food and repair itself.

    According to the TCM meridian clock (a chronological map of the strength of the organs at different times of the day), the digestive organs of the Spleen and Stomach are most active in the morning (Stomach time being 7-9am and Spleen time 9-11am). So it makes sense to load up your calories earlier in the day, when the digestive fires are strongest.

    Ensuring there is no food intake in the evening and night allows the Liver to rest and detoxify the body.

    “I know what I should be doing to lose weight, but I need a way to do it that fits into MY life.”

    “I have been thinking about weight loss for a while, but life is so busy I find myself putting convenience first.”

    Is that you? Then we are on the same page and this Chi Flow with Jo intermittent fasting programme is perfect for you. When a diet lays down the law, it can be frustrating. Everything ends up being harder than it should be. Welcome to something different. this is so easy. You feel in control of your eating, you feel light and free, pain reduces and sleep becomes easier.

    PLUS – You are not alone, there are almost 400 of us, all ready to begin in January.  This is the game changer … acting independently but still being part of a group and therefore accountable

    Once you experience this Chinese Medicine method of fasting, you will will be able to use it. This is not a “one-diet-fits-all” plan. You will gain control over your food and you will notice the difference.  Having the support and the accountability of the group is essential to help you stay on track and to help you when you go off track.

    This method with Chi Flow with Jo is not about Yo-Yo dieting – it’s about creating new habits and that doesn’t happen overnight which is why it’s a 6 week programme

    • A fasting schedule that increases gently and slowly – not eating from 8pm to 8am – could you do that?
    • 30 min Daily Qi Gong exercises working on the Spleen and Liver (recordings also sent daily)
    • Daily Live Check in – for Q&A and support
    • Daily nutrition advice and recipes
    • Free access to Live Boost metabolism Talk and join me LIVE in my kitchen for easy simple healthy recipes
    • Closed facebook group for sharing and support

    Chi Flow doors open to join on the January 2nd in preparation for fasting to begin on the night of Sunday 7th January

    Doors will close Monday 8th of January to begin the 6 week Intermittent Fasting programme

    Have a look at what others say about the practice:

    A recent review article in the “New England Journal of Medicine”, titled “Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Ageing and Disease”1 reviews the scientific research currently available on intermittent fasting, and comes to some very positive conclusions about the practice. It states that, ‘preclinical studies and clinical trials have shown that intermittent fasting has broad-spectrum benefits for many health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurological disorders.”

    Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

    Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Nourish your spirit and sleep well

    Nourish your spirit and sleep well

    Acupressure Points, Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, Energy of Food Blog, Powerful Points and Meridian Flows

    Have you had enough of it all? Just feeling sick of your situation?

    If you have become tired of the world perhaps exhausted from illness, difficult relationships, overwork or stress you may find yourself loosing heart.
    You may find it difficult to sleep or when you do sleep you wake feeling still weary.
    In Chinese Medicine, each of the organs is linked to an emotion, a colour, a time of day, a season, a flavour and much more.
    The five element system is how we can understand diagnose and treat the body.
    The element governing the Heart is Fire and the corresponding emotion is Joy in the positive but bitterness and disillusion in the negative.
    So to nourish the emotional and physical heart, make sure you nourish your internal flame and do the things you love and give space and time to explore things that you might find you love.
    Your joy is an inside job. External situations cannot bring lasting happiness.
    Playing sport, visiting friends, eating a good meal they bring us immense pleasure at the time but what happens when the match is over or dinner is finished, do we cease to feel joy, do we start to feel bitter?

    Our culture, society and/or conditioning often asks us not take responsibility for our own happiness. To be distracted or entertained by an outside source.  It can happen, but it’s fleeting. True happiness has to come from within, it comes from a connection to our true being.

    “On a deeper level you are already complete. When you realize that, there is a playful, joyous energy behind what you do.” ~Eckhart Tolle

    If you are feeling like your flame needs some nurturing, press into this point to reignite your fire.
    It’s easy to feel powerless in some situations where you have no control, but you do have power over how you feel.
    Connection and touch with your own body is a place to start to feel in control of your body and control of your life.

