Discovering Tibetan Medicine's "Flowers and Fruits of Health"

What is the meaning of health? Our modern society often presents confusion about the nature of health. What does health look like? What do healthy humans do? Do they work 100+ hours per week in their office? Do they only eat protein shakes? Are rich and famous people healthy? Do our political leaders act like healthy human beings?

The classical texts of Tibetan medicine offer a beautiful perspective on the nature and characteristics of a healthy human condition. This view is illustrated through the metaphor of "two flowers and three fruits":

The Two Flowers of Health

1. Freedom from Disease “Nad Medpa” ནད་མེད་པ།

Health challenges consume our time and resources. There is a famous saying, “You may have 1,000 problems in life until you have a health problem. Then, you only have one problem!” Disease can quickly incapacitate or hinder us, leaving us mired in miserable suffering and pouring our energy into treatment. If we can live our lives free from disease, we have the luxury of devoting our time and energy to pursuing beneficial actions in the world.

1. Long Life “Tsering wa” ཚེ་རིང་བ།

Health empowers us with not only a long lifespan, but high quality of life. We can spend more time fulfilling our potential, creating meaningful connections, and enjoying the blessings of our precious human birth!

The Three Fruits of Health

1. Knowledge “Cho” ཆོས།

The Tibetan term “Cho” means “spiritual knowledge”. Healthy people have the fantastic capacity to study and learn many things. According to Tibetan Medicine, the most important and useful study is the cultivation of a spiritual worldview and wisdom. Tibetan Medicine upholds that receiving the blessings of spiritual knowledge is one of the foremost benefits of our lives as healthy humans.

1. Wealth “Nor” ནོར།

Health enables us to work diligently at our worldly tasks. Tibetan Medicine considers that dedicated attention to virtuous, worthy work tends to result in material security and stability. When we are healthy, we have the fortunate opportunity to work for our own success and the ability to benefit and share with others.

1. Happiness “Dewa” བདེ་བ།

Healthy people naturally experience joy and contentment, appreciating the beauty of the world around them. The suffering of disease quickly obscures our clarity, inhibiting our ability to celebrate and enjoy our lives. When we have health and balance in our body, speech, and mind, we naturally express a wealth of love, joy, and peace. We are able to work through obstacles and challenges in a graceful manner. Even when times are tough, we can generally feel optimism, gratitude, and empathy.

What Are the Characteristics of Healthy Humans?

According to Tibetan Medicine, healthy human beings:

• Continuously learn and grow

• Discover and integrate spiritual wisdom

• Overcome obstacles and challenges with grace and patience

• Deepen and enrich their life experiences and connections

• Cultivate happiness and openness

• Appreciate the beauty of the world around them

These flowers and fruits form an interdependent, complete picture of health. We cannot “cherry-pick” them, but rather, we must integrate all of these aspects of health. If we accumulate wealth but lack wisdom, something is missing. If we study volumes of knowledge but lack meaningful interpersonal relationships, this is insufficient. If we work hard but lack joy and love, our health is incomplete.

Thus, the "two flowers and three fruits" metaphor clearly illustrates what it means to be a fully integrated, healthy human being. It guides us towards a more holistic understanding of health, emphasizing the harmony of body, speech, and mind.

Tibetan Kunye Massage: A Rich Tradition of Relaxation and Balance

Most people appreciate a great massage to soothe muscle pain, relieve stress, and restore from fatigue. How nurturing and therapeutic! Massage is actually one of the most ancient and elemental methods of treatment in human history. It requires no equipment or technology, beyond the application of our intuitive knowledge and our physical bodies. Although it is very simple and natural, as many of us can attest, massage is extremely effective. Even just a few minutes of massage can shift our stressful, tension-holding state into a relaxed and soothing state. It can “switch on” our natural relaxation and restoration functions, and “switch off” our stress mechanisms. An extended massage session with an experienced practitioner can simply work wonders, leaving you feeling amazing.

Most ancient medical traditions, from around the world and throughout history, include their own system of massage therapy. Tibetan Medicine has a fantastic tradition of massage and gentle therapies, known as Kunye.

What is Kunye?

 Kunye is the ancient form of massage therapy taught in Traditional Tibetan Medicine. It is an effective, dynamic healing art. Presented in the classical texts of Tibetan Medicine, Kunye has been transcribed and formally taught for many centuries.

The term Kunye comes from two Tibetan words: “ku” means oil, and “nye” means to perform massage. So fundamentally, Kunye means “applying massage with oil”. In this article, we will discuss the format of Tibetan Kunye Massage, what it includes, and some of its benefits.

