For centuries Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have been used individually and in combination to assist in both fertility and pregnancy. A recent study at the Adelaide University in South Australia has shown that Chinese medicine could possibly double the chances of couples conceiving. Click the link below for the article from the daily mail:
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
A recent study spanning research of 60 years of clinical practice conducted by the University of Alberta has shown acupuncture to be very effective for children. Interestingly enough children have been using acupuncture since the early Han dynasty over 2000 years ago. In addition, Paediatrics as a specialty was first seen in the Chinese medical tradition in the Tang Dynasty. Article link below.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/21/acupuncture-safe-in-kids-study-finds/
In Good Health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
Traditional Acupuncturists Sydney:
Throughout my years of studying and practicing acupuncture I have always endeavoured to be a well informed, educated, acupuncturist. It pains me as a scholar, physician, and teacher to see practitioners who have not continued their understanding of the medicine outside of their base graduate studies. So what then is an educated acupuncturist? And what is a traditional acupuncturist?
In my opinion an educated acupuncturist is one that understands the tradition upon which the practice has been established. Acupuncture has such an immense and rich history which extends far back to the early civilisation of empirical China. I consider myself a classical acupuncturist as my clinical techniques, methodologies and philosophy are an expression of “the classical times” of the Han (206BCE – 220CE). Most acupuncturists of today consider themselves as traditional acupuncturists because of the label of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) attached to their education and profession. Nothing could be further from the truth. TCM as a medical practice has very thin threads attached to any tradition of the medicine of China. TCM is a term / label that was used for the purpose of establishing Chinese medicine for the international market and for unified China.
A traditional acupuncturist, to me, is a practitioner that draws from the various periods, texts, and lineages of acupuncture that have been relevant throughout its history. If a practitioner draws from the techniques of Song, Tang, Ming, or Qing for instance then they are doing so of a tradition. Outside of that, the acupuncturist can consider themselves either classical (Han) or of the modern time. This is significant and vital for the patient to understand – is your practitioner drawing their material based on an established medical paradigm? Or are they trying to practice what they feel is established in a foreign (relative to Chinese traditions) medical paradigm? Unfortunately, the later is true of the majority of today’s practitioners and hence why there exist skeptics and incredible discrepancies among practitioners. Does this mean that TCM does not work?
Absolutely not. TCM is very valuable, however, due to the style of how it is taught around the globe it is currently a clinical mess. If practitioners are appropriately educated in the history and variations of style in Chinese medicine then they will be more capable of making informed clinical decisions. The greatest step towards this would be for regulating bodies of Chinese medicine to be more open to the immense variations of practice.
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
It was with great pleasure through my involvement with the International Society for the Study of Classical Acupuncture (ISSCA) that I was able to spend the last two weeks studying, translating, and presenting classical acupuncture.
ISSCA is group of dedicated students, teachers, and practitioners focused on the study of classical acupuncture for the purpose of rekindling classical Chinese medicine, thought, and philosophy. This year we held the Annual Scholar’s Retreat in Washington State at the Trout Lake Abey. A beautiful part of the world and home to a Buddhist monastery nestled at the base of Mount Adam, the Abey was the perfect place for scholarly discussion, intense learning, and fun.
My presentation this year was on the Renying / Cunkou pulse diagnosis method of the Huangdi Neijing. For all my patients out there, this is the diagnosis method I use when palpating your neck and wrist at the same time. This is a method which has fallen to the wayside in modern times.
The following are some of the photos of the retreat, however, for more please either visit my personal or ISSCA’s facebook page.
In Good Health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
David White Classical Acupuncture listed in the daily telegraph as one of the best places in NSW to have acupuncture. The write up:
“This clinic specialises in Neijing, or classical acupuncture, which remains true to the original methods and teachings of this ancient medicine. Neijing acupuncture is effective in the treatment and management of acute and chronic pain, psychological disorders, respiratory disorders, gastric and skin conditions.”
Nicola Conville of the daily telegraph did a great feature on three Sydney based practices and on many out of city practitioners as well.
Other articles, TV spots, and media reports about David White Classical Acupuncture will be posted shortly in the still under construction publications section of the website.
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
The new shipment has arrived!
I have just received some superb teas from China all of which are for sale but unfortunately some of very limited quantity. Of course more fine teas are on their way and I can also process any special requests for rare teas if people wish.
