Traditional Chinese Medicine
 
 

 
  • Herbal Medicine
  • Acupuncture
  • Dietary Advice
  • Interview Diagnosis
  • Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis
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    Chinese medicine was originally developed from the observation of nature and it has been in use for many thousands of years. It emerged from the Taoist tradition by virtue and the effort of the ancient sages. It was handed down from this heritage as a complete natural system to heal mankind. During the course of history this body of knowledge has been further refined and successfully used to cure billions of people. Thus even today the Chinese medicine with its different branches stands strong as it has proven to be an effective natural system to care for or correct ailments in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our bodies.

    To strengthen the life force (chi), open blockages in our bodies and work with the emotions in the mind and organs are central idioms to Chinese medicine. TCM use a truly holistic approach to correct any imbalances in the body and a practitioner always seek to identify the root of the problem rather then only focus on the symptoms.

    Before you reach Tao Garden Health Resort many of you will be traveling a long distance and most of you perhaps even from another continent.

    This will alter your intemal energy and in the process of readjusting your bodily clock or biorhythms, your bodily energy (Chi) will be under par. Jet lag, lower energy and adjustment to new climate and food all play a part in and are affected by change in time and space.

    Upon your arrival here at Tao Garden Health Resort you have the opportunity to be diagnosed by an superior Chinese Doctor and assisted by a Taoist Herbalist.

    A unique herbal formula for each person's individual need will be prescribed and prepared for your consumption.

    This will in most cases be a tonifying herbal formula which is a safe, effective and inexpensive way for you to increase and balance the energy (chi) in the body.

    This will not only recharge the body and readjust the biorhythms to normal function but also help to balance any other ailments that might be bothering you.

    For more serious illnesses, chronic or acute, we recommend herbal medicine together with acupuncture

       
    ginger   codonopsis   herb preparation

    Herbal Medicine

    A herbal dispensary has been set up by Herbalist/Universal Tao Instructor Mikael Höij in Tao Garden. This was done in cooperation with Dr. Sheng Zhong Wang. It provides herbal support for people who are interested in supplementing their physical, mental and spiritual bodies with the energetics contained in herbs.

    In the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine it says:

    " Sages of ancient times emphasized not the treatment of disease, but rather the prevention of its ocurrence. To administer medicine to disease which has already developed and suppress revolts - which have already begun is comparable to the behavior of one who begins to dig a well after he has become thirsty or one who begins to forge weapons after he has engaged in battle. Would these actions not be too late? "

    Thus, emphasis is placed on prevention of disease by maintaining a high and balanced energy level in the body with tonifying, balancing, regulating and cleansing herbal formulas, This is done in accordance with the principles of TCM; Yin & Yang and the Five Elements.

    Individual Herbal decoctions are available on a day to day or weekly basis.     Dietary advice is also available in addition to Herbal treatment.

    Acupuncture

    Diagnosis and herbal prescriptions and/or acupuncture are provided by Dr. Sheng Zhong Wang.

    He is a native of Peoples Republic of China, Guang Dong province. He is trained in both Western (Allopathic) and Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Shantou. He also studied Acupuncture at Guangzhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    After his academic studies Dr Wang worked for five years in a government hospital in China. He then moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand to work as a Medical Doctor. He has worked as an M.D. in Chiang Mai for the past 12 years. He is able to correct most ailments in the body with the combination of acupuncture and herbs.

    For the past two years Dr Wang has regularly been treating people at Tao Garden with Acupuncture and Herbs. He is available after two o'clock in the afternoon and appointments can be made through his colleage and friend, Herbalist Mikael Höij.

    Dietary Advice

    Dietary advice will be offered by Herbalist Mikael Hoij (in conjunction with herbal therapy) for each individuals personal needs. More detailed information including complete diet plan can be compiled upon request.

    All food produce are classified according to their inherent energetic properties and by selecting food that corresponds to each individual's particular energy configuration, balance can be achieved.

    Food has been used as part of preventive medicine and for sustaining the functioning of the body as long as humans have existed on the face of this planet. From Taoist tradition a coherent system of food theory has been in use and time tested, for at least 2000 years. This knowledge bank provides reliable information that can guide people to a wholesome and balanced diet. The beauty of this is that every body can consume and choose produce that is attractive to the eye and mouth as well as being pleasing in aroma and taste and still be beneficial to the body.