The Three Stages of Kunye Massage

 There are three basic stages to a traditional Kunye Massage. These are: “applying oil, massaging in, wiping off.”

 First, oil is generously applied to the body. For best results, we use heavy, sweet-natured oils such as olive oil or even clarified butter. In fact, traditionally in the mountains of Tibet, clarified dri (female yak) butter is used, and is believed to have fantastic therapeutic properties. We also use oils infused with various herbs. We choose which kind of oil to use based on each person’s individual constitution and symptoms, as well as factors such as the season, local environment and other conditions.

 Next, a variety of massage strokes and techniques are employed. Extra attention is paid to the hands, feet, head, and the “special points” described in the classical texts of Tibetan Medicine. Kunye Massage generally starts slow and gentle, working up to more vigorous action and deeper work on key muscles and specific points. Kunye also employs techniques of assisted stretching and joint mobilization.

 At the end of the session, the excess oil is wiped off. We can use a warm wet towel for this, however the traditional way is to scrub the skin with dry chickpea flour. This opens the pores, absorbs excess oil leaving just the right amount in the skin. The result is hydrated, nourished skin and a radiant complexion.

Additional Gentle Therapies

 In addition to oil massage, Kunye also utilizes a variety of gentle therapies. In this way, we can use additional techniques, tools and topical herbal preparations to enhance the treatment. The additional therapies used in Kunye are mild and non-invasive, generally very relaxing and enjoyable. These gentle therapies, combined with massage, produce fantastic results. So Kunye includes a dynamic system of therapeutic techniques. A few of the more common therapies are described below.

 Hot stones
Hot stones are used extensively in Kunye treatments. They are smooth, heavy and retain heat very well. This makes them ideal for use as heated compress or as manual massage tools. We often wrap one or several hot stones and place them over areas of pain such as the lower back or shoulders. The classical texts of Tibetan Medicine state that hot stones compress functions to immediately reduce pain, expel cold stagnation, stiffness and promote circulation. Hot stones are especially indicated for stubborn, chronic orthopedic pain.

 Horme compress: heated herbs with oil
Another common therapy is called horme compress. The horme compress is small bundle of herbs (caraway and/or nutmeg), soaked in warm oil and applied to specific points. This very warm natured treatment is excellent for balancing the air element loong energy. As such, it is used for symptoms including anxiety, depression, insomnia, lightheadedness and agitation. Horme compress also helps sharpen the mind, benefits the heart and clears the senses. It is a very relaxing and effective therapy.

 Cupping
Cupping is the application of cup-shaped instruments to the soft tissue areas of the body, using reverse-pressure suction. Traditionally, Tibetan Medicine practitioners use beautiful copper cups with fire-induced suction. In modern practice we often use simple glass cups with a suction gun mechanism, for the sake of expediency and convenience. This treatment is a little less gentle and can result in temporary discoloration or bruising at the local site. Cupping is great for reducing pain in the muscles and soft tissue caused by stagnated blood and inflammation. This is very helpful for pain and stiffness associated with over-worked muscles and tension-holding patterns.

 Benefits of Kunye Massage

The classical texts of Tibetan Medicine list a variety of indications and benefits of Kunye Massage. Some of these traditional indications are described below.

 Kunye lengthens the lifespan!
In Traditional Tibetan Medicine it is purported that regular Kunye Massage promotes general health and long life. The effects of massage are holistic, benefitting all of our bodily systems and promoting homeostasis. By integrating Kunye massage into our routine of self-care, we can relax in the knowledge that we are supporting our health and promoting long life. What better motivation for taking the time to regularly receive a great massage?

 Kunye is great for old folks
The classical texts specify that Kunye massage is very beneficial for geriatric people. Older people commonly suffer from a variety of complaints for which Kunye is indicated. This is because Kunye is warming and invigorating. It stimulates blood flow, loosens stiff joints, promotes sleep, benefits digestion and facilitates the memory.

 Benefits dry skin and “rough body”
Kunye is great for your skin. Massage with oil hydrates and nourishes the skin and muscles. It stimulates the flow of blood and vital fluids. Also the use of herbal compresses and medicinal baths can be very effective for some specific skin conditions. In Tibetan Medicine when we say “rough body”, this can also mean that the body is depleted and could use some nourishment. Kunye invigorates our strength by stimulating the metabolic heat. Our metabolic heat enables us to properly transform food into healthy bodily substances like the blood, oils and fluids that keep our skin healthy and vibrant. Our strong metabolism also transforms and expels waste products so they do not stagnate and impact our health. That is why healthy digestion and strong metabolic heat are essential for healthy skin and a clear complexion.

