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25-Dec-2022: Daily Mail: Rachael Finch is horrified after noticing bizarre purple marks on her back after a massage: 'I'm in shock - is this normal?' It is always wise to inform clients of the possible marks left after cupping or Gua Sha but they do resolve and may be behind some of its benefits. 2-Dec-2022: Daily Mail: Ashley Graham poses for a selfie while undergoing acupuncture treatment in latest social media post Another celebrity endorsement of acupuncture. 21-Nov-2022: The Guardian: Acupuncture relieves back and pelvic pain during pregnancy, study suggests With acupuncture the risks are so much less than any kind of drug intervention so why not investigate the possibility of it helping so many people further? 19-Nov-2022: The Express: 'Be careful': Three popular herbal supplements sold in UK that may 'pose heart risks' Discusses red yeast rice, L-arginine and garlic, of which the first and last are potent herbal medicines for the cardiovascular system (L-arginine is a nutritional supplement found in meat, fish and dairy) but as such have the ability to interact with medications that are intended to have the same effect. 19-Nov-2022: The Independent: Consuming two tablespoons of honey improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels, study finds Honey is one of the oldest medicines and its medicinal benefits were known to the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Ayurvedic and Chinese medical traditions. 16-Nov-2022: The Guardian: A moment that changed me: 'I visited a therapist - who offered me an exorcism' A rare description of an exorcism in the modern world. 12-Nov-2022: The Independent: Woman suffering from long covid for two years reveals treatments that worked and failed Acupuncture provided her a breakthrough until its effects plateaued after a year. Chinese medicine has a long history of dealing with post-viral conditions. 5-Nov-2022: The Times: Is facial acupuncture the future for anti-ageing treatments? Acupuncture is not just for pain and management of medical issues but has some upmarket applications too. 5-Nov-2022: The Guardian: Study finds first direct evidence of a link between low serotonin and depression After a recent review found no compelling evidence that depression is linked to serotonin, a new study claims to have found one, but not everybody is convinced. 2-Nov-2022: The Guardian: Magic mushrooms' psilocybin can alleviate severe depression when used with therapy The largest trial so far sees remission in 29% of patients 3 weeks after taking 25 mg with benefits persisting up to 12 weeks later in one-fifth of subjects. Phase 3 trials are to be scheduled for later this year. 2-Nov-2022: The Guardian: Can you stand on one leg for 10 seconds? Why balance could be a matter of life and death - and how to improve yours It mentions Tai Chi as a method of improving balance, associated with health and lifespan improvements that extend beyond simply avoiding falls in later life. 24-Oct-2022: Daily Mail: A natural Adderall alternative that works 'BETTER' than the real deal? Suggests a formula called Bu Nao Wan or "Brain Tonic Pills". The problem is that there is no legal supplier in the UK. However, a Chinese medical practitioner can find the ingredients and make something similar, or customised for you. 24-Oct-2022: The Guardian: TikTokers reckon sea moss can help you lose weight and have better sex. What does the science say? Article looks at the current celebrity trend for Irish Moss. Like many seaweeds and algae it does confer many health benefits but whenever there is a big trend for a new "superfood" there is always a lot of exaggeration and marketing hype. 21-Oct-2022: The Guardian: Mushrooms are magic for problem skin, and you don't even have to eat them Mentions Chinese medicinal mushrooms used in skincare. 21-Oct-2022: Express: 'Some' herbal supplements may 'interfere' with blood clotting warns NHS - 'bleeding' risk This is a known risk and highlights the advantage of consulting with a professional herbalist. A few, like garlic and ginger are common enough foods that everyone should know about their potential to interact with medication. 20-Oct-2022: New York Times: Zinc? Honey? Ginger? What Actually Helps When You Have a Cold or the Flu? A review of some common household remedies backed by evidence. 17-Oct-2022: The Mirror: What is acupuncture and can it help with arthritis or sciatica pain? Straightforward introduction and evaluation of acupuncture and its effectiveness. 4-Oct-2022: The Conversation: 'Indian Viagra' - herbal drug Kamini contains morphine and can quickly lead to dependence Herbal medicines are not always harmless and can contain powerful drugs, especially if shipped from abroad where regulations are different. This is why it is wise to seek the consultation of an expert who knows what their supplies contain and that they conform with UK safety regulations. 3-Oct-2022: Women's Health Magazine: Alexandra Daddario Is Legit Glowing In A Nude, No-Makeup Instagram Selfie, And The Internet Is Freaking Out Mentions how she uses meditation and acupuncture to maintain a healthy mind-body-skin connection. 