    Heart Protector 8 – Lao gong point – the Palace of Weariness.
    Take a breath, breathe as deep as you want to feel well, and press into this point to re-connect with your spirit. Don’t lose heart dear one.
    Clench your fist and where the tip of the middle finger falls, give pressure and massage for up to 2 minutes on each hand.
    As you press into both hands alternately, feel the point connect with your physical and emotional heart. Find your inner palace and take rest.
    The Heart is the emperor of the body, when you are feeling restored to a sense of equanimity all the other organs will follow his lead until the whole body feels balanced and well.
    Our hands are especially important in Qi Gong practice, as they help to direct and channel the Qi throughout the body.

    Use this point to re-ignite your spirit and don’t lose heart. Relax, press and if you like, let memories of past happier times wash over you with the certainty that there will be more to come.

    A great ingredient that nourishes the Heart is Rosemary.

    For a good nights sleep, all you need is a small spray bottle, 10 drops of rosemary oil, and 6 tablespoons of water. Mix it well and spray it on your pillows or into the air indoors for a better sleep.

    Like most herbs, it is considered bitter in flavour so benefits the heart. For chilblains, Raynaud’s, or cold feet, pop 10 drops of rosemary essential oil into 50ml of sweet almond oil and rub it into the fingers and toes.

    Rosemary also disperses cold and phlegm so why not make your own steam bath. Fill a bowl with boiling water, add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary, rubbing them between your hands to release the natural oils. Then drape a towel over your head, close your eyes and position your face over the bowl. Inhale deeply a few times, take a break for a few moments if needed, then repeat. Feel your lungs expanding and your heart relaxing.

    For more information on Qi Food Therapy and the Heart in Chinese Medicine see Joanne’s books, full of healthy recipes, acupressure, and advice for a healthy body and mind.

    Emotional Healing & Community Support

    The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
     Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

    When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
    We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

    You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
    Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

    💗 Ready to Join?

    Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

    Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Foods For an Overheated Menopause

    Foods For an Overheated Menopause

    Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, Energy of Food Blog, Recipes

    Yin deficiency means that the body is lacking in the moistening fluids that relax the body.

    In times of extreme stress the body can generate severe amounts of heat which burn off yin fluids. Plus, stress and fear produce adrenaline and cortisol which contract the kidneys meaning further depletion of yin fluids.

    Blood is one of the manifestations of yin within the body therefore any severe blood loss caused by accidents, operations or heavy menstruation, especially during menopause, will lead to a yin deficiency. 

    Whilst it is great to have foods that promote Yin cooling fluids to counteract the Yang heat and dryness, it is important to have a practice that promotes Yin in the body such as Qi Gong or Yin Yoga. At an emotional level it is good to know how to switch off and let the universe be in control for a while.

    Quite often, as women we run a busy house or have a busy job and we are used to being in control and multi tasking.  If this is you it could mean that by the time you get to menopause, peri-menopause and beyond there is no Yin left in the tank to cool the body and support the natural process of ageing. Every Yang action needs to originate from the still Yin point within us. So take time to let go of control and receive the magic that is possible if we practice the art of allowing.

    Find a practice or a time in your day to connect with that deep part of ourselves that can be nourished by rest and breath – this is Yin.

    For the whole month of March we will be focusing on breath and movement for Menopause and beyond.  Why not receive the free mini ebook with a recipe, acupoint and recipe or join me for the free class at the end of February.

    From a Western Medicine point of view, oats are high in magnesium and help to calm the body and build sexual energy. They contain a nervine alkaloid called Avinine which, on a long-term basis, works to restore the nervous system.

    Oats are a popular breakfast food and this recipe is perfect for a weekend brunch. It’s rich and sweet yet still full of soluble fibres to help remove cholesterol from the large intestine. In addition, oats are a great source of manganese, selenium, vitamin B1 and magnesium. They regulate hormones and the spontaneous sweating associated with fluctuating hormones.

