Balanced Natural Health with Dr. Maz

The Year of the Fire Horse is almost upon us, galloping onto the scene on the next New Moon. This is a “Double Fire” year, carrying the invitation and the opportunity for dynamic changes, transmutation and transformation – and explosive power, if we are prepared for it. The Snake Year that is currently drawing to a close has pushed us to shed our skins and release that which no longer fits, so that we can shine bright with the essential Fire energies of this Year of the Fire Horse. I’m so excited for the unbridled, wild and untameable energies of this coming year – but the Fire Horse has not always been welcome. Indeed, individuals born in Fire Horse years were painted as ungovernable (yay!), reckless and dangerous – precisely because of their independent nature, fiery will and authentic expression of their truest selves. And none were more stigmatised than Fire Horse women. Year of the Fire Horse Stigma Women born in the Year of the Fire Horse were shunned as wives – seen as too wild, too free and too full of passion. Female foetuses were aborted, and unlucky “accidents” befell female babies. The lucky ones had their birth years misattributed to the neighbouring years. This data is clearly documented in the 1966 birthrate in Japan, which dropped by a staggering 25%. Why are these qualities of passion, self-authority and living one’s truest impulses so feared? I have some thoughts. And I also believe that this coming 2026 Year of the Fire Horse is a potent opportunity for all of us – Fire Horse or not, woman or not – to embody even more of our most wild, essential selves. To be guided by our hearts and souls – both aspects of the Fire element. In this episode: (00:00) Introduction (02:44) what IS the Year of the Fire Horse: why it’s so potent – and so feared? (06:00) Double Fire and the potential for transformation & alchemy (07:28) The stigma of being born in the Year of the Fire Horse (09:40) Why the Year of the Fire Horse carries vital energy for ALL of us (13:47) 2026 – rise of AI or an opportunity for greater embodiment? (17:00) Balance Double Fire with simple habits & rituals (and a Feng Shui tip) (20:30) Fire & Water polarity One of the practices that is so important in grounded and capacitating these powerful energies of the Year of the Fire Horse is Qi Gong – literally, “energy work”. I have created a beautiful, self-paced experience that guides you through energy work practices in just 10 minutes a day. Open up the flow in your meridians, alchemise blocks, unlock the secrets of your energy centres (chakras), charge up your Qi and tune up your biofield – so that you can best harness these powerful energies coming our way. Learn more here. Transcript Introduction (00:00) Hi everyone, welcome to the Balanced Natural Health podcast where we share insights from the ancient science and timeless wisdom of Chinese medicine. Information from the old natural ways of healing can support us in leading more beautiful, more vibrant and more vital lives today. In this podcast I share simple, natural and accessible tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life for more vibrant health and wellness. I’m so glad you’re here. Episode Welcome (00:32) Hello beautiful beings and welcome to episode 49 of the podcast. I’m Dr. Maz and in today’s episode I would like to dive into something really timely and very exciting because as many of you may know we are about to head into a new lunar year – the Chinese New Year is coming up. It begins on February the 17th here in Australia and this year upcoming is a really exciting, powerful, dynamic one. It’s ripe with possibility and opportunity and it is the Year of the Fire Horse. I’m just so excited about the energy that’s about to come through this Year of the Fire Horse. We’ve been getting ready for this new power that’s going to pour through us with the Snake Year that we’ve just been through. So we’ve just been through a shedding of skins, releasing of anything that might be clouding or dimming our power – and the way it shines through us. This has all been in service to clear the way for the wild, untamable power of theYear of the Fire Horse. In today’s episode we will talk about why this is such a powerful year and what it means for feminine power – the rising of the deep, wild, sacred, untamed feminine within all of us. Because we all contain at least a seed of the masculine and the feminine. We’re going to talk about what that means for reclaiming our essential, truest, most vibrant expression of selves. We will also talk about how we can best support ourselves to capacitate the flow of this powerful energy in this Year of the Fire Horse. Also, things to look out for and practices that we can put into place to ground and hold this huge influx, this surge of Fire Horse energy that’s coming our way. Maybe you’re tapping into this energy as well? Perhaps you’re feeling like it’s been a weird kind of stop-start (or not-quite-start) to the Gregorian calendar, or maybe you’re feeling an upwelling of excitement – like something’s really brewing – and that is the Year of the Fire Horse that is coming. What is the Year of the Fire Horse? (02:44) So first of all, let’s take a look at what is the Horse year – and what is the Fire Horse year, specifically. In the Chinese view of the world and from the Chinese calendar perspective, we have a 60 year calendar. It’s a beautiful calendar called the Heavenly Stems and the Earthly Branches. And this calendar has been used for millennia to map climate cycles, weather patterns, to harness the best harvest and to best align ourselves with the environment, This is because in Chinese medicine, we acknowledge that we are woven into the web of life all around us. And so knowing how we can position ourselves to be in the best alignment with the prevailing energies of the climate – and the weather for each particular year – is really beneficial. And this is something that has been honed to a fine art. Stems & Branches: the Chinese 60 Year Calendar The 60 year calendar is based on the 10 Heavenly Stems and the 12 Earthly Branches. There’s 12 animals – these are the 12 Earthly Branches. And this is where we get animals like the Snake, which we’re having this year, or which we’re just wrapping up, and the Horse which is coming up. Each of the 12 animals have unique attributes. So for example, the snake likes to stay quiet, close to the ground. It’s really tuned into frequency and vibration. And it is well known for its ability to shed skins. And the horse, in contrast, is full of a dynamic bursting forth. The horse is known for its energy, its love of movement, its freedom, its independence, and its generally enthusiastic and outgoing nature… and so on for all of the other 12 animals. So we’ve got the 12 Earthly Branches and the 10 Heavenly Stems. The 10 Heavenly Stems are based on a Yin and Yang version of each of the five elements. The five elements are a really key way in which we describe the world in Chinese medicine, Taoist medicine and Taoist thought. Five Elements within the Calendar The five elements are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. And for each of these, we have Yin and Yang counterparts. We’ve got Yang Fire and Yin Fire within the Heavenly Stems. So what happens is we have 12 animals, but we have a 60 year cycle. And this is because each of the animals gets a go in one of the Five Elements. Now, you might be wondering, hang on a minute, there’s 12 animals and 10 Heavenly Stems, which would make 120, not 60 – and you are correct. But there is a rule that only Yang stems get matched with Yang branches (or animals that are Yang), and Yin stems (Yin type elements) get matched with Yin branches (Yin animals). In the case of the horse, the horse has a Yang nature because it likes to move, it likes to be dynamic, to move explosively, it likes to run free, it has a really fiery active energy. And in addition to that, the horse is ruled by Fire. So no matter what element it falls in, the element associated with horse is already Fire. Why the Year of the Fire Horse is a Double Fire year So in this coming Year of the Fire Horse, when the horse falls into the Fire element, we have Double Fire. And there is potential for so much transmutation, transformation and alchemizing, because Fire is the element of transformation. It turns one thing into another, it’s dynamic, it’s full of energy, it’s the life force within all of us. (06:33) And this is why this Year of the Fire Horse holds so much power for all of us, whether we’re a Fire Horse or not. There is an opportunity to claim this wild untameable power within us all for ourselves. And the Fire Horse is the most dynamic of all the horses. In another 12 years, we’ll have the Earth Horse year – the element of Earth moderates that fiery Yang nature of the horse that is innate to the horse anyway. So Earth Horses are said to be more grounded. And, for example, a Water Horse will be more balanced than a Fire Horse in as far as their dynamism goes, because Water and Fire have a polarity, they balance each other out. So if someone is a Water Horse, they will possibly be less impulsive, explosive, dynamic than a Fire Horse. Year of the Fire Horse Stigma (07:29) Now, because of its double Fire nature, there’s been a lot of stigma around people born in the Year of the Fire Horse over the centuries, and particularly women. This is due to the nature of a society that liked women to be biddable, meek and submissive and to surrender to the will of others. And particularly so in a society that valued collectivism and submission to authority – anyone who stood in their wild, untameable, self-sovereign self-authority was a threat to that system – and none more so than women. (08:06) Tragically, for centuries, many female babies were aborted when they were due to be born in a Year of the Fire Horse. If they were lucky, their birth was misattributed to the year before or after, to make them more marriag