 Helps relieve constipation
Kunye is beneficial for digestive health, especially for cases of chronic constipation. It promotes the clearing of metabolic stagnation and invigorates our digestion system. Certain special points and techniques in Kunye are very effective for stimulating peristalsis in our large intestine. These effects relate to the function of our descending loong, the energy that moves waste products downwards for elimination. That is why for constipation and other digestive complaints, Kunye is traditionally indicated.

 Indicated for exhaustion of blood & essence
Chronic fatigue and other long-term health challenges over time can tax our bodily resources. This can deplete the strength of our blood, fluids, and vital essence. The deeply restorative effects of Kunye massage mitigate the harmful toll of stress and fatigue. This is why the classic texts of Tibetan Medicine suggest using Kunye to restore from any condition of fatigue, exhaustion and for recovery from chronic disease.

 Soothes anxiety & mental exhaustion
Kunye is very effective for calming anxiety, mental and emotional stress. When we are under stress we experience a rapid increase and agitation of our air element loong energy. We feel all the diverse symptoms of stress and anxiety as our mind drives our nerves into sympathetic mode. In Kunye we work with specific points on the body to balance the loong, calm the mind and nervous system. During stressful times it is ideal to get extra rest and nourishment. Of course, this is not always convenient or possible during stressful situations. So taking a little time to receive Kunye is an efficient way to restore and balance your energy in a short time.

 Helps relieve insomnia
Our sleep patterns are very much related with the air element loong energy. The loong regulates every aspect of our mental and emotional health. When our thoughts are racing and our minds are over-taxed, the loong energy becomes very agitated. We experience many symptoms from overactive loong, including insomnia. Kunye works directly to calm the loong, and switch our mind out of those stress patterns of over thinking and anxiety. So Kunye massage and gentle therapies are helpful for improving our sleep health.

 Clears the sense organs
Applying Kunye, especially to the head and face, can help sharpen and clarify our senses. This method is effective for relieving nasal and sinus congestion. It promotes the healthy flow of blood and fluids to our eyes. It can relieve tensions and stagnations that dull our senses and cloud our minds. Kunye can benefit our digestion and harmonize the flow of loong to our upper body, head and sense organs.

 Especially indicated for all disorders of loong energy
Balancing our air element loong energy is essential for health and happiness. In Tibetan Medicine we say that the loong is like a sensitive, crying baby who always needs to be comforted with a little extra care. With its warm and nourishing effects, Kunye functions like a blanket and a bottle to calm the agitation of our air element loong energy. By relieving stress and calming internal agitation, we can get back to laughing, playing and sleeping like a baby.

Conclusion

Maintaining the health and balance of our body, energy, and mind is a full-time job. Tibetan Medicine teaches us to always pay attention to our diet and lifestyle to avoid developing long-term problems and optimize our health. We should invest in our “self-care”, listen to our bodies and develop healthy habits to help ourselves out whenever possible. Kunye massage is an effective tool to support our health and promote long life. Nobody enjoys the effects of stress and fatigue. The good news is that with the rejuvenating, restorative effects of Kunye, we can promote our health and balance in an enjoyable and rewarding way.

Being Stuck is Hard Work! Applying Five Phase Elemental Theory to Overcome Obstacles

Being Stuck Is Hard Work! Applying Five-Phase Elemental Theory to Overcome Obstacles  

One of the challenges of being human is that our minds tend to hyperfixate on specific stressors. We become effectively stuck in a disturbing thought pattern that wreaks havoc on our health. We fall victim to our own circuitous emotional playlist, stuck in an autonomic overdrive of fear, anger, and worry.  Instead of applying our resources to healing and growing, our Qi is siphoned off to serve the incessant demands of our overactive stress hormones. The situation may feel bleak, however, applying the basic Five-Phase Elemental theory can help us emerge from this cycle.

The Tunnel Vision Effect

When we become overly fixated on stressful situations with work, family, or national politics, we often develop a form of tunnel vision. This narrowing of our mental scope is a well-known effect of stress, similar to what happens in high-anxiety situations like war or immediate danger. Our awareness contracts, leaving us oblivious to the world around us and solely absorbed in the disturbing attachment to one idea. We can often go through our lives in a low-grade, “tunnel vision” state for hours on end. This state contributes to common symptoms such as fatigue, stagnation, brain fog, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety. This is the opposite of the expansive awareness we experience in meditation or the famous “flow-states” in which we easily overcome obstacles and gracefully glide through challenging situations.

The Elemental Nature of Being “Stuck”

Five-phase elemental theory, used in Chinese and Tibetan Medicine, offers insights into human psychology and behavior patterns. The state of being hyperfixated on a stressor is associated with the wood element. Imbalanced wood element tends to be expressed as linear, future-thinking, obsessively goal-oriented, narrow-minded, egotistical, and charged by anger and frustration.