Most of the previous stock sold really fast, and i am expecting the same with this. My online shop for fine teas of China will be up and running very soon, so in the mean time i will take orders personally via private correspondence. If you would like to purchase any of the following teas please email me at info@classicalacupuncture.com.au.
In addition I have received some excellent Gaiwans for Gongfu Cha or everyday brewing. If you require Yixing Clay pots I will have some in once the site is ready or you may put in a special request. These Gaiwans are inexpensive, all hand made, and beautifully designed.
The Selection:
Spring 2011 Jade Pole Supreme Hand Crafted Yunnan Green Tea $10.50 per 50g bag or 19.50 per 100g bag.
An incredibly impressive fresh and clean green tea. Each leaf is hand rolled and only a few of these very large leaves are needed per pot. This is one of the highest grade green teas available and yet very inexpensive. This tea will be a staple in my store.
Light Roast Da Hong Pao Wu Yi Shan Oolong Tea. $8.50 per 50g bag or 15.50 per 100g bag.
Da Hong Pao (or “Big Read Robe”) is one of China’s most famous tea. The original Da Hong Pao is so rare it produces approximately 400g of tea per year. This Da Hong Pao is an off shoot (hence the amounts available and price) and heavily oxidized for a smooth malty flavoured tea. Also known as Fujian Rock Tea, Da Hong Pao is a beautiful and easy to drink dark tea.
Certified Organic Jasmine Pearl Tea (Spring 2011). $14.50 per 100g bag.
OTRDC Certified Organic tea from Yunnan. If you are a lover of Jasmine tea this Spring 2011 organic jasmine is of a very high standard and is a pleasure to drink. Light, fresh, and very cleansing on the palate.
Feng Qing “Gold Needle” Autumn 2010 Dian Hong Black Tea.
$14.50 per 100g.
Autumn 2010 tea leaves (1 leaf to 1 bud) from Feng Qing area of Lincang were carefully hand-processed into this lovely tea. The tea brews up a golden yellow clear color with malt and chocolate flavors and aroma. A lovely tea both in taste and appearance!
Premium Spring 2011 Silver Needle White Tea. $14.00 per 100g
This White Tea is from the Early Spring 2011 harvest. It is fresh and fruity in flavor. The infused brew is very white and laden with lots of hairs from these buds. High in anti-oxidants and low in caffeine.
Premium Silver Needles White Tea is produced in the southwest of Yunnan province, at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level. The rain and wind that nourishes these green tea plants sweeps down from the Tibetan Plateau, ensuring a very pure and tasty leaf.
Aromatic Bamboo Raw Pu-Erh Tea “Xinag Zhu” from 2006. $8.50 per 100g. Only 4 available!!
First flush of spring Dehong area tea is gradually steam softened and tamped down into bamboo sections in fire pits. This aromatic bamboo is unique to Mangshi area of Dehong and must be harvested in August. Small fire pits are dug in the village ground and are stoked with bamboo charcoal. The bamboo sections are placed closed end down into the fire pits, as the bamboo heats up the aromatic water vapor in the bamboo sections is released as steam. The sun-dried mao cha is gradually pushed into the hot steaming section of bamboo, and tamped down as it becomes softened by the steam. Once the bamboo sections are filled with tea the sections are allow to roast in the fire a while longer before being removed to a kind of oven room where they are allowed to dry for 2 or 3 days. The charred bamboo sections are then removed and will be processed into bamboo charcoal for further use.The tea itself is subtly aromatic with floral tones. The tea brews easily and isn’t too fussy. The tea liquor is golden yellow and transparent. With aging this tea will develop orchid aromas with a hint of sugarcane.
2010 Menhai “Da Yi Gong Tuo” Ripe Pu-Erh tea. $8.50 per 100g Tuo / Cake.
A premium Da Yi limited edition ripe tuo in box. Medium-light fermentation Menghai area material. Smooth and full taste!
I also have many more Pu-Erh teas available, Yixing Red Clay, Ceramic, and Glass Gaiwans available for sale. Please contact me for details.
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
David White’s Crows Nest Acupuncture Clinic has had a very busy month. As the end of the teaching semester has come the Crows Nest acupuncture clinic has been operating at full speed! The clinic’s herbal dispensary is complete with both raw herbs and powdered herbs. David ensures that each herbal product is of the highest quality and is able to instruct each person on the cooking and preparation methods as well as discussing each ingredient with his patients to educate them on Chinese herbal medicine.
