I have come to understood that flower essence work is never just about the flower itself. When we sit with a wild native bloom, listen to it, receive its essence without harvesting a single petal, and offer thanks, we are participating in a living energetic exchange with nature and the Dao. But the flower does not exist in isolation. It grows within a full acoustic and energetic field: the wind moving through surrounding grasses, the insects, the distant frogs, the creak of branches, the subtle shifts in humidity and temperature that carry their own frequencies. If we ignore that larger field we miss much of the medicine. 

xThe genus name Solidago comes from the Latin solidare (“to make whole” or “to strengthen”), reflecting its historic role as a wound herb. Modern herbal research largely confirms anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.  Important goldenrod phytochemicals include flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, saponins, phenolic compounds. Some laboratory and animal studies have explored cytotoxic or antitumor effects on certain cell lines,. Read more….

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective the root pattern across much of colorectal disease is Spleen Qi deficiency, reflecting the close relationship between the Spleen and the Large Intestine and the Spleen’s role as the foundation of post-heaven Qi.

Native plant flower essences offer a gentle complementary approach that many people explore to support emotional balance and overall sense of well being during cancer recovery or when choosing non surgical paths. These essences capture the vibrational imprint of flowers from local plants and are traditionally prepared in ways that echo ancient practices of gathering pure natural waters. While they are not a treatment for cancer itself, their focus on emotional and energetic support can help ease stress, promote calm, and enhance daily quality of life alongside conventional care or watchful waiting approaches.

Organic Reishi mushroom powder (Ganoderma lucidum, known as Lingzhi in TCM) has been used for centuries in TCM as a superior tonic herb. Classically described as sweet and neutral in nature, it enters the Heart, Lung, Liver, and Kidney channels. Its traditional actions include tonifying Qi, nourishing Blood, calming the Shen, transforming Phlegm, and supporting overall vitality without being overly harsh or drying. From a TCM perspective, these qualities make it a frequently considered supporting herb for patients recovering from major surgery, including cancer-related procedures.

Acupuncture Injection Therapy has become something many people turn to when they are working through the tough recovery phase after cancer treatments. It involves injecting small amounts of natural substances right into specific acupuncture points on the body. The idea is that this combines the benefits of traditional acupuncture with a more targeted delivery that can last longer and feel more supportive during healing. It goes a step further than standard needle work by delivering nutrients and supportive compounds straight into the points where they can influence the body’s recovery pathways more directly. Many people navigating the aftermath of cancer treatments find this method especially helpful because the effects often build steadily over a series of sessions rather than fading quickly. The points chosen usually relate to energy circulation digestion immune function and pain pathways so the injections can address several recovery hurdles at once.

Around the mucky perimeter of many Florida wetlands, buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) reveals one of nature’s most distinctive blooms. Clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers form perfect spheres; soft, fragrant “honey balls” that look like miniature Sputniks or celestial orbs suspended on glossy green stems. Native to eastern North America, this shrub thrives at the water’s edge where land and liquid meet. Its presence feels both grounded and luminous, a living emblem of balance between the solid and the fluid.

In the practice of acupuncture, especially when working with patients navigating cancer, technical skill and precise point selection matter—but they are incomplete without radical honesty. Radical honesty means creating the conditions in which a patient can share the full truth of their experience: physical symptoms, emotional realities, fears, hopes, lifestyle factors, side effects, and the unspoken burdens that often remain hidden. Without this level of disclosure, the practitioner’s understanding remains partial, and treatment risks becoming less precise, less personalized, and less effective.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common and challenging side effects of cancer treatment. It typically causes sensory symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning pain, or sensitivity to cold in the hands and feet (often in a “stocking-glove” distribution), and in some cases motor weakness or autonomic issues. CIPN can limit chemotherapy doses, affect quality of life, and persist long after treatment ends.

In Chinese medicine, Water belongs to the Kidneys. It is the quiet reservoir of essence, willpower, and the courage to face life’s hardest tides. Yin is not passive; it is the strength that holds, reflects, and softens without breaking.

Sheng Di Huang, the raw or dried form of Rehmannia glutinosa root, is a classic cooling herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Unlike its prepared counterpart (Shu Di Huang), it is valued for clearing Heat, cooling the Blood, nourishing Yin, and generating fluids. These properties make it a frequent choice when patients experience heat-related or drying side effects during cancer treatment, such as radiation-induced dryness, inflammation, or yin-deficient heat signs (night sweats, dry mouth, restlessness).

Main types of antineoplastic (anticancer) plants and ethnobotanical products fall into two overlapping categories: (1) plants that have yielded clinically approved drugs, and (2) broader ethnobotanical sources whose traditional uses or extracts show laboratory evidence of cytotoxic, antiproliferative, or related activity.

The Royal Poinciana, also known as the Flame Tree or Flamboyant (Delonix regia), is famous worldwide for its spectacular display of bright red-orange flowers. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this tropical tree has a long history in traditional medicine for issues like inflammation, digestive problems, and respiratory complaints. In recent years, scientists have turned their attention to another possible property: anticancer activity observed in laboratory studies.

Learned so much participating in the MSKCC Herbal Formulations in Cancer Supportive Care class. I am continuing to pursue learning how TCM can support cancer treatment and recovery phases. Message me to lern more!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the gut is far more than a digestive tube—it is the foundation of life after birth. The Spleen and Stomach are called the “root of postnatal qi,” responsible for transforming food and drink into the qi, blood, and essence that nourish every organ and fuel the body’s defenses.

