5 Traditional Chinese Medicine Tips for Digestion

The digestive system does a whole lot more than just process nutrients. Your digestive tract communicates with the rest of your body, and the healthiness of your gut has a huge impact on your overall wellbeing! Over 90 percent of your serotonin, the hormone that regulates things like mood and sleep, is produced in the gut. It’s important to maintain a healthy digestive system if you want to feel happy, energized, and well-rested. 

Millions of people across the country struggle with their digestion and don’t know where to seek help. Additionally, most people don’t want to take medications that have high costs and long lists of side effects. Dedham Acupuncture aims to treat people naturally.  Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide amazing benefits for a wide range of digestive issues. Read on to find out how TCM can aid your digestive issues!

Symptoms of Digestive Issues

Digestive issues can prevent themselves in a lot of unpleasant ways. It’s not always an obvious stomach ache or episode of acid reflux. Poor digestion can result in things like chronic pain, vitamin deficiencies, and malaise. Some symptoms of an irregulated digestive system are:

• Headaches and migraines
• Inflammation
• Cold or hot sweats 
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Bloating and gas
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Nausea

Digestion is a very complex process. Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the person and their diet from a holistic perspective to get a full understanding of what could be impacting their digestion. Everything from your diet to your metabolism, to your food choices, can your body’s processes. Following some basic guidelines, though, can help build up your gut microbiome, and aid any issues that show up. 

Eat With the Seasons

In TCM, eating with the seasons is important to stay balanced with the environment. So in the fall and winter, focusing on cooked seasonal foods like meat, soups, and stews can help aid your digestion. Winter is associated with kidney energy and consuming warm, nourishing, bitter foods like asparagus, kale, and vinegar can help your kidney function improve. In the spring and summer, more vegetables and fruits are in season. They’re tasty, versatile, and provide an extra dose of hydration! Watermelon, strawberries, and cucumbers are great summer food options. 

Mind the Temperatures

Have you ever heard the term “digestive fire”? Your digestive system essentially cooks down food with acid, bile, and enzymes and transforms it into vital energy. In Chinese Medicine, the temperature of your food and liquids will influence this digestive process greatly. Foods can be generally grouped into three categories: 

• Warming
•  Cooling
•  Neutral

Cooked and room temperate foods (warming) is best all around, especially when trying to eat with the seasons. Raw, cooling foods can help regulate the body during times of extreme heat, both physically and emotionally. In general, though, raw foods tend to slow down the metabolism and can be pretty tough on the digestive system. In general, cooked foods aid the metabolism and are easier on digestion. The same goes for liquids. Tea, soups, broths, and warm temperature water are all beneficial for warming the digestive system. Cold and icy liquids can be shocking to the system and lead to issues. 

Hydration is Key 

Hydration is so important, especially in the winter. And no, coffee doesn’t count! Many health concerns are exacerbated by dehydration. Avoid unnecessary health and digestion issues by consuming water throughout the day. For a lot of people, staying hydrated is a challenge. Water isn’t flavorful and it starts to feel like a chore. Avoid using sugary flavor packets and try out these healthy tips instead:

• Spice up your room temperature water with ½ lemon and a one-inch slice of ginger. (Ginger is a warming food that is perfect for the fall and winter!).
• Place water in all the places you would usually be throughout the day (n your car, at your desk, in the living room, etc). That way, it’s already there and the extra step of going to our a glass doesn’t stop you from hydrating.
• Have a water bottle filled with your water intake for the first half of your day. Set a goal to finish it by 12 pm, then refill it for the second half of your day.
• Mix in fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, and lemons for all-natural flavored water!

Herbal Remedies for Digestion

Traditional Chinese Medicine practices herbal healing for a wide array of ailments, including acute and chronic digestive issues. In addition to a healthy diet and lots of hydration, herbs can promote digestive health and vitality. These herbs mainly target the liver, kidneys, and spleen- the main organs associated with digestion. You may have heard of some herbs like lion’s mane and ashwagandha, but they can be less accessible than others. A lot of useful herbs can be found right in your pantry! If you’re experiencing new or lasting digestive discomfort, check out some of these common herbs:

• Ginger: Ginger is a great warming herb. It keeps the digestive moving along and aids in nausea. It’s commonly combined with other herbs to balance the “formula” of the herbal remedy.
• Clove: Another warming herb, clove aids in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting 
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon helps promote circulation and kidney function. It can help relieve lower back pain associated with digestion, stomach pain, and fatigue. 
• Caraway: Caraway is an amazing herb for digestion. It helps relieve gas, bloating, and has been shown to reduce fermentation. 

Don’t be surprised if you experience a whole host of benefits from these herbs aside from good digestion. They can promote a clear head, increase energy, improve mood, and help with inflammation. 

Acupuncture for Digestion

Last but not least, Acupuncture! Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has the ability to help heal and restore your digestive system. So many of our patients at Dedham Acupuncture have had amazing relief from our acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture targets specific pressure points within your body that are associated with different bodily systems and symptoms. For digestion specifically, acupuncture can target the areas you experience discomfort, and help clear out trapped energy that may be influencing your health concerns. Symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, and nausea can all be alleviated through acupuncture. The meridians in your body each have acupuncture points that correlate with digestion, and a licensed acupuncturist will be able to decipher where you need clearing.

Improve Your Digestion with Dedham Acupuncture

Lisa M. Keyes, Lic. Ac. is our featured acupuncturist for Digestion! She has a deep understanding of the digestive system and tons of experience in treating gut issues with acupuncture. She knows all the tips and tricks for improving digestion with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Lisa will take a holistic look at your concerns, lifestyle, and individual needs. Using her knowledge and expertise, she can help you find natural relief. Book your first appointment with Lisa and start healing your digestive system.