thetcmfolks: Recent Episodes

thetcmfolks

Where we discuss health and chinese medicine related topics from a millenial physician's perspective. Tune in to find out what TCM does, who it's for, and how all of us can start using it to make us healthier and happier today.

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In this episode, we have on the show Shan who is a certified TCM dietician. Find out if chicken can really make your cough worse or why persimmons may not be suitable for your child, as well as what other foods are beneficial for our health from a TCM perspective.

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In this episode, our guest Sheryl talks about her experience going through pregnancy and confinement. Find out what are some of the dos and don'ts from the perspective of TCM.

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In this episode, our guest Sheryl talks about her experience going through pregnancy and confinement. Find out what are some of the dos and don'ts from the perspective of TCM.

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In this episode, we talk about a recent news article that put TCM in the spotlight and why we are angry!

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In this episode, our guests Jess and James share about their experience with stroke and how they managed to overcome the challenges they faced along the way.

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In this episode, we talk about the ideal age for couples to start trying for a baby, as well as some tips to help boost your chances

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Prevention is always better than cure. Take care of your health especially if you have symptoms that have yet to manifest into an actual illness.

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Just a friendly reminder to all of us to take care of ourselves, so that we can enjoy and live life to the fullest!

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In this episode of our brand new series 'Huat The Health', we will be answering some of the commonly asked questions regarding the TCM profession in Singapore. Find out what it takes to become a TCM physician and what really goes on behind the scenes.

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Facial acupuncture sounds pretty intimidating but it actually isn't. There are many uses and benefits of facial acupuncture, which we will talk about briefly in this episode.

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Chinese Yam or 山药 is a type of food that is packed with nutritional and medicinal benefits. In this episode, we talk about what these benefits are, and how you can use Chinese Yam for the entire family.

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Hives or Urticara is a skin condition that can cause severe itching and discomfort. Most people associate hives to an allergic reaction within the body. However, there may be other things that can be causing this problem. In this episode, we talk about how hives is understood from a TCM lens, and what you can do to manage this condition.

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Mommy's Hand is a painful condition of the wrist that affects not only young mothers, but anyone who uses their wrist excessively. In this episode, we talk about what Mommy's hand is and what you can do about it.

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Feeling bloated all the time? Have no clue why this is happening to you? In this episode, we’ll be talking about the common symptom of bloating, why it happens, what you can do to manage it, and what TCM can do to help.

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If you suffer from lower back pain that radiates down the back of your legs, you may be suffering from sciatica. In this episode, we talk about what this common condition is, how it happens, and what you can do to address it.

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Yin deficiency, is a TCM body type characterised by symptoms such as feeling warm, restlessness and dryness. In this episode, we talk about how Yin deficiency occurs and what you can do if you have such an issue.

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Suffering from hair loss and looking for ways to overcome it? In this episode, we talk about the 3 common types of hair loss (genetic, hormonal and pathogenic), how it relates to TCM, and what TCM can do to help with hair loss.

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A slipped disc sounds scary, but in reality, it is a fairly common condition that most people manage to live with without too much problems. In this episode, we will be going through the basics of what a slipped disc is, as well as talk about some of the misconceptions and treatment options available for it.

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I got Covid. Thankfully i've recovered now and so in this episode I want to share about my experience and what I've learn. Hopefully this will be of help to those who have yet to get Covid, and for those who have gotten it, some of what I say will be relatable to you.

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If you're curious about what your tongue says about your health, then stay tuned. In this episode, we talk about the basics behind TCM tongue reading, and also some tips that you can use to read your own tongue.

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The humble red date, is a TCM herb that is packed with many amazing benefits. In this episode, we talk about 5 different Red Date recipes you can use to optimize your health.

  1. Immunity - Snow Fungus Dessert

  2. Digestion - Red Date Tangerine Peel Tea [10g each]

  3. Mood / Energy - GanMaiDaZaoTang [Red Date 10 pieces, Light Wheat Grain 30g, Licorice Root 6g, 1L water] / Red Date Tea [Red Date 10-20 pieces]

  4. Sleep - Red Date Longan Tea [5-10g each]

  5. Women's Health - Red Date Ginger Tea [Red Date 8 pieces, Ginger 5-10 slices]

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Tennis Elbow refers to pain on the outside of the elbow, caused by inflammation of the tendons in the area. In this episode, we talk about how to identify if you have tennis elbow, what are some of the common causes of it, and how you can better prevent and manage this condition.