30-Sep-2022: Independent: Chiropractor sparks debate after adjusting six-day-old baby: 'That should be illegal' The video really appears to show him massaging the infant with a massage gun, not making any high velocity adjustments, so the debate should really be about what constitutes an "adjustment". 28-Sep-2022: Woman killed by herbal remedies she took to treat arthritis An example of why herbal medicines need to be subject to quality control, including the training of the practitioners. 24-Sep-2022: Daily Mail: Chinese doctors retrieve three-inch acupuncture NEEDLE that 11-year-old boy inserted into his penis 'because he was bored' Just ouch! 21-Sep-2022: The Sun: Two huge Love Island stars sign up for extreme detox reality show Treatments mentioned include bee sting acupuncture, drinking urine and leech therapy which all have origins in ancient medical systems, and at least bee venom and leeches are used in modern medicine (urea from urine is also used but mainly in skin products). It is questionable how introducing venom or additional waste products to your body can be called "detoxing" though. 20-Sep-2022: The Times: Honey could replace antibiotics in fight against superbugs The antibiotic properties of honey have been recognised since ancient Rome where it was put on cuts and burns to prevent infection and encourage tissue regeneration. A new review of literature suggests it may have a role in modern medicine in the fight against superbugs. 18-Sep-2022: Guardian: Four cups of tea a day can help keep diabetes away, say Chinese scientists Tea is renowned for its medicinal and even spiritual benefits in Chinese culture. The authors suggest that the English habit of drinking tea with milk might enhance this effect further. 14-Sep-2022: Daily Mail: What your NAILS tell you about your health: Traditional Chinese medicine expert reveals how to interpret shape, growth, and markings on your tips to identify problems with your body Although it sounds like an offshoot of palmistry, a lot of this is verified by western medicine as potential indicators of disease. 12-Sep-2022: Yahoo! Sport: Woman took her life by consuming poisonous leaves, inquest hears Tragic story of a Chinese medical practitioner using their knowledge to end their own life. This was reported by other outlets who erroneously state that she was a student at the time of her death, and even implying that she took them after learning about them on her course. She undertook her degree at 22 and died at 33, so was qualified at least 6 years (assuming 5 years of study) before making this tragic decision. There was also no comparison with suicide in other health professions (which are high enough to warrant a National Physician Suicide Awareness Day) making a single death in the Chinese medicine community noteworthy for its rarity. 12-Sep-2022: New York Times: Dry Brushing, Body Scraping, Gua Sha: Lymphatic Health Is All the Rage Derived from a traditional Chinese practice, Gua Sha, body scraping has become a recent trend in health, wellness and beauty. 9-Sep-2022: Metro: How ear piercings may help with certain chronic pain and health conditions Ear acupuncture is a micro-system within acupuncture which piercing may stimulate but it is equally possible just to use acupuncture needles or seeds to stimulate the points without making a semi-permanent hole. 6-Sep-2022: Guardian: I'm a psychologist - and I believe we've been told devastating lies about mental health The classics of Chinese medicine firmly believed that the mind and body are reflections of the larger society and environment in which they are situated, so a sick society will manifest in a sick population. It seems as though some psychologists are starting to realise this too. 2-Sep-2022: Guardian: 'I'm glowing': scientists are unlocking secrets of why forests make us happy Immersion in nature has long been a healing and spiritual practice in Daoism, Buddhism and Shinto. Japan has reinvented this practice as "Forest Bathing" (森林浴 Shinrin Yoku). Today scientists are discovering the reasons why. 2-Sep-2022: Independent: How you sleep could be 'strongest predictor' of when you will die, study says Sleep is a powerful diagnostic tool in Chinese medicine, being affected by disturbances in almost every system. 31-Aug-2022: Guardian: NHS patients struggling with superbugs to be offered poo transplants Much research into Chinese medicine suggests that the teas alter our gut microbiota. The NHS is now also working with the gut microbiome through faecal transplants. 30-Aug-2022: Guardian: Drinking tea may be linked to lower risk of death, study suggests Tea has long been considered a health drink on Chinese medicine, however most studies have looked into green tea in Asia. This is the first major study that shows the effect seems to hold in the UK with a largely white population drinking black tea with milk. 27-Aug-2022: Daily Mail: EVE SIMMONS: The quack remedies being peddled by NHS midwives There is nothing wrong with midwives learning ways of making a birth more comfortable and in line with the desire of their clients for "natural" remedies, as long as they do not force these opinions and know when it's time to call the obstetrician. Red flags and knowing when to refer are an important point of any medical training. 