Insomnia and poor sleep quality are two of the most common issues I see in clinic for perimenopausal women. Sleep is a fundamental pillar of…

Harness the Energy of Spring with Qi Gong & Acupuncture Spend a rejuvenating Sunday morning embracing the energy of Spring to prepare for a seamless…

Nature is in a constant state of change. With the change of season, the balance of yin and yang in the Universe shifts. The yin…

There’s something incredibly comforting about a steaming bowl of wontons. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a satisfying dinner, this classic Chinese dish…

We tend to think of stress as a bad thing, but stress has helped humans evolve, learn and grow. Stress provides problems for us to…

Acupuncture is increasingly recommended for people wanting to support their fertility, including those undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF and IUI. A practice with roots…

Acupuncture is amazing for so many of the things that ail us, but there are times when you can’t make it into the clinic as…

Equilibrium in the body, as in the natural world, is essential for health, stability, and vitality. Chinese medicine can help you find balance and harmony.

“Efficacy of acupuncture for Endometriosis-associated pain: a multicenter randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial”. Peng, LS, et al, 2023 This study published in the journal of Fertility…

Image Credit – Tomato MRI, Alexandr Khrapichev, University of Oxford Iron is an essential mineral that the body needs to energize your cells and keep…

We all know that exercise is good for us. Exercise builds strength and fitness, but is also an important contributor to our healthspan. Distinct from…

“Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day”  Matthew Walker, Neuroscientist and author of…

As a Chinese medicine practitioner, acupuncture and herbs are the main tools I use to support your health. However there are some situations where I…

Autumn is the season of gathering and harvest. It is the time to collect and store what you’ll need for Winter. With an emphasis on…

On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the achievements of women around the world, whilst acknowledging the work that still needs to be done for…

While a small amount of cramping and discomfort is considered normal in menstruating teenagers, you should not put up with periods interfering with your life….

People often apologise to me in clinic. “Sorry if my hair’s a mess/my feet smell/I didn’t wear the right outfit/I didn’t shave”. There are so…

Protein – it’s essential for life, but are you eating enough? Protein isn’t just for body builders – from immunity to egg quality, mental health…

Dry July is a great time to take a break from alcohol and raise money for cancer research. Whether you’re participating or not, it’s important…

Jaw pain or grinding your teeth? You’re not alone. Jaw tension or pain, as well as teeth grinding, are common in clinic at the moment….

An emerging risk of contracting Covid is the increased incidence of post-covid illness, or long Covid. A significant number of people report lingering symptoms after…

We’re no longer locked down, but Covid and other viruses are still out there, with an increased likelihood that you will be exposed at some…

Do you ever have a feeling that something is stuck in your body? A blocked feeling, difficulty swallowing or of something lodged in your throat?…

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy may have some questions about the safety of Covid-19 vaccines. In pregnancy, physiological changes occur that…

Frozen shoulder is exactly what it sounds like – a gradual freezing of the joint where movement becomes stiff and painful. Also known as adhesive…

Pregnancy is a time of amazing changes and growth. Your body is busily growing a whole new organ, the placenta, producing more blood than it…

Has the coronavirus pandemic ruined your sleep?  Insomnia, waking at 3am, vivid dreams and feeling sluggish in the morning are common changes in sleep patterns…

The change of season and the transition into Autumn is a natural time to start thinking about our immunity; this seems even more pertinent in…

Many of the health challenges I see in clinic are manifestations of an unbalanced stress response. Too much time spent in fight or flight mode…

If you’re like me and are in your 40’s, you may be noticing some weird changes with your periods. Heavy flow, mood swings, insomnia and…

Modern life is hectic and we are all searching for ways to decompress. Watching a few episodes of something, mindless Instagram scrolling or reading the…

Here we are welcoming spring once more, how joyous! Spring is a time of physical and emotional growth and expansion. In spring the Qi of…

The warmer weather has my garden bursting with greens. What better way to eat them than mixing them with cheese and stuffing them in some…

Periods might be inconvenient sometimes but they give important information about your overall health. How regular they are, the colour, amount and consistency of the…

This kind of nourishing vegetable soup reminds me of the folk tale of stone soup. In the story the villagers each contribute one ingredient to…

Chemicals are a ubiquitous part of modern life. It is estimated that a woman is exposed to around 200 chemicals in her personal care products…