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Qi stagnation is a TCM body type that is closely linked to negative emotions like unhappiness, anxiety and moodiness. In this episode, we talk about how you can tell if you have such a body type, and what you can do to fix it.

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Waking up with neck pain is more common than you think. In this episode, we talk about what a strained neck is and how you can better manage it.

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Gout is known as the Emperor's disease because in the olden days, it only happened to the rich and wealthy who had plenty to eat and drink. In this episode, we talk about what gout is and how you can protect yourself against it.

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Ginger is widely used in the kitchen, but also in TCM as well. In this episode, we talk about the medicinal properties of ginger and how TCM physicians use it to help you.

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Rest. Ice. Compress. Elevate. (RICE). This is the mantra that we're taught to follow whenever we sprain our ankles. However, recovering from an ankle sprain is usually not so straightforward, and it is usually a long process with several other things that you need to take note off as well. In this episode, we talk about the 5 things not to do when you sprain your ankle, as well as what I would do exactly if it ever happened to me.

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Frozen Shoulder is called "the 50 year old shoulder" or 五十肩 in Chinese, because it is a problem that commonly occurs amongst this age group. In this episode, find out what frozen shoulder is, what you can do to manage it, and how TCM can help.

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"Phlegm Dampness" is a body type in TCM that can cause annoying problems like stubborn weight gain. In this episode, we'll be talking about what this "Phlegm Dampness" body type is, how you can identify if you have it and what you can do to manage it if you do.

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Ever wondered about the health benefits of barley? Here's what Chinese barley can do for you.

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Lian Hua Qing Wen (连花清瘟) is a TCM formula that has gained popularity in recent years, due to it purportedly being able to treat Covid19. However in Singapore currently, such TCM formulas are not yet permitted for the prevention and treatment of Covid. In this episode, we talk about how such TCM formulas work and whether or not they are really safe to use.

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Numbness in the arm or hand is often a result of having a pinched nerve in the neck. Find out what this problem is, why it occurs, and what you can do to address it. 

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Neck and shoulder pain caused by using tech is the silent epidemic of the 21st Century. More people are getting it, at an increasingly younger age, with no signs of this trend slowing down. 

Lucky for us, the solution to this problem is remarkably simple. In this episode, we uncover what Tech Neck is, how to prevent and treat it, and what are the consequences if we choose to ignore it.

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推拿 or tuina, is the Traditional Chinese Medicine term used for manual therapy treatment. Many people often confuse tuina and massage with each other. So in this episode, we'll be talking about the differences between the two, to help you make an easier decisison.

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Pulse taking is mysterious as it is intriguing. In this episode, we talk about how pulse taking works, as well as what are some of the things your pulse can say about your health.

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Looking for a solution to your headaches? In this episode, we talk about how TCM understands this problem and what are some of the treatments used to address this problem.

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TCM medication is not just limited to bitter tasting soups. 

In this episode, we talk about the different forms of herbal medication you may encounter in your next TCM visit.

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Moxibustion is an ancient form of heat therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this episode, we dive deeper into this topic, giving you a brief introduction to what moxibustion is all about.

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Many people know that TCM can be used for adults and the elderly. But did you know, TCM can be used for kids as well?

In this episode, we talk about pediatric massage, a TCM technique exclusively used for infants and young children.

Find out what it is about, how it works and what it can do for your little ones.

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Asian parents are known for nagging. But when it comes to our health, our parents usually do know best. So in this episode, it is my turn to nag at you. 

Here are some things that my mother always says, and how it makes sense from a TCM perspective.

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In TCM, the term 发物 or 'stimulating' foods refers to certain types of foods that can trigger or worsen illness. Based on your body type and condition, your physician might ask you to avoid or minimize the consumption of such foods during your treatment. In this episode, we talk about what some of these foods are, why they can trigger or worsen illness and whether or not you should really be avoiding them.

