Interview with Dr. Carrie Kaiyan Li at Healing Pond Health Centre
Practitioner feature: Dr. Kaiyan Li at Healing Pond
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Centre
Dr. Kaiyan (Carrie) Li
Founder of Healing Pond Health Centre
Lecturer at Endeavour College of Natural Health
Ph.D. Sc; BHSc (Chinese Medicine)
Share with
us how you discover your passion for Chinese Medicine.
I officially began my journey in 1993 and graduated
with a bachelor’s degree in 1998 at The Guangzhou University of TCM. From then
on, I had spent nearly 10 years working in The First Affiliated Hospital of
Guangzhou University of TCM
before immigrating to
Australia. I’ve been practicing Chinese Medicine in Victoria since then.
My passion for this profession was of no surprise to
those around me - the legacy has been passed down from my great-grandfather to my
grandfather, to my father and then finally to me! I’m a fourth-generation
medical practitioner.
Since young, I have held a really deep interest in
Chinese medicine because I have observed my father’s practice and how it has helped
treat a variety of sicknesses within the community. Having the first-hand
experience of healing properties of Chinese medicine led me to the mindset of:
“Okay! I will be a doctor and continue this legacy someday!” [Laughs]
How have you
combined the knowledge of Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine?
I do believe in an integrated practice of both Chinese
and Western medicine. I worked in the emergency department for 3 years, and in acute
stages of an illness, Western clinical methods are necessary for emergency
purposes. When the patient’s stage of illness becomes more stable, Chinese
medicine treatments are able to act as synergists with Western approaches to
manage the recovery processes. At the end of the day, it is essential for all
fields of health sciences to understand the root causes of the health condition
for effective therapeutic outcomes.
What are
some of your favourite herbs or formulas to use?
That is a good question. I specialised in asthma
management, so I use a lot of herbs and formulas from the “Shang Han Lun”, like
Gui Zhi Tang, modified Xiao Qing Long Tang etc.
Another area of focus in my practice is on the
treatment of allergic conditions, so Xiao Feng San is another fabulous formula
we commonly use.
Over the years in Australia, we have observed more
female patients seeking treatment for women’s health conditions. For example,
if the diagnosis is blood stagnation with a recurring condition, I might use
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang.
With the recent pandemic, we have also seen more
general patients requesting for stress-related issues, so Xiao Yao Wan pills have
been more frequently prescribed.
The type of herbs and formulas also depends on the
season. In winter I enjoy using warming herbs, and in summer, mostly cooling
herbs.
What are the
clinical challenges you have faced during the pandemic?
One of the biggest challenges is to ensure that we follow
the regulations from The Department of Health while still being open to the
public. As most of our appointments are held in person, we need to protect both
our staff and clients.
One of our preventative methods to prevent the spread
of COVID-19 is to enforce regular face mask-wearing, eye protection, and
patient screening whenever a booking is made. Additionally, we use UV light in
each room after each appointment, as UV light can sterilize surfaces as well as
air. In our practice, we also use a variety of herbs to strengthen the immune
system of our patients during this ongoing battle with COVID.
Do you think
Chinese Medicine holds the right esteem within the eyes of the general public?
I believe it depends on individuals. Some people are
quite open to alternative medicine like Chinese medicine, whilst others remain
conservative towards Chinese medicine. If people understand more about the
history of Chinese medicine that spans over 3000 years, they can appreciate
and perhaps acknowledge how effective it has been at protecting the public from
health conditions. The efficacy of medical practice doesn’t necessarily have
to be proved via laboratory methods or through animal trials – there are many
fields in medicine that is still yet to be uncovered and studied upon, so using
current testing methods may not yield the most promising results even though it
has withheld the test of time. When practiced by a registered Chinese medicine
doctor, it is safe and effective for meeting well-being needs.
How do you
educate others about the efficacy of Chinese Medicine with its longstanding
culture and history? Since most people are more concerned about whether they
would get healthier faster, but have failed to recover or stay healthy with
other treatments?
Most of our clients come to us with a story of “I have
tried everything and heard that Chinese Medicine may be able to help. Is this
possible?”. Although it isn’t one of the first-line treatments in Australia, as
Chinese Medicine practitioners we try our best to explain the difference in
theories and concepts between Eastern and Western medicine, and that there is a
reason as to why Chinese Medicine has been an ongoing practice for thousands of
years even if it has not been effectively tested using western approaches.
I find that once patients experience benefits
first-hand, such as instant relief from pain, they become more open to this
field of medicine and begin to form a trust for our methods.