    This is accomplished by choosing food with the proper taste, energy level and organic action according to a persons inherent constitution and current status. This will balance the overall energy in the body as well as the chi in and between the organs.

    Our body is subject to cyclical changes in our natural environment. These alterations necessitate changes in foods being consumed. These factors include seasons, climate, moon phase, emotional status, age, activity level.

    By considering personal energy status, environmental or cyclical changes and energetics in food, harmony and balance can be obtained.

    To further enhance the therapeutic effects of food they can be prepared with herbs or used along side herbal remedies. In the latter case it is important that the energetic quality in the food and herbs are the same, or similar, so maximum benefit can be achieved.

    There is actually no division between food and herbs; some herbs are considered food and some foods are considered herbs. The best therapeutic action is obtained by combining super nutritious herbs prepared with high quality organic food. This will improve effectiveness in assimilation and help regenerate damaged body tissues by increasing the flow of vital energy in the whole body - this will truly give what might be labelled super nutrition.

    Thus for maximum benefit herbs and food should be prepared and consumed together. By eating wisely from food that is pure and contains high energy, we can live a long life fulfilling our true potential.

    The TAO of Food

    Interview Diagnosis

    By interviewing a person one gains insight into their subjective imbalances and at the same time it gives the practitioner time to observe objective signs relevant to the diagnosis.

    More specifically one can say that during the interview a practitioner of TCM gathers subjective and objective information of the current and past regarding a persons body function.

    In the classics it says "you inquire about a person's subjective symptoms and the past for greatest accuracy".

    The questions asked, follow a pattern where one generally starts with asking how a person feels:
    1. Main complaint
    2. Health history
    3. Cold and heat
    4. Perspiration
    5. Head and body pain
    6. Stools and urine
    7. Food and drink (appetite and thirst)
    8. Chest and abdomen
    9. Hearing and eyesight
    10. Sleep
    11. Emotional status, life style, work
    12. Gynecological matters
    13. Miscellaneous

    During the interview a practitioner observes different signs of the person such as
    1. Expression, pattern of behavior, posture and energy level
    2. Assessment of eye (spirit).
    3. Complexion, facial features and head size
    4. Hair, neck and nape
    5. Nose and ears
    6. Mouth and lips

    A practitioner also listens and smells the person as he goes along with the questioning
    1. Sounds, voice and speech
    2. Breathing, cough
    3. Odors, breath and body smells

    All symptoms and signs plus additional information that emerges during the interview will form the base of identifying a person's unique pattern of imbalance. Together with information from the Pulse and Tongue reading this will give accurate information for adequate treatment.

    Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis is the cornerstone of TCM

    The pulse reading is the most thorough, all encompassing method of diagnosis and it gives information about the most subtle fluctuations of energy in the organs, bowels, meridian and other body systems. The tongue reading gives a very clear indication of a persons health and under-lying imbalances.

    After a practitioner of TCM has interviewed, listen and smelled a person he proceeds with taking the pulse and examines the tongue.

    As he gathers all this information he forms a whole picture or pattern of signs and symptoms that give indication for treatment.

    In the classics it says "the blood vessels are the house of chi and blood". By palpitating the blood vessels at specific points on the body a practitioner can determinate the status of chi and blood.

    The pulse is taken at six points on the radial artery on the wrists, three at each wrist. Each point is related to a particular organ, bowel or body system. This is also called the "six pulses" This determines the most minute energy fluctuations within the body at the time of the pulse reading. In addition to this it gives information about past imbalances as well as future problems, which might be labelled pre clinical signs. This is why it is important to have regular checkups from a practitioner of TCM as a preventative measure.

    A practitioner of TCM inspects the tongue as the last part of the diagnosis. In the classics it says "the tongue is the sprout of the heart" and that "the tongue is external indication for the spleen and stomach".

    In reality the tongue reading gives very accurate information about the state of chi and blood, progression and regression of disease, degree of heat and cold and the depth or penetration of a pathogenic evil.

    The practitioner looks at the tongue body and its color, form and movement and also the tongue fur and its colour, thickness and nature.

    Different areas of the tongue also reflect to some degree the status of different organs. This is read together with other signs to form a complete picture or pattern of a person's status.