An excessively linear view is easily confounded by the simplest of obstacles. It is like a tiny particle, stubbornly bouncing off of another particle. But how can a tiny particle overcome the limitations of a 1-dimensional existence?—by expressing as a wave! Therefore, we must implement a sea change. We can shift our mind from a narrow scope into a more oceanic view.

Immerse In the Ocean of Creativity and Imagination

The solution to being stuck in a psycho-emotional wood element imbalance is to relax our mind back into the maternal, nourishing embrace of the water element. The nature of the water element is voluminous, deep, and absorptive. It expresses the wisdom to dissolve away and flow around obstacles.

To shift from wood to water, we need to engage our imagination and creativity. Instead of relying solely on cerebral, linear thinking, we should immerse ourselves in the depths of our subconscious, drawing upon our life experiences and the full spectrum of perception. This practice allows us to think outside the box and dream up new ways of being, smoothly slipping around obstacles or gently dissolving them.

In Conclusion

The water element is the mother of the wood element. It nourishes and vitalizes the function of the wood element. A balanced expression of the wood element is inspired, proactive, confident, and coordinated. It strives forward with clarity and vision, remaining free from encumbrance and effectively navigating conflicts.  Thus, nourishing our water element improves the function of our wood element. This means that cultivating our introspective and imaginative mind state will support the success of our more directed, proactive endeavors.

How do we nourish our psycho-emotional water element? We spend time relaxing into our profound, imaginative space. This can include taking quiet time, making art, enjoying nature, reading, meditating, contemplating, and sharing deep conversations. In this way, when we find ourselves butting heads with our challenging circumstances, we will succeed in stepping off the line of attack, finding a way to glide past our problem and sail off into the sunset.  

Practical Skills of Tibetan Medicine

Applied Study and Skills Workshop

for Healers and Self-Care

With Adam Okerblom, LAc, DAOM

Deepen your healing arts practice with Tibetan Medicine therapeutic techniques

Integrate powerful tools for personal health

Study the classical texts and ancient worldview of Tibetan Medicine

Every other Friday, 2 pm—5 pm, April & May, 2025

Live at the Ritual Health office in Berkeley

Online with recordings available

Registration & Inquiries: adam@ritualhealth.com

Lunar New Year: Year of the Yin Wood Snake Recording!

The Year of the Yin Wood Snake is Here!

View the recording of our Lunar New Year celebration which benefitted San Francisco SafeHouse, hosted by Blue Willow Teaspot in Berkeley, CA. Catch up on what you missed!

In this recording, we discuss the Auspices of the Yin Wood Snake year, what it means for us collectively, with a look at politics, pop culture, business, tech, and romance. We close by discussing how it affects the 12 animals.

Thanks so much for everyone who joined us and helped support sheltering women escaping sexual violence! If you didn’t donate yet, please do so here.

Happy New Year: Yin Wood Snake 2025!

Welcome! Watch the full-length video of Dr. Anne’s Lunar New Year Yin Wood Snake 2025 video here.

We have transitioned to the Yin Wood Snake year, out of the vibrant Yang Wood Dragon annual qi. Let’s explore this profound shift in energy and its implications for our well-being and personal growth. Watch the video HERE!

Our Lunar New Year Talk & Party at Blue Willow Teaspot explored practical strategies for aligning with this year's energy and have a lot of fun doing it.

If You’re Afraid of the Dark: Take a Look!

The Yin Wood Snake year brings a stark contrast to the outward, dynamic energy we've just experienced. This year is characterized by a deeply introspective, "down and in" nature, calling us to turn our focus inward.

The forceful momentum of the previous year gives way to a time for rest, sleep, dream, and recalibration. This is a year for observation, for gathering resources, for rooting deeply into our most authentic truth, perhaps even re-evaluating what our truth may be. In fact, consider allowing a generous not-knowing about how to re-evaluate truth, or whether it is even possible.

Stay in the not-knowing. That’s where the wisdom is this year.

Never Sat Still Before? Give It a Try! 

The world of possibilities we were introduced to last year is still there. We just know now more than ever that we don’t know what to do with it. It is a great year to be a beginner at stillness.

Interestingly, the Yin Wood Snake finds itself in an unusual element. The elemental qi native to the Snake is Yin Fire: a simmering, smoldering quality that waits for its moment to strike. So, Snake energy is comfortable with stillness, even hiding, and waiting. The Snake this year is paired with Yin Wood – an energy more naturally aligned with the Rabbit, which wants to hunker down. Yin Wood Snake is an immature serpent lacking what Ming called “striking force,” not knowing its timing, aware that it needs to re-evaluate itself, but unsure how and wants help doing it.