26-Aug-2022: Sky Sports: Ellen White: Former England striker reveals suffering punctured lung was a 'big reason' for her retirement An "elite sports physiotherapist" was hired to give the England women's football team dry needling. These have minimal training requirements (as little as a weekend) while traditionally trained acupuncturists study for years to become members of the BAcC, including learning the techniques for all the dangerous points to minimise the risks of injury. Few news articles have mentioned the practitioner's training at all except this one. Press releases have been made by: British Acupuncture Council Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine Acupuncture Associated of Chartered Physiotherapists 26-Aug-2022: New York Times: What to Know About White Mulberry Leaf Following a controversy when the wife of a politician died with traces of white mulberry leaf in her stomach, the article examines the safety and regulation of herbs and supplements. Interestingly, while white mulberry leaves have been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, it has not been used for lowering blood sugar, suppressing appetite or losing weight as the article suggests it is being used for now. 24-Aug-2022: Independent: Man credits diet change and £19.99 skin cream for treating his psoriasis The skin cream is made from herbal ingredients and gave better results than steroids. 22-Aug-2022: Independent: Regular physical activity may lessen Covid risks, study finds While specific "immune boosting" exercise hacks may not be any more beneficial than other exercises, this review found physical activity is almost certainly a means to boost your resilience to Covid-19 with around 20 minutes a day being enough to provide the optimal benefit. 17-Aug-2022: Independent: My daughter went for a routine chiropractor appointment. Now she's paralysed A follow up on the previous report on 15th July. The article from the journal Stroke is cited as the risk being 1 in 20,000, a five-fold increase on the chiropractors estimate in the earlier story. The aim of the article is the same: it is a risk the public should know about before deciding to have this procedure. 1-Aug-2022: Guardian: Gut instinct: how your diet shapes your mind As Hippocrates said: "Food is medicine and medicine is food". 1-Aug-2022: Independent: What a new study on depression does - and does not - tell us about antidepressants and serotonin A response to the earlier media reports on the challenge to the serotonin model of depression. 20-Jul-2022: The Conversation / The Guardian / The Telegraph: Depression is probably not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain - new study Little evidence that chemical imbalance causes depression, UCL scientists find Depression is 'not caused by chemical imbalance' Not really about traditional medicine but rather a major blow to conventional medicine's model of depression as a serotonin imbalance which is found lacking in a major review. This will require us to look to new sources for a better model and traditional wisdom can often provide inspiration. 16-Jul-2022: Independent: What is Homeopathy? Article about Tory leader candidate Penny Mordaunt's vocal support of homeopathy on the NHS. 15-Jul-2022: Daily Mail: Chiropractor who 'snapped four arteries' in 28 year old's neck leaving her paralyzed Stroke can be a rare consequence of chiropractic neck manipulations but even at 1 in 100, 000, when millions are performed each year that a number of preventable strokes. The risks should be made clear and other options explored if they achieve the same therapeutic result. 12-Jul-2022: The Conversation: Africa is a treasure trove of medicinal plants: here are seven that are popular Hardly surprising given the biodiversity of Africa but often overlooked in favour of asian or western herbal traditions. 12-Jul-2022: The Guardian: Mindfulness in schools does not improve mental health, study finds More accurately, it improved in those who engaged with it but most children found it boring and did not practice. This is hardly surprising and in Chinese medicine children would be considered to be in their Yang, active, growing, expanding phase of life so more active interventions would be more appropriate for most. 11-Jul-2022: Harper's Bazaar: Acupuncture Gave Me Hope After My PCOS Diagnosis One woman's journey into TCM to find a more personalised treatment for PCOS. 5-Jul-2022: Washington Post: Acupuncture could reduce tension headaches by half Based on the same study mentioned below. 5-Jul-2022: Hello!: Meghan Markle's 'debilitating' hidden illness she was hospitalised with She said: "Acupuncture and Eastern medicine absolutely changed my life. Migraine-free living is a game-changer." 