  1. Heat generating foods: onion, garlic, chives, ginger, pepper, lamb, beef

  2. Wind generating foods: shellfish, prawn, crab, goose, eggs

  3. Damp-heat generating foods: malt sugar, glutinous rice, fatty meat, milk, yogurt

  4. Cold generating foods: watermelon, pear, persimmon, salads, tea

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乌鸡白凤丸 ( Wu Ji Bai Feng Wan ), is a well-known TCM supplement used by women to help regulate and maintain their reproductive health. Here are some facts about this 'sacred' pill, to help you better understand it.

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Did you know, that the humble Chrysanthemum is actually a TCM herb that can be used to treat sore throat, dry eyes and even acne? In this episode, we go through the functions of Chrysanthemum, as well as highlight the differences between the various types.

Recipes

1. Chrysanthemum with Wolf Berry Tea: Good for eye health and reversing the harmful effects of electronic devices.

2. Chrysanthemum with Hawthorn Berry Tea: Good for lowering cholesterol and improving digestion.

3. Chrysanthemum, Honeysuckle and Jasmine Flower Tea: Good for clearing heat and preventing sore throat.

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In TCM there are many health benefits of using a foot bath. For example it can help you sleep better, help you relieve stress, help you deal with fatigue etc. So in this episode we'll be going through how foot baths work, what they are good for, how to prepare a proper foot bath and what are the things to take note of. How to prepare a foot soak 1. Ensure your pail is cleaned well before starting the foot soak. 2. Wooden pails are the most ideal for foot soaking. 3. The best time to perform a foot soak is around 9pm at night. 4. Duration of a foot soak should be around 15-20 mins and not too long. 5. Temperature of the foot soak should be around 40°C and not too hot that it burns your skin. For reference, this temperature should be around a warm shower temperature, or the equivalent of two big scoops of cold water to one big scoop of hot water. 6. The water level of your foot soak should be high enough to reach the middle of your calves, or at least cover your ankles. 7. You may want to add some ingredients in like Chinese Mugwort (50-100g), Fresh Ginger (use half a portion of a average sized ginger, peel of skin, boil and simmer in small pot for 20 mins), Bai Jiu (one table spoon). 8. Stay relaxed during the foot soak and avoid distractions like reading, using your phone, or watching TV to get the most benefit. 9. During the foot soak, you ideally want to start sweating a little from your forehead or back. You should however stop the foot soak if you start sweating excessively. 10. Wait at least 30 mins after a meal before doing a foot soak to avoid indigestion. 11. Do not go to bed immediately after a foot soak. Cover your feet with a pair of socks, and wait for your body temperature to cool down before going to bed. 12. Foot soaking can be done 3-5 times a week, or even daily.

Things to take note: 1. Foot soaking is not recommended for young children (may loosen ligaments in the foot and affect development). 2. For pregnant women and women on their periods, a foot soak with warm water only will suffice. Avoid adding any herbs into your foot soak. 3. Individuals with decreased skin sensitivity (eg. diabetics) should monitor the temperature of the foot bath closely to avoid being burned. It is best to get someone else to test out the water temperature first or use a thermometer. 4. Individuals with allergies to certain herbs should avoid using these herbs in their foot soak. 5. Individuals with blisters, open wounds, or skin conditions like eczema should avoid using a foot soak. 6. Individuals with varicose veins should avoid using a foot soak. 7. The elderly, as well as individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease, should carry out their foot baths with a lower temperature and shorter duration. 8. If you start feeling giddy, weak or start to have heart palpitations, stop the foot bath immediately and lie flat on your back to rest.

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In this digital age where we spend so much time looking at screens, eye strain is becoming increasingly common with many people experiencing tired or dry eyes on a regular basis. 

In this episode, I'll be introducing the TCM herb known as Goji Berries, which is known for being a superfood that is great for eye health as well as having many other amazing benefits.

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Nowadays when dealing with muscular aches and pains, there are just so many options like Chiro, Physio, TCM, Osteo etc. and it can be quite confusing to choose who we should seek help from.

To help you answer part of this problem, i've invited 2 physiotherapist to share more about what physiotherapy is and how it can help.

