“You wake up with flaky, tight, and irritated skin. You applied moisturizer before bed, yet your face feels like sandpaper by morning. Sound familiar? While most people blame the weather or cosmetic products, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees something far deeper — signs of internal imbalance manifesting on the skin.”

By Dr. Phumlarp Caulo| Caulo Care, Forest Hill, New York| June 13, 2025 Have you ever felt your heart race the moment an itch begins,...

Best Practices for Avoiding Post-Meal Drowsiness 1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce digestive load. 2. Chew thoroughly to ease stomach burden and support Spleen Qi. 3. Take a gentle walk (10–15 minutes) post-meal to promote circulation and Qi movement. 4. Ensure sufficient nighttime sleep to prevent brain fatigue during the day. 5. Include foods that support digestion and Spleen function, such as oats, pumpkin, black sesame, and jujube dates.

Lactose intolerance is not a true allergy, but rather a digestive condition. Here's how it works: Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. Lactase is the enzyme in your small intestine that breaks lactose down into glucose and galactose for absorption.

Belching—also known as burping—is a normal physiological process. It can arise naturally or be triggered by dietary habits and digestive disorders. Both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provide valuable yet distinct perspectives on this common occurrence.

"How Ancient Chinese Wisdom Explains Your Modern Gut Problems" 🌿 The Digestive System in Traditional Chinese Medicine: The Role of the...

Intestinal obstruction, the blockage of normal movement of contents through the intestines, is a condition as ancient as humanity itself. Across millennia and medical traditions, from early Egyptian physicians to modern surgeons and Chinese medicine practitioners, this dangerous and sometimes life-threatening disorder has been studied, interpreted, and treated in dramatically different yet interconnected ways.

Blood tests that measure enzymes and substances reflecting liver health. Used to detect inflammation, bile duct blockages, or liver damage. Often ordered when patients have symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, indigestion, or itchy skin.

Modern View: ➤ Probiotics = good bacteria ➤ Prebiotics = fiber they feed on TCM View: ➤ Probiotics = invisible Qi defenders ➤ Prebiotics = nourishing foods that support Spleen & Stomach functions

"Constipation Is Not Cute. It's a Silent Gut Killer." Chronic constipation is more than just an occasional inconvenience; it can...

Gas in the stomach comes from poor digestion and imbalance. Western medicine blames certain foods and gut bacteria. TCM sees it as blocked Qi, weak Spleen, or cold/damp in the gut. Avoid cold, raw, sugary foods. Eat warm, cooked meals and manage stress to keep digestion smooth and gas-free.

Western medicine views the human body—especially the digestive system—as already equipped with efficient detoxification mechanisms. Your liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and skin all work together every day to eliminate toxins naturally.

🌿 Is Bad Breath from the Stomach Real? (TCM View) ✅ Yes. In TCM, bad breath (口臭 / Kǒu chòu) is often caused by internal imbalances—especially in the Stomach (胃), Spleen (脾), and Liver (肝).

Main Body: When you have diarrhea, 👉 You don’t just lose minerals 👉 You lose water faster than your body can survive. Severe dehydration causes: * Thickened blood → Heart strains harder → Risk of heart failure * Kidney shutdown → No urine output → Toxin buildup * Brain fog, seizures, unconsciousness * Shock and sudden death if untreated

What is constipation? According to modern medicine, constipation means you have infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements. You may be constipated if you experience: Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week Hard, dry, or lumpy stool (often like pebbles) Straining during bowel movements A feeling of incomplete evacuation (like something is still left inside) Bloating or abdominal discomfort Needing to use fingers or tools to help pass stool (in severe cases)

The Science: Brain–Gut Communication (Made Easy) ✅ The Gut is Your "Second Brain" Inside your gut is the Enteric Nervous System (ENS): over 100 million neurons controlling digestion. It communicates with the brain via the vagus nerve, a direct two-way information highway.

"When Fire Rises and the Spleen Falls: TCM’s View of Acid Reflux vs Gastritis" In TCM, symptoms are whispers from your Qi. But sometimes, they scream. Do you hear them?

In TCM, bloating is not simply “gas” — it reflects an imbalance in the internal organs, particularly the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Intestines, and is viewed as Qi (energy) disruption, Dampness, or Food stagnation.

Hidden Risks of Ignoring IBS and How TCM Can Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is often dismissed as “just a stomach issue,” but it’s...

How to Ease Dysphagia with Acupuncture and TCM: Expert Tips from New York Practitioners in Forest Hills, Queens