Dearest Reader,

GUASHA - JUST DO IT!

Have you all managed to attend all of our DIY Meridian Workshops? One of the common methods we use at the workshops is the usage of Gua Sha Therapy, find out more about this therapy in this issue and experience it at our workshops this month.

When is Gua Sha Used

Gua sha is a natural therapy to promote health and prevent illnesses without medication. Gua Sha is used to treat and prevent the common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, as well as any chronic disorder involving pain, congestion of qi and Blood. The related meridian is lubricated with herbal oils that contain herbs like Argy Wormwood leaf. The skin is then rubbed with a round-edged instrument (Gua Sha board) in downward strokes. An area is stroked until the petechiae that surface are completely raised.

It balances the yin and yang in the body and also has the detoxifying effect. The boards are usually made of ox horn material as oxen are yin animal and thus have a detoxification effect.

What does the type of Sha (Spots) indicate?

The colours of the Sha (Spots) are both diagnostic and prognostic. Very light colour Sha can indicate blood deficiency. If the Sha is fresh red, it is of recent penetration. If the Sha is purple or black, the blood stasis is long-standing. If brown, the blood may be dry. Dark red Sha can indicate heat.

The Sha should fade in 2-4 days. If it is slower to fade, indicating poor Blood circulation, the practitioner must ascertain whether it is a blood deficiency, Qi or Yang, a deeper stagnation or organ deficiency.

What are the benefits of Gua Sha?

In most cases the person feels an immediate shift in their condition particularly pain relief or increase movement. Gua Sha moves blocked Qi and blood, releases external sweating, and moves fluids. In modern medical terms, these fluids contain metabolic waste that has become congested in the surface tissues and muscles. Gua Sha promotes circulation and normalizes the metabolic processes. It is a valuable treatment for both external and internal pain, and facilitates the resolution of both acute and chronic disorders.

With all these benefits, don’t miss the chance to experience it at our workshops

STORY: MERIDIAN CARE HELP MY PREGNANCY

“Twice, I miscarried. Just a month after 6 blissful months as a newly-wed, I lost my baby. Following the misfortune, my menstrual cycle became erratic for a while before stabilising after I took Chinese medication.

With renewed faith, I held on to the hope that my next pregnancy would be successful. Two years later, I became pregnant again. But sadly, I suffered a miscarriage two months into the pregnancy once more. Knowing I had twins at that time totally devastated me.

Later I was diagnosed to have a hormone disorder. My doctor’s advice was to take hormone pills to balance my hormone levels to increase my chances of pregnancy. As I started pill-popping, I became stressed and worried about side effects. It was during that time that I went for a Meridian Check-Up, according to the results, my kidney functions were weak and if the condition persisted, it would be impossible for me to conceive. I was advised to use 2 drops of Angelica Herbal Oil and 5 drops of Vital Essence to massage my back (near the kidneys) in a downward motion, as well as my lower abdomen in a circular clockwise motion twice a day.

Since then I have felt that my health improved greatly. I no longer catch colds easily and I can sleep soundly at night. With better health, things could only look better for me. The miracle that I wished for happened two months later- my third pregnancy. It was smooth sailing this time and I gave birth to a healthy 3.6kg baby boy. I will not forget how the turnaround in health has played an important role in making my dream to be a mother comes true.”

Phalada Techasamran, 31(Thailand)

FORSYTHIA - A LADY'S BEST FRIEND

Beauty, to Chinese medical practitioners, starts from proper liver and kidney maintenance and is realised when the organs are nourished and the circulation is improved. Meridian principles hold that the liver and gallbladder meridians are most active between 11pm and 3am. By going to bed by that time would enhance the detoxifying functions of liver and gall bladder. This would prevent fatigue, radiant skin metabolism and further preventing spots, freckles and acne.

Forsythia suspensa, a species belonging to the sweet scented osmanthus plant, is one of the most common components in Chinese herbal formulas for treating the common cold, influenza, allergies and beauty products. Forsythia is bitter in taste and cold, is often associated with the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. It clears heat and expels wind. Forsythia is typically used to detoxify the body, and to treat fevers, headaches and excessive thirst. With continuous documentation of at least three thousand years, it is traditionally considered a detoxicant for treating "toxic" and "hot" conditions. These conditions correlate with modern inflammatory and infectious diseases, including viral and bacterial infections, as well as allergies.

It is also frequently used to eliminate heatiness, detoxify, and reduce swelling, discharge pus and clear blockages. Coupling it with lavender and aloe vera essential oils would deliver skincare and antibacterial functions and aids in the regulation of sebaceous glands. This combination is a rich source of vitamins and can be used as an astringent and nourishing agent for the skin. It keeps skin soft, tender and moist. Coupled with the massage of the liver and gallbladder meridians, qi and blood would then be able to flow smoothly through the meridians and metabolism would be enhanced. Naturally, the better the meridian flow, the stronger your vitality.

Extracts of forsythia fruit are now also used in numerous types of cosmetic products, including hair care, skin care and foot care products for their antimicrobial and traditional detoxifying properties. Using forsythia oil for head massage is known to relieve headaches and migraines, and massaging the oil on fengchi acupressure point improves blood circulation to your brain.

At our 101 Beauty classes, forsythia together with angelica is used for the face and head guasha, it has helped many of the participants from having to take painkillers for headaches and helped them to sleep better. It is especially delightful and touching to get these feedbacks from our participants.