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Dealing with painful period cramps? In this episode, we'll be talking about what period cramps are, whether they are normal, how TCM understands this problem and what you can do if you're dealing with cramps.

https://www.facebook.com/ntu.cm.clinic/photos/san-yin-jiao-is-located-about-four-finger-widths-above-the-inner-tip-of-the-ankl/894182520618030/

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The "four deity soup" or 四神汤 is a TCM herbal remedy that is good for digestive and gut health. It consist of 4 TCM herbs: Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Lotus Seed and Gorgon Fruit. In this episode, we talk about the benefits of this commonly used formula and how you can start incorporating it into your diet today.

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Pursuing TCM as a career in Singapore is not easy. In this episode, we talk about the challenges that TCM physicians face, and why more of us are choosing to leave the industry.

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Have you ever wanted to try TCM, but were hesitant because you're worried about how safe TCM treatments really are? In this episode we talk about some of the risks involved with TCM and what you should do to better prepare yourself.

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Dealing with indigestion? In this episode we talk about hawthorn berries, a TCM herb that you can easily find and make into a simple home remedy to help with your indigestion woes.

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Stress is an all too familiar part of life in Singapore and im sure in most other places around the world as well. If you are having problems coping with stress, then stay tuned to find out how TCM understands and deals with this problem.

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SINGAPORE — A 51-year-old former cancer patient who took Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs while receiving western medical intervention was found to have likely died of drug-induced liver failure. Who is to blame and is there anything we can do to prevent something like this from happening again?

Read the full article here:

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ex-cancer-patient-who-died-likely-confused-tcm-dosage-instructions-leading-liver-failure

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If you suffer from eczema and are looking for a way to address this troublesome and unpleasent skin condition, then stay tuned to this episode where we'll talk about what TCM can do for eczema.

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In this episode, I am joined by my friend Daniel who talks about us his experience with gallstones.

Thanks for tuning in, if you would like to support us you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks and we'll see you on the next episode!

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If you've ever wondered about who I am or what thetcmfolks is about then tune in to this episode, where I share a little bit about my story.

Thanks for listening, if you want to support us you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks - see ya'll on the next episode!

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In this episode, we talk about how a local celebrity here in Singapore became a full fledged TCM physician. 

He currently has a Facebook Live Streaming Programme 医医道来 (tcmlivesg) with his long time mentor Tan Bee Gawh (a renowned TCM physician in Singapore) every Thursday at 9pm. Good stuff over there, thetcmfolks recommends!

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Hello everyone :) In this episode we talk about the TCM herb 当归 (Dang Gui).

Dang Gui has been widely used in TCM for thousands of years and you can even find it in herbal supplements like Bai Feng Wan (白凤丸) and in herbal dishes like Tea Leaf Egg (茶叶蛋). So tune in to find out what Dang Gui is, what it does and who it is suitable for.

Thanks for tuning in! If you want to support this podcast, you can follow our instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to leave any feedback or suggestions in our dms.

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We all know sleep is important. 

But what happens when we can't fall asleep, we can't stay asleep or we find ourselves having poor sleep quality, what can we do then? In this episode, we talk about the TCM approach to sleep and what can be done to address some of these issues.

Link to the youtube video i was talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFVpPM9F5gU&t=416s

Thanks for tuning in! Follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks if you want to support us and keep this podcast going :)

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In this episode, we have on our show a guest TCM physician who is currently doing her Masters in Pediatrics, to share more about what TCM can do for kids. Stay tuned to find out what pediatric conditions TCM can be used for, what treatments are available and who it is suitable for.

Thank you so much for tuning in, if you want to support this podcast you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to leave us suggestions or comments in our dms over there.

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On 22 Apr 2021, the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS) announced a first-of-its-kind trial to determine if TCM would benefit patients who suffer from cancer-related fatigue. Get a brief summary of this exciting piece of news in this episode.

Thank you so much for tuning in, if you would like to support us, you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to leave any questions, comments or suggestions in our dms. 

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Did you know, that the quality of your poop can tell you a lot about your health? In this episode, we talk about the 5 different types of poop and what they mean from a TCM perspective.

Thanks so much for listening, feel free to follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks and we'll see you next week!

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Many people are confused when it comes to using hot packs and cold packs. So in this episode, we talk about the differences between these two therapies, what conditions they are good for and how to use them properly.

Thanks for tuning in! If you like what you hear, you can support us by following our instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to drop us a message if you have any feedback, questions or suggestions. Take care and have a wonderful day ahead.