Generally, we think of a Wood Snake as a harmless snake, but when we apply this elemental value to annual qi, we see that the fire energy is in there. Expect a year of watchful waiting, but look out occasional expressions of wood-like impulsive energy, especially in the springtime. We may see an unripe, striking quality in the summer months or certain lunar months. Wood Snake is generally docile, but think of immature poisonous snakes in the wild which cannot yet regulate the flow of venom. These can be more dangerous than they would be in maturity, but they are also less effective.

This mismatch between the Snake's native element and the year's energy has significant implications:

·      Caution grand new projects or big ventures. Pump the brakes and consider just planning instead. It is a Wood year, so some individuals may nevertheless find success (depending on personal astrology and fate progressions), but in general, new initiatives may struggle or even collapse with little concentrated energy for get-up-and-go.

·      True to the Snake's nature, there's potential for deep, profound learning from these experiences. What is success or failure, really, in the grand scheme of things, haha?

·      When we are in touch with our true nature, we are not dependent upon external gains. The Snake offers us the opportunity to look deeper into reality, embracing truths that lie beneath surface appearances. Snake energy doesn’t care whether we learn the easy way or the hard way. We have the possibility of understanding this truth this year ourselves, rather than just being freaked out.  The main takeaways of the year may be hidden from view—meaning not understood until years later, and/or manifesting as internal transformation.

·      The Yin Wood aspect reminds us not to take ourselves – or the reality we perceive – too seriously. Judicious use of humor can be a valuable tool this year. Fun fact: humor is a great way to fight fascism. Autocrats need us to take them seriously and rely on fear to hold control. There is actual research on this. I encourage you to look at it for the sake of aligning yourself with the qi of the year…this will also help protect against that Yin Wood Snake tendency for depression.

·      While the Yin Fire Snake typically waits for the perfect moment to strike, the Yin Wood Snake may struggle to recognize when to take action. This emphasizes the importance of patience and careful observation.

Humor Undermines Fear!

Let’s break down the energy:

Socially and politically, there will be false-starts. The whip of the dragon’s tail (the end of the previous year) saw a time when leadership threw every idea that it could against the wall. It was a hasty and disorganized exercise: executive orders and proclamations signed which had weird typos and inaccuracies which bear the mark of AI. In Yin Wood Snake year, we will see what sticks—not much. Other things may move forward in a hidden way: backroom dealings, sloppily done.

In terms of health, this time presents an opportunity to observe and concentrate our energy. It's a time for deep healing and internal work. Path dreaming. However, be mindful of the potential for heaviness, depression, or feelings of hopelessness – these are the unhealthy manifestations of this year's energy if not properly balanced. See your acupuncturist.

In tech and business: creativity always abounds in a wood year, but we might not see the work product immediately this time. Snake invites imagination to the way projects are conceived and accomplished. Expect total re-evaluations of how things are done, often coming from the ground up, maybe not released until next year. Creative fields are emphasized. Design, too. In medicine, look for tech developments. AI will obviously transform in this coming year, as it has in the past, but look for a snake signature.

Romantically, snake energy is about seductive energy and mystery. A snake year can be hot! Snake, however, doesn’t normally like to show itself. When it does, there will be deep intimacy. Snakes energy may equally hide in plain sight. Case by case.

The Takeaway: 

If you are afraid of the dark, take a look! If you have never sat still, give it a try! Humor undermines fear!

As we navigate this introspective year, remember that it's setting the stage for the more action-oriented Fire Horse year to follow. We’ll know what to do when we get there. Use this time wisely for observation, organization, and internal preparation.

To learn about how the annual energy affects the 12 animals, watch the video HERE.

Get your personalized reading to learn more about how this year affects you.

We're here to support your journey through this transformative year, helping you cultivate the inner wisdom and strength that will serve you in the more active times to come.

Lunar New Year Polestar Astrology Presentation

Please join us for our annual Lunar New Year Chinese Astrology presentation!
We are thrilled to host this year's talk at Blue Willow Tea shop, our friends and local tea experts. This vibrant and nourishing space is perfect for our event.

There is so much to share about the auspices of the Yin Wood Snake year, and what it means for each of the 12 animal signs on the Chinese Zodiac. It is part of our passion to help people coordinate with the cycles of natural time. We would love to see you for some teachings, tea, and fun! 

This event will also be live-streamed on Zoom for anyone unable to attend in person. So if you are beyond our local community we would still love to see you. 