We continue our exploration from the previous episode, and consider: • how are symptoms like phlegm in the lungs, sinus congestion & fever actually an indication the body’s infinite wisdom & healing power? • how can we support these processes to move to completion, and healing (rather than suppressing them)? • and what happens if we do suppress them? • a case study where the presence of candida was benefitting the greater whole… • the 8 Therapeutic Methods of Chinese Herbal Medicine… • how Chinese Medicine supports the body’s healing processes & healing wisdom to move towards their completion (while the modern alternative generally suppresses or works in the opposite direction) We share perspectives on health & dis-ease through the lens of the oldest science in the world, Chinese Medicine. A science that has persisted for over 5,000 years (some say 8,000… and it may be older still!) and is all about living in harmony, both within and without. Listen for simple ways that we can cultivate these vital aspects of ourselves, for vibrant, radiant health. And if you’d like my guidance in building daily rituals and habits for radiantly robust health, I have created something simple yet powerful for you. As we know, our daily habits are the foundation for our health and “immunity”. Every moment, meal, drink, thought, habit, etc. can bring us into greater alignment and can charge up our Qi – the life force energy that fuels every aspect of health. This is why I created the Radiant Energy Reset. A gentle, self-guided path of ancient health rituals to cultivate Qi, Yin, Yang and connection – guided by the wisdom of your own body. A real solution for those ready to ditch the fads & feel clear, energised and in control again. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. Instant access for you here. And, as we learned in episode 47, “when the Qi and Shen are present and sound, no pathogen can invade a person, even when the cycles of nature are disruptive, and plagues are near”. I show you how to cultivate and boost your Qi and your Shen – your spirit, soul, consciousness. Just 10 minutes a day of Qi Gong & Emotional Alchemy to connect to YOUR innate wisdom & guidance – and feel grounded in YOU. You already have all you need within. A gentle embodiment journey – Coming Home to You. Instant access. Transcript (0:04) Hi everyone, welcome to the Balanced Natural Health podcast where we share (0:09) insights from the ancient science and timeless wisdom of Chinese medicine. (0:13) Information from the old natural ways of healing can support us in leading more (0:18) beautiful, more vibrant and more vital lives today. In this podcast I share (0:23) simple, natural and accessible tips that you can incorporate into your everyday (0:28) life for more vibrant health and wellness. I’m so glad you’re here. (0:32) Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Maz and welcome back to episode 48 of the podcast. In today’s (0:39) episode we are continuing on from our exploration in the last episode about (0:45) what it is that makes us sick from a Chinese medicine perspective. And it is (0:50) not invisible baddies or germs, bacteria, microbes, viruses that we catch from(0:55) other people. But in fact, from a Chinese medicine perspective, the main causes (1:01) of disease are a loss of harmony and balance with our world within, our (1:07) inner world of emotions, and the world without, the environment, the climate (1:13) conditions around us. So in Chinese medicine, staying balanced and in harmony (1:19) with our inner world and our outer world is what maintains health. So we learn to (1:25) understand that emotions can be a major contributor to disease because we are (1:30) energetic beings and emotions are simply energy in motion. And when they’re not in(1:36) motion, when our emotions aren’t moving, when they’re stuck or repressed or (1:40) ignored, they can snag our energy body, our biofield, our aura. And when our (1:47) energy field, our qi meridians are not flowing smoothly, and they’re not (1:53) communicating as ideally as they should be, then we can start to see disease (1:58) because things aren’t moving where they need to be moving, information isn’t (2:01) being passed in a timely manner. And we learned that another contributor to (2:06) disease is an imbalance of our bodies with the external environment. So for (2:13) example, in Chinese medicine, we say that wind is the spearhead of 1000 diseases. (2:18) And this is why we bundle up against winds, we protect against drafts, we don’t (2:23) sleep under fans. And we wear scarves in windy weather, because that is where wind (2:29) can get in. And when wind and cold get into the meridians that traverse our (2:35) neck, and also our lower back, we like to keep that covered and toasty as well. (2:39) When wind and cold get in there, we get frozen and trapped on the surface. And (2:44) that is when an early stage cold can arise. So we might get tightness in the (2:50) muscles of the neck, we might get that achy feeling that might indicate that a (2:55) cold or flu is brewing, we might feel lightly flushed, and we might have some (3:01) light sweating or fever. And this is in fact, the body’s wise response to that (3:07) cold and freezing of the surface, because it’s trying to bring warmth to (3:12) the surface to push that cold back out. So we can see that these disruptions to (3:19) internal harmony and outer harmony provide a very different view than the (3:24) militaristic mindset of being constantly on edge against invisible baddies and (3:30) germs that we need to defend against. So I love that the focus is more on harmony (3:36) and balance rather than waging war. And I think that that really benefits our (3:42) nervous systems in the long run, too, when we focus on what we’re creating (3:45) rather than what we’re fighting against, especially when it’s not the true cause (3:49) of disease. And I think it’s also interesting that this microbe idea or (3:56) germ theory of disease is relatively recent. Whereas Chinese medicine has had (4:01) this view of health for millennia, at least 5000 years, if not longer. And it (4:08) has stood the test of time. So there is so much we can learn from it. So in this (4:12) episode, we’re going to look at a Chinese medicine perspective on what (4:17) happens when we do manifest symptoms. So what does it mean, for example, when we (4:22) might get phlegm on the lungs or in the sinuses, or when we have a fever or (4:28) diarrhoea? How do we explain that from a Chinese medicine perspective? And we (4:32) will also look at the eight treatment methods. These are the eight (4:37) strategies of herbal medicine, and they describe different ways that we use (4:41) herbs and tastes and flavors to support the body’s processes of restoring (4:47) balance when it has been disrupted. So, for example, if we have constipation, we (4:54) might use a certain treatment strategy, or if we have phlegm on the chest, we (4:58) use a different treatment strategy. So we’ll learn more about that as well. (5:03) Recapping on what we learned in the previous episode, staggeringly and (5:08) amazingly, we humans actually have more microbial cells than human cells. So we (5:14) have more bacteria and fungal yeast cells than actual human cells. And (5:21) together we live in a community which comes together in symbiosis. It supports (5:26) life. And while it might seem that bacteria or microbes are the baddies, (5:34) when we look at the fact that they might be present, for example, in phlegm (5:39) cultures or mucus cultures, when there are symptoms of disease, when there is, (5:45) say, like a bronchitis or a chest infection, we can see that there’s (5:49) certain bacteria that might be more prevalent, there is actually a different (5:53) view that paints these little friends in a different light. And what if, in fact, (5:59) they were not the problem, but they were the cleanup crew? And that is how I see(6:04) how our friendly helpers come to the party and help us restore balance. Let (6:09) me explain a little bit more. But firstly, I’d like to bring to mind the image of a (6:14) compost heap and what happens in a compost heap. So for those of us who’ve (6:20) had a garden or had a compost heap before, we know that we throw food scraps (6:25) on a compost heap. And then there are worms and microbes that help to break (6:31) down these discarded bits of food and help to break them down into something (6:37) that will nourish the earth, which then feeds into the next stage of the cycle (6:42) of life. So it’s a way of digesting the remnants, the leftovers, into a way that (6:48) is usable by the soil and by the next generation of plants, and which then (6:54) nourishes us in return. So we can see that life cycle continuing. And this is (6:59) how I see our microbial helpers. And as I see things, our bacterial friends not(7:05) only do important tasks like synthesizing vitamins, for example, which (7:09) they can do for us in the gut, but they can also be on call to process and (7:15) compost and recycle damaged cells and tissues. So for example, imagine that (7:23) we’ve been somewhere where there’s been, we’ve been inhaling air that has (7:28) something that’s challenging to the lining of the lungs. Maybe we’ve been (7:31) by a busy road all day, and we’ve been inhaling a lot of diesel and petrol (7:36) fumes. Or maybe we’ve been in a building in which there’s inadequate airflow and(7:41) maybe off gassing from new plastic products or carpet or paint or (7:46) something. Or maybe we’ve been exposed to certain non-native frequencies that can (7:51) upset the particular cell types or particular tissue types. There can be so (7:57) many reasons for disruption to cells or tissues anywhere in the body. So assuming (8:04) that people have been exposed to something that’s disrupted function, if (8:08) the body is not well resourced to process that, because our bodies are (8:13) amazing and so adapt

