Voices on the Mountain

We break the seal on the bottle, tangents and swearing in this episode. We have plenty of good content coming your way this year, be on the lookout for episodes bimonthly or save yourself the anticipation and hit the subscribe button to make sure you never miss an episode.

It's the festive season when people gather with friends to eat, drink, and talk story. Alcohol traces it's roots back to beginning of human civilization and agriculture potentially being the first fermented substance humans manufactured. In Chinese Medicine alcohol is also a foundational component, not only as a solvent but as a radical in the character Yi. Join us on the first part of our jaunt discussing alcohol and while tangential narratives are iconic of one under the influence we can assure you it was all sober fun.

Into the archives of the short little life of our podcasts we go: In the beginning, Steven and I were vamping on some Wu Xing ideas, and then we decided to hit record.... Wu Xing or 5 Phases as it is often translated, is a philosophy at the core of Chinese thought. If Yin and Yang are like dancing a two step, Wu Xing is like the tango. And once you adopt this lens you can apply it anywhere, in the garden, in relationships, in the seasons and the clinic. Life unfolds according to the patterns and principles of Wu Xing. Join us as we play and dance with Wu Xing.

Finishing off the Ghost Points

Just like the ghost points themselves we are going deeper into the body as we cover more ghost points this week.

Ghostbusters!

Goodness Gracious Great balls of fire!

Is stress always good or bad?!? According to TCM, what kinds of stress should be on our radar and what is the way to navigate these stresses for optimal health? The TCM answers to these questions might surprise you! Tune in, practitioners and muggles alike, for a deep dive into this key element of a healthy lifestyle!

Is stress always good or bad?!? According to TCM, what kinds of stress should be on our radar and what is the way to navigate these stresses for optimal health? The TCM answers to these questions might surprise you! Tune in, practitioners and muggles alike, for a deep dive into this key element of a healthy lifestyle!

Is stress always good or bad?!? According to TCM, what kinds of stress should be on our radar and what is the way to navigate these stresses for optimal health? Tune in, practitioners and muggles alike, for a deep dive into this key element of a healthy lifestyle!

A point by any other name... The second part of our episode discussing the insight that point names provide to understanding how to use the points clinically. The ancients wrapped enormous understanding, experience and clinical guidance into the names of every point, and all we have to do is decipher them in the context in which they were given. Based on Nei Jing concepts and excerpts, we delve into key digestive points. We discuss the Great Luo ot the Stomach called 虚里 xū lǐ, and how that provides great insight into points like ST36 足三里 zú sān lǐ， ST37 上巨虚 shàng jù xū, etc.

What's my name?!?! Insight into points comes through many avenues, but the perhaps the most fundamental is the name. The ancients wrapped enormous understanding, experience and clinical guidance into the names of every point, and all we have to do is decipher them in the context in which they were given. Based on Nei Jing concepts and excerpts, we delve into key digestive points. We discuss the Great Luo ot the Stomach called 虚里 xū lǐ, and how that provides great insight into points like ST36 足三里 zú sān lǐ， ST37 上巨虚 shàng jù xū, etc. And check out the second half of this content in the subsequent episode.

The second part of this fascinating discussion on Qi Hua. Enjoy! Two of the the most telling and essential Nei Jing quotes covered in this episode is: 《素问·灵兰秘典论》三焦者，决渎之官，水道出 焉。膀胱者，州都之官，津液藏焉，气化则能出矣。 From the Su Wen, Ling Lan Mi Dian Chapter: "The triple burner, the water managing and irrigating official, the water ways come from here. The bladder, the river managing official, Jin Ye is stored/controlled here, therefore Qi Hua can function/come from here." 《素问·六节藏象论》脾、胃、大肠、小肠、三焦、膀胱者，仓禀之本，营之居也 From the Su Wen, Liu Jie Zang Xiang Chapter: "The spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, triple burner and bladder, the root of receiving food/nourishment, the residing place of Ying nutritve.

Qi What?!? Is it Qi transformation or transformation with Qi? Ever been confused by the seemingly amorphous description of this essential lower burner function? Check out this episode for a deep dive into what this key physiological process is and how to treat dysfunctional Qi Hua all rooted in Nei Jing goodness! Enjoy! Two of the the most telling and essential Nei Jing quotes covered in this episode is: 素问·灵兰秘典论》三焦者，决渎之官，水道出 焉。膀胱者，州都之官，津液藏焉，气化则能出矣。 From the Su Wen, Ling Lan Mi Dian Chapter: "The triple burner, the water managing and irrigating official, the water ways come from here. The bladder, the river managing official, Jin Ye is stored/controlled here, therefore Qi Hua can function/come from here." 素问·六节藏象论》脾、胃、大肠、小肠、三焦、膀胱者，仓禀之本，营之居也 From the Su Wen, Liu Jie Zang Xiang Chapter: "The spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, triple burner and bladder, the root of receiving food/nourishment, the residing place of Ying nutritve."

The World Cup gets everyone focused on football, female athletes and this year ACL injuries. We join the trend and look into ACL tears with a TCM outlook.

Does TCM agree with intermittent fasting? Who does it fit and who should be cautious? Check out this episode for some great info on how TCM approaches lifestyle choice! This second half of the intermittent fasting episode dives deep into multiple quotes from the Nei Jing and other classics. For an introduction to the topic check out the first half!

Does TCM agree with intermittent fasting? Who does it fit and who should be cautious? Check out this episode for some great info on how TCM approaches lifestyle choice! This first half of the intermittent fasting episode introduces the topic and the second half dives deep into multiple quotes from the Nei Jing and other classics. Hold onto your trendy diet hats!

Who you calling Fu? This episode covers the concept of "San Fu Tie," a classic treatment in Chinese medicine that corresponds to three distinct periods between mid-July and mid-August. We discuss the significance of the timing of this treatment and how it aligns with the natural rhythms of the body and the environment. By doing so, the practitioner can use the least force to achieve maximum efficacy. We also explore how using these external herbal treatments to disperse cold during the summer can treat diseases that are exacerbated in the winter, like asthma. By following the natural flow of energy and adapting treatments accordingly, Chinese medicine practitioners can optimize the body's healing process while minimizing the use of aggressive techniques. We also share the classic herbal formula from Ming dynasty Dr. Zhang Lu 张璐! And of course, for you classics nerds out there, one of the key Nei Jing quotes we cover in this episode: “春夏养阳，秋冬养阴，以从其根” from 素问·四气调神大论

In this episode we introduce our podcasts co-hosts Steven Wong and Asher Loring. We hope you our listeners are as big of TCM geeks as we are, enjoy!