Registration
To register for in-person or online attendance, or for more info:
RSVP ASAP by emailing adam@ritualhealth.com
Submit donations ($25+ suggested): HERE

The suggested donation for our event is $25 or beyond. This event also benefits the SF Safe House, a local shelter for domestic violence survivors. 

We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

Puerh Tea: Discover, Brew, and Enjoy!

Puerh tea is a specialized, fermented tea, originating from the forested mountains of the Yunnan Province in Southwestern China.  The process of fermentation, preparation, and aging imbues the tea with rich flavors and enhanced health benefits.

Puerh tea is prized as a luxury collector’s product, comparable to fine wine.  Each batch of tea features a unique profile of nuanced flavors. Our tea collection, featured at the Ritual Health Berkeley acupuncture clinic, features collector-grade teas as well as daily drinkers. All of our puerh teas are ethically sourced, grown, and prepared according to the rich cultural traditions of the mountain communities in Southwestern China.

Sheng (Raw) Puerh vs Shou (Ripe) Puerh

There are two main types of puerh: raw (sheng) and ripe (shou). The flavor of “raw” (sheng) puerh is often described as fresh, grassy, or vegetal. “Ripe” (shou) puerh tends to feature heavier, more earthy flavors.

Raw (sheng) puerh is harvested and pressed only twice a year: spring and autumn. The initial process involves harvest, withering, roasting, and pressing. Sometimes this tea is called “green” puerh, but it is not a true green tea. It may be enjoyed while young or it can be aged longterm to develop flavors.

Ripe (shou) puerh is sometimes called “cooked” tea, but more accurately, it is wet-piled in damp, warm conditions that enhance the microbial activity. The resulting fermentation develops the characteristic earthy, smooth flavor profile. By aging this prepared tea, we can add further complexity. Look for notes such as mineral, leather, camphor, wood…the flavor possibilities are endless!

Brewing Instructions for Puerh Tea

Proper brewing is essential for achieving a good infusion. One small pinch can be steeped many times.

Over-brewing the tea yields a muddy, dank cup. On the other heand, you can taste the water through the tea of an under-brewed cup. Many Californians are habituated to over-brewed puerh based on incorrect instruction pervading the community since the late 90’s.

What is most important is that you brew it how *you* like it. There can be lots of fussy rules around various tea traditions of Asia and many excellent tea teachers and schools, but ultimately: it is just tea. However you decide to work with this plant, tea helps us connect to simplicity and enjoyment! 

Equipment

The traditional method for brewing puerh uses a “gaiwan” (a lidded bowl) or a “yixing” teapot, however, any small teapot or steeping device can be used effectively. A vessel that holds 150-200ml is ideal, but you can make tea in anything, even a mason jar. Any kettle will do to boil your water. but it is a luxury to have one that will keep your water boiling. These became popular during the pour-over coffee fad and are widely and cheaply available. 

Puerh Brewing Instructions:

1.        Portion your tea: Break off a small amount of tea from your puerh cake, approximately the size of an acorn. We recommend about 4-6 grams per 100ml of water. (A small digital scale is ideal for weighing out tea by the gram and are fairly cheap to purchase.)

2.        Rinse your tea: Place the leaves into the brewing vessel. Bring your water to a boil, turn off the heat, and allow the qi to reconsolidate for just a few seconds, upwards of 210 degrees F is ideal. Pour the water over the leaves, just enough to cover the tea. Cover your brewing vessel and allow the leaves to open up for 45-60 seconds. Pour off this water and discard (preferably offering it to the earth). Now, smell the warm, rich aroma steaming up from the leaves!

3.        Pour your first infusion: Like before, use water just off boil. Pour 100ml (or 3-4 ounces) of water over your rinsed leaves. Pour off the tea infusion into your drinking vessel or share cup. Do not let it sit and steep! The tea is ready to drink! 

4.        Repeat your infusion process 6-8 times as you wish.

You may let your tea leaves sit out for quite a while if you wish. You can leave puerh tea out at room temperature for up to 12 hours, and you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours and brew the same leaves the next day.

Conclusion

As you get to know your teas, you will discover their unique personalities. Some teas have leaves that want more time or less time to open up in the initial rinse. Some will tolerate more steepings. As you gain experience, you’ll be able to taste more and more subtlety to the teas, even tasting the terroir behind them.

We look forward to seeing you in our Berkeley acupuncture clinic to share some tea in person. It is one of our favorite parts of the day! You are most welcome to message us with any questions or comments regarding brewing and enjoying your Ritual Health puerh tea. Until we meet again, enjoy!