(Spoiler alert: it’s not germs, or other invisible baddies) Why do some people seem to get everything going, while others happily keep on going? Why do some have “iron guts”? And why do some individuals get allergies in the exact same environment that others are totally fine in? We might be tempted to answer, “it’s the immune system”, but the “immune” system is both merely a working theory and a relatively new concept – one that has not been tested and proven over the course of millennia. And in its short existence, many holes and inconsistencies have already been uncovered. What if there was another perspective that covered all aspects of dis-ease – mind, body and soul? A view that: • has persisted for over 5,000 years (some say 8,000… and it may be older still!) • liberates us from the defensive mindset of waging war on disease, preventing “attack”, always keeping an eye out, etc. • trusts the wisdom of our brilliant beings – and the wisdom of Mama Nature • is about living in harmony, both within and without? • reminds us just how powerful we are? Wouldn’t that feel so much better – more easeful, joyous and lighter – than being on constant alert for the next invisible germ or baddie out there? And what about the fact that these invisible “germs and baddies” are actually a vital part of health? They already exist on and in us, to the extent that the number of microbial cells outnumber human cells by an estimated factor of at 10:1 (some sources now suggest that it’s closer to 100:1). In either case, we “humans” are more a community of bacteria and other microbes than anything else. Which then makes me consider – why the obsession with killing off all of the invisible microbes that we ideally live in symbiosis with us? What if health is actually about cultivating harmony with both the world within, and the world without? This is the Chinese Medicine view. In this episode, we look at the causes of disease through the lens of the oldest science in the world: time-tested over centuries – and millions of patients – and delivering powerful clinical results to this day. What makes us sick? • Loss of balance, connection and harmony • Lack, or stagnation, of Qi (charge, life force energy) • Imbalanced Yin Yang, accumulation of Damp, Cold, Blood Stasis, etc. And what can cause these disruptions? • Emotions • Six Heavenly Qi – atmospheric and climatic influences, also called the Six Evils • Disconnection from Nature • “Improper” living: food, movement, routine, habits, sex, thoughts, etc. that don’t support health And what can we do to stay vibrantly well? This lens sees us humans as primarily energetic, electromagnetic beings, and when we cultivate our Qi and our spirit-soul-consciousness, health is the natural result. This is summed up beautifully in the quote from our ancient medical book, the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, circa 200CE): …when the Qi and Shen* are present and sound, no pathogen** can invade a person, even when the cycles of nature are disruptive, and plagues*** are near. Chapter 73: Etiology of Disease Listen for simple ways that we can cultivate these vital aspects of ourselves, for vibrant, radiant health. Radiantly robust health made simple. Our daily habits are the foundation for our health and “immunity”. Every moment, meal, drink, thought, habit, etc. can bring us into greater alignment and can charge up our Qi – the life force energy that fuels every aspect of health. This is why I created the Radiant Energy Reset. A gentle, self-guided path of ancient health rituals to cultivate Qi, Yin, Yang and connection – guided by the wisdom of your own body. A real solution for those ready to ditch the fads & feel clear, energised and in control again. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. LEARN MORE about the RADIANT ENERGY RESETCultivate your Qi & Shen And, as we learned in this episode “when the Qi and Shen are present and sound, no pathogen can invade a person, even when the cycles of nature are disruptive, and plagues are near”. I show you how to cultivate and boost your Qi and your Shen – your spirit, soul, consciousness. Just 10 minutes a day of Qi Gong & Emotional Alchemy to connect to YOUR innate wisdom & guidance – and feel grounded in YOU. You already have all you need within. A gentle embodiment journey, instant access and at your own pace.. LEARN MORE about COMING HOME TO YOU* Shen = spirit, soul, consciousness, awareness – the spark of life in someone’s eyes ** pathogen – literally, “pathos” and -“gen”, meaning something that is engendering suffering (not an invisible, contagious baddie or germ) *** again, this originally meant an “affliction”, not necessarily infectious Transcript Hi everyone, welcome to the Balanced Natural Health podcast where we share insights from the ancient science and timeless wisdom of Chinese medicine. Information from the old natural ways of healing can support us in leading more beautiful, more vibrant and more vital lives today. In this podcast I share simple, natural and accessible tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life for more vibrant health and wellness. I’m so glad you’re here. Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Maz. Welcome back to episode 47 of the podcast. In today’s episode I’d like to share a different perspective on what makes us sick. Why do symptoms arise and why do we experience dis-ease? And why is it that some people seem to catch every bug, every flu or cold or gastro that’s going around and others seem to be totally fine? Or why is it that some people have asthma or allergies or reactions to mold or certain environments whereas other people in that same environment or around the same triggers seem to be totally impervious to any outside input? So what is behind that? Now if we think with our modern mainstream mindset we might answer it’s the immune system. But there are two things to consider about this answer and that is that the immune system theory is just that. It’s a theory, a working hypothesis that has some pretty major holes. So there’s definitely some issues, it’s not airtight, it’s just a working theory. And the other thing to consider is that it is a relatively new idea, a relatively new construct that hasn’t had the opportunity to be proven out over thousands of years like the other view that I’m about to share with you. So the modern idea of an immune system is say 100 to 150 years old and prior to that we had a different idea of what makes us sick and therefore what we can do in order to cultivate vibrant wellness and also to look after our health preventatively. And this other view that I’m going to present to you is a beautiful contrast to the current view of the immune system which has us constantly on guard, on alert, on defense for invisible baddies, for invisible pathogens and bugs and viruses, bacteria that are out to get us. So we always have our backup, our nervous system is never truly at ease or at rest because we’re in this militaristic mindset of being at the ready, of being ready to spring into attack or to defend ourselves. But this other view is actually about harmony and it’s about trusting the wisdom of our brilliant, brilliant beings, our brilliant body, minds and souls. It’s about trusting that we are so powerful to cultivate vibrant health and also to rebalance from whatever ails us and also trusting in the power and the wisdom of mumma nature and trusting in the power of connection to the web of life, to the natural world around us. Because the fact of the matter is that we are woven in to the web of life and we live in community and symbiosis with the world around us and this is particularly true when we consider our own human environment. So you might have heard me or others talk about the idea of the microbiome and this refers to the beautiful collection and living community of microbes which are tiny little organisms like bacteria, yeast and fungi and so on that live in and on our bodies. So this is why people love selling probiotic supplements because it’s meant to make our microbiome healthier but there’s actually other ways to do that that are much more lasting. So this community of beautiful little friends is so vast and so richly textured and layered and it actually, if we count the microbial cells within that whole community, they actually outnumber our human cells by a factor of roughly 10 to 1 by current estimates which is pretty mind-blowing when we think about what is it that makes us human, what is a human and when we consider that we as a human being are more microbes than human, we’re more community than human and yet this modern militaristic view of being on guard and defending against invisible baddies has us killing microbes, it has us killing the very little helpers that are there helping us live and thrive and performing essential functions within our body. So when we’re constantly at war with them, in a way, we’re at war with ourselves and at war with connection with nature herself because the fact is that many of the bacteria or microbes that have been blamed for certain diseases and illnesses actually live in and on us when we’re in a healthy balanced state. So it’s not about the microbes themselves as being baddies but it’s actually about the whole symphony of all of those microbes within the context of our human selves. So are they in balance? Are they out of balance? Are they coherent? Are they supporting life? And this is where doing war on microbes is not going to lead to thriving good health, instead we need to look at how we can bring coherence, harmony and balance to our inner world and harmony to how we interface with the world around us. So this other perspective that I’m about to share with you on why we get sick and how we can maintain vibrant wellness is not focused on doing war or fighting off invisible nasties or constantly having our back up but rather it’s about surrendering and having faith in the wisdom of our bodies and trust

