fertility treatment for Asian women

Beat the Bloat: How Chinese Medicine Melts Summer Weight

Summer is the peak season of yang energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—a time when the body’s natural metabolism is most active. But what if your body still feels heavy, tired, or bloated despite the sunshine?
According to TCM, excess internal dampness can slow your metabolism and lead to stubborn weight gain. That’s why Chinese medicine doesn’t just count calories—it works to balance your constitution and expel dampness, helping your body return to a healthier state.

 

How TCM Approaches Weight Loss
Weight management in TCM involves more than simply “diet management and more exercises.” It focuses on restoring balance using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle support. Key points to keep in mind:

  • It’s personalized: Every body type is different. TCM treatment must be tailored to your constitution; there’s no one-size-fits-all formula.

  • Acupuncture + Herbs + Lifestyle: Weight loss is most effective when herbal treatments and acupuncture are combined with dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

  • Herbal teas help, but can’t replace food: They can support your goals but should never replace meals.
    Consult a licensed practitioner: Always work with a professional to find the right formula and avoid adverse effects.

 
 

🌿 Herbal Support for Healthy Weight Management

Natural Solutions from Kamwo Herbs

Kamwo offers a thoughtfully curated selection of herbal formulas and teas designed to support your body's natural metabolism, reduce food stagnation, and promote internal balance. These remedies work in harmony with your constitution, helping you manage weight without harsh stimulants or extreme restrictions.

Whether you're aiming to reduce bloating, regulate appetite, or enhance digestion, these gentle yet effective options can complement your overall wellness journey.

 
 

  • Function: Assists the body's natural ability to balance and maintain a healthy weight.

    Ingredients: Jue Ming Zi (sickie-pod senna seed), Shan Zha (chinese hawthorn fruit), Wu Mei (japanese apricot smoked fruit), Chen Pi (tangerine mature rind), Gan Cao (chinese licorice root), He Ye (sacred lotus leaf)

    https://www.kamwo.com/escript/prod/WeightManagement100CapsMeridianRemedies

 
 

How Acupuncture Supports Weight Loss

Acupuncture stimulates key acupoints to regulate hormones and nervous system functions, reduce appetite, and boost metabolism. (Lu et al., 2022)

  •  Abdominal Acupuncture Points
    These points focus on regulating the Middle Jiao (middle burner), harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach, and facilitating Qi and fluid movement.

  • 🦵 Leg Acupuncture Points
    These points are essential for transforming dampness, tonifying Spleen and Kidney, resolving phlegm, and promoting Qi and fluid metabolism.

  • 💪 Arm & Hand Acupuncture Points

  • 👂 Auricular Acupuncture Points

Safety & Guidelines

  • Always consult a licensed TCM practitioner before taking herbs or starting acupuncture.

  • Herbs must be selected based on your body type—self-medicating may worsen symptoms.

  • Tea is not a meal replacement; maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

  • Excessive herbal tea consumption may lead to bloating or diarrhea—use in moderation.

  • Special care is needed for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened constitutions.

 

In summary: If you feel like your body is working against you this summer, consider that the issue may not just be food or exercise—but internal imbalances. TCM offers a gentle, holistic way to support your metabolism, improve circulation, and reduce excess dampness. With the right combination of acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle adjustments, your body can find its natural rhythm again.

    • Lu, P., Chen, Y., Tsai, F., Liao, Y., Huang, H., Yu, W., & Kuo, C. (2022). Combined Acupoints for the Treatment of Patients with Obesity: An Association Rule Analysis. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7252213

    • Niu, S., & Ren, L. (2023). Treatment of obesity by acupuncture combined with medicine based on pathophysiological mechanism: A review. Medicine, 102(48), e36071. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000036071

    • Shao, J., Li, C., Bai, L., Ni, X., Ge, S., Zhang, J., & Zhao, H. (2022). Recent evidence in support of traditional chinese medicine to restore normal leptin function in simple obesity. Heliyon, 8(5), e09482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09482

    • Wong, A. R., Yang, A. W. H., Li, K., Gill, H., Li, M., & Lenon, G. B. (2021). Chinese Herbal Medicine for Weight Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Randomised Controlled Trials. Journal of Obesity, 2021, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/3250723

Why Choose Kamwo?

