Chinese Medicine Matters
Traditional Chinese Medicine related articles, interviews, and news to support practitioner and student knowledge and lifelong learning. Select your favorite podcast provider to subscribe and get notified of new recordings!
Episodes
In this episode, Mary Lynn Morales and Ray Reider join us to share the work of the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, a free clinic serving women in the Oakland area who are navigating cancer with limited financial resources.
They discuss the life-changing care the clinic provides, the deep sense of meaning that comes from volunteering, and the hope this work brings to women who often have very little support.
For listene...
As the year comes to a close, join us for a heartfelt message from Yvonne Lau, President of Mayway Herbs, as she shares warm holiday wishes and expresses gratitude for your support throughout 2025. It’s our way of celebrating the season and saying “thank you” for being part of our community.
Watch the video here: https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/holiday-wishes-from-mayway
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This episode explores the nature of Qi: its origins, how it functions in the body, and why it’s so central to Chinese medicine. Yvonne Lau and Dr. Skye Sturgeon talk about Qi cultivation, the ways acupuncture and herbs can affect Qi, and how practices like Qigong help support its movement and resilience.
You can watch the video here: https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/a-chat-about-qi
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This week, Dr. Skye Sturgeon guides us through the rich philosophical world of the I Ching and its central archetype: the “Superior Man,” or junzi. Drawing on classical commentaries and historical context, Skye illustrates how this ideal of cultivated character shaped Chinese culture for centuries, and how its insights into virtue, conduct, and self-reflection remain deeply relevant today.
You can access the written article here: ht...
In this special Giving Tuesday episode, we highlight three nonprofit organizations bringing compassionate, community-centered care to people facing crisis, illness, and long-term health inequities.
You’ll hear from:
Acupuncturists Without Borders, whose trauma-informed, heart-centered disaster-relief work has supported communities around the world for nearly two decades.
Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, a volunt...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most frequently encountered digestive complaints in modern clinical practice, often leaving patients frustrated by limited biomedical treatment options. In this episode, Dr. Skye Sturgeon explores IBS through a Traditional Chinese Medicine lens, outlining how pattern differentiation provides a more nuanced understanding of the condition.
You can access the written article here: https://www.mayw...
In this episode, Yvonne Lau takes us on a journey into the history, preparation, and traditional uses of Shen Qu, also known as “the divine ferment.” A key ingredient in many classic digestive formulas, Shen Qu has roots in ancient brewing traditions and a fascinating production process that blends herbs, fermentation, and traditional craftsmanship.
Yvonne explains how Shen Qu is made at Mayway’s Meiwei Hebei facility, why it has be...
Constipation is one of the most common yet often misunderstood digestive disorders seen in clinic. In this episode, William Maclean discusses the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to constipation, exploring its diverse causes, from Heat, Phlegm, and qi stagnation to Blood, yin, and yang deficiency. Drawing from decades of clinical experience, William shares insights into diagnosis, differentiation, and the lifestyle factors tha...
In this episode, Dr. Skye Sturgeon explores Solitary Hermit Teapills, a time-honored formula for Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with underlying deficiency. Known for supporting the Liver and Kidneys while dispelling Cold and Damp, this classic prescription helps ease chronic pain, stiffness, and weakness in the lower back, hips, and legs, especially when symptoms worsen in cold, damp weather.
Learn how the fourteen herbs in this formula har...
Wind-Damp Bi syndrome, often marked by joint pain, stiffness, and heaviness, can be eased with herbal formulas that expel Wind and Damp, invigorate circulation, and warm the channels. In this episode, we explore three classic formulas: Juan Bi, San Bi, and Xuan Bi, and how they are applied in clinical practice. Tune in to learn the unique strengths of each formula and how they can support patients struggling with Bi syndrome.
Autumn is the season of Metal in TCM, a time to let go, create clarity, and strengthen the Lung and Large Intestine. In this episode we explore its ties to dryness, grief, and boundaries, along with lifestyle and herbal approaches to support the season.
You can read the full interview here: https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/fall-and-the-metal-element-season-of-refinement-and-release
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Join us for A Deep Dive into Bamboo Pharmacy™ Liniments with Dr. Skye Sturgeon, DAOM. Discover how Mobility™ and Relief & Recovery™ liniments, two unique blends of infused and volatile herbal oils, help ease everyday aches, support healthy circulation, and bring relief where it’s needed most.
You can access the written article here.
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What’s happening behind the scenes of the global herbal supply chain? In this episode, Eva Lau, Vice President of Mayway Herbs, shares an industry update on tariffs, China’s sweeping new policy to elevate Traditional Chinese Medicine, and what these shifts mean for practitioners in the U.S. and beyond. From quality standards to pricing trends, tune in for an insider’s perspective on the future of herb sourcing and sustainability.
Amy Mager, DACM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM (NCCAOM), FABORM, brings decades of clinical experience, teaching, and advocacy to this week’s episode of Chinese Medicine Matters. In conversation with Yvonne Lau, President of Mayway Herbs, and Janet Borges, L.Ac., Mayway’s special consultant, Amy shares practical insights on supporting young people in the clinic. From navigating mental health challenges to working with parents, addressing neurodi...
What’s next for Chinese medicine education in a shifting world?
In Part 2 of this insightful conversation, school leaders Catherine Niemiec and Thomas Kouo rejoin Yvonne Lau and Skye Sturgeon to explore how we can inspire the next generation of practitioners. This episode dives into fostering qualities like vision, humility, and gratitude in students, addressing generational learning differences, and keeping them engaged throug...
Lost your keys again, or is it something more? In this episode, Dr. Skye Sturgeon explores how to distinguish mild cognitive impairment from dementia and shares evidence-informed TCM strategies, herbal approaches, and daily practices to support sharper cognition as we age.
You can access the written article here: https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/aging-and-cognitive-decline
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As kids head back to school, keeping their immune systems strong is top of mind. In this week’s re-release episode, Mayway President Yvonne Lau shares insights from Mark Frost on how Traditional Chinese Medicine can strengthen children’s resistance to illness. From the role of Wei Qi to practical herbal strategies, discover timeless approaches for supporting children’s health in the classroom and beyond.
What’s next for Chinese medicine education in a shifting world? School leaders Catherine Niemiec and Thomas Kouo join Yvonne Lau and Skye Sturgeon to explore student motivations, professional identity, and bold ideas for sustaining and evolving the medicine, from scope expansion to integrated care. This is part one of a two part interview.
Please enjoy this discussion with Yvonne Lau, President of Mayway, and Dr. Skye Stu...
In this episode, Dana Yates explores Chu Shu, literally “End of Heat,” the solar term that marks summer’s close and the transition to autumn. From ancient agricultural traditions to seasonal foods, wellness practices, and cultural customs, discover how this time-honored marker offers guidance for harmonizing with nature’s shift from Yang to Yin.
You can access the written article here: https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/chu-shu-e...
This week on Chinese Medicine Matters, we explore the Earth element, its role in digestion, emotional balance, and the seasonal energy of Late Summer. Join Lauren Coffelt as she shares insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine on how to nourish the body, calm the mind, and return to center.
You can access the written article here: https://www.mayway.com/blogs/articles/late-summer-the-earth-element
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