by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Nov 27, 2022 | Cold and Flu Remedies, Digestion, Health, Mental Health, Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine
What is your favourite season? Normally Fall is mine. Perhaps it’s because I’ve spent so many years as a perennial student, but the wool scarves, crisp leaves and fresh air (and pumpkin spice!) has always held a special place in my heart.
However, this year fall hit hard. It seems like within a weekend, the temps here in Southern Ontario dropped 10 degrees (celsius) and then within another weekend dropped another 10. We went from shorts weather to winter coats within a few short weeks. As an internet meme stated, “Summer left like it owed someone money” (haha!).
This rapid change can put pressure on our Spleens.
Now, what does the Spleen have to do with fall or temperature, you ask? In Western Medicine, nothing.
Anatomically, our spleen (located on the left side of the abdomen) is a reservoir for blood.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), however the Spleen is an incredibly interesting and special organ.
The Spleen in TCM works more like a pancreas. It’s job is to take digested food and turn it into energy, or Qi, for the body to use. The spleen helps transition the body during the change of seasons, particularly from summer to fall.
- The Spleen regulates digestion, moving food Qi (the energy the food we eat) into energy that can be used by the body (think of how the pancreas’ job is to release insulin and digestive enzymes to incorporate sugars into cells to be used for energy.
- It governs the flesh and muscles (supporting muscle growth from the food we eat).
- It governs thought, memory and learning. An overactive or dysfunctional spleen can lead to rumination (overdigestion of thoughts). Digesting and incorporating too many thoughts can overload the spleen (think studying or ingesting large amounts of information—note the analogy to digesting food here!)
- The spleen manages blood (moving energy and substance around the body to nourish the skin and hair).
- It also supports immune function (or Wei Qi)
- It gives us mental and physical energy
- The spleen regulates our intellect and spirit as well as emotions (enthusiasm, sadness and worry).
During the change of season our Spleens are workinghard. Deficient Spleen Qi (or energy) can lead to an accumulation of mucus, digestive issues (bloating, constipation, diarrhea), fatigue, depression, muscle weakness, bruising and bleeding disorders.
Cravings for sweet can damage the Spleen (but also be a result of Spleen Qi deficiency). Phlegm and dampness (another word for weight gain in Chinese Medicine) can accumulate if the spleen is congested and having trouble cleanly converting energy from our food into energy from the body.
So think of typical fall symptoms (particularly if we consider that Fall is the time we are ingesting more information and mentally busier with back-to-school for students): congestion, susceptibility to colds and flus, fatigue, sluggishness, lower mood.
Spleen Qi deficiency can also cause dry skin and lips, a swollen tongue, feelings of sadness, rumination and worry. Prolonged spleen qi deficiency can lead to Spleen Yang Deficiency (feelings of deep fatigue, coldness, swelling and weight gain).
How do we support Spleen Qi?
- Regulating our consumption of sugar (avoiding refined sugar and consuming natural sugars from starchy vegetables and fruit instead).
- Taking time to rest the mind (meditation, yoga, prioritizing sleep)
- Protecting the “windgate” or back of the neck using scarves to protect our immune system (the wind gate is where “cold” gets into the body).
- Consuming nourishing and easy-to-digest foods that are warm and slow-cooked. Think soups and stews, bone broths, congee, root veggies, beef and chicken, warming spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, etc. (hello, pumpkin spice!)
- Consuming warm drinks like herbal teas like President’s Choice “feeling soothed” or “feeling revitalized” or “feeling energized” (all containing herbal combos that support Spleen and adrenal health).
- Considering taking adaptogenic herbs like schisandra, astragalus, codonopsis, goji, Lycii and wild yam (some of which are ingredients in change of season soup) which support our adrenals and immune system.
- Supporting the emotions, engaging in laughter, cuddles, and play more often to take the focus off the mind and thoughts and support deeper, spleen-y emotions like enthusiasm and child-like play.
Because fall hit so hard, I didn’t have time to get into my Spleen routines. I went from cold smoothies in the morning and lots of coffee to feeling tired, sluggish and congested–ugh!
Now that we’re well into October and Canadian Thanksgiving has past, I am remembering my Spleen practices. These involve spending time in the kitchen to create warm stews (cooking beef and vegetables with curry spices) and bone broths. I’ve given up coffee and started consuming copious amounts of green and herbal tea.
I’ve started taking herbs to support gut health like oregano and ginger.
I’ve gotten back into taking a probiotic.