The Fruits of Health: Tibetan Medicine Teachings on Health and Happiness

Understanding Herbal Formulas in Chinese Medicine

The practice of herbalism is a cornerstone of Chinese Medicine, with hundreds of medicinal formulas developed and perfected over centuries of clinical practice. At Ritual Health Acupuncture Clinic, herbal formulas are prescribed with careful consideration of multiple factors:

• Individual health concerns

• Specific treatment goals

• Seasonal influences

• Geographic environment

• Dietary habits

• Lifestyle factors

This holistic approach ensures that each prescription is optimized for the patient's overall well-being. It helps to minimize potential side effects and maximize therapeutic benefits.

Common Applications

At Ritual Health Acupuncture Clinic, herbal formulas are frequently prescribed for a range of health issues:

Gastrointestinal Health: Addressing digestive disorders and promoting gut function

Reproductive Wellness: Supporting reproductive system health for both men and women

Endocrine Balance: Regulating hormonal function and addressing related disorders

Respiratory Support: Improving lung function and treating respiratory conditions

Sleep and Stress Management: Alleviating insomnia, anxiety, and general stress-related symptoms

About Acupuncture and Its Benefits

Acupuncture is a safe and effective holistic treatment modality. It is an integral part of the practice of Chinese Medicine, rooted in thousands of years of historical practice. Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body, initiating a cascade of neurochemical responses that promote healing and overall well-being across multiple physiological systems.

Physiological Effects

Acupuncture can produce beneficial effects in multiple physiological systems:

Neurological System: Acupuncture activates specific neural pathways, releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins that can reduce pain and promote relaxation.

Endocrine System: It modulates hormone levels, potentially affecting stress response, metabolism, and reproductive function.

Vascular System: Acupuncture can improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.

Gastrointestinal System: It may enhance digestive functions and alleviate gastrointestinal disorders.

Therapeutic Benefits

Acupuncture offers potential benefits for a wide range of conditions:

• Physical health: Pain management, improved circulation, and enhanced immune function

• Emotional wellbeing: Stress reduction and mood regulation

• Mental health: Potential improvements in cognitive function and sleep quality

Safety and Comfort

Acupuncture is a very safe and generally comfortable method of treatment with minimal side effects. Many people report feelings of deep relaxation, restoration, and personal insight associated with their acupuncture treatment.

Scientific Support

A growing body of modern medical research supports the efficacy of acupuncture for various conditions. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in areas such as pain management, stress reduction, and regulation of physiological functions.

Complementary Techniques

Acupuncture treatments may incorporate additional therapeutic methods:

• Cupping: Improves blood flow and relieves muscle tension

• Moxibustion: Applies heat to acupoints for added stimulation

• Massage: Enhances relaxation and complements acupuncture effects

• Gua sha: This technique gently scrapes and stimulates the skin to promote circulation, release toxins, and reduce pain.

Insights for Life!

Many of our patients report experiencing a sense of profound, interoceptive insight, or a deep healing trance state during their treatment. This type of insight can help us become more intimate with the innate intelligence of our physiology. It can promote our “mind/body” connection. Acupuncture can inspire and empower us to work directly with our own healing journey.

At Ritual Health Acupuncture Clinic we are passionate about sharing the benefits of acupuncture with our community. We hope you will join us to discover this profound tool for promoting health and wellness in your everyday life!

Upcoming Events In July 2024!

Join us for two special guest events this July! All events are held at our North Berkeley office: 1508 Walnut St, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94709

Events are by donation. Please RSVP at: adam@ritualhealth.com

Tibetan Medicine Insights on Stress and the Poison of Delusion

The “three poisons”, known as the "duk sum" (དུག་གསུམ་) in Tibetan, are a fundamental theory in Buddhism and Tibetan Medicine. They are considered a root cause of all physical and mental diseases. The three poisons include attachment, aversion, and delusion.

The mental poison of delusion, or "Ti Muk" (གཏི་མུག་) in Tibetan, is relevant in the context of the

chronic stress patterns we so often experience in modern life. Our pathological stress responses do involve all three of the mental poisons. However, in my clinical practice, I find it especially helpful to view chronic stress in the context of this classic Buddhist theme, the mental poison of delusion.

Delusion refers to a lack of awareness, an inability to clearly perceive and accurately assess the nature of reality. It manifests as a narrow, boxed-in mindset, where our mental view is limited and obstructed. Stress induces similar effects on our mental condition, impairing our mental clarity and obscuring our perception.

As the tensions and fatigue of ongoing stress accumulate, unresolved in our minds and bodies, we experience deleterious effects. Instead of being open-minded and able to see the far horizon, we perceive a narrow, limited, “tunnel vision” reality. Instead of feeling free to move and act as we wish, we feel trapped, constrained, and encumbered. Instead of drawing nourishment from the abundance of the world around us, we feel perpetually under-resourced, ill-equipped, and fatigued by a “scarcity mindset”.

