Perhaps you’ve come across this intriguing topic before, only to find yourself overwhelmed by the complexity of it all. Don't worry! Today we’ll be giving a simple explanation of the three basic principles behind it.

• The first thing to bear in mind is that Traditional Chinese Medicine is holistic, and assumes that each living being has a vital force inside it called Qi. If this energy can move freely, we feel good. But if it’s weakened or blocked somehow, that’s when we get sick. What has the greatest effect on Qi? Mostly our diet, mood, habits and age.

• The second principle is Yin and Yang. These are opposite yet complementary forces in the universe. Yin is associated with qualities such as tranquility and cold, while Yang is linked to heat and vitality. To be healthy, you need a balance between the two.

• Finally, we have the theory of the five elements, which are key in Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM links each organ and system in our body with an element: fire, metal, water, earth or wood. Again, our health depends on the balance between them. Any excess or deficit in these elements can lead to disease.

In the next few articles, we will be exploring the main treatments used in TCM.

Do you have any questions so far? If so, leave us a comment!