Imagine if ONE SIMPLE HABIT could help: • depression• anxiety• insomnia• gas• bloating• promote healthy gut bacteria (say bye-bye to expensive probiotics)• painful periods… What is this all-powerful health hack? Is it a biohacking gadget? An expensive supplement? A new superfood?? NOPE!! This magic ONE THING is something that we all can access today. And it’s something that Chinese Medicine has been talking about for several millennia. It is…warm food and drinks. So simple, and yet so profound in it’s effects and benefits. And, so empowering – because each mouthful can move us towards ever-greater health. A new study from the British Journal of Nutrition confirms what Chinese Medicine has known for well over 5,000 years. In this episode, we look through the lens of Chinese Medicine to learn why this works, and how you can apply it for yourself. Nourishing our spark of life – and our Spleens – with cooked and warm food and drink is a foundation for health*. Our digestive tract is lined with muscles that help to process our food. We know that warming up our muscles can help them to work more efficiently – and that a cold, cramped and contracted muscle not only aches, but doesn’t deliver the same power. Our digestions are no different! Each time we choose something warmer than body temperature, we are protecting our Yang. Another way that we can understand why choosing warm food and drinks is so deeply healing is by looking through the lens of structured water** Certain wavelengths, like natural light and infrared, prompt the molecules in water to move and arrange themselves in a structured or coherent manner (I think that this explains why it feels so deeply nourishing to get sun on our skin!). Infrared wavelengths are easy to identify as they are present where there is heat! This is why moxa, infrared heat lamps and healing touch (all living beings emit infrared frequencies) can feel so great! And this is also why we abhor cold things, ice packs and ice baths in Chinese Medicine. We can harness the power of infrared frequency to help structure our body water every time we choose to eat or drink something warm. Think of it as an instant power boost, delivered directly to our interior. Potent stuff! As we now know, the more organised and coherent our body water, the more Qi (charge or potential) it can hold, which means better vitality, function and health for body-mind-soul! Listen in to learn how following the simple, proven principles of nourishing your spark of life, can support you in feeling vibrant, energised, radiant and clear. * and because of this, it is one of the Foundation Rituals in my course, the Radiant Energy Reset – a real solution for those ready to ditch the fads & feel clear, energised and in control again. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. ** everything that we do in Chinese Medicine is about bringing structure, coherence and charge to the water within us (we are roughly 99% water by molecular count) LEARN MORE about the RADIANT ENERGY RESET RESEARCH PAPERS Cold and hot consumption and health outcomes among US Asian and White populations Drinking water temperature affects cognitive function and progression of Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse model Effect of cold stress on ovarian & uterine microcirculation in rats and the role of endothelin system Visceral hypersensitivity following cold water intake in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome Hot Water Swallows Improve Symptoms and Accelerate Esophageal Clearance in Esophageal Motility Disorders The Pressor Response to the Drinking of Cold Water and Cold Carbonated Water in Healthy Younger and Older Adults

Hypermobility (including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hEDS) is an area which is gaining more acknowledgement, but the solutions within the conventional space are a little thin on the ground. Hypermobility can mean a whole lot more than being double-jointed and having a selection of party tricks at your disposal 🤣 Because it involves the connective tissue – which is more stretchy in hypermobile individuals – it is not only joints that are affected, but also anywhere that we have connective tissue. Which is… our whole body! This means that many systems can be impacted – digestive, nervous, cardiovascular and fluid metabolism – and that hypermobility can masquerade as other “symptoms” or “conditions”, like irritable bowel, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. If these are treated symptomatically, rather than being addressed at the root, we are only ever “managing” the situation, but not resolving or healing it. But there is a simpler solution. Every aspect of how hypermobility presents is ruled by the Spleen: upright posture, firm limbs, abundant energy, clear thinking, feeling grounded. Looking after the Spleen can take care of all of these manifestations of hypermobility. Hypermobility often also presents with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). MCAS includes excessive immune cell response, leading to itching, hives, flushing, mood changes. POTS describes changes with posture, such as dizziness, palpitations, elevated heartbeat, nausea and even bladder changes. And, through a Chinese Medicine lens, both MCAS and POTS can involve the Spleen, as well as the Liver (MCAS) and Heart / Kidney / Yang deficiency (POTS). As a “floppy” person myself, this is a topic close to my heart, because nourishing my own being with the Spleen-led approach has resolved diagnoses of: • fibromyalgia • chronic fatigue • arthritis • irritable bowel syndrome • asthma • hayfever / allergic rhinitis …as well as intense panic attacks. Many “diseases”, one solution. So ultimately, this episode is about much more than hypermobility – it’s also about bringing balance to all of the “symptoms” I’ve already mentioned here (and more!). And it is also why every single one of us can benefit from giving our Spleen extra love and care. WANT TO KNOW MORE? This is why I created the Radiant Energy Reset. A gentle journey for your most glowing self with a 28-day path of ancient healing rituals, guided by the wisdom of your own body. A real solution for those ready to ditch the fads & feel clear, energised and in control again. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. LEARN MORE about the RADIANT ENERGY RESETMore on Spleen & Digestive Health Episode 5: Beat the Bloat – Chinese Medicine digestion secrets! Episode 14: Late Summer Diet & Lifestyle Tips Episode 23: What is DNS, and how can it revolutionise your strength & movement for more enjoyment of life?! Episode 29: What is the Meridian Clock, and how can we align with nature’s cycles? Episode 42: Fasting – helpful or harmful? A Chinese Medicine perspective Free Spleen eBook