Cold Therapy

Mainly used for:

· Acute injury or pain (sprains)

· Inflammation and swelling (tendonitis, arthritis)

· Post-exercise recovery

Points to note:

  1. Apply cold therapy asap after an acute injury. Treatment should be around 10-15 mins maximum each time, repeated several times throughout the day with breaks in-between.

  2. Never place cold packs directly onto the skin. Always wrap with a cloth or towel first to prevent skin damage.

  3. 24 hours after the onset of injury, it is generally not advisable to do cold therapy anymore.

  4. Avoid cold therapy if you have sensory disorders that make you less sensitive to temperature (e.g. diabetes), or if you have stiff/sore muscles and joints.

Heat Therapy

Mainly used for:

· Chronic injury or pain (frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, mummy's hand)

· Muscle tightness, stiffness, soreness and fatigue (stiff neck, lower back pain)

Points to note:

  1. Apply heat source to affected area for 15-20 mins at a time.

  2. Ensure heat source is warm and not hot to avoid burning skin. A good gauge is around 40 °C, which is about the temperature of a warm shower.

  3. Slight reddening of the skin is normal during heat therapy. However, if there is any swelling, pain or if the heat becomes unbearable, remove the heat source immediately.

  4. Avoid heat therapy if you have sensory disorders that make you less sensitive to temperature (e.g. diabetes), open wounds, skin conditions, deep vein thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, or bruising and swelling.

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Ginseng is famous for being a ridiculously expensive TCM herb. However, apart from its price, most people don't really know much else about this magical herb.

So in this episode, we will introduce to you folks the different types of ginseng, the functions of ginseng and more importantly who should and should not be taking ginseng.

Thank you so much for tuning in! if you like what you hear, you can support us on instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to leave us comments, feedbacks or suggestions in our DMs. Take care and have a great day ahead.

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In this episode we talk about the 7 emotions of Joy, Anger, Happiness, Pensiveness, Fear, Grief and Fright. We talk about their relationships with our organ systems and energy flow, and how these relationships can in turn affect our health.

In summary, our emotions are not just tied to our mental health, but also very relevant and closely linked to our physical health. Thus, while it is certaintly important to take care of our bodies, lets not forgot about taking care of our emotional health today as well.

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The 6 evils of TCM are wind, heat, cold, dampness, dryness and summer heat. Find out why we call these elements "evil", what their characteristics are, how they can cause us to become sick and what we can do to protect ourselves against them.

Thank you all so much for tuning in :) if you like what you hear, you can support us by following our instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to drop us a messsage if you have any quesetions, feedback or suggestions. Take care and have a wonderful day.

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In this episode, we continue last week's topic, diving deeper into the fundamental differences between Chinese and Western medicine. We'll take a look at how they both work in real life, as well as how I think they can be used together to achieve even better results.

Thanks so much for tuning in, if you like the content you can support us by following our instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to drop us some feedback, questions or suggestions in our dms as well.

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(Skip ahead to the 18 minute mark if you want to go straight to the topic.)

In this episode, i bring on an old friend of mine who is a practising western medical doctor. We talk about some of the differences and disagreements that these two medical fields tend to have, as well as to find out the perceptions of TCM through the eyes of a western doctor. 

A big shout out to Joan for agreeing to do this with me and an equally big thank you to those who tuned in. If you would like to support us you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks and you can dm us over there if you have any feedback, questions or suggestions :)

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The 5 elements of Chinese philosophy are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Find out what these elements mean and how we use them in TCM to understand our health better.

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to this podcast, if you would like to support us or give any feedback you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks and drop us a dm over there. Love y'all.

Personality Quizzes to try out:

https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/5efafa08cfa5b80014fc023e

https://www.fusionhealth.com.au/news/chinese-medicine/wood-fire-earth-metal-or-water-which-element-are-you-and-how-can-it-help-your

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Many people get confused when physicians talk about our organ system from a TCM point of view. Even though TCM organs share similarties with conventional organ systems, there are several big differences between the two. In this episode, we will be talking about what TCM organs are and how we can use them to understand our bodies better.