At Grand Meridian Clinic, we blend TCM wisdom with modern approaches to uncover and treat the root of your nasal health concerns. Whether it’s through customized herbal therapy, acupuncture, or seasonal care plans, Kamwo is here to support your wellness journey.

Dr. Olivia Choi

L.Ac, DACM, MPH, MSBB, BPharm

Grand Meridian Clinic

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Fertility Support and Culturally Conscious Care

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities across the United States. It’s also an opportunity to highlight health disparities and advocate for more inclusive, equitable care—especially in sensitive areas like fertility.

🧬 Fertility Journeys Can Look Different Across Cultures

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Asian” includes individuals with origins from countries such as China, India, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and many others across the Far East, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

But when it comes to fertility, shared ancestry doesn’t always mean shared outcomes.

Research has shown that Asian American individuals undergoing IVF or donor egg IVF may experience different clinical outcomes than their white counterparts. These

Differences may include:

• Lower implantation and live birth rates
• Higher miscarriage rates
• A reduced number of eggs retrieved, even with higher medication doses

Why the disparities? The reasons are complex, but some possibilities include:

• Variations in ovarian reserve and stimulation response
• Delayed access to fertility care due to cultural stigma or systemic barriers
• Increased prevalence of conditions like endometriosis or PCOS in certain subgroups
• Genetic differences, including hormone receptor variations that affect egg development

 
 

🙊 Breaking the Silence: Fertility and Cultural Stigma

In many Asian cultures, fertility is considered deeply personal—and sometimes taboo. Studies show that Asian women are less likely to discuss infertility, even with friends and family. The result? Fewer informal referrals to fertility specialists and delayed treatment seeking behavior.

Multigenerational family expectations can add pressure. When fertility struggles are viewed through a lens of shame or "failure," it’s no surprise that many individuals suffer in silence—often grappling with anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.

Let’s be clear: struggling to conceive is not a failure, and nobody should have to go through it alone.

🧪 Fewer Asian Egg Donors, More Difficult Decisions

For Asian Americans exploring donor egg IVF, another hurdle is the shortage of Asian egg donors in the U.S. Donor databases often lack diversity, making it harder for prospective parents to find a match that aligns with their cultural or ethnic background.

This can lead to:

• Longer wait times
• Higher costs
• Difficult decisions around whether to proceed with a non-Asian donor

These are not just logistical concerns—they carry deep emotional and identity-related weight.

🌿 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – A Holistic Ally in Fertility Care

Amid the clinical challenges, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique and complementary approach to fertility care—one that honors the body-mind connection.

🌟 How TCM Can Boost IVF Success

Used alongside conventional fertility treatments, TCM can:

• Improve ovarian function and egg quality
• Support a receptive endometrial lining
• Ease side effects from IVF medications
• Balance hormone levels
• Promote pelvic blood flow
• Relieve stress and emotional strain

Common TCM Imbalance Patterns Linked to Infertility:

• Kidney Qi Deficiency: Fatigue, weak lower back, low vitality
• Kidney Yang Deficiency: Cold intolerance, irregular cycles
• Kidney Yin Deficiency: Night sweats, dryness, hormonal imbalance
• Liver Qi Stagnation: Emotional tension, irregular menstruation
• Phlegm-Damp Accumulation: Heaviness, sluggishness, metabolic slowdowns
• Blood Stasis: Painful periods, blood clots, poor circulation

🗓 Timing Is Everything: TCM Through the IVF Timeline

To optimize IVF outcomes, TCM follows a five-phase support structure:

1. Pre-Treatment (3–6 Months Prior): Regulate cycles, nourish the kidneys and liver, promote blood flow (1–2 sessions/week)