And, finally, I’ve started taking my cod liver oil to get a healthy dose of vitamin D and vitamin A to support immunity and mood.
It’s also important to spend as much time outside as possible. Days are getting shorter and our exposure to mood-elevating and stimulating sunlight is getting sparser and sparser. We’re spending more time inside as we work on sedentary projects that tax the mind but leave the body unattended to.
While many patients state that they find it hard to get outside when the days cool off, I urge you to consider that cold exposure is the single most important thing you can do to prepare your mind and immune system for winter.
Get outside daily (without sunglasses–if appropriate for you) and go for a walk. Enjoy the fall colours. Protect your windgate. Breathe in the fresh air.
Cold exposure increases your body’s ability to create antioxidants. It also “hardens” the body for cold resilience making the transition to winter much more enjoyable.
And, of course, remember to tend to your spleen as the days get colder and shorter.
by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Jun 26, 2021 | Asian Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Diagnostics, Evidence Based Medicine, Healing Stories, Medicine, Mental Health, Mind Body Medicine, Naturopathic Philosophy, Philosophy, Preventive Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine
“I don’t believe in diseases anymore, I treat stories.
“…No other medical system in the world ever believed in diseases. They all treat everybody as if, you know it’s whether it’s the ancestors or meridians–it’s none of this rheumatoid arthritis, strep throat kind of thing. That’s just this construct that we kind of… made up.”
– Dr. Thomas Cowan, MD
Dr. Cowan is admittedly a (deliciously) controversial figure. His statement, I’m sure, is controversial. But that’s why it intrigues me.
In naturopathic medicine, one of our core philosophies, with which I adhere very strongly, is “treat the person, not the disease”.
And, in the words of Sir William Osler, MD, “It is much more important to know what sort of person has a disease, than to know what sort of disease a person has”.
And, I guess it’s relevant to ask, what is disease in the first place?
I see disease as an non-hard end point, a state that our biological body enters into. On the continuum between perfect health (which may be an abstract and theoretical construct) and death, disease I believe is near the far end of the spectrum.
Disease happens when the body’s proteins, cells, tissues, or organs begin to malfunction in a way that threatens our survival and disrupts our ability to function in the world. For example, a collection of cells grows into a tumour, or the immune system attacks the pancreas and causes type I diabetes.
But, of course there is always more to the story.
What causes disease?
I have heard biological disease boiled down to two main causes: nutrient deficiencies and toxicities. And, I’m not sure how strongly I agree with this, but on a certain level I find this idea important to consider.
However, it is definitely not how Western Medicine views the cause of disease!
Diseases, as they are defined, seem to be biological (as opposed to mental or emotional). They have clinical signs and symptoms, certain blood test results, or imaging findings, and they can be observed looking at cells under a microscope.
Medical textbooks have lists of diseases. Medicine is largely about memorizing the characteristics of these diseases, differentiating one from another, diagnosing them, and prescribing the treatment for them.
As a naturopathic doctor, I see a myriad of patients who don’t have a “disease”, even though they feel awful and are having difficulty functioning. These patients seem to be moving along the disease spectrum, but their doctors are unable to diagnose them with anything concrete–they have not yet crossed the threshold between “feeling off” and “disease”.
Their blood tests are “normal” (supposedly), their imaging (x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.) are negative or inconclusive, and their symptoms don’t point to any of the diseases in the medical school textbooks.
And yet they feel terrible.
And now they feel invalidated.
Often they are told, “You haven’t crossed the disease threshold yet, but once you reach the point where you’re feeling terrible and our tests pick it up too, come back and we’ll have a drug for you”.
Obviously not in so many words, but often that is the implication.
Our narrow paradigm of disease fails to account for true health.
Even the World Health Organization states that health is not the mere absence of disease.
So if someone does not have health (according to their own personal definition, values, dreams, goals, and responsibilities), but they don’t have disease, what do they have?
They have a story.
And I don’t mean that what they’re dealing with is psychological or mental or emotional instead, and that their issues are just “all in their head”. Many many times these imbalances are very biological, having a physical location in the body.
Subclinical hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, chronic HPA axis dysfunction, and intestinal dysbiosis are all examples of this. In these cases we can use physical testing, and physical signs to help us identify these patterns.
An aside: I believe the categories of biological, mental, environmental, and emotional, are false.
Can we have minds without biology? Can we have emotions without minds or physical bodies? How do we even interface with an environment out there if we don’t have a body or self in here?
Aren’t they all connected?