4-Jul-2022: Washington Post: People searching for abortion online must wade through misinformation Following the Roe v. Wade decision in the US, many online videos are sharing herbs which they suggest can induce an abortion. If they work at all, they will do so by making the mother so sick that she cannot carry the child to term, risking her own life too. 30-Jun-2022: CNN: The world's deadliest garden A short video on toxic plants that may be in your garden and their contribution to medicine. 29-Jun-2022: CNN: An ancient practice may offer relief from chronic tension headaches Based on a recent study that adds further evidence for acupuncture's ability to mitigate chronic headaches and migraines. 27-Jun-2022: The Conversation: Physio 'dry needling' and acupuncture - what's the difference and what does the evidence say? Omits one important point: while it states that a physiotherapist may employ acupuncture with exercise advice and other adjunctive therapies, it does not do the same for traditional acupuncture where the needles are often a adjunct to a larger paradigm that focuses on changes in lifestyle that cause the disease, including exercise, diet, sleep and almost every facet of life. 26-Jun-2022: The Guardian: Better ways to get better: the radical GP changing lives Acupuncture was a key part of changing this GPs views on medical care and her clinic now includes acupuncture, massage and social prescribing, all of which feature in Chinese and other ancient medical systems. 15-Jun-2022: The Guardian: Doctors warn against over-medicalising menopause after UK criticism The BMJ takes a very Chinese medical attitude to menopause, suggesting it should be seen as a transition to be guided through with positive as well as negative aspects, instead of pathologised and treated as a disease to be reversed with HRT. Chinese medicine can use acupuncture or herbs to manage distressing symptoms as well as a philosophy that encourages one to move with the transitions of life instead of against them. One month later, the MHRA reveal that hormone replacement therapy to be offered over the counter in UK presenting conflicting messages between the intentions of doctors and healthcare regulators. 15-Jun-2022: Daily Mail: Super-fit bikini designer, 31, reveals she is struggling with 'extreme fatigue' from long Covid - as she tries to heal herself with acupuncture and a strict diet She says: "My joint and muscle pain is definitely improving. Acupuncture has been my saving grace for those symptoms." Acupuncture definitely deserves more investigation for managing long Covid. 15-Jun-2022: The Sun: Back to it: Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel again as Mercedes star eases fears he will miss Canadian Grand Prix with back injury Lewis Hamilton gets acupuncture as part of his rehabilitation treatment. 13-Jun-2022: Times Higher Education: Poor design of alternative medicine research is an ethical issue Enst, a long time critic of all alternative medicine, criticises alternative medicine studies on ethical grounds. Poor study design can create ethical issues in any area of research but the solution is better education and oversight of the researchers in ethical methodology, not to stop doing the research. 3-Jun-2022: The Guardian: Does the viral two-minute sleep trick REALLY work? Expert massage practitioner weighs in on the 'wrist-rubbing' trend sweeping the globe Does not really answer the question but gives the advice of "it can't hurt and might help, so try it", but warns that it probably will not work as a stand alone for chronic insomniacs. 31-May-2022: Forbes: Everything You Need To Know About Acupuncture Simple intro to the science and traditional methods of acupuncture. 29-May-2022: The Guardian: As the pandemic ebbs, long-haul Covid still drains patients and confounds doctors Mentions a success story using dietary changes, meditation and yoga. These are more likely to be the way forward than discovering a new long-covid drug. 28-May-2022: The Guardian: Eat plants, try pilates and stay positive: how to keep your body younger than your years Part of a "How to Age Well" special, a topic close to the heart of Chinese medicine. It covers exercise, diet, sleep and psychology which form the core of Chinese longevity practices. 23-May-2022: The Guardian: 'I feel totally seen': John Crace on how guided breathing soothed a lifetime of anxiety Breathwork has its origins in Asian meditation systems and health promoting practices. 22-May-2022: The Guardian: Does turmeric's reputation translate into real health benefits? Article on the benefits and hype surrounding curcumin. No mention of the other compounds found in turmeric that may be responsible for its effects. 18-May-2022: BBC Future: Why you should embrace stinging nettles Covers medical uses from both research and folklore. 15-May-2022: The Guardian: Caesar's favourite herb was the Viagra of ancient Rome. Until climate change killed it off Article about an ancient Roman medicinal herb and how climate change killed it off. There are many species of both food and medicinal crops that are at risk of extinction today due to climate change. 