2. Ovarian Stimulation Phase: Improve egg quality and endometrial thickness (1–2 sessions/week)

3. Egg Retrieval to Embryo Transfer: Ease discomfort and boost uterine receptivity (1–2 sessions)

4. Post-Transfer (2-Week Wait): Enhance implantation and corpus luteum function (2 sessions/week)

5. First Trimester Support: Stabilize pregnancy and reduce miscarriage risk (weekly sessions for 3+ months)

Herbal Solutions from Kamwo to support fertility:

Kamwo's trusted formulas help address both root causes and symptoms:

 

  • Indication: Supplements essence and yin energy for optimal fertility

    Ingredients: shu di huang (rehmannia root tuber prepared), shan yao (chinese yam rhizome), gou qi zi (goji berries), yin yang huo (epimedium aerial parts), shan zhu yu (asiatic dogwood fruit without seed), fu ling (poria sclerotium), tu si zi (chinese dodder seed), dong chong xia cao (cordyceps), he shou wu (fo-ti dried root tuber)

  • Indication: Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menses due to cold in the uterus, yang deficiency, blood stasis and blood deficiency.

    Ingredients: Shu Di Huang, Xiang Fu, Chuan Xiong, Xu Duan, Huang Qin, Du Zhong, Ai Ye, Dang Gui, Bai Shao

  • Indication: Enhance male libido and fertility

    Ingredients: yin yang huo (epimedium aerial parts), nu zhen zi (ligustrum fruit), du zhong (eucommia stem bark), suo yang (cynomorium stem), tu si zi (chinese dodder seed), ci wu jia (siberian ginseng)

  • Indication: General weakness, impotence, infertility, premature ejaculation

    Ingredients: Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Fu Pen Zi, Che Qian Zi, Wu Wei Zi

 

Acupuncture for Infertility Treatment

Acupuncture can support reproductive health by stimulating specific meridians and acupoints to promote blood circulation and regulate the endocrine system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the following acupoints are commonly used to treat infertility (Lin et al., 2022):

Head Points: Baihui (Du20)

Abdominal Points: Zhongwan (RN12), Qihai (RN6), Guanyuan (RN4), Zhongji (RN3), Zigong (ZGX), Guilai (ST29)

Upper Limb Points: Neiguan (PC6), Lieque (LU7)

Lower Limb Points: Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LV3), Gongsun (SP4), Rangu (KD2), Zhaohai (KD6), Taixi (KD3)

Back Points: Geshu (UB17), Shenshu (UB23), Ciliao (UB32), Mingmen (DU4)

Master Tung’s Points: Gynecological Points

Auricular Points (Ear Acupuncture): Endocrine, Ovary, Adrenal Gland, Sanjiao (Triple Burner), Shenmen

Acupuncture can be applied before and after egg retrieval to enhance pelvic blood flow and reduce side effects associated with ovarian stimulation. Additionally, acupuncture before and after embryo transfer can help alleviate anxiety, improve endometrial blood flow, and increase the chances of successful implantation.

💬 Final Thoughts

Fertility care should never be one-size-fits-all. At the intersection of medicine, culture, and emotion, AAPI individuals and couples deserve care that is respectful, informed, and empowering.

This AAPI Heritage Month, let’s raise awareness—not just about disparities, but also about the solutions. Whether it's creating more inclusive donor databases, breaking cultural taboos, or integrating traditional healing systems like TCM, we move closer to a future where every fertility journey is met with compassion and customized care.

Why Choose Kamwo?

At Grand Meridian Clinic, we honor both tradition and individuality—blending the time-tested wisdom of TCM with modern fertility care. Whether you're just beginning your journey or navigating IVF, our customized herbal formulas, acupuncture protocols, and compassionate support are here to meet you where you are. With deep cultural sensitivity and clinical insight, Kamwo is proud to walk alongside you toward a more empowered, whole-hearted path to parenthood.

 

Dr. Olivia Choi

L.Ac, DACM, MPH, MSBB, BPharm

Grand Meridian Clinic