Where to Start and End Moxibustion: Best Times and Techniques You Should Know

Where to Start and End Moxibustion: Best Times and Techniques You Should Know

With the rising trend of health preservation, many people have begun to pay attention to wellness, but how many truly understand the contraindications, indications, sequence, and optimal timing for moxibustion? In fact, just like “needles can kill or revive,” moxibustion has its own intricacies. The Iron Rules of Moxibustion 1) During moxibustion, or throughout the … Read more

Traditional Chinese Medicine Gāo Formulas: Essential Guidelines for Use

Traditional Chinese Medicine Gāo Formulas: Essential Guidelines for Use

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) gāo formulas, also known as gāo jì (膏剂) or gāo zī (膏滋), are a type of internal herbal preparation that provides comprehensive benefits such as nourishment, supplementation, and preventive treatment. They are one of the commonly used forms of Chinese medicine, alongside pills, powders, and elixirs. Gāo formulas are semi-fluid preparations … Read more

Understanding the Proper Administration of Chinese Herbal Decoctions

Understanding the Proper Administration of Chinese Herbal Decoctions

Chinese herbal medicine is a treasure of our country’s medical system. The in-depth exploration, research, and summarization by ancient sages have led to the widespread recognition and application of Chinese herbal medicine. In addition to the dialectical treatment by doctors, the meticulous dispensing by pharmacists, and careful decoction, the correct method of taking medicine is … Read more

Essential Knowledge on the Preparation and Consumption of Chinese Herbal Decoctions

Essential Knowledge on the Preparation and Consumption of Chinese Herbal Decoctions

Decoctions are the most commonly used form in clinical practice. Factors such as the choice of decoction utensils, the amount of water, the heat level, the method of decoction, the timing of consumption, the dosage, and contraindications can all affect the efficacy and safety of the medication. As stated in the Compendium of Materia Medica: … Read more

Discussion on the Nine Contraindications of Ma Huang Tang

Discussion on the Nine Contraindications of Ma Huang Tang

Regarding the contraindications of Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), Zhang Zhongjing discussed it from nine aspects, hence the name: “Nine Contraindications of Ma Huang Tang”. Firstly, in the “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage), section 49 states: “The pulse is floating and rapid; the treatment should induce sweating for recovery. If purged, and the … Read more

Acupuncture: Cautions and Self-Learning Precautions

Acupuncture: Cautions and Self-Learning Precautions

Contraindications for Acupuncture 1. Site Contraindications: Important organ areas should not be needled. Areas where major blood vessels pass should be avoided. Important joint areas are not suitable for acupuncture. 2. Acupoint Contraindications: Pregnant women should avoid needling Hegu (LI4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Quxi (CV3), as well as abdominal and lumbar sacral acupoints. Children should avoid … Read more