Instead of connecting and collaborating with the people around us, we perceive conflict and friction in our interpersonal relationships. Instead of being present in the moment, we are distracted by worry about the future. Instead of feeling inspired and joyful, we exhibit depression, demotivation, and apathy.

All of these symptoms directly link that fundamental, pernicious mental poison known in Buddhist theory as “delusion”.

The stress we experience is caused by authentically challenging circumstances. There is no shortage of real-life problems to contend with in our lives! However, the mental poison of delusion shuts down our ability to deal with challenges in an effective, realistic way, and ends up compounding our problems. It keeps us sunk down into an apathetic and ineffectual mental state.

Understanding delusion's link to stress is an excellent first step in managing and treating stress-related issues. Buddhism shares centuries of commentary on managing this disturbing mental poison. Understanding the way our mind really works is key to illuminating the darkness of our mental poisons. Tibetan Medicine offers therapeutic tools such as herbal medicines and hands-on treatments.

If you feel the heaviness and constraint of chronic stress weighing down your world, I recommend exploring the ancient teachings of Tibetan Dharma and Medicine. They offer a wealth of insight and practical methods to help us work with the mental poison of delusion, and cultivate our healthy, effective stress responses. Let us reduce the influence of delusion in our daily lives. That way, we can meet our challenges with clarity, inspiration, and a view to the far horizon!

Tibetan Medicine Guidelines for a Healthy Spring

The Wood Element Expresses Internally & Externally

In Tibetan Medicine the spring season, known as Chyid Du དཔྱིད་དུས་, begins with the Tibetan Lunar New Year celebration of Losar ལོ་སར་. Specific constellations rise in the sky, plants begin to spring open, growing and spreading vigorously. One hears the sound of the Cho ga ཅོ་ག་ or lark singing, and this bird is emblematic of the season.

Spring is associated with the wood element, the liver and gallbladder organs, and the sense organ of the eyes. These are some of the key factors by which the seasonal qualities of the external environment match the characteristics of our internal terrain.

The springtime seasonal pulse expresses the exuberance and vitality of the wood element. It is said that during spring our pulse quality resembles the tight, rapid chirp of the lark.

Accumulated Stagnation of Winter “Melts” and Arises

Over the winter our bodies are more sedentary and our food is heavier. The weather is cold and damp. These seasonal factors accumulate excess stagnation of cold Earth & Water elements in our system, known as Pedkan Nyepa (བད་ཀན་ཉེས་པ་). When the weather warms up and we begin to be more active in the spring, this accumulation of cold Pedkan Earth & Water “melts” just like snow and ice. It then arises and is expressed in our bodies.

This presents as the flaring of many symptoms we often see in the spring. This time of year, our office is flooded with cases of congestion, lingering wet coughs, colds, respiratory infections, indigestion, joint pains, stiffness, and pain in the body. Many people feel stagnated, heavy, and lethargic, even as the weather grows warm and inviting.

Diet and Lifestyle Guidelines for a Healthy Spring!

Tibetan Medicine offers simple guidelines for maintaining our health this season. We must support the activation of the Wood Element and clear out the accumulated Pedkan Earth & Water.

Our diet should be light and mildly cleansing. This means using foods that are bitter, astringent, and spicy. These tastes have the nature of wind and fire elements. They are light and stimulating, to help purge accumulated heaviness. It is a great season for fresh herbs, young greens, citrus, honey, beans, and other legumes. As usual, it is a great time to sip on warm water several times per day.

The classical texts of Tibetan Medicine advise us to exercise vigorously this time of year. It is a good time to use the sauna and do frequent bathing. Tibetan Medicine specifically recommends scrubbing the skin with pea flour or other astringent, abrasive scrubs. The classical texts also advise us to spend time in shady gardens, enjoying fresh flowers and fragrances.

The Five Elements in Tibetan Medicine

Online | Sunday, April 14th, 9—12pm | Course fee: $65 | Register at: adam@ritualhealth.com

Tibetan Medicine is based on a system of Five Elements that comprise all phenomena in the universe. These Five Elements are alive within our human dimension, governing every aspect of our physiology in a cyclical, dynamic synergy.

How do the Five Elements work within our body, energy, and mind as human beings? How can we use this knowledge to empower our health and path of healing?

In this short course, we will discover the foundation theory of the Five Elements in Tibetan Medicine. We will explore their expression in the external world and within our internal dimension.

Join us to explore this theory for understanding health, healing, consciousness, and the universe according to traditional Tibetan Medicine!