Acupuncture shows promise as a complementary therapy for certain types of bone pain, particularly cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) and osteoporosis-related pain. Evidence quality varies and is often limited by study design issues, but systematic reviews support benefits for pain relief and, in some cases, bone density.

The Three Huangs—Huang Qin, Huang Bai, and Huang Lian—play a key supportive role in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas aimed at easing certain cancer-related symptoms by clearing heat, drying dampness, and resolving toxicity.

Jia Wei XYS is frequently used by breast cancer patients on tamoxifen and may help reduce side effects like mood swings, fatigue, insomnia, and nausea when combined with chemotherapy. Some studies link it to improved quality of life, better short-term treatment efficacy, and potential survival benefits in certain cancers such as cervical, though evidence is mostly from observational data and needs more high-quality trials. It primarily serves as supportive care for psychological and menopausal-like symptoms. Always discuss herb use with your Oncologist before use.

Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi) in TCM: Gentle Support During Cancer CareLotus seeds, known as Lian Zi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, have been used for centuries as a nourishing, calming food-herb. Sweet and neutral in nature, they gently tonify the Spleen, Kidney, and Heart while calming the mind. How Lotus Seeds Help Cancer PatientsCancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy) often cause several distressing symptoms that lotus seeds can help ease:

• Poor Appetite & Digestive Weakness
  Lotus seeds strengthen Spleen Qi and stop diarrhea. They are easy to digest and help restore appetite when treatments cause nausea or loose stools.

Five Element Art Therapy offers a gentle, integrative approach rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) Five Elements theory, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element corresponds to specific emotions, organs, colors, seasons, and energies. Through guided creative processes (using color, texture, movement, and symbolism in art-making), participants can restore balance, express what words cannot, and support holistic well-being.

The Healing Power of Five Element Sound Therapy in Cancer Surgery RecoveryRecovering from cancer surgery is a deeply personal journey. While conventional care focuses on wound healing and medical monitoring, many patients also seek gentle, non-invasive ways to restore balance, reduce stress, and support their body’s natural recovery.. One such supportive modality gaining recognition in integrative oncology is Five Element Sound Therapy.

Cancer surgery is a major event for the body. While modern medicine focuses on removing the disease, the recovery phase often brings challenges like poor appetite, bloating, nausea, indigestion, and fatigue, all signs of disrupted digestion in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Acupuncture in Oncology: A Gentle Ally for Cancer Patients

Cancer treatment, whether chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or hormone therapy, often brings a heavy burden of side effects. Many patients seek complementary therapies that can ease discomfort without adding more medications. Acupuncture has emerged as a well-studied and increasingly recommended supportive option in cancer care.

• These formulas target the most common including Cancer pattern QoL disruptors: GI issues, sleep/mood, hot flashes, and fatigue.

• They are dispensed under professional supervision with strict quality control.

• Frequently combined with acupuncture, which also helps move Qi, tonify deficiency, and reduce stasis.

• Evidence base: Supported by clinical experience and traditional use for symptom relief in cancer patients.

Important: These are supportive, not anticancer treatments. Always use under guidance of a qualified integrative oncologist or TCM practitioner familiar with oncology to avoid interactions with chemo, targeted therapy, or hormones.

Cancer brings not only physical challenges but also deep emotional ones—depression, sadness, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm are incredibly common. While conventional support is essential, many patients find meaningful relief through complementary therapies like hand acupuncture.

Supporting EDS Patients with Cancer Risks or Complications

Some individuals with EDS report higher incidences of certain cancers (e.g., breast, thyroid, or GI-related), potentially linked to chronic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, or impaired tissue repair—though research remains limited and individual risks vary. 

The Stomach Channel plays a supportive role in oncology care. Acupuncture, including Stomach meridian points, is well-studied for alleviating chemotherapy side effects like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, and poor appetite. It helps regulate Qi flow, boost immunity, and improve tolerance to treatment. For EDS patients facing cancer, this can be especially valuable—addressing both the underlying connective tissue vulnerabilities (via digestion and energy support) and treatment-related symptoms. 

St. Johns Wort, 贯叶连翘, can be beneficial for cancer symptom management such as soothing skin post-treatment or supporting overall well-being, always alongside conventional care. I recommend professional guidance, patch testing, and sourcing high-quality, properly prepared liniments. Read more….

Melanoma can be one of the more aggressive cancers encountered, especially in those who are exposed to the sun’s rays on a regular basis. Though acupuncture does not directly treat cancer, it has been shown to have a positive effect on stimulating the immune system. Melanoma has in turn been studied as a form of cancer our body’s immune system will successfully counter. Kevin discusses more of the relationship between acupuncture and our body’s immune response to melanoma in this post.

Acupuncture and Moxa over ginger slices on the abdomen can help restart peristalsis and resolve #cancer treatment constipation. Here i am using a modified Ren and Stomach channel Ling Gui Ba Fa.

Flower Essence Hunting: Tarflower, Bejaria racemosa, is a woody evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae family native to Florida scrub, flatwoods, and pinelands, has fragrant white-to-pinkish flowers with sticky resin on the petals/back that traps insects—hence the common name. We use Bejaria Flower Essence for mental clarity and to support creation of boundaries.