What if perimenopause – our Second Spring – is not something to be suppressed, vilified or medicated away?? What if it is a portal into a more essential, more exquisitely-aligned version of ourselves?An invitation to re-examine how we do life, and to witness and heal parts of ourselves?An initiation into our wisdom and power? In Chinese Medicine, perimenopause is considered the “Second Spring”. A second puberty, a second metamorphosis. When we reflect on what a wild ride that first puberty was, we can begin to see the grace, space and compassion that we can offer ourselves in this transition. Patients have shared with me that they have felt gaslit by the mainstream system, where their various concerns were instantly dismissed as “just perimenopause”, and HRT was offered as the only solution. But it is no coincidence that symptoms like fatigue, low moods, irritability, low libido, poor sleep and weight gain can show up at this time of our life. These symptoms can also be a reflection of decades of caring for others at the cost of ourselves: of self-abandonment, people-pleasing, over-giving and under-receiving. In our medicine, we see “symptoms” as wise messages from the body. An insight into what desires to be balanced or healed. And I see common underlying patterns in women at this phase of life, which also explain the common “symptoms” of perimenopause. In this episode, I share what those patterns are, and simple ways that we can support ourselves to move most easefully through this powerful portal! For more info on the courses I mention in this episode, go to “OFFERINGS, or click here. More on Hormone Health Episode 2: Happy hormones naturally, for general health, easier periods and optimising fertility (Part 1 of 2) Episode 3: Happy hormones for all (not “just for the ladies!”), and the role of inflammation (Part 2 of 2) Transcript Hi everyone, welcome to the Balanced Natural Health podcast, where we share insights from the ancient science and timeless wisdom of Chinese medicine. Information from the old natural ways of healing can support us in leading more beautiful, more vibrant and more vital lives today. In this podcast, I share simple, natural and accessible tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life for more vibrant health and wellness. I’m so glad you’re here. Welcome Hello everyone, and welcome to episode 44. In today’s episode, I would like to dive into something which feels particularly relevant to me personally, due to my age and demographic, I’m now 47 years old. And also in response to what I’m seeing a lot of on social media, in mainstream, in the world around me, and that is the perception of menopause as a pathology to be medicated. And the perception of perimenopause as the cause of all ills, and also the attribution of all of the different symptoms or vital body messages that women might be experiencing at this time, the attribution of these always to, oh, it’s just hormones and you need HRT. Whereas, as you probably know, if you’ve been listening to me for a while, I have long retired from the position of doing battle with my body. And I now see all symptoms as vital messages from the body, mind and soul as to what my system wants me to know and what is coming up for me for integration and harmonizing at that point in time. And so in today’s episode, I would like to talk about some of these, what I see as misconceptions about perimenopause and menopause. And I would like to dispel some myths. And I would also like to share a more empowering perspective on this powerful transition – traditionally called the Second Spring – and how I personally am choosing to navigate it and step through it. Perimenopause – a Second Spring In Chinese medicine, perimenopause and the whole process of moving through menopause is viewed as the second spring. So it’s viewed as a second puberty because we are literally in the process of metamorphosing ourselves into a different version of ourselves. We are moving from a period of our life where we are creative in the material realm, where we can create life, we can create humans, whole new human body, which is such a miracle. And we are moving into a stage of life where we create energetic gifts to the world at this time. So all of our resources, all the resources that were formerly distributed to the womb, now start to move towards the heart, which houses the Shen and our consciousness. And together, that portal of womb and heart can bring forth and birth so many powerful energies and ideas and so much wisdom into the world. In so many cultures and over eons of time, the crone or the wise grandmother was viewed as an archetype who had so much wisdom to impart. It was a really revered and respected archetype. How the prevailing mainstream view is disempowering And yet in our current iteration of society, we are being continually broadcast to that this is a burden, it’s a inconvenience, it’s the end of our relevance, that it’s all downhill from here, that we will put on weight, that we will have brain fog, that we will be fatigued, that we’ll have vaginal dryness, that we’ll lose our libido and our moods, and that we’ll go crazy and lash out those around us and a whole other litany of ills. And it doesn’t have to be that way. I do think that there is a bit of self-fulfilling prophecy when we keep being broadcast this message from so many angles, that it is something to be feared. And that adds another dimension to this process of transition because stress can very much influence how we move through this really powerful period of our lives. So while I always honour and celebrate the choice of women to take HRT, I think it’s amazing that people have choices to do what they want to with their body and their health. I also think that there are other ways to move through this transition and it’s definitely not the only way to move through it. Everything has a season – us too! And this is our Second Spring I don’t think that mama nature makes any mistakes. And we, when we look at the world around us, there are seasons and cycles to everything and our bodies, minds and souls are no different. So while it might be touted in the mainstream that it’s protective to the body, to your bones, to your cardiovascular system, to keep pumping your body full of these external hormones, which your body is no longer producing, I really question what the long-term effects of that are. Because as I said, mama nature doesn’t make mistakes. So if we’re meant to sustain this level of circulating hormones and hormone production, our body would be producing it, right? And when we look into the literature around the potential side effects of supplementation, external supplementation like this, we can see that there definitely are risks. So this is a conversation for another time. In this podcast, I just want to share a different perspective on how we might be able to view perimenopause and second spring and this second puberty. And I love this idea of this transition, this perimenopausal transition as a second puberty, because when we think about what a wild transition our first puberty was, then it gives us an inkling of how much grace and spaciousness and tenderness, compassion, patience, we might want to give ourselves as we move through this second transition. Like think how wild the ride was with fluctuating hormones back in our teens when we were going through that transition and all the different emotional landscapes that came up and how we responded to different things, how we were finding our own power and expression into the world. Perimenopause – Second Spring – as an invitation And this period is no different. I think it’s a really exciting invitation to look at how we’ve been living, what kind of beliefs and assumptions we’ve had about ourselves, what kind of life habits we’ve fallen into and how we might want to live our lives going forward. And one symptom that is a symptom that is often talked about with regards to perimenopause is the mood swings. And this is often attributed to the fluctuations of specifically estrogen, but also progesterone because estrogen is our buffering hormone. It is soft and juicy making, and it is what allows us to put up with shit basically, or put up with things that are maybe not in alignment with our highest good. It allows us to put up with self-sacrificing situations or enmeshment. And what I have found as my estrogen has dropped throughout this transition is that I have had to look at where I have been people pleasing, where I have been giving away my power. And also having less estrogen has made me less inclined to self-abandon and sacrifice my energy to compromise my boundaries. And just to say no to things that are leaking my energy or things that are no longer serving me. So whether that’s activities or relationships or certain types of emotional bonding, for example like bonding over drama, it’s just not available for that anymore because it’s such an energy drain. So to me this Second Spring has been a gift. To me having this drop in estrogen has shown me where I’ve been compromising my own energy, where there’s been leaks. If I was supplementing with that hormone then perhaps I wouldn’t have had that clear vision of seeing where I’ve been self-abandoning and what I can do to live my life differently and what I can do to call back that energy to myself. “Mood changes” or “swings” as a barometer of our energy I also think that these mood swings that are talked about or irritability and anger can be a sign of where our boundaries have been transgressed and whether now or in the past. And they offer an opportunity for witnessing, for feeling and ultimately for healing those experiences whether now or in the past. So when we look at mama nature and expressions of what seems like anger say in the animal kingdom, it’s only happening where the animal feels threatened or encroached upon or like their personal safety or boundaries a

Have you heard of the Three Treasures, and how they relate to feeling great, aging vibrantly, manifesting your destiny and living your soul purpose? Together with our Qi, our Jing (Essence) and our Shen (Spirit) make up the Three Treasures – treasures, because they are the precious substances that form the foundation for our health and longevity. Jing can be translated variously as our DNA, our genetic endowment, our constitution. Qi is the total of all of our energetic and metabolic processes that govern daily function, like digestion, respiration, circulation, cellular function, tissue structure and integrity (more in episode 41). Shen is our spirit, our presence, our consciousness – the spark of life in our eyes. Jing-Qi-Shen are interrelated and dependent upon each other. When they are in coherence and harmony, we manifest our destiny in this lifetime – our soul purpose. We feel lighter, clearer and more vibrant – and are well resourced for life’s adventures. Many of our Chinese Medicine health cultivation practices centre around preserving and refining the Three Treasures. In this episode, Dr. Maz shares simple practices that you can incorporate into your everyday to boost your Qi, protect your Essence and help your Spirit shine bright! The simple Qi Gong move, practised slowly, with intent and slow breathing, can be a powerful way to connect the energies of Heaven and Earth. Bonus points if you do it barefoot outside!