13-May-2022: Daily Mail: Eating a half cup of blueberries every day in your late 50s can stave off dementia later in life, study finds Based on a study that showed improvements on cognitive tasks after eating blueberries for 12 weeks amongst overweight, older adults at increased risk of dementia. 12-May-2022: The Guardian: Here's another reason to donate blood: it reduces 'forever chemicals' in your body This article reports on a study that suggests that giving blood may be one of the most effective ways to lowers levels of toxic PFAS chemicals that accumulate in the body, although at the cost of passing them on to the recipient. 11-May-2022: The Guardian: Short-term use of ibuprofen may increase chance of chronic pain, study suggests Suggests something that Chinese medicine has always known: that inflammation serves a function and its inhibition may be detrimental to long term healing. Instead of stopping inflammation with ice and anti-inflammatory drugs, Chinese medicine seeks to encourage the healing process so it will become functional faster and heal completely. 11-May-2022: BBC News: Chronic pain: The 'unbearable' condition affecting one in four Mentions all the elements of Chinese medicine: how a tailored plan is required involving exercise, physical therapy, acupuncture and psychological management; so if the waiting lists are too long for referral to a specialist, then look up a Chinese medical practitioner. 9-May-2022: The Guardian: Alarm after EHRC says long Covid should not be treated as disability Not directly about traditional medicine but highly relevant to the many people who use it to try and cope with long covid. 9-May-2022: Express: 'A game-changer' Meghan's secret weapon for battling anxiety and migraines revealed Acupuncture and Eastern medicine have helped her with migraines and anxiety. 7-May-2022: The Guardian: Interview with Morgan Levine: 'Only 10-30% of our lifespan is estimated to be due to genetics' Interview with Yale scientist studying ageing which suggests many of the Chinese longevity practices (養生, Yangsheng) of exercise, fasting, meditation and living in tune with our circadian cycles are still perhaps the best way of maintaining our biological health. 4-May-2022: Yahoo!: Georgian medicine chest found in Leicester contains 200-year-old tablets Extraordinary find still containing the remedies used before the advent of modern medicine. 29-Apr-2022: Time: Why Acupuncture Is Going Mainstream in Medicine Discusses the increasing acceptance of acupuncture; the high evidence base for conditions such as pain, allergies, chemotherapy side effects and cerebrovascular conditions; and also the promising results emerging for hormonal regulation, fertility and emotional disorders. 29-Apr-2022: BBC: Exercise is good for joints with wear-and-tear arthritis Includes a quote from Arthritis Action, for whom I am a registered practitioner, and suggests low impact strength and flexibility training for which Tai Chi is ideal. 22-Apr-2022: The Times: Covid in China: Herbal medicine and homegrown vaccines won't stop Omicron, warn scientists Caution is urged within China regarding it's home grown remedies and vaccines for the latest Covid outbreak, although it neglects to say what the harm is if it is used to manage mild to moderate symptoms. 19-Apr-2022: BBC: Daffodils to treat Alzheimer's could be Welsh hill farming's future Known in Chinese as Shui Xian Hua, the flowers are said to enter the Heart meridian where consciousness is traditionally believed to reside. A word of caution though: daffodils are toxic and can make you sick so don't go picking and eating from your garden! 6-Apr-2022: Express: Covid hell: New Omicron XE variant sparks panic as China resorts to HERBAL medicine Got to love the sensationalism of this article, especially the capitalisation of "herbal" when China has always been looking at and using herbal medicines as part of its covid strategy. 3-Apr-2022: Bloomberg: China Tries to Win Global Acceptance for Traditional Covid Cures More on Lianhua Qingwen being promoted for Covid-19 but also has some nice quotes on the difference between modern and traditional approaches. 2-Apr-2022: The Independent: Putin bathes in deer antler extract and regularly sees cancer doctor, report claims Deer antlers have been used in Chinese medicine for their androgen content for many centuries, although not in the UK where animal products are prohibited. 26-Feb-2022: Express: Eczema natural treatments: The six alternative ways to manage eczema Discusses coconut and sunflower oil, supplements, tai chi, yoga, acupressure and massage. Oddly, it mentions a specific point to massage but does not say where it is (its Quchi LI-11). 24-Feb-2022: Independent: Treating wounds may not be uniquely human - chimpanzees do it too A follow-up to the previous video piece showing chimpanzee's using insect medicine to treat wounds. Insects are sometimes used in Chinese medicine for trauma. 