I am familiar with this because I have juggled a
combination of being involved in the researching and educating roles in
universities over the course of my academic and professional journey.
One of my next milestones is to use a variety of
different communication methods to broadcast the intricacies of Chinese
Medicine to a wider audience using layman’s terms - it’s not just about Ying and
Yang, as people may think.
For this to happen, Chinese Medicine practitioners
need to act as a bridge between Eastern and Western medicine to foster a
harmonious connection.
So do you
think, with the promotional efforts directed towards Chinese medicine, and how
it’s still seen as unconventional, do you think the general public is
sufficiently aware of Chinese medicine’s health benefits?
No, I don’t think so. However, people are gradually
becoming much more open to Chinese Medicine. I recall that there was a
5-year-old client who said, when he saw us using He Gu LI4, “Oh, I know that point,
my teacher said this is good for headaches.” [Laughs] This is a good start; in
the future, they might be even more open to Chinese medicine. But for this to be
more widespread we definitely need more public education and more voices, to
let the people understand health as a whole picture.
What does
the future of Chinese Medicine look like for you?
I would hope to see Chinese medicine being more imbued
into Western society. It would be great to see this type of integration
within the health community.
I believe this would require the current and future practitioners
to cultivate a nurturing environment to soil the seeds of education. By
continuing to share our knowledge and background with others, it will lead us
into a society of integrating both modalities. Akin to cultivating a beautiful
forest, the seedlings of the trees need good sunlight, water, and fertilizer.
And that
would let everyone contribute to making this happen?
Yes exactly! We’re working just toward one goal: Improving
human health. Everyone has a different path to achieving health and we would
like to be there to cater to their needs.
Winter Breakfasts
Winter is a time of return, reflection, and rest. It is the period of the year when deep nourishment of our primordial energies is required so that we can enjoy the fruits of the warmer months. Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day and this sentiment rings especially true during winter. A warm, nourishing breakfast is critical during the colder seasons to ensure both proper gut health and to provide the necessary fuel for our body’s optimal function. In our busy modern life, we often neglect breakfast. Instead, we opt for convenience and caffeine to provide us the energy to get through the day. The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced many of us to slow down and remain at home. This period can be used as an opportunity to break previous habits surrounding our morning schedule. Many of us now have the time to indulge in a leisurely and healthy breakfast, and with a little planning, we can continue to do so as our lives begin to return to a normal pace. Below are a few simple yet delicious and wholesome ideas to suit your body’s breakfast needs.
A wet breakfast is considered one of the superior breakfasts. Not only does it nourish the Spleen and improve weak digestion but it also provides healthy moisture to the bodies other systems, especially the Stomach, Kidneys and Lungs.
Porridge:
A quick, easy and healthy porridge can be made in 15 minutes. Good quality oats, some cooked fruit (both fresh and dried) and a few toppings make this breakfast satisfying and alimentative. Below is a basic recipe that can be modified to taste or season.
· 1 cup organic rolled oats (soaked overnight for maximum digestion)
· Half an apple
· Small handful of dried goji berries
· Small handful of mulberries
· Half a teaspoon of cinnamon
· A couple of slices of fresh ginger
Toppings:
· 1 teaspoon of hemp seed
· 1 teaspoon of black sesame seeds
· 1 teaspoon of raw cacao
· Fresh yogurt or coconut yogurt (Optional)
Congee:
Congee has been a staple of Chinese cooking for centuries. It is simple and nutritious and has a myriad of regional and seasonal varieties. Below is a basic chicken congee recipe with a few topping ideas. Chicken can be left out or substituted with a good quality firm tofu. Congee is made easily in a slow cooker. You can put it on when you go to sleep and wake up to a delicious warm breakfast. This recipe makes enough for 6 people. Leftover congee can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for several months.
· 1 cup of medium grain or long grain rice
· 8-10 cups of water
· 2 chicken breasts
· 1 small knob of ginger sliced or grated
· A small amount of salt
· A dash of oil
Before serving, remove the chicken and shred it, then add it back to the pot.
Toppings can include; sliced spring onion, black sesame seeds, coriander, sliced hard-boiled egg, or kimchi.
If something a little more substantial is to your liking, a warm hearty breakfast of protein and carbohydrates may suit.
Baked Sausages and
Apples:
Baked sausages and apples are a delicious substantial way to start your day. It is also surprisingly simple. Some warm crusty bread on the side and you have a lean yet generous start to the day. Simply combine some fresh butcher shop sausages (we want quality here) with some thick slices of apple and seasonal root vegetables in a lightly greased tray. Cover with aluminum foil and cook for 30-40 minutes at 180 degrees celsius. Uncover the tray and turn the heat up to 200 for a further 10 minutes to really crisp up those sausages. The combination of rich, hearty sausage and sweet moistening apple is delectable. Serves 4.