In Chinese Medicine, we are adherents of “The Middle Way” or “The Middle Path” – a path of moderation. Rather than opting for extreme or dramatic health practices, we opt for a gentle, daily nourishing of Life. Each moment is an opportunity to nurture health. Our amazing bodies already know how to heal, how to detox, how to repair – sometimes, we just need to get out of the way. When I was asked my thoughts on fasting, the answer, while tending to alignment with The Middle Way, had some nuances that I share with you in this episode. We touch on: • the view of our ancient medical texts on fasting (scroll down for a quote) • eating close to nature and the seasons vs. processed foods, preservatives, seed oils and, frankly, non-foods that pop up in the modern “diet” • intermittent fasting, the Chinese Medicine Organ / Meridian Clock and circadian rhythms • the “hollow” organs – what even are they, their relationship to health (and consciousness) • how fasting can cause our systems to dip into our Jing – the vital “Essence” that we come into this world with, and that nourishes us throughout our lifespan. “The source of vitality is the diet. If one stops eating or drinking, one will die. Without food or liquid, Stomach Qi will not be evident in the pulses. Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine), Chapter 18: Pulse Analysis; circa 200CE

(APOLOGIES for the audio issue halfway through the episode – it’s only 30 seconds or so, so thank you for bearing with me!) Put simply, life (and health!) is about how well we can gain and hold charge, and how effectively our systems work with it. Chinese Medicine has a profound understanding of this. Our view of health and healing focuses greatly on Qi and its many expressions, qualities and functions within mind, body and soul. Qi is often loosely translated as “energy”, but it is so much more than that. It describes function, metabolism, processes of transformation, directions of movement… the list goes on! In our medicine, we understand that when the body is well-resourced and abundant in Qi – and when the Qi channels, or meridians – are open and harmoniously organised, vibrant health naturally follows. Here we talk about the concept of health as charge – and our ability to hold and use it effectively – and the many ways, both ancient and new, that we can charge up our Qi today. PRODUCT SHOUTOUT I talk in the episode about native frequencies (or EMFs) vs non-native ones. A common source of non-native EMFs are many lightbulbs – the wavelength of these lights can be disruptive to our body clock, or circadian rhythm. This in turn can derail everything from hormones to nervous system, sleep, repair and whole host of other important processes. This is why our house is full of natural wavelength lightbulbs from Block Blue Light. The link below gets you 10% off, or just enter “DrMaz” at checkout. https://www.blockbluelight.com.au/?ref=DrMaz

With the health and wellness industry exploding as it is, the following is a conversation I find myself having more and more frequently. What I have observed over the years – both in my own health journey and in my many years in clinic – is that simple & natural is most often best. While extreme or heroic practices, and expensive biohacks & supplements, may seem glamorous and exciting and may promise the world, I see that we can achieve the same benefits with the simple – often free! – consistent things that we do each day (grounding, sunlight, movement, emotional expression) and by living as closely to Mama Nature as we can (wholefoods, clean & coherent water, natural light & frequencies, aligning with daily / seasonal rhythms). I also have witnessed that while it may be tempting to ADD more to our lives in an attempt to gain more vitality, it is very often what we REMOVE that frees up our vital force to go about its job of healing, repair and restoration. Reducing the load in our “toxin bucket” by limiting what we throw in there (food additives, chemicals, synthetic fragrances, toxin in personal care & home products, non-native electromagnetic fields, artificial lighting, etc.) can be just as – if not more – profound as what we add to our lives. I can also add to this the witnessing & releasing of limiting beliefs, “congestive” emotional habits and stored trauma is another important piece of the puzzle – letting go of these liberates vast amounts of our innate healing powers. In this episode I share the simple, daily practices that I include to nourish my health, and easy ways you can apply them yourself. CAVEAT: the practices discussed are suitable for most of us who are in at least a reasonable state of health. There are times when systems may be so depleted, overloaded with toxins or in such an pronounced state of compensation (“disease”) that more extreme measures – practices, supplements, devices – may be temporarily necessary in order to restore a baseline level of vital energy to the system, which can then take it from there. CLEAN 15 & DIRTY DOZEN WATER FILTERS I USE EPISODE 2: Happy hormones naturally, for better health (“detox”) EPISODE 3: Happy hormones naturally, for better health (“detox”)

Not only does your Heart have tastebuds, but it is also connected to your Tongue – and the Uterus and Room of Sperm (what a poetic name for the testicles!). This connection between the various organs has been well-known by Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, and now, modern research is rediscovering what the ancients knew for so long. Recent research has found that the heart has receptors for both the bitter and sweet taste, and that these receptors are believed to modulate the function of the heart. In our oldest medical text, the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine), it is stated that: “the Heart is benefited by the bitter taste” and “bitter-tasting substances can clear the Heart”  “sweet herbs are used to sedate” but “too much sweet taste can disturb the Heart Qi”   And it gets even better! In Chinese Medicine, the Heart is connected to the Uterus and  testicles via the Bao Mai. And, guess where else in the body can bitter taste receptors are found?? You guessed it! The uterine lining and the testicles. Wild, huh? Chinese Medicine has such a profound and nuanced understanding of health. It’s a complete system of healing that has been proven over millennia, with rich detail on how to use herbs & flavours for health, and a holistic understanding of the connection between the visceral organs (like the Heart) and the sense organs (like the tongue). This can offer up new perspectives and potential for health and healing. In this episode, we explore the connection between: • Heart & tongue • Kidneys & ears • Liver & eyes • Spleen & mouth • Lungs & nose We share modern research and clinical case studies that beautifully illustrate this connection, and discuss some acupressure points to support the vitality of the sensory organs. Join our community! Sign up to the newsletter (scroll down) – you will also receive a free eBook on Nourishing Life with Ancient Wisdom.

In this episode, we look to the millennia-old science and wisdom of Chinese Medicine to ask: are ice baths harmful to health?? From a Chinese Medicine perspective – which honours, stokes and cultivates the “spark of life” at all costs, and protects the Yang (vital warmth) of the body – the answer is a resounding YES! We address many of the common objections to my statement, looking more closely at claims of historical use of ice baths, as well as the effect on the stress hormones and nervous system. The Kidneys – a vital foundation for health and vitality at all life stages – are very much affected by sitting static in cold water. Ruled by the Water element, the Kidneys are easily overwhelmed by cold, water and shock/fear – a common trifecta of ice baths! The Kidneys are also responsible for the health of bones, teeth and cognitive function, and healthy Kidneys mean that we get to feel vibrant at all life stages (or, “age well”). As always, we also look to Mama Nature and our own inner messages for guidance. Our body-mind-souls are infinitely wise, and will guide us towards whatever it is that we need (or don’t need!) in order to move towards the most vibrant expression of ourselves. In Chinese Medicine, we aspire to balance – “The Middle Way”. We don’t glorify extreme practices, instead choosing to “nourish life” in the myriad actions of everyday life: what and how we eat, how we move / breathe / rest / sleep, how we express and feel, to name a few. This, from our perspective, is the path to lasting health. Join our community! Sign up to the newsletter (scroll down) – you will also receive a free eBook on Nourishing Life with Ancient Wisdom.