20-Feb-2022: Independent: Medics warn of the danger and potentially significant consequences of dry-needling Dry needling is not acupuncture despite their apparent similarity. One of the main differences is the level of training required: 3600 hours, including 400 clinical for acupuncture vs. as little as 12 hours total for dry needling. 10-Feb-2022: Guardian: Chinese herbalist told diabetic woman to stop taking western medicine before death, NSW court hears Some clearly negligent practice here. Western medication should only be stopped at the direction of a western medical doctor and where people seek to do this with the help of Chinese herbs, it should be done in liaison with their doctor. 8-Feb-2022: Independent: Mother chimp treats son's injury with 'insect lotion' in never-before-seen footage Medicine may be even older than we think. Some insects are used in Chinese medicine for trauma. A written article was produced a few weeks later. 4-Feb-2022: Daily Mail: Jury hears evidence as Chinese acupuncturist is accused of sexually assaulting female patients Abusers exist in all professions. This story highlights the need for professional regulation in Chinese medicine. 1-Feb-2022: OK!: This Morning's Dr says Princess Diana was a 'real angel' who loved Chinese medicine 1-Feb-2022: BBC: The myth of a 'super-charged' immune system Interesting to see this comparison of the immune system to an army with soldiers and training grounds defending a walled fort since Chinese medicine has used the same metaphor since the Han dynasty (c. 200 CE) medical classic Discussion of Cold Diseases. The terms 營 Ying and 衛 Wei are often translated as "nutritive" and "defensive" but actually come from military terms meaning "camp" and "guards". Like modern immunology, the goal is not to have the most violent guards possible but a balance between aggression and training at the barracks, repelling true enemies from the gates (our orifices) while allowing civilians to live in peace and continue essential trade with the outside world. There is no "one size fits all" immune booster but a strategic decision to be made depending on precisely the level of threat and the resources available to the patient at any given moment. 31-Jan-2022: BBC: Why morning light is so crucial to your health Cycles of the day, month and year lie at the heart of Chinese medicine and are supported by the modern discovery of the importance of circadian rhythms. 31-Jan-2022: Metro: NHS soup-and-shake diet scheme to be expanded as patients lose two stone each Most Chinese medical brews are called 湯 Tang that can be translated as soup. Further details of the program were published the next day. 21-Jan-2022: Express: Visceral fat: The 65p spice that boosts metabolism and sheds the harmful fat 'in weeks' Cardamom, and especially black cardamom, reduces visceral body fat in rodents. 20-Jan-2022: Guardian: Antimicrobial resistance now a leading cause of death worldwide, study finds As resistant strains of once treatable diseases emerge as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it is even more important to avoid antibiotics and use herbal remedies when appropriate. 18-Jan-2022: Independent: Novak Djokovic's controversial beliefs and why he is opposed to the vaccine Describes the No. 1 tennis players beliefs in alternative medicine and resistance to having the vaccine which has led to his ban from the Australian Open. 17-Jan-2022: Reuters: Pakistan says trial of Chinese traditional medicine for COVID-19 successful Jinhua Qinggan Granules are already being used in China and now Pakistan has approved them for use after a successful trail. 11-Jan-2022: University of Westminster: Pukka Herbs provides funding for three Westminster students Article about Pukka Herbs' sponsorship of Westminster students with a mention and a quote by yours truly. 10-Jan-2022: Daily Express: Supplements warning: The 'healthy' herbal supplement causing severe liver injuries Specifically warning on green tea supplements which can contain far higher levels of catechins than a regular tea drinker could consume. 10-Jan-2022: Daily Express: Recall over 'natural' skin cream after strong steroid found - 'stop using it immediately' One of the hidden dangers in 'natural remedies' and why it pays to have one made by a professional herbalist you can trust and trace. 7-Jan-2022: BBC Future: The forgotten medieval habit of 'two sleeps' Article on the ancient habit of splitting the night into two sleeps with a break in the middle and why it disappeared from modern life. 6-Jan-2022: National Geographic: Cubans turn to natural remedies in midst of prescription drugs shortage Economic troubles and a long history of curanderos healers have seen people turn to herbs and acupuncture instead of prescription medications. 4-Jan-2022: The Guardian: 'We need to respect the process of healing': a GP on the overlooked art of recovery Contains a number of ideas found in Chinese medicine including a reference to a medieval healers concept of viriditas, "greening", of healing being a cultivation, akin to gardening.