    Mixing the oats with pecans, which are full of pyridoxine (vitamin B6), further increases the usage of amino acids found in plant protein available
    in oats. In terms of Chinese Medicine this means pecans transform nutritional essence, which feed the kidneys, into usable energy. In this way, they reduce nervous tension and overproduction of hormones; balancing the Yin & Yang

     

     Baked Porridge

    • 200g rolled oats
    • 60g walnut or pecan pieces
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 475ml almond milk/goats milk or any plant based milk of choice
    • 1 large egg
    • 60g unsalted melted butter
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 60ml maple syrup
    • 2 or 3 ripe bananas
    • 200g mixed berries

    Method:Butter a 20cm square (or anything similar) baking dish, chop the banana into medallions and line the base, cover with half of the berries. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and the wet ingredients in a jug. Cover the fruits in the baking dish with the oat mixture and the remaining fruits sprinkle on top. Pour the milk mixture slowly over the oats and fruits and pop it in the preheated oven at 190 degrees for 45 minutes. It is both breakfast and dessert.

    So choose food that nourishes the kidneys, fluids and mineral balance within our body such as Seaweeds, Spiriulina and Chlorella.

    Wheatgrass and other Chlorophyll rich foods will build healthy blood and therefore boost Yin. 

    For a full list see my books where you will each organ broken down into flavour, function, emotion and season in Chinese medicine.

    Avoid stimulants such as fizzy drinks and coffee and look at how you are cooking.

    Are you using cooking methods such as baking and steaming which support Yin or are you deep frying and microwaving?

    The latter two will weaken the Yin, blood and body.

    JOIN CHI FLOW

    Chi Flow with Jo is live, online Qi Gong classes every weekday morning. 

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    Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

    Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    All things Health and Seaweed

    All things Health and Seaweed

    Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, Events

    Hi my name is David Millard and I have been employed as a Marine Biologist (MSc) since the early 90’s, working closely with the sea, first as a University researcher, then as a commercial diver in the aquaculture industry, followed by a short stint as a private seaweed consultant to my present public servant position that includes farmed seaweed development. I am rarely far from the coast and enjoy nothing more than poking around in rock pools when the tide is low.

    I love eating seaweed, whether fresh straight from the shore, dried and sprinkled over food or prepared into meals. As for taste and experience, my preference is straight from rock to mouth, being mindful of potential water quality issues. Focusing on my proximity to nature, being present in this location, I enjoy the available earthly given bounty. We always have a pot of organically grown, dried, milled winged kelp on the dining table and encourage all to use liberally. Why? Well, it’s tasty for one, adding depths of flavor or what is described in Japan as Umami, the fifth taste, which can be translated as delectable. It’s also good for you providing a boost of nutrients, helping to support a healthy body in a myriad of ways.

    For millennia people, especially Irish coastal dwellers, have availed of seaweeds as a source of nutrition both as food and medicine.

    They are rich sources of vitamins, especially A, B and E and mineral elements accounting for up to 36% of its dry mass including sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, molybdenum, fluoride, manganese, boron, nickel and cobalt. These levels are often ten times as high as terrestrial plants, hence people who regularly eat seaweeds are rarely mineral deficient.

    They are also good sources of proteins and essential amino acids, between 7-35% by volume, with a large percentage of soluble and insoluble largely indigestible dietary fibre, known to be generally good for digestive health.

    A varied diet containing a high percentage of seaweeds promotes health and longevity as shown by numerous studies in Japan, beginning in 1927 when Shoji Kondo of Tohoku University first linked seaweed in the diet and longevity. What is it particularly in seaweeds that we can point to from a Western scientific viewpoint to support these claims?

    For one the minerals are chelated, meaning they are enclosed within a protein, enzyme or amino acid, allowing the body to recognize the mineral as food rather than as a foreign body. They are also colloidal meaning the minerals are equally distributed in a solution, reportedly, therefore, being easier to absorb.

    Taurine is worth mentioning, as an amino acid particularly present in red seaweeds, it assists in the formation of bile, which binds with cholesterol molecules, helping to excrete excess cholesterol. The soluble dietary fibre, which makes up to 50% of the plant is in three forms agar, carrageenan and alginate, has an ability to absorb water in the gut forming a gelatinous mass to aid passage through the digestive system.

    One other very interesting component particularly present in brown seaweeds is fucosterol, a bioactive compound that has been shown to be active as an anti-diabetic, anti-osteoporotic, anti-coagulant and anti-oxidant. In addition, plant sterols help lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in humans. These combined effects of fibre and sterols can lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

    Further combine this with beneficial effects of the presence of omega 3, fatty acid EPA, known to also reduce cardiovascular disease, lowering the occurrence of blood clots whilst inhibiting the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. Why would you not eat seaweed?