This coming August will see the second annual Scholar’s Retreat of the International Society for the Study of Classical Acupuncture (ISSCA) of which David is a founding member and the Chief-Editor of the Journal. David will present on classical pulse and palpation techniques of the Neijing and hopes to take in many of the scenes of the west coast of the states. In addition David is planning to meet with some excellent tea masters and merchants of rare teas in the Oregon region, this will include some tea ceremony lessons which he will bring back to his Crows Nest Acupuncture clinic. Please visit www.isscaonline,.org.
Speaking of tea, contacts with some of China’s best exporters of fine and rare tea have been made and the products are slowly coming in. David will soon have an online store where one will be able to purchase high-end tea and teawares. In the mean time people interested in specific teas can either come via the Crows Nest acupuncture clinic or email David. The teas and teaware will be posted in this blog.
Once the weather warms up David will host outdoor tea and meditation sessions and private Qigong classes. Please stay tuned for more information on these events at Crows Nest Acupuncture!
In good health,
David White, Crows Nest Acupuncture Clinic www.classicalacupuncture.com.au
Tea: Wu Liang Hong Mao Feng Spring 2011 Yunnan Black Tea from Simao, Pu-er, Yunnan.
I was very pleased when i received some special teas in a recent shipment that my supplier was kind enough to slip a generous sample of an incredibly fine and flavoursome rare tea into my order. The Wu Liang Hong Mao Feng is a rather rare black tea from the Si Mao mountain region. An immensely smooth tea with an incredibly surprising aroma. I feel this tea will become a favourite among my customers in the near future.
Mao Feng 毛峰 is essentially a selection process of tea manufacturers. It is when the leaf selectors choose leaves and buds of equal length, which often results in a broad, flat, and slightly curved leaf. Huang Shan mountain range in Anhui province (where I was fortunate enough to undertake my hospital internship nearly a decade ago) produces are very famous “Mao Feng” tea. The Wu Liang Hong Mao Feng leaf is selected from a high altitude in early Spring and then fermented and “formed” into a black tea.
Review:
Upon opening the packet i was instantly surprised by the immensely fruity and powerfully aromatic fragrance that this tea emits. The aroma is smooth, round, and has a beautiful “light” quality to it that makes you want to go back for more. The leaves (as pictured above) are a nice mixture of light yellow and dark brown – and they are large and curved like general Mao Feng.
I steeped this tea in a cooling 95C spring water. As soon as the water hit the leaves began to “breathe” and open, the aroma grew stronger and by just deeply inhaling the steam I could already taste this tea. The first steep produced a very smooth, fruity and floral flavour – no bitterness or astringency, and incredibly smooth. Despite being light this tea has an immediate warming effect on the body usually felt from quality Pu-Erh. The second steep brought out the rich golden brown liquor – even though stronger in look and taste the tea remains smooth. I can see this tea would be a great everyday tea and would favour those who already have the palate for black, non-Chinese, tea.
Summary:
A perfect tea for everyday for those who love smooth tastes and aromas and would be a great bridge into the world of rare Chinese black teas.
Availability:
Being so impressed with this tea i will do my best to make it a staple at my store for 2011. Stay tuned for when the shipment arrives – i would estimate that this tea will cost around $9 – $12 per 100grams or so making this tea incredibly affordable (something which can be just as rare as the tea itself).
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
June 2011 David White Classical Acupuncture in Crows Nest:
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture
I have just received some great teas, which i will review in detail shortly. Currently the selection includes some excellent everyday teas and some exceptional rare teas of the Yunnan province. Here is a list of some of the teas available, all are available at David White Classical Acupuncture in Crows Nest. Some of these teas have been aged by over 6 years and are ideal for drinking immediately while others may need a few years to be at the optimal drinking stage. Pu-Erh is a very special tea with very unique flavours, incredible health benefits and immense energetic properties.
Current Selection Available:
A selection of fine and rare green, white, black, oolong and certified organic teas are also available and will be for sale on this site in the near future.
Please email or call the clinic if you would like to come in and taste some of the teas available or if you wish to reserve some of the above teas.
In good health,
David White Classical Acupuncture