As I sit down to write today, there’s a palpable air of excitement in our house — tomorrow my boys break up from school. I remember that feeling so clearly: the giddy anticipation of summer holidays. My youngest keeps telling me he can’t believe he has six whole weeks off. It feels like an eternity when you’re six!

We are now fully in Fire season — the time of year that, in Chinese medicine, relates to the Heart and Small Intestine. 

 The Heart is home to our Shen, which can be likened to pure consciousness or spirit. It’s the sparkle in our eyes, the tone in our voice, the aliveness in our presence. Each of the yin organs has a spirit in Chinese medicine, but the illumination of the Shen is what threads them all together, connecting us to something greater. 

As we move into summer, the Fire element comes alive — this is the season of full yang energy: bright, active, outward. 

 In Chinese medicine, the Fire element governs the Heart and Small Intestine, and when these organs are in harmony, we feel more able to connect with others, to express ourselves authentically, and to experience the quiet joy that comes from simply being alive.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a lady I treat in my acupuncture practice. She arrived straight from a busy morning of meetings, apologising as she lay down, saying she tried not to feel stressed, but her energy felt scattered & her body tight.

In my acupuncture practice, many women speak about the intensity of their premenstrual days — the heightened emotions, sensitivity, irritability, and physical discomfort. It’s often labelled as PMS - premenstrual 'syndrome’.

This week, I wanted to share a little about how hormonal changes, especially during perimenopause and menopause, are understood through Chinese medicine. It's a rich, expansive topic, and a regular part of my acupuncture practice…

It was exactly this time nine years ago that my husband and I, our teething one-year-old and just-turned-four-year-old, embarked on a 10-hour flight to Miami—the start of a six-month travel adventure…

 In Chinese medicine, the Liver is connected to the throat. And as we move into Liver season, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve been having so many conversations—in clinic, with friends, and with family—about symptoms and restrictions in this area…

In Chinese Medicine, anger is the emotion connected to the Wood element. It can be expressed in many forms, from frustration and irritability to resentment, blame, self-criticism, and shame. At its core, anger is a Liver energy issue.

 There’s so much meaning and story attached to anger. Many of us feel disconnected from it or shameful (particularly women) if we experience it…

As we move towards spring, nature is waking up—buds are appearing, new shoots are pushing through the earth, and the energy around us is rising. 

 In Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the Wood element and the Liver, which share this same upward, expansive movement. Like bamboo swaying gracefully in the wind, our energy also wants to move freely and smoothly. If the Liver becomes stagnant, we can feel stuck—physically, emotionally, and mentally…

It almost feels like spring down here in Devon. Pottering in the garden on Saturday afternoon, coat-free and surrounded by daffodils, was bliss.

 Spring brings feelings of hope, optimism, and potential. Everything is waking up.

 Energetically, we’re transitioning between the stillness of winter (the Water element) and the upward, vibrant energy of spring (associated with the Wood element)…

Last week, we explored ways to physically nourish the Kidneys. With just a month until spring officially begins, I want to share one more aspect of the Water element.

In Chinese Medicine, each of the five elements is associated with an emotion. The emotion linked to Kidney energy is fear—not just a primal fear tied to survival, but often a fear of losing control…

As I sit to write this, my very first newsletter, the sun is shining, and the first snowdrops and primroses are appearing in my garden - a joyful reminder that spring is on its way.

However, we’re still in the depths of winter, and Chinese Medicine teaches us the importance of living in harmony with the seasons.

 Each major organ system is linked to a season, and winter is associated with the Water element, within which are the Kidney and Bladder organs…