Author: Doris Rathgeber

Body & Soul  >  Articles posted by Doris Rathgeber (Page 4)
Body & Soul  >  Articles posted by Doris Rathgeber (Page 4)

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system which is proven effective in treating a vast array of diseases naturally. Thanks to a combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture among other therapies, TCM treats the person as a whole by restoring balance physically and emotionally. TCM can naturally provide relief for the following conditions: Internal medicine diseases Digestive disorders Respiratory disorders Menstrual disorders and infertility Skin diseases Western therapies’ side...

What can Chinese herbs do for you?

Chinese herbs are well known for their effectiveness in prevention and curing. Herbal decoctions are frequently used to strengthen the immune system naturally and cure with minor side effects. There are more than 1000 herbs commonly used in TCM and each individual combination has its own characteristics and effects. As everyone’s constitution and symptoms are unique, herbal decoctions are always custom made in order to fully treat the patient’s condition and...

All Your Acupuncture Questions Answered

In our TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) series, we share insight into the major TCM treatments and answer frequently asked questions. Acupuncture is a popular TCM method to cure disease and restore balance. People often wonder “Will getting stuck with needles really make me healthier?” Here is everything you want to know about acupuncture. TCM Philosophy TCM believes a healthy body and mind is achieved through a free flow of vital energy (Qi)...

Breathe Freely: Natural Allergy Solutions

Are red, watery eyes and a swollen nose your trademark spring look? Many allergy sufferers dread the coming spring. Life becomes round after round of antihistamines and nasal sprays. Shanghai’s damp, dusty (and polluted) environment is a nightmare for many allergy and asthma sufferers. Ancient Chinese Wisdom: The Root Causes of Allergies TCM interprets allergies as a disharmony in the body. It is often diagnosed as a “wind” influence accompanied by another...

Dr. Rathgeber’s Prescription for Achieving Your Dreams in China

Body & Soul’s founder, Doris Rathgeber, shares how life’s twists and turns led to achieving her dreams in China. She offers advice for how expats can thrive in Shanghai.   Life’s Many Twists and Turns “Everything I have is from China. China helped me overcome my past and find the opportunity to achieve my dream.” Growing up in Germany, Doris always hoped to be a doctor. But, there was “no more room for dreams”...

How to Stay Healthy This Winter with TCM

TCM Focus: Maintain a healthy lifestyle and discover a delicious 5 Element warming recipe! In wintertime the traditional Chinese Yin-Yang cycle reaches its Yin peak. It is the season of rest and passivity, during which nature reduces its activities. In TCM, winter is related to the water element and associated with the kidney and bladder. Our essential energy, Qi, needs special care and nourishment during cold, damp winter weather. Different areas of...

East Meets West: Healthy Winter Spices

These herbs and spices do more than smell good. They are often used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) remedies for their healing properties. The Chinese have long categorized herbs and foods by their temperature effects (cool, fresh, neutral, warm and hot) on the body. Most of these spices are warming, which is naturally fitting for the season and is another reason we feel emotionally “warm” when we smell them. Here are...

Traditional Chinese Medicine way to treat headaches

With sudden changes in weather, many people complain from headaches and migraines. From the Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view, any pain-related symptoms, including headaches, are generally attributed to a stagnation of the flow of Qi and Blood. The stagnation can be caused by: - too much toxic substance: the ‘cold evil’ and ‘dampness’ accumulating in the body - a deficiency of Qi or Blood (or both) During the consultation, a TCM Doctor...

Five Elements Theory in TCM

Anxiety disorders are one of the most frequently diagnosed mental health disorders in teens. One study in Germany indicated that about 10% of children and adolescents suffer from anxiety disorders (Robert Koch-Intuit; BELLA-Studied). The primary anxiety disorders are: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Phobias, and Separation Anxiety. Origin of the Five Elements Theory The Five Elements theory came from observing nature. Thinkers and philosophers in China and in the West analyzed natural phenomena...

Travel Rx: Staying Healthy on Holiday

Jet Lag Humans have biological rhythms, known as circadian rhythms, which are controlled by a biological clock, daily routines and exposure to light and dark. These affect body temperature, alertness, appetite, hormone secretion, etc. as well as sleep timing. Jet lag, medically known as desynchronosis, results from disruption of these circadian rhythms by traveling across multiple time zones. Your rhythms are out of sync with the new time zone, which can...