    I love eating seaweed and I haven’t even tapped into the entire depth of reasons why it’s a vast subject. I plan to keep investigating and sharing reasons for including seaweed in the diet. I believe and have experienced that they are a rich source of concentrated food source compounds that can bring amazing health benefits.

    Emotional Healing & Community Support

    The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
     Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

    When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
    We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

    You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
    Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

    💗 Ready to Join?

    Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

    Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

    Detox Day – Cooking for the Liver & Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine

    Detox Day – Cooking for the Liver & Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine

    Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, Home

    Spring is the time of new beginnings and growth. Nothing stops the new green shoots, they are powerful and flexible. This is the life force in our bodies governed by the Liver and Gall Bladder. It is powerful energy for effective action, enabling the unfolding of our life’s purpose. However in our overactive society the Liver/Gall Bladder can become overheated or blocked causing frustration and anger, pain and stagnation. Detox happens in the spring to encourage and support the Liver to regenerate and cleanse, this makes sure that blood flow is even which reduces joint pain and cholesterol as two examples of an unhealthy liver. We will learn easy to cook recipes specifically to improve natural flow and flexibility for these meridians and organs.

    On the menu is:

    • Thai style Hot and Sour Spring Green Soup
    • Mediterranean Caponata
    • Anti Inflammatory tea made with fresh Tumeric
    • Crispy green sprout salad with Umeboshi plum dressing
    • Apple, Rhubarb & Plum Crumble
    • Warm Goji Berry Smoothie
    • Chrysanthemum Tea

    Acupressure Point – Liver 13 (Zhang Men)

    Find the soft point under your right ribs—where the ribcage ends before the waist begins.

    This is Liver 13, the “Camphorwood Gate.”

    Massage or tap gently here using loose fists 

    It connects the Liver and Spleen, clears stagnation, boosts metabolism, and soothes emotional tension. 

    If it’s tender, that’s a sign the Liver is stagnant; go gently and breathe warmth into the area. 

    Repeat daily and feel digestion and mood begin to flow again.

    Intermittent Fasting the Chi Flow with Jo Way

    Every January, hundreds join the Chi Flow with Jo Intermittent Fasting programme, a six-week reset rooted in TCM, not restriction.
     We follow nature’s rhythm:

    ♥ Eat during daylight, rest digestion at night.

    ♥ 7–9 am Stomach Time / 9–11 am Spleen Time: best window for breakfast and nourishment.

    ♥ 1–3 am Liver Time: when the body detoxes, so avoid eating after dinner especially the late-night snacks.

    Start simply: no food after 8 pm, breakfast after 8 am.
    Each week we lengthen the fasting window gently, giving the organs time to cleanse and reset.  It’s a lifestyle of rhythm, not willpower, perfect for sensitive thyroids and tired nervous systems.

    👉 Find out more and Join the January 2026 Chi Flow with Jo: Intermittent Fasting Programme 

    It’s easier when you do it together.

    Food as Medicine: Drain Dampness, Fuel Your Fire

    Choose foods that support the Liver and Spleen:

    For the Liver (flow & fat metabolism):

    Sour foods: lemon, lime, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, kimchi.
    Green & bitter vegetables: kale, watercress, rocket, radish, turnip.

    For the Spleen (digestion & sweet cravings):

    Warm, cooked meals; porridge, soups, stews.

    Avoid cold salads and sugary snacks, especially when stressed.

    Traditional TCM Remedy; Adzuki Bean Tea:

    Bring soaked Adzuki beans to the boil for 5 minutes and then simmer for 30 minutes, strain, and sip the liquid through the day.
     It gently drains dampness, balances blood sugar, and steadies emotions.

    👉 Read more on food as medicine and how to make this tea https://joannefaulkner.ie/2022/04/18/clear-cold-damp-fat/

    Emotional Healing & Community Support

    The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
     Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

    When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
    We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

    You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
    Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

    💗 Ready to Join?

    Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

    Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

    Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

    Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

    The information provided should not be considered medical advice.