Ok, back to the flow of this piece:
Your story matters.
This is why it takes me 90 minutes to get started with a new patient.
It’s why I recommend symptom and lifestyle habit tracking: so that we can start to pay attention.
It’s why I’m curious and combine ancient philosophies, research (because yes, research is useful, there’s no doubt–we should be testing out our hypotheses), and my own intuition and skills for pattern-recognition, and my matching my felt-sense of what might be going on for a patient with their felt sense of what they feel is going on for them.
Attunement.
I write about stories a lot. And I don’t mean “story” in a woo way, like you talk about your problems and they go away.
No. What I mean is that you are an individual with a unique perspective and a body that is interconnected but also uniquely experienced. And my goal is to get a sense of what it’s like to be you. What your current experience is like. What “feeling like something’s wrong” feels like. What “getting better” feels like.
And all of that information is located within story.
Your body tells us a story too. The story shows up in your emotions, in your physical sensations, in your behaviours (that might be performed automatically or unconsciously), in your thoughts, in your energy, and in the palpation of your body.
No two cases of rheumatoid arthritis are the same. They may have similar presentations in some ways (enough to fit the category in the medical textbooks), but the two cases of rheumatoid arthritis in two separate people differ in more way than they are the same.
And that is important.
We’re so used to 15 minute insurance-covered visits where we’re given a quick diagnosis and a simple solution. We’re conditioned to believe that that’s all there is to health and that the doctors and scientists and researchers know pretty much everything there is to know about the human body and human experience.
And that if we don’t know about something, it means that it doesn’t exist.
When we’re told “nothing is wrong” we are taught to accept it. And perhaps conclude that something is wrong with us instead.
When we’re told that we have something wrong and the solution is in a pill, we are taught to accept that too. And perhaps conclude that something is wrong with our bodies.
But, you know what a story does?
It connects the dots.
It locates a relevant beginning, and weaves together the characters, themes, plot lines, conflicts, heroes, and myths that captivate us and teach us about the world.
A story combines your indigestion, mental health, microbiome, and your childhood trauma.
A story tells me about your shame, your skin inflammation, your anxiety, and your divorce.
Maybe you don’t have a disease, even if you’ve been given a diagnosis.
Maybe you have a story instead.
What do you think about that?
by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Sep 30, 2013 | Asian Medicine, Detoxification, Digestion, Exams, Food, Health, Mindfulness, Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Spleen organ can be more closely equated with the pancreas, rather than the western spleen, whose main function is simply to store blood. The TCM Spleen is responsible for digesting food and converting it into energy, much in the way the pancreas releases insulin to allow the body’s cells to absorb ingested glucose, providing the cells with energy. Unlike the pancreas, however, the TCM Spleen is also responsible for providing warmth and vitality to the body, providing energy for immune function and the mental energy to produce industrious and creativity work. The Spleen belongs to the Earth Element and its main season is late Summer and early Fall, right around the time that students dust off their backpacks and head back to school.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Aug 14, 2013 | Acupuncture, Asian Medicine, Evidence Based Medicine, Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine
Naturopathic doctors employ a variety of healing modalities or, as we like to say, “tools in our toolbox”, to help the body heal itself. One of my favourite healing modalities is acupuncture. While I used to cringe at the thought of spending another 2 hours being poked and prodded by my classmates in acupuncture class I’ve since overcome my fear of needles and have come to embrace the amazing powers of acupuncture to gently restore balance and healing to the body. To pay homage to my favourite modality, I’ve answered some of your burning questions about this ancient healing art.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Nov 22, 2012 | Acupuncture, Anti-aging, Asian Medicine, Balance, Health, Self-care, Traditional Chinese Medicine
One of my favourite courses, since I began my studies to become a naturopathic doctor, has been Asian Medicine. I am fascinated by the fact that this holistic form of medicine treated billions of people for the past 3000 years, how it remains a viable form of medicine and how, only now, when we put it to the test of our Western research methods, we find that it does work, but we’re still not sure how.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Apr 15, 2012 | Acupuncture, Addiction, Alcohol, Asian Medicine, Balance, Detoxification, Emotions, Mental Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Uncategorized
The NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol for addictions recovery and detoxification consists of 5 acupuncture points on each ear. Developed by Michael Smith, it has been implemented in North America in various detoxification and addictions treatment centres across North America. It’s a beautiful example of the effectiveness of acupuncture and it’s implementation into mainstream medical treatment facilities.