· 8 sausages (quality beef, chicken or pork)
· 2 apples sliced
· 1 potato quartered
· 1 small sweet potato cut into pieces
· Crusty whole grain or sourdough bread
For those of you that don’t eat meat. Here is a wonderful hearty winter breakfast that uses chickpeas and potatoes. This can be eaten with rice, flatbread or regular bread. I like to keep a little Indian mango pickle on hand for dishes like these. A good pickle can be found at most Indian grocery stores.
Spicy Chickpeas and
Potato
· 1 cup of chickpeas soaked overnight or 1 can of chickpeas
· 1 potato cut into small cubes
· Half onion thinly sliced
· 1 can of tomatoes
· 2 cloves of garlic
· 1 small knob of freshly grated ginger
· 1 tablespoon of curry paste or alternatively garam masala and curry powder
Toppings:
· Coriander
· A squeeze of lemon
· Mango pickle
Lightly fry the garlic, ginger and onion and curry paste, add the chickpeas and potatoes and cook for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes and a dash of water and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through (the small cubes should cook relatively quickly). Garnish with coriander and a squirt of lemon.
We hope you have enjoyed this post and have a go at some of these recipes. Having a substantial breakfast in the morning is a life-changing routine for many people. A little planning will go a long way and the rewards speak for themselves.
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Annalise Drok
Director at Quiescence Chinese Medicine.
B.App.SC (Chinese Medicine)
B.C.Ap.S (Human Nutrition)
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTISING CHINESE MEDICINE?
15 years.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN CHINESE MEDICINE AND WHAT DREW YOU TOO IT?
I actually came across it in several different ways. My father is a physiotherapist and he practiced acupuncture as part of his physiotherapy. He came to Australia to learn acupuncture from a Chinese guy that was teaching in the early eighties. So that sort of thing was always part of my life but I never really assumed that Chinese Medicine was something that I could study until I was traveling. I was in Canada and came across a student clinic which was filled with herbs. I wandered on in and had a look around and they said “If you are interested you can study this” and I was like, “Great! Tell me more.” So I told my dad that I really wanted to study Chinese Medicine and he thought it was a great idea. I grew up in New Zealand, so he started looking for schools a little closer to home, but I was ready to sign up to the school in Canada [laughs]. Anyway, I actually ended up studying at RMIT in Melbourne, which was a bit easier.
WHAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU HAVE SEEN IN YOUR YEARS OF PRACTICE?
I feel like people are much more open to Chinese Medicine. I get a lot less of the “So do you think Chinese Medicine actually works?” questions and a lot more of “Ahh, my dad had acupuncture before”, or “I've had dry needling”, or “I've had experience with herbs.” So I feel like there are a lot more people who are comfortable with having Chinese Medicine in their lives.
WHAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THE CLINIC?
I think advertising and keeping our name out there is challenging. It's a very different world from when I was first starting, you would just hand out a business card and that was it. Now we have websites and social media and all of that. So the day to day running of the business has definitely changed over the years. Other than that we have it running pretty smoothly, I feel really lucky we have such great people around to help with a lot of the technological side of things. That leaves us free to focus on treating our beautiful patients.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE FORMULAS?
I go through phases of different favourite formulas [Laughs]. At the moment I am loving Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang. I've been finding that has really been useful. We've got a lot of blood deficient, anxiety type people at the moment, so that is working a treat. I recently did a course with Sharon Weizenbaum, which was a two-year post graduate program. She focuses a lot on the Shang Han Lun formulas, so I have really been enjoying the simplicity and powerfulness of those formulas.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUES CURRENTLY INVOLVING CHINESE MEDICINE ARE?
Well [laughs] we have just gone through the whole AHPRA drama, with advertising and how we put Chinese Medicine out there. There definitely seems to be a bit of a problem talking about the power of Chinese Medicine. How powerful Chinese Medicine truly is and how it can treat so many wide and difficult conditions. I think that would be the main thing at the moment, not being able to talk freely about what our art can do.
HOW DO YOU SEE CHINESE MEDICINE EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?
I would like to see it becoming even more mainstream than it is. After spending nine months in China and seeing how incredibly integrated it is in the hospitals over there, it would be great to see acupuncture in the ER of hospitals here and having herbs used much more freely. Just much more integration overall. That would be amazing.