On the next New Moon, which falls on the 29th January 2025, we move into a new Chinese Lunar year. We are leaving behind the Year of the Wood Dragon and flowing into the Year of the Wood Snake. In this episode, I talk about what the Year of the Snake may hold for us, and what opportunities it may bring. We will talk a little about how the Chinese New Year or Lunar festival is celebrated, and I’ll be sharing some of my musings about “new years” in general – there are many different “new years” out there (beyond January 1st!). I believe that new beginnings, new chapters and a “new you” can come at any time – each inhale can invite the new, each exhale can release the old. Is “New Years” really the 1st of January?? I’ve been reflecting on the fact that the Gregorian calendar (prevalent in the modern Western world)  holds no personal resonance for me as a marker of beginnings and endings; I see it as arbitrary and man-made, disconnected from nature. Perhaps you feel the same –  are there periods or seasons of your life that carry more meaning for you? As a herbalist, practitioner of natural medicine (which sees us woven into the web of life), surfer, vegetable grower and as a woman connected to monthly rhythms within my own body, I feel more connected to the cycles of nature – tides, moon, seasons, stars, plants & animals – and look to these as a compass to align my flow with life, and with Mama Nature. These are the cycles that nourish life! I also love learning the cycles and seasons of my own physical place in the world: summer swells and summer storms, the clear blue skies of winter, the first call of the Pacific Koel bird when it arrives in summer – and the absence of its call when it returns north, which heralds the turning towards cooler weather. What opportunities does the Wood Snake bring? I particularly loved the perspective of Jill Lander, Feng Shui practitioner, on what this coming year may hold: “We are entering into a year of death and rebirth, a year to make responsible decisions to evolve spiritually, moving away from old ways and habits that no longer serve us well. Among all living creatures, the Snake is the best equipped due to its magnetic resonance to hear the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It is a dynamic year to learn from the past, moving forward with wisdom, awareness, transformation and compassion. Mythology recognises the Snake as a creature of healing, which influences the physical body to shift to a more spiritual outlook. A great deal of quiet progress can be made in 2025 with the help of this planetary energy. Honour this transformative beginning every day with positive thoughts”. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3293097/chinese-horoscopes-year-wood-snake-2025-predictions-health-wealth-work-and-love-plus-wood-snakes# Toko-pa Turner, Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Homehttps://www.instagram.com/tokopa/

What makes up a human body? Did you know that the number of microbial (bacteria, fungi, etc) cells that live in and on our bodies can outnumber “human” cells by up to 10 to 1? This suggests that we are a microbial-human community, and that these microbes have a vital role to play in maintaining balance and health in the human. And in this episode, we dive in a deeper discussion of Chinese Medicine & Candida What if Candida (and other microbes) are actually working to support our human bodies to detoxify or eliminate non-beneficial substances that our human cells can’t metabolise? Is killing off Candida overgrowth just killing the messenger (or clean-up crew, as it were)? Is the presence of Candida sending us a message – and how can we respond in order to support balance? Chinese Medicine generally views Candida as result of excessive Damp in the body. Like the soil that sprouts mushrooms after damp, rainy periods, our bodies too can sprout an overgrowth of fungi if the internal environment is too Damp. Luckily, Chinese Medicine offers many simple lifestyle and diet tweaks that can clear Damp and restore vital health! SHOW NOTES EMFs and Heavy Metals Effect of Clove and Thyme Essential Oils on Candida Biofilm Formation and the Oil Distribution in Yeast Cells More Chinese Medicine wisdom on nourishing and bolstering the Earth / Spleen, for healthy microbial balance Episode 2: Happy hormones naturally, for general health, easier periods and optimising fertility (Part 1 of 2) Episode 3: Happy hormones for all (not “just for the ladies!”), and the role of inflammation (Part 2 of 2) Episode 5: Beat the Bloat – Chinese Medicine digestion secrets! Episode 14: Late Summer Diet & Lifestyle Tips Candida & electromagnetic health Episode 16: We are light beings – on biophotons and our electromagnetic health Episode 17: Cultivating our light bodies – on biophotons and our electromagnetic health Topical Wash Ku Shen / Sophora / Yellow Pagoda tree She Chuang Zi / Cnidium Bring to boil, simmer 20 minutes, strain and apply to skin. Promptly relieves itch due to Damp and overgrowth. ST36: Zu San Li 足三里 Image source: Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M. & Baker, K; A Manual of Acupuncture

Chinese Medicine offers many therapies which can speed the release of “frozen shoulder”, also known as adhesive capsulitis. The treatment clue is in the name: what is “frozen” is cold and immobilised, and so by heating and promoting movement with acupuncture, moxa, heat lamps and herbal medicine, we can help people regain their function and movement in an accelerated timeframe. In this episode, we discuss these therapies in more detail, and offer simple remedies you can also try at home. We discuss also the importance of supporting general health to speed recovery, and allowing for the flow and expression of emotions. ST38: Tiao Kou 條口 SP9: Yin Ling Quan 阴陵泉 LU5: Chi Ze 尺澤 Image source: Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M. & Baker, K; A Manual of Acupuncture

In recent years, modern science has finally arrived at technologies that are sensitive enough to measure biophotons, bioelectricity, conductivity, resistance and energetic flow pathways in living beings, and the resultant findings have (unsurprisingly!) aligned with the meridian pathways codified by the ancient sages many millennia earlier. How did the ancients KNOW where to map these pathways? In this episode, I share my perspectives: • there are other ways of “knowing” and “measuring” that are beyond the external (to us) technologies and tools that we have available today; • the present focus on materialism has been to the detriment and neglect of our subtler senses and ways of knowing; • the ancients had an advanced somatic-knowledge, through practices such as Qi Gong (energy work), Nei Gong (inner work), Nei Dan (inner alchemy), Dao Yin (somewhat like yoga), yoga, pranayama (breathwork) and meditation; • this knowledge was potentiated by living in alignment with Nature, and in observation of her cycles; • we all have access to subtle ways of knowing and sensing – it is an inherent ability; • simple ways to cultivate this awareness with Qi Gong and energetic practices you can do at home. Reading List & Shoutout https://thecrdchallenge.com/ The Invisible Rainbow, by Changling Zhang Heavenly Streams: Meridian Theory in Nei Gong, by Damo Mitchell Qi Gong Reels Calming Qi Gong – Gathering the Sky Qi Gong Warm Up Sequence Wise Owl Qi Gong Guided Qi Gong & Emotional Alchemy Nourish your Qi – your life force energy – in just 10 minutes a day. Because your life force energy – your Qi – is everything. When your Qi is abundant and flowing, your life battery is full and all of your systems function optimally – body, mind and soul. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Just 10 minutes a day can charge up your Qi and usher you into deep self-trust and self-connection. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. Coming Home to You shows you how – learn more here. From the Huang Di Nei Jing, circa 220 BCEChapter 1: The Universal Truth In the past, people practiced the Tao, the Way of Life. They understood the principle of balance, of Yin and Yang, as represented by the transformation of the energies of the universe. Thus, they formulated practices such as Dao-Yin, an exercise combining stretching, massaging, and breathing to promote energy flow, and meditation to help maintain and harmonize themselves with the universe. They ate a balanced diet at regular times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided overstressing their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence of all kinds.

