Ep 11: Modern Women: Why They Are Returning to Traditional Oriental Medicine

Contents

• The Return of Tradition in an Era of Technology

• Modern Rhythms and the Imbalance of Women

• Eastern Medicine – The Breath of Balance and Femininity

• To Return is Not to Retreat

1. The Return of Tradition in an Era of Technology

In recent years, beauty and healthcare rooted in Eastern Medicine (Traditional Oriental Medicine) have re-emerged as a notable trend among modern women. In an age of advanced technology, where modern medicine can intervene in genetics, adjust hormones, or alter appearances in a matter of hours, an increasing number of women are turning back to traditional methods: herbal decoctions, warm ginger tea, acupuncture sessions, cupping therapy, and vitality-nourishing (Yang sheng) classes.

This resurgence is not merely a fleeting trend. It reflects a deeper need—a desire for holistic care, to be heard, and to slow down in a world that moves too fast. Modern women understand that health is not merely the "absence of disease," but a state of harmony between the physical body, the mind, and emotions—a core value that Eastern medical philosophy has championed for thousands of years.

2. Modern Rhythms and the Imbalance of Women

A modern woman's day seems never-ending. Mornings are a rush to get children to school; days are flooded with work, meetings, messages, and emails; evenings are consumed by cooking, tutoring children, and caring for the family. When the dust finally settles, all that remains is an exhausted body and an empty mind.

Many women begin to face warning signs: insomnia, dull skin, hair loss, irregular menstrual cycles, and irritability. They visit doctors only to receive a familiar diagnosis: "It’s nothing, just stress." Yet, deep within, the body is sending a different signal—a signal of imbalance.

It is at this breaking point that Eastern Medicine is revisited as a more humane approach. Instead of merely treating symptoms, it seeks the root cause—the disequilibrium between Yin and Yang, between the Zang-fu organs (internal organs) and Qi and Blood. For many women, Eastern Medicine is not just a cure; it is a journey of returning to themselves.

3. Eastern Medicine – The Breath of Balance and Femininity

Eastern Medicine views the human body as a microcosm, where every element—from internal organs to emotions, from sleep patterns to diet—is intimately connected. While modern medicine focuses on "symptoms," Eastern Medicine asks different questions: "How is your life? Are you anxious? Are you sleep-deprived or eating irregularly?"

Consequently, women turn to Eastern Medicine not just to "fix an illness," but to achieve true well-being. A cup of ginger tea in the morning warms the Spleen and Stomach; a blood-nourishing herbal decoction regulates the menstrual cycle; an acupuncture session promotes deep sleep; or an hour of Yang sheng practice ensures the smooth flow of Qi and Blood. All aim for one goal: restoring the body's natural state of balance.

The more women understand Eastern Medicine, the more they recognize the feminine energy within themselves. In Eastern philosophy, women belong to Yin—representing softness, nourishment, and circulation. However, modern society forces them to become more Yang than ever—strong, rational, competitive, and constantly under tension. This forced "Yang-ization" causes many to lose connection with their bodies and emotions.

When they return to a lifestyle in harmony with nature—eating seasonally, sleeping early and rising early, drinking herbal teas, and practicing deep breathing—they are reclaiming their primal essence. Recent studies suggest that women who maintain Eastern wellness habits for three months experience deeper sleep, more stable emotions, regulated cycles, and, notably, a profound increase in inner peace.

Eastern Medicine heals not just the body, but the mind. Every herb, every lifestyle habit embodies the philosophy of slow living, respect for nature, and self-love—values that modern women are gradually rediscovering amidst the chaotic spin of life.

4. To Return is Not to Retreat

Returning to Eastern Medicine does not mean rejecting modern medicine. It is about learning to harmonize the ancient with the modern, science with intuition, and reason with emotion.

Modern women choose Eastern Medicine not because they are weak, but because they are wise enough to know that: to go far, one must know when to pause; to be happy, one must know how to listen to one's body and heart.

Therefore, Eastern Medicine is more than a remedy; it is a philosophy of life: living slower, deeper, and more balanced—so that a woman can be resilient in the modern world while remaining gentle within her own soul.