Welcome to the Big Tree Blog

5 Elements of Self-care

By Cindy Black / December 14, 2017 /

Self-care redefined The 5 Elements of Chinese medicine express themselves in our body-mind-emotion-spirit. Imbalances within ourselves are eased by taking a little time to care for ourselves. Using the wisdom of the 5 Elements, we have access to innovative possibilities for self-care. Below is a short list to get you started: Earth -Nourishing, giving and receiving…

Read More
Close up view of a koala sleeping in a tree

How to Relieve Adrenal Fatigue using Meridian Massage

By Cindy Black / September 1, 2016 /

The Yin and Yang of Adrenal fatigue Meridian Massage looks at conditions through the lens of Chinese medicine. First, we always understand a condition from the Chinese medicine framework. Next, we support the return to balance and health, using hands-on contact to the meridians and acupoints combined with lifestyle adjustments for the client. Adrenal fatigue…

Read More
The Bladder meridian and the common symptoms it treats.

Bladder Meridian

By Cindy Black / May 26, 2016 /

By massaging the Bladder meridian and many of the points along the back, pain can be prevented, good posture is reinforced, and an overall sense of energy and vitality is sensed throughout the body-mind.

Read More
water meridian

Water Element in Chinese Medicine

By Cindy Black / December 17, 2015 /

Water is one of the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine The Water Element is associated with Winter. Each of the Five Elements is associated with a season: Water Element- Winter Wood Element – Spring Fire Element- Summer Earth Element – Late Summer Metal Element – Fall When first learning about the elements of Chinese medicine, I found it was…

Read More
Man on a tight rope

Connecting Water and Fire

By Cindy Black / July 23, 2015 /

When Yin and Yang are balanced, all is well. The two fundamental forces of Yin and Yang are reflected in the elements of Water (Yin) and Fire (Yang). Water and Fire are two of the 5 Elements of Chinese Medicine. Every Element is associated with a pair of organs, one Yin and the other Yang.…

Read More
In A Heartbeat

Support the Heart with Shu Points

By Cindy Black / June 11, 2015 /

“Use Yang meridians to support Yin Organs.” We can apply this axiom from Chinese medicine by using points on the Bladder meridian (Yang meridian) to support the Heart (Yin meridian). Specifically, use Bladder 14 and Bladder 15 to nourish the Heart. Bladder 14 is the Back Shu point for the Pericardium (Heart Protector), and Bladder…

Read More
Snow-mountain-winter

Nourishing the Kidneys

By Cindy Black / February 12, 2015 /

Winter is the season of the Kidneys. The Kidneys are the Yin organ of the Water Element. Every Element is associated with a season, and winter is the season of the Water Element.  Because of these associations, we know that winter is a great time to accentuate the Kidney Organ System. Three ways to nourish…

Read More

Kidney Meridian

By Cindy Black / February 5, 2015 /

In Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys are of utmost importance as they store our Life Essence. Without Life Essence, there is no life, hence the importance of the Kidneys. The Kidney meridian and points along it are used to nourish and protect our Life Essence.

Read More
Tropical Milkweed

Water what you already have

By Cindy Black / January 1, 2015 /

Another lesson from my garden: I was going to go buy more milkweed plants for the monarch butterflies who are camping out in my yard. But I kept thinking of all of the milkweed plants I had put into the ground last year. I went searching for them, and found dozens with tiny leaves unfurling. …

Read More
The Bladder meridian and the common symptoms it treats.

Bladder Meridian

By Cindy Black / April 24, 2014 /

By massaging the Bladder meridian and many of the points along the back, pain can be prevented, good posture is reinforced, and an overall sense of energy and vitality is sensed throughout the body-mind.

Read More