Introducing Kelvin, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor whose quest is to keep the family craft alive. With over three generations of TCM practitioners in his family, you could say that it runs in his blood.
Kelvin was exposed to the craft from a young age and has spent countless hours watching his grandfather and father treat patients with various herbal remedies and acupuncture techniques. It wasn’t long before he became fascinated by the art of TCM himself, and he shares that journey with us.
What common misconceptions do people have about TCM?
That we can check their pulse and instantly know what’s wrong with their body. It’s not woo-woo. We actually base our decisions on many things combined. We also take into account your overall health and history, and couple that with scientific understanding of our field. So the biggest myth that needs to go away is that we’re miracle workers that use airy-fairy remedies.
Building on that, what do you think of Western medicine?
In my opinion, the best results come from combining both Eastern and Western practices. Because some conditions like stroke or a heart attack require you to take Western medicine to control some serious symptoms. But those can sometimes have side effects and be harsh on the body.
That’s where Eastern practices like acupuncture and herbal remedies come in. They can help to complement Western treatment by aiding in the healing process and minimising the side effects of medication. Acupuncture, for example, has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and inflammation, which can be especially helpful for those recovering from surgery or injuries.
What ingredients would you recommend the average person to stock up in their pantry?
Goji berries or wolfberries. Those are good for blood circulation. Chrysanthemum is also good to have. Brew it into tea. It helps protect our liver and eyes.
But Goji berries and chrysanthemums are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to traditional Chinese medicine. TCM encompasses a wide range of herbal remedies, acupuncture techniques, and other holistic practices. The goal of TCM is to promote balance and harmony within the body, so that it can heal itself naturally.
Kelvin wears shirt, trenchcoat, and trousers by Moschino