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by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Feb 29, 2012 | Acupuncture, Asian Medicine, Digestion, Food, Nutrition, Recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to the Five Elements Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as taught to us in ASM 202 by Dr. Kassam, the Spleen and Stomach belong to the Earth element and are both responsible for digestion (the transportation and transformation of food into energy, or Qi).
According to our professor, The Spleen transports Gu Qi (the Qi, or energy, derived from food intake) to the rest of the body. It nourishes muscles, limbs and the intellect by allowing us to think, study, focus, memorize and concentrate (hello, exam time!).
When the Spleen is out of balance, Spleen Qi or Yang Deficiency or even Dampness can manifest. In the Western medical model, dampness is best explained as weight gain, or obesity: fluid retention, fat gain, abdominal distension, lethargy and difficulty concentrating.
The Spleen hates cold and damp foods and environments. Eating fat, cold, damp and sweet foods can aggravate the Spleen and lead to dampness or other spleen pathologies. Think dairy, refined sugars, fried foods, starchy foods and raw foods. (Eating to the bottom of a tub of Ben and Jerry’s while watching your favourite romantic comedy may be good for the soul, but it’s horrible for the Spleen!)
So, how can we tonify the Spleen and prevent or reverse dampness (read: lose weight)?
First, we need to help the Spleen digest food by making it easier to extract the necessary nutrients from the food we eat and letting what we don’t need go to waste rather than storing it as fat.
We need to focus on the foods that aid digestion and minimize the foods that the Spleen doesn’t like; foods that make it harder for the Spleen to digest and, thereby, contribute to dampness.
While working to tonify the Spleen it is important to avoid raw foods. Digesting raw foods takes a lot of work and can be damaging to an already compromised Spleen. It is important to cook foods, use warming spices, which help to prevent dampness by warming the body, and to avoid cold, sweet foods.
Eating in silence is important as it helps us focus our energies on digestion, allowing the Spleen to function optimally. Dr. Kassam, tells us that in Chinese cafeterias, rather than hearing the chatter you would expect to hear in a “Western” cafeteria all you hear is dense silence, interrupted by the occasional slurping noise or clattering of spoons against soup bowls. As far as the Spleen is concerned, it is important to eat for the sole purpose of eating. This means avoiding conversation, reading, checking email or studying while eating.
Avoid irregular eating habits and ensure that you eat a proper, protein-rich breakfast. Being hungry in the morning and at regular meal times is a good sign that the Spleen is working properly. According to TCM, hunger is the sensation of the Spleen “asking” for food.
Consider supplementing with a probiotic. Creating a healthy balance of gut flora aids the Spleen with digestion by improving the terrain in which digestion occurs.
OK, so what should I eat?
It is important to focus on foods that are slowly cooked and served warm, such as soups and stews. When preparing meals, use seasonal vegetables, moderate portions of meat and warming spices (ginger, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, etc.).
Congee is an excellent dish for tonifying the Spleen, aiding in digestion and reversing dampness or Spleen dysfunction. It is easy to digest, very warming and nutritive. To make Congee:
1 cup of rice (brown, long-grain or bismati, according to your preference)
9 cups of water
As many large chunks of fresh ginger (1/4 inch thick) as you desire
Any vegetables you have (preferably seasonal): mushrooms, kale, spinach, carrots, celery, etc.
Chopped green onions
Optional: chicken or turkey breast pieces
Bring pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until the soup has a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and keep warm. Makes 6 servings.
*This post is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition and does not replace the advice of a licensed naturopathic doctor or doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
by Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND | Jan 17, 2012 | Acupuncture, Anti-aging, Asian Medicine, Sex, Sexual Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sexual health is largely managed by the Kidney organ system.
Keep in mind, of course, that as with all organ systems of TCM, when we speak of the “Kidney” we are not talking about the actual, Western kidneys. TCM must be understood as its own paradigm, and students must try to refrain from drawing too many parallels with Western medicine, as it only serves to confuse and frustrate, rather than educate and enlighten.
That being said, In TCM the Kidneys are in charge of essence, an important yin energy. We are born with a set amount of essence, which, unlike Qi, can never be replenished. When we age, our essence is slowly depleted, causing our hair to turn grey and fall out, our face to show signs of aging and our teeth to loosen and fall. If that didn’t sound like fun already, there is also an increase in sexual dysfunction as energy levels and libido lower. Therefore, sexual dysfunction, which is everything from low libido to impotence, usually indicates a problem with Kidney energy.