In Chinese medicine, the whole is built from two aspects, the Yin and the Yang, and good health depends on a balance of these two…

Sesame seeds are nourishing and delicious, and are popular as a dietary therapy in China. Black sesame seeds (Hei Zhi Ma) are a herb used…

Cheaper, simpler, healthier and better for the planet, the menstrual cup or moon cup is an excellent alternative to pads and tampons.  There will be…

If you suffer from low immunity and recurrent infections, or are struggling with a feeling of being run-down all the time, poor sleep might be…

The effects of stress on our health are pervasive and insidious. Even if you don’t feel particularly stressed, if you live in the modern world…

If you’re over the age of 35 and are starting or expanding your family, you may have some worries about your age, the health of…

Our gut is home to tens of trillions of micro-organisms, our microbiome.  This amazing population of bugs has many functions that are essential to our…

In his brilliant book ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ Michael Pollan outlined a foolproof approach to healthy eating –   Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants….

Every new season brings changes, but Spring in particular is the time when many of us feel big life shifts, whether they are welcome or…

Reflux is a common digestive problem that can cause burning pain in your chest or abdomen.  Also known as heartburn or indigestion, reflux occurs when…

Abdominal pain and discomfort are common symptoms that many people put up with or dismiss as normal.  Bloating, distension, sharp pain and cramping can be…

I’ve been taking my own bags to the shops for years and consider myself fairly aware about what I consume, but I’m still horrified by…

Vaginal pain and discomfort can be frustrating and distressing, affecting all aspects of your life including work, exercise, sex and relationships.  The pain can range…

Recently I completely lost my cooking mojo. After two batches of muffins so awful that even the chickens wouldn’t touch them and a globby gluten…

Headaches are a common occurrence that nearly everyone will experience from time to time.  For most people they cause mild annoyance and discomfort, but frequent…

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows throughout the pelvis causing pain and infertility.  Endometriosis affects around 1…

It is estimated that male factors play a role in around 40% of all cases of infertility. For a man to be fertile he must…

Planning to have a family is an exciting time, so it can be devastating when it doesn’t happen as easily as you hoped it might….

Gong Hei Fat Choy!   2018 is the year of the Earth dog in the Chinese zodiac. The new year brings the energy to start…

If you’d like to squeeze in one last appointment before the end of the year I have some appointments available between Christmas and New Year. …

Brownies don’t exactly scream health food, but these have a lot of things going for them. They’re gluten and dairy free, and the beetroot is…

From it’s beginnings as an obscure Buddhist practice that originated 2600 years ago, mindfulness meditation is gaining traction as a legitimate and important technique for…

Love or hate her, Sarah Wilson’s recent book “First, We Make the Beast Beautiful” has started lots of important conversations about anxiety. A recent survey…

Constipation is a common digestive symptom that unfortunately affects most people at some point. Ideally, you should be passing a stool once or twice a…

Virtually every aspect of your health and wellbeing are influenced by the health of your digestive system, and the community of bacteria that live within…

Having a regular, predictable menstrual cycle every 26 – 35 days is a good sign that your hormones are relatively balanced. If your cycle falls…

Hannah, 29, came to see me for acupuncture to help her prepare for the birth of her first baby. She was 35 weeks pregnant.  …

Heavy periods are common, but, like with period pain, most women put up with it, thinking that it’s normal and that nothing can be done.  …

Planning to get pregnant is the beginning of an exciting journey! How easily it happens for you, how well you are during pregnancy and ultimately,…

Mood swings and irritability, bloating, food cravings and breast tenderness? Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is a broad term encompassing all these fun symptoms, and more, that…

Amy is 31 and came to see me for fertility support. Early investigations with her doctor uncovered severe endometriosis, a blocked fallopian tube and multiple…

How many fun times have you missed or days off have you had because of period pain? As women we’re socialized to believe that it’s…

Modern life is busy and most people feel tired or exhausted at least some of the time. Usually, going to bed a bit earlier and…

The healing properties of turmeric have been known in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. Curcumin, an active compound in turmeric is thought to have…

If you’re doing intrauterine insemination (IUI) with a clinic or at home, Chinese medicine can increase your chances of falling pregnant. A comparative research study has…

Nothing drains away the joy of early pregnancy like morning sickness. You have probably been told that it will pass naturally around the 12 week…