As an eternal student and Doctor of Chinese Medicine, I am struck by the fact that many of the discoveries at the frontiers of health science – various biohacking, structured water, circadian biology, frequency & information medicine and quantum biology – are reframing knowledge that the ancients had down thousands of years ago. And not only did they have an advanced understanding of these “new” phenomena – they also codified simple guidelines on how to live and thrive accordingly. I share this because many of the time-proven health practices that stem from this knowledge are very much applicable today, and most are free, simple and can be done by you at home! In this episode I talk about: • my reflections on exclusion zone (EZ) water and the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching; • EZ water and its relationship to Yin, Yang and Qi – and therefore our health! • the many tools of Chinese Medicine that we can use to structure and enliven water, to support vitality; • my musings on a unique type of water mentioned in our ancient medical texts, ganlanshui, 甘瀾水 (literally, sweet rippling water), and what modern research tells us about this practice • Five Elements (or Five Phases / Agents) and their parallels with information and frequency medicine; • pulse diagnosis, your amazing human technology and bioresonance; • humans as conduits between Heaven and Earth; • simple practices to charge up our beings for the fullest expression of health. Qi Gong Reels Calming Qi Gong – Gathering the Sky Qi Gong Warm Up Sequence Wise Owl Qi Gong Guided Qi Gong & Emotional Alchemy Nourish your Qi – your life force energy – in just 10 minutes a day. Because your life force energy – your Qi – is everything. When your Qi is abundant and flowing, your life battery is full and all of your systems function optimally – body, mind and soul. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Just 10 minutes a day can charge up your Qi and usher you into deep self-trust and self-connection. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. Coming Home to You shows you how – learn more here. From the Tao Te Ching, circa 400 BCE Tao engenders One,One engenders Two,Two engenders Three,Three engenders the ten thousand things. The ten thousand things carry shade and embrace sunlight,Shade and sunlight, Yin and Yang,Breath blending into harmony.– Lao Tzu

Yang Sheng (養生) literally means “Nourishing Life”, and refers to the body of nutritional and lifestyle therapies that is one of the pillars of Chinese Medicine. We view Yang Sheng as the highest form of medicine, as nourishing body-mind-soul can prevent imbalance, and stop disease before it takes hold. There is an old Chinese saying that perfectly captures this ideal: “Waiting to treat illness after they manifest is like waiting to dig a well after one is thirsty” We consider that the more resourced and resilient we are, the more smoothly we can flow with and adapt to life and its various inputs. Looking after our foundation, and ensuring that our Qi is flowing and able to clearly receive essential information, helps us to regenerate tissues in their most optimal expression. This is why the seemingly little things that we can do each day, like connecting to the earth, soaking up sunlight, drinking structured water, eating close to nature, feeling and releasing our emotions, moving our bodies, feeling connection, love, joy and gratitude, add up to make a profound difference to our health and vitality. Another way that the concept of Yang Sheng, or Nourishing Life, can be expressed is as that of KNOWING YOURSELF. Ultimately, you are the expert on YOU, and while health professionals can offer help and guidance, they are not having your experience 24/7. We are all unique, and listening to yourself allows you to collect data on what best nourishes YOU. As we get curious about, and tune into, the subtle cues of the body-mind-soul, we become ever more fluent in the messages we are constantly receiving from ourselves. We also get to deepen our knowledge about what works for us, and what doesn’t: or perhaps even the same response may “work” at some times and not others. It can also mean observing our habits, reactions, perceptions, programs, coping mechanisms and addictions (this is not limited to substance addiction – it can encompass addiction to work, busy-ness, emotional states, etc.), and choosing to unwind from those that don’t serve us. It can mean looking at what foods, activities, environments and relationships leave us feeling balanced and vibrant, and which ones don’t. One of the many aspects of Yang Sheng that excites me is that in deepening our relationship with our body-mind-souls, we (re)discover and remember that the power to heal is within each and every one of us. Let me guide you in Nourishing Life Let me show you a simpler way – one that has been tried & tested for more than 5,000 years. A way that I have witnessed transform the lives of hundreds of people. And, a way that gave me my own life & health back. Gentle, sustainable changes and simple, daily rituals, grounded in the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine. No harsh protocols, diets or dramatic hacks – just simple, natural, body-honouring foods and habits. At your own pace and in your own time. Because your body already knows how to heal. Sometimes we just need a little guidance to put the pieces together. And this framework is what I am so excited to share with you – it’s the missing piece of the wellness puzzle. The Radiant Energy Reset guides the way – learn more here. Qi Gong Reels Calming Qi Gong – Gathering the Sky Qi Gong Warm Up Sequence Wise Owl Qi Gong Guided Qi Gong & Emotional Alchemy Nourish your Qi – your life force energy – in just 10 minutes a day. Because your life force energy – your Qi – is everything. When your Qi is abundant and flowing, your life battery is full and all of your systems function optimally – body, mind and soul. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Just 10 minutes a day can charge up your Qi and usher you into deep self-trust and self-connection. Backed by ancient wisdom, not wellness trends. Coming Home to You shows you how – learn more here.

What is health? Is it merely the absence of disease? Or can getting “sick” and having “symptoms” also be a sign of health – an indication of an appropriate response to an insult or toxin of some kind, whether emotional, environmental, climatic, energetic, relational, dietary, airborne, electromagnetic, thought-based, beliefs, etc? In this episode, I share my musings and reflections on how I see health – and how we can flow with the manifestations that arise in order to continue supporting our vitality and fullest expression, rather than trying to suppress the vital and restorative healing processes. The body already knows how to heal – we just need to minimise the obstacles that we place upon that path, whether individually or collectively. I share perspectives on health from sages, philosophers and doctors through the ages, and discuss some cases studies that illustrate that “dis-ease” has actually been a healing process, and that interrupting this process would have arrested the inconvenient symptoms at the cost of healing, pushing the imbalance deeper into the body-mind-soul. I also touch very briefly on the lenses of terrain theory, pleomorphism, German New Medicine, and homotoxicology, and how these overlap with Chinese Medicine. NOTE: health is such a huge topic that I could spend literally years talking about it! This is just a very tiny sampler. The case study examples I share are here are centred around healthy responses to physical triggers – a whole episode could also be dedicated to case studies with emotional triggers – and are by no means exhaustive. … “Health is harmony, dis-ease is discord” Aristotle (384-322 BC) “Our mode of life itself, the way we live, is emerging as today’s principal cause of illness” Dr Joel Elkes, Director of Behavioural Medicine, Harvard “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society” Jiddu Krishnamurti “Commercials for depression in the 90s named the cause as low levels of serotonin*. With no mention of toxic marriages. unhealthy workplace, financial security, loss of a loved one, or childhood trauma. Depression is a response. A natural response to unnatural environments or painful events” Dr. Nicole LePera, @the.holistic.psychologist *now throughly debunked … “One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things. He moves in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of just what to do.” Lao Tzu, Dao De Ching, Chapter 8

In Chinese Medicine, healthy digestion and assimilation of nutrients belongs to the Earth element. It is the foundation for vibrant health and wellness, and so our medicine has many practices and lifestyle tips that support this essential function. “Symptoms” (or body messages!) like gastritis, indigestion, stomach pain & bloating, ulcers and acid reflux are common in our modern society, reflecting a departure from health practices that have withstood millennia. Luckily, our age-old medicine has many simple dietary tweaks and lifestyle guidelines to help restore balance to the digestion, in turn resolving the conditions mentioned above. In this episode, I share easy ways that you can support your body to ease stomach pain, burn, bloat and discomfort, and help restore vitality! If you’d like more support and guidance… I have created the Radiant Energy Reset: a gut-loving program that heals at the root. Grounded in ancient wellness principles, I show you how to create a firm foundation for health and radiance. I have distilled years of my clinical experience into this beautiful program, so that you have all you need to nourish yourself from the root. At your own pace, in your own time. Learn more here.