If you have any questions, suggestions or would just like to support our podcast, you can follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks. Thank you so much for tuning in and we'll be back next week :)

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Most of us would have heard of this term "Qi" before, but i think not many people know what it is actually all about. In this episode, we will be talking about what "Qi' is, where it comes from, what are its functions and how we can use it to better understand how our bodies work.

Thank you guys for tuning in, if you would like to support us you can follow our instagram @thetcmfolks and feel free to drop us a message if you have any questions or feedback. Have a great day :)

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Happy Chinese New Year folks! In this episode, we talk about some some of the common problems associated with the holiday season and how you can overcome them using TCM.

Summary of tips:

  1. Have proper meals before snacking

  2. Drink more water

  3. Chew your food more

  4. Massage the hunger point (https://www.tcmsimple.com/acupressure_weightloss.php)

  5. Have some hawthorn green tea or barley tea for indigestion (contraindicated for pregnant women)

  6. Pair 'heaty' snacks with cooling drinks like luohanguo, snow pear or green bean

  7. Avoid staying up late, or drink some chrysanthemum with goji berry tea if you have to

  8. Cherish your loved ones and have a wonderful 牛(niu)year

Wishing all you amazing people who are tuning in 牛年大吉,万事如意,身体健康,财源滚滚 ( have a prosperous new year, may all your wishes come true, may you be in good health and hope you get rich :) )

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In recent years, the incidences of infertility amongst the general population has been gradually on the rise. As a result, more and more people are starting to turn towards TCM to help with this problem. 

In this episode, we have with us physician Zhang who is a TCM practitioner working in the field of women's health. 

We will be discussing about...

  1. How TCM treatments like acupuncture and herbal medication can help with fertility
  2. How TCM treatments can work alongside western medical intervention like IUI and IVF
  3. Who should seek out TCM treatment
  4. What are some things couples should take note of
  5. Other frequently asked questions

So stay tuned if you want to find out more about TCM for fertility.

Follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks if you want to help support this podcast and feel free to drop us a message for any comments, feedbacks and/or questions :)

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We've all seen the famous black white Yin Yang symbol before. But do you actually know what it means? 

Yin and Yang is an important philosophy that serves as a corner stone for Chinese Medicine. However, it is not only unique to TCM and it's principles are very applicable to real life as well.

In this episode, find out the origins behind Yin and Yang, what the 3 rules of Yin and Yang are, and how we can use these rules to make our lives a little bit easier.

Do follow us on instagram @thetcmfolks if you like what you hear, and let us know what you think about our show so that we can do better :)

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In this episode, we are joined by 'K' who is a fellow TCM physician and the illustrator behind thetcmfolks. She will be sharing with us the story about her dad's battle with diabetes, so stay tuned to find out what this disease really does and why you should be wary of it.

We'd really love to share more and help you guys out so DM us on instagram @thetcmfolks if you have any questions, feedback or suggestions -  following us would be greatly appreciated as well :)

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In this episode, we talk about some of the common myths surronding TCM. They include things like "TCM physicians can tell everything from your pulse", "TCM uses endangered animals" , "It takes a long time for TCM to be effective" and many more. So stay tuned to see if you relate to any of these stereotypes and find out how true they really are. Once again, thank you SO SO much for taking the time to listen to us!

We'd really love to share more and help you guys out so DM us on instagram @thetcmfolks if you have any questions, feedback or suggestions - following us would be greatly appreciated as well ;)

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You may have heard of the terms 'heaty' and 'cooling' in TCM before. These are terms used to describe an individuals body type, but can also refer to the nature of foods that we consume.

A 'heaty' body type usually presents with symptoms like increased thirst, sore throat, ulcers, preference for cold things, acne outbreaks, restlessness, yellowish urine, dry stools and warm hands and feet.

A 'cold' body type usually presents with symptoms like pale face colour, cold hands and feet, diarrhoea, stomach pain, period cramps, aversion to cold environments, preference for warm food/drinks and frequent clear urination.

Heaty foods include: red bean soup, ginger tea; walnuts, chestnuts; chives, onion, garlic, pepper; durian, longan, red dates, mango, cherry, lychee, peach; prawn, lobster, mussels; chicken, mutton and venison.