The loss of a pregnancy is a devastating experience; a strong bond is formed with your baby from the very earliest stages of pregnancy.  …

I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am in the world; safe, happy and doing what I love.  I am passionate about healthcare, and…

Goji berries (or Gou Qi Zi) are both a food and a herb in Chinese medicine, used for nourishing the Yin and replenishing the Jing or essence…

As we move in to Autumn our bodies work harder to protect us from attack from evil pathogens (colds and flu). “Wei Qi” is a…

As a practitioner I am always concerned about the safety and efficacy of the products I use and prescribe. Your health is my priority, and…

It’s Febfast time again. Holidays are definitely over, and we’ve all returned to the reality of work and school. If your holidays were a little…

A friend made me this lunch recently and I love how simple and delicious it is. I have added a couple of my own tweaks….

Acute inflammation is a normal physical response to an injury or infection, but chronic inflammation is implicated in a large number of health complaints. Infection,…

Recently published clinical research has isolated a compound that directly targets influenza viruses.  The compound, MIR2911, was isolated from a tea of honeysuckle flowers, a…

Chinese medicine has been used to treat children for thousands of years; many classic Chinese medicine texts include chapters on paediatrics and the unique physiology…

A 37 year old woman came to see me presenting with a breech baby. She was 36 weeks pregnant with her second baby.  The baby…

A 42 year old woman came to see me for help with heavy periods.  Her periods had been heavy since the birth of her child. …

A 28 year old woman came to see me for help in preparing for a vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean.  She was 34 weeks…

Chinese medicine utilises a number of different mushrooms for their medicinal and healing effects.  Readily available species such as button or shitake mushrooms also have…

I firmly believe that our bodies aren’t built for modern life.  For many people, the busyness and stress of life leave us feeling overwhelmed, exhausting…

I love sitting out in the cubby house and sharing an ice-cream and a chat with my kids.  These homemade popsicles are easy to whip…

The skin is the largest organ of the body and its health and appearance is a reflection of our internal health.  Beautiful, blemish free skin…

How well you digest and process food is an important determinant of your overall health.  In Chinese medicine the digestive organs (Stomach and Spleen) digest,…

Leafy greens are nutritional powerhouses full of fibre, vitamins and minerals.  They also contain abundant amounts of carotenoids – antioxidants that protect cells and may…

Windy days, not enough sleep and too much time spent staring at screens can all contribute to dry and sore eyes. This simple Chinese herbal…

A recent study supports the use of acupuncture for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome when used in conjunction with standard treatment. Patients were divided…

Many women planning a natural birth are looking for ways to prepare. Acupuncture is a gentle, safe treatment that can help you have a positive,…

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, healthy muscles, and a robust immune system.  Healthy levels of vitamin D are also essential for normal bone…

Understanding your menstrual cycle and knowing your most fertile time can be really helpful if you’re planning a pregnancy.  Charting your basal body temperature and…

Congee (or Jook) is my favourite comfort food, my grandmother still makes it for me when I visit.  A simple porridge made from rice and…

Pesticides are potent toxic chemicals that pose many health dangers including brain and nervous system problems, cancer, hormone disruption and skin, eye and lung irritation. …

If you’ve ever wondered about meditation, or have become slack in your own meditation practice, I encourage you to join me and sign up to…

One of the great strengths of Chinese medicine is its understanding of the impact of spiritual health on the physical body. Unbalanced emotions such as…

The holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to get your gifts in order. I love making, and giving homemade gifts. Here are…

Not too much. The last of Michael Pollan’s rules for health and happiness is probably the least welcome. Truth be told, I’m greedy, and food…

Eating food, real, unprocessed food is a great start, but some foods are better than others and emphasizing plant foods, especially leaves, is a way…

After the birth of my second baby I was in a bit of a health rut. I didn’t exercise, was eating poorly, struggling to maintain…

Acupuncture is a safe, natural method of preparing for labour. If you are approaching or past your due date, acupuncture can help prepare your body…

My grandmother always cooks up a pot of bone broth for me when I visit her house. As a child I always resented having to…

The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bones of the skull that can become congested after a cold, or from chronic inflammation. Sinus congestion can…

Chinese medicine has a long history of use in fertility support and pregnancy.  By nourishing both eggs and sperm, promoting a healthy uterine lining, and…