Unfortunately, while Kidney essence garners sexual and reproductive health, it is also depleted by engaging in sexual intercourse. According to the book Behind the Jade Screen by Dr. Hong Zen Zhu, we can never replenish essence but there are ways in which we can conserve it, especially when it comes to sexually practices:
An exercise call Qi Gong can be used before sex to help regulate Qi. This exercise works by guiding Kidney Qi (or Kidney energy) to the sex organs to make them strong and therefore, preventing impotence from excessive loss of essence. This Qi Gong exercise involves mental concentration. It should be learned under the training of a professional Qi Gong instructor. Keep in mind that Qi Gong’s benefits extend greatly beyond sexual health and is an excellent way of preserving essence and encouraging the flow of Qi.
To prevent a loss of fluid and bodily dryness, and to prepare for intercourse, both males and females can guide their fluids by sending yin energy down to the organs. This can be done by swallowing saliva and contracting the anus. This benefit has to do with sending moisture in the right direction, which prevents the loss of moisture and important yin energy.
It is important for partners to stay mindfully in tune with their own bodies and gauge when each of their spiritual and physical energies is ready for sexual intercourse. Practicing proper timing not only keeps one aware of their body, it also helps to value the act of sexual intercourse and it’s potential to tax the body through essence depletion. It also helps and strengthens the sexual relationship with his or her partner. (In other words, according to the Chinese, if you’re not feelin’ it, don’t just do it because there’s nothing good on TV!)
According to TCM it is important not to rush sex (sorry to all you “quickie” fans out there!). In order to store or save Qi, people should try to release energy slowly by moving slowly and guiding Qi down to the lower part of the body during sex. It’s also important to practice peaceful movement during the act. Overly aggressive sexual activity (as well as excess anger) can result in energy stagnation.
There is another Qi Gong technique for men who are experiencing a loss of Qi and have a partner with adequate Qi. The exercise is called “Taking out the Qi“. In this exercise the man withdraws before ejaculation in order to try to “steal” some Qi from his partner. Again, it is important to consult a Qi Gong instructor before attempting these techniques.
After sex it is important to recover. Both partners need peaceful relaxation to give the physical Qi and life essence a chance to recuperate. Resting and relaxing after intercourse also gives the spiritual energy a chance to gather its forces.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are various ideas about how often an individual can “safely” engage in sex without damaging his or her essence and thereby contributing to premature aging and sexual dysfunction. Dr. Sun Si Miao, a physician and Taoist of the Tang Dynasty who lived from 580 to 682 (101 years), gives the following guidelines for a healthy amount of sexual activity. It is important to contrast these guidelines with what we are taught to expect is “normal” from our own North American culture. I think you will find that a healthy balance lies in the middle of your own experience and the TCM recommendations given over 2500 years ago.
Teens: Contrary to what the media pressures us to believe in today’s society, in Ancient China it was thought that teenagers didn’t have enough strong, mature energy to engage in sexual activity yet.
20’s: It is healthy to have sexual intercourse once every 4 days. Engaging in sex more frequently at this age runs the risk of prematurely depleting Kidney essence.
30’s: Once every 8 days
40’s: Once every 16 days
50’s: Once every 20 days
60’s: Once a month, if the individual is fairly healthy. If the individual had a history of health disorders or generalized weakness, then only occasional sexual activities was recommended.
70’s: Whether healthy or not, sex would use up too much energy therefore sex is not recommended at all.
For those who (and I imagine there are many of you!) feel that these guidelines are extremely conservative, don’t fear! One can improve sexual function by following some of the above tips and receiving regular acupuncture treatments, which treat the Kidney meridian. There are also some simple, at-home exercises that can be done to maintain Kidney essence, good sexual energy and general health. Here is one:
The Gushing spring K-1 massage:
This is a massage of the first point on the Kidney acupuncture channel, which can be found on the sole of the foot, one third of the way from the toes to the heel.
In order to perform this massage, sit on a cushion and use left hand to hold the toes of the left foot. Then use the heel of the right hand to massage the point briskly, in a circular motion 100 times. You should feel a pleasant warmth at this point.
The purpose of this exercise is to push the Kidney energy along this meridian to help improve the connection between the Heart and the Kidney. It helps in the treatment of Kidney problems such as low sexual energy, frequent urination and impotence, and Heart problems like spiritual disorders, insomnia and anxiety. It is beneficial to soak your feet in warm water for 5-7 minutes before the exercise, then perform the massage and go directly to bed.
Hey, it’s cheaper and less painful than a Botox injection!
