Start > For family

Fertility support in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine never excludes a couple’s chances for conception of a child, even if the efforts take a long time. It assumes that physiological pregnancy is possible but the female and male bodies should be appropriately prepared for it.

Fertility depends mainly on the condition of Qi, the blood and the essence. According to the philosophy of the East, male and female fertility depends mainly on the condition of the essence – the substance stored in the kidneys. The essence determines individual development, maturity and procreative capacity. Thus, in order to prepare for pregnancy it is important to strengthen and nourish the essence.

For the sake of a natural conception a woman needs: an abundance of blood, good quality and quantity of the essence, a proper quantity of warmth (fire) in the body, a properly functioning heart, liver, kidneys and spleen.

The male and female bodies should not experience a lack of blood, a lack of essence or stasis of blood or liver Qi, a deficiency of the kidney’s Yin, the accumulation of moisture and mucus and a deficiency of the kidney’s Yang. The above factors contribute to menstruation disorders, impaired semen quality, the risk of impotence and fatigue bordering on apathy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s solution for fertility disorders is adopting what the West calls a hygienic lifestyle. However, the Eastern philosophy of life offers extensively more.

It also promotes fertility using appropriate herbal blends, massage, acupuncture.

Regeneration after birth

Chinese Medicine Tradition relating to the postnatal period

ZUO YUE ZI is literally translated as “Sitting The Moon” and refers to the period of 40 days after childbirth when a postpartum mom and her newborn child recover and indulge in and cherish their newly built deep bonds.

In that period a mother should rest, eat nutritional and “hot” food that allows her to revitalize her blood Qi, Yin, Yang and Jing and receive as much emotional support from her loved ones as possible. These will lower the stress cumulated during childbirth and will have a positive impact on successful breastfeeding.

Another important aspect in that period is massage of the postpartum mother aimed at increasing blood circulation and refraining from stasis or clots. Also breast massage increases lactation.

Another issue is warming up of the mom’s body. It heats up while massaging the central line of the body front – from belly button to tailbone, and at the back of the body – from waistline to tailbone. The massage lasts approximately 5 to 10 minutes on each side. It is traditionally performed one day after delivery and if the child was born by cesarean section the massage is performed 2 weeks after the birth. The method strengthens Jing and kidneys and boosts energy and wellbeing.

The diet of a postpartum mom’s is designed to nourish Yin, Qi and blood. The dishes should be warm. Apart from replenishing blood, the diet should fill the nutrient gap, help to mend the damaged tissues including those in the uterus and vagina area and support lactation. To do so, the diet has to be rich in proteins, as they support yin and heart blood, which in turn strengthens Shen – the spirit.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the key rule in postpartum mother care is 3 days of cleansing and 30 days of strengthening.

Kids

Tu i Na – Chinese pediatric massage therapy

Child’s Qi is dynamic, unstable and changeable, so the sicknesses develops differently in the case of children. A special pediatric technique called Tui Na enables movement and correction of the Child’s Qi without any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
Tui Na effectively mobilises the child’s inner strength, induces self-healing and stimulates immunity. The results of Tui Na are relatively quick to appear, especially when applied together with proper nutrition and a hygienic lifestyle.

It is a perfect solution to combat the following symptoms:

  • Fevers and colds
  • Gastro-intestinal problems (constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, reflux of food)
  • Sleep disorders – night crying, sleepwalking, anxiety
  • Emotional instability, irritability, anger, aggression, apathy
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Respiratory system problems – coughs, asthma, chest tightness, rhinitis, allergies
  • Urinary system – bed-wetting
  • Skin conditions – rashes and eczema