Cooling foods include: beancurd, grass jelly, green bean soup; tea, coconut juice, water chestnut, sugarcane; tofu, lotus root, bitter gourd, spinach, watercress; watermelon, papaya, pineapple, dragon fruit, honey dew; crab, raw fish; pork, duck, frog.

Yin nourishing foods include: goji berries, chinese yam, red dates, ophiopogon tuber (麦冬 mai dong) and lily bulb.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for education purposes only. If you have any medical concerns, please seek professional medical advice.

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Happy New Year Folks!

If there's one thing that 2020 has taught us, is the importance of taking care of our health.  So lets kick off 2021 on the right foot, by taking care of our bodies using these 5 healthy living habits. 

They include:

  1. Sleeping Well (try sleeping by 11pm every night for at least 7-8hours)

  2. Eating Well (consume oily, fatty, spicy, sweet and cold foods in moderation and have your meals on time)

  3. Exercise (around 2 hours of intense physical activity or 3 hours of moderate physical activity per week, stretch before and after to avoid injury)

  4. Mental Breaks (avoid overworking yourself and destress with fun activities like hobbies and hanging with friends)

  5. Proper Ergonomics (ensure your work space is optimised with a proper screen height and good lower back support etc... to prevent work related aches and pains)

As with picking up any habits, the key is consistency over intensity. Make small actionable changes that you can commit on a regular basis.  Adopt a "MUST DO" mentality instead of a "should do" and over time these healthy living habits will become a part of who you are.

Stay happy and have a great 2021!

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Merry Christmas Folks :) In this very special Christmas Day episode, we bring you our first ever guest!!!

Now Chinese Medicine is a pretty unconventional carrer path, with many people not knowing much about it at all. So in this episode, i invited a good friend of mine ZJ, to share with you guys the journey we took to become TCM physicians. We'll be talking about our school life, our life overseas in China, our struggles, our experiences and more, so stay tuned if you'd like a glimpse into the life of a millenial TCM physician.

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Ever wondered what's the difference between TCM techniques like acupuncture, cupping, tuina, moxibustion etc...? In this episode we compare some of the more commonly used TCM treatment modalities, to give you a better idea of how they are used.

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In this episode we will be going through how cupping works, what it is used for, as well as answer some frequently asked questions like what do the cupping marks mean. So stay tuned, if you want to learn more about this super cool traditional chinese medicine technique.

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Is acupuncture painful? How does it actually work? Is it really safe?

In this episode, we'll be answering all these questions and much more. It's going to be all about acupuncture, so stay tuned!

If you like what you hear, you can also find us on instagram @thetcmfolks where we share lots of health and TCM related content over there as well. If you have any feedback or questions you want answered, feel free to drop us an insta dm. We're more than happy to hear what you guys/gals think :) Thanks for listening and see ya'll on the next episode!

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We've all heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine before. Some believe in it passionately, while others are skeptical or even critical of its practises. Before making your judgement, have a listen to this episode where we will discuss about what TCM really is, how it actually works, as well as some of the differences between TCM and Western Medicine.

If you like what you're hearing, you can also find us on instagram @thetcmfolks where we share lots of health and TCM related content over there as well. We also want to know what you guys/gals think,  so feel free to drop us a dm if you have any feedback or questions :) Thanks for listening and see ya'll on the next episode! 

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Going to a TCM (especially for the first time) can be quite an intimidating experience. Stay tuned, as we discuss about the differences between public and private TCM clinics in Singapore, as well as talk about what really happens before, during and after a typical visit to a TCM.

You can also find us on instagram @thetcmfolks where we share lots of health and TCM related content over there as well. If you have any feedback or questions you want answered, feel free to drop us a insta dm. We're more than happy to hear what you guys/gals think:) Thanks for listening and see ya'll on the next episode!

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Hello folks! It's our very first episode here on thetcmfolks, and we're so excited to be embarking on this new show. 

In our very first episode, we will be talking a little about who this podcast is for, why you should start paying attention to your health, and what to expect in the coming episodes. 

You can also find us on instagram @thetcmfolks where we share lots of health and TCM related content over there as well. If you have any feedback or questions you want answered, feel free to drop us an insta dm. We're more than happy to hear what you guys/gals think :) Thanks for listening and see ya'll on the next episode!