POSTING NO. 001
WELLNESS MYTHS - DEBUNKED
There is a tornado of information swirling in the wellness space. a lot of it is helpful, a lot of it is misleading. here, i will debunk the following myths i see often: “drinking more water will hydrate you” + “cold plunges are beneficial for women” + “salads are healthy” + “you need more supplements”.
through the lense of chinese medicine Your body is more than individual chemicals, it’s a climate. Chinese medicine is an ancient system that was founded on the observation that our bodies are microsystems of the macrosystem — earth. we are nature, we operate as a climate. Every pattern, every diagnosis and every recommendation or treatment we suggest in our medicine is based on this simple truth.
The thing that all of the myths above have in common is that they’re all COLD in temperature — in turn creating cold in your body. Let’s unpack these myths…
MYTH NO. 01
“Drinking more water will hydrate you”
Drinking more water will not necessarily hydrate you. yes water is important, but the water our cells hold on to require certain nutrients to absorb and too much plain water can lead to toxicity. I see lots of women with huge Stanley or Owala water bottles drinking plenty of water everyday, and then peeing it all out almost instantaneously. one reason is because the water is cold, and if you’re a woman whose internal climate is cold your body will excrete it, in the attempt to keep it warm. another reason could be the Spleen is not properly transforming nutrients. The Spleen is the lead digestive organ in chinese medicine and it dislikes cold and LOVES warmth. When the Spleen is warm it is able to transform the nutrients from food and drink so that your cells are able to pull in the water through the cell wall, resulting in hydrated tissues and moisturized skin.
Better advice:
Eat soups and broths - a cup of soup is more hydrating than a glass of water
Drink warm / hot water (not just in the morning; throughout the day)
Add herbs like thyme and basil with a touch of lime to your water bottle - sufficient + beneficial electrolytes
Eat local, seasonal fruit - fruit is very hydrating, it is also considered cold. so, Eating seasonal and local fruit will help ensure your body is getting the appropriate hydrations and nutrients at the appropriate time/season. Fruit is born in different seasons for a purpose, ie: watermelon (summer born) hydrates, clears heat + helps prevent sunburns
Other signs your internal climate is too cold / your spleen isn’t optimizing fluids:
Urinary frequency
Painful Periods / cramps
Cold hands and feet
Dry skin
White coat on your tongue
Digestive issues / bloating
Loose stools / diarrhea
MYTH NO. 02
“Cold plunges are beneficial for women”
I know this will be controversial in the wellness community. There is research showing how beneficial contrast therapy is; most of that research is done on men. In Chinese medicine, the Uterus is easily susceptible to cold, and it’s an Extraordinary organ that thrives on warmth. Cold plunges are an easy way for cold to seep into the Uterus causing painful periods, irregular menses, fatigue, and even infertility. Many women are blood deficient (from years of menstruating w/o sufficient replenishment) and cold plunges are a sure way to continue to deplete and stagnate a woman’s vital blood. in addition, intense cold can push any pathogen deeper into the body. As a human I say: do whatever makes you feel good; as a Chinese medicine Doctor I say: opt for a warm magnesium salt bath or a short time in the sauna with red light therapy.
MYTH NO. 03
“Salads are healthy”
I love saladS; and there is definitely a time and a place for them (like during spring and summer). But salads / raw food is considered cold, and cold food stagnates. Eating too much raw and cold foods can lead to a slowed metabolic rate and digestive issues like gas, bloating, loose stools and fatigue. This takes us back to the conversation about the Spleen + how it loves and thrives on warmth. Cooked foods, especially steamed, baked, and brewed - are a successful route for the body to optimally transform nutrients, soothe digestion and bloating, and plump up your stool for comfortable elimination. if you do get in the mood for a salad (ideally during spring and summer) then consider adding warm herbs like cilantro or parsley.
MYTH NO, 04
“You need more supplements”
supplements aren’t all bad. But here is why i don’t support them: pharmaceutical companies own most vitamin companies and most are chemically extracted and created in labs. they are not from real food sources, and they’ve never absorbed the healing intelligence of the sun. this is not the most optimal way our body digests nutrients. in addition, many supplements are again, cold, and your body will quickly excrete them soon after intake if your internal climate is cold.
The best way to “supplement” your body’s deficiencies is through whole foods and through herbs. whole foods, including whole herbs, were created by God to offer the nutrients you need in combination / in relationship. If you’re looking for guidance on how to address this, I’m available to support you. reach out through my contact page, i would love to support you on your health journey.
