Endometriosis - do you have it? Or do you know someone who does? This episode is for you. During this episode we discuss: - laparoscopies - what are they, should you get one and how are they viewed from a TCM perspective? - the relationship between gut health and endometriosis. - inflammatory triggers and how your diet can either fuel or help relieve endometriosis.

In this episode, TCM Dr. Lauren outlines the varying patterns of PCOS and she also covers how many women may experience PCO, rather than PCOS. Didn’t realise there was a difference? We discuss how to determine which case you may have. Also discussed in this episode is: > the role dampness has to play in regards to PCOS > key contributing factors that may be aggravating your PCOS > how diet can impact PCOS

In this episode, TCM Dr. Lauren Curtain unpacks this relationship and explains how the quality of our menstrual cycle is highly dependent on our ability to digest foods. A few points of discussion throughout this episode are: 1. The link between excess cervical fluid and the digestive system. 2. How a compromised gut may be causing your PMS 3. The importance of gut health in regards to fertility

Are you following the same diet throughout your entire menstrual cycle and left wondering why your appetite seems to fluctuate throughout? Perhaps you experience sugar cravings and inflammation prior to your period alongside this change in appetite. Implementing simple, positive changes to your diet and gaining knowledge about foods that are beneficial to the menstrual cycle can have a huge impact on the quality of your period and overall health.

From a TCM perspective, there is a significant relationship between ovulation and the period; are you aware of how one influences and dictates the other? Knowing whether or not you are ovulating regularly as well as understanding the ideal time of the cycle to be ovulating, is key to fostering a healthy and regular period.

In this episode we invite TCM Dr. Lauren Curtain to discuss the essentials for a healthy menstrual cycle, from a Chinese Medicine perspective. We dive into the four phases of the menstrual cycle and focus on how the period is considered the fifth vital sign for a female. Blood flow, colour and the amount of days bleeding are all elements you should be observing, as well as the different types of cervical fluid throughout the menstrual cycle.

In this episode, TCM Dr. Lauren Curtain explains the ideal situation for a healthy gut and why raw foods may be damaging to a compromised digestive system. In this episode we cover: > why you may feel more anxious or tired when consuming raw foods > why so many people perceive raw foods as “healthy” > the fact that enzymes in raw foods won’t be absorbed by your body if your gut is compromised > how food is seen as medicine from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.

On this episode we discussed: > Butterflies and bloating - did you know there is a connection between our emotions and the gut? > Exercise; how overdoing it or not moving at all may be compromising your digestive system. > How your inherent constitution may affect your gut health. Perhaps you’re prone to sweating? Or cold extremities? These patterns are unique and of course, connected to the digestive system. There is no one size fits all when it comes to gut health.

This episode is the final part of the Five Elements Series. Do you often experience anger, crave sour tastes or seem prone to shouting lots? Then perhaps learning more about the wood element would be helpful.

Water - the element correlating to fearful emotions, the kidneys, the taste of salty foods and a putrid scent. From the perspective of TCM Dr. Lee Smith, a person who experiences these characteristics may identify with the water element.

In this episode, TCM Dr Lee touches on how the element of metal correlates to the season of Autumn, the lungs and large intestine and the emotion of grief. Do you know someone who finds it hard to let go of certain situations? They’re meticulous, efficient and perhaps they even suffer from symptoms such as constipation and a tight chest. Tune in to find out more.

Welcome to episode two of the Five Elements series where we welcome back TCM Dr Lee Smith to discuss the earth element. Constantly overthinking, worried and concerned for others? The Earth element embodies the Mother archetype - picture someone who nurtures others and desires to provide. Have a listen to see if you think you, or someone you know, may identify with the earth element.

For episode one of this five-part series, we invite the expertise of TCM Dr Lee Smith to explore the fire element. We start the episode by discussing the overall concept of the Five Elements, to ensure we have our foundational knowledge up to scratch, before exploring the individual elements. Lee then covers what involves the fire element such as the colour, season, organs and emotions.

To round off our series on the pathogenic factors we invite TCM Dr. Lee Smith back to discuss dryness. Although less common, this factor can manifest in ways that are uncomfortable and of a nuisance. From cracked skin and lips to a dry cough with little or no phlegm, perhaps you have experienced symptoms similar to these?

Capable of taking on many different forms in the body, the pathogenic factor of wind involves similar characteristics in the body to those in nature. Think symptoms such as spasms, tremors, ticks, fungal infections and flu-like symptoms; a familiar condition related to wind is the common cold. TCM Dr. Lee Smith covers the manifestations of wind in more depth and also the all-important questions we’ve been asking him in each preceding episode.

In today’s episode, TCM Dr. Lee Smith delves into the pathogenic factor of cold, explaining how one may acquire, experience and then aim to reduce it.

In this episode TCM Dr. Lee Smith speaks of certain symptoms of heat such as dry skin, constipation, scanty urination and agitation and not only how one may acquire heat through lifestyle factors, but also how one may reduce and rectify it.

TCM Dr. Lee Smith explains what a constitutional weakness is and in comparison, how a weakness may be acquired. Here, Lee touches on potential major events, such as pregnancy, that have the ability to change one’s constitutional weakness to an acquired.

In this episode TCM Dr. Lee Smith covers all that Chinese Medicine is, from the energy principles of Qi, Shen and Jing to the tools a TCM doctor uses to balance the body such as acupuncture, herbs and cupping.

Today’s episode is an introduction to these pathogenic factors as we discuss one that you may be all too familiar with; Damp. You may have heard us mention this factor previously, or perhaps you are hearing about it for the first time. If you’re not digesting food well and therefore experiencing symptoms such as mucus, inflammation, cellulite and brain fog - dampness may be your worst enemy.