Four Gates Chinese Medicine

08/09/2025

Hi, I’m Mary-Jo, Doctor of Chinese Medicine. My patients often ask: “So, what made you choose Chinese Medicine?”

🌿 I grew up in a family that valued natural health, drinking herbal teas and using home remedies. My dream was to be a doctor who also used natural medicine.

🌿 When I narrowly missed out on studying medicine at Uni, I studied health science instead. I majored in neuroscience, researching the stress response, but my interest in the mind-body connection was considered a bit “unscientific” back in 1999.

🌿 I decided to study acupuncture so I could research how it worked, but within weeks I discovered Chinese herbal medicine and that was it. Somehow I’d found a way to practice natural medicine, within a systematic framework, like I’d always wanted.

🌿 Fast forward through my studies, a year-long internship in Nanjing, China, mentorship with expert practitioners, and now I’ve been in clinical practice for over 20 years, focusing on fertility, hormones and all things women’s health.

🌿 I love helping women solve the puzzle of their health, making sense of confusing symptoms, balancing hormones, and connecting them back to themselves again. I know how powerful it is when medicine doesn’t just treat the symptoms, but treats the whole person - body, mind and soul. 💫

21/05/2025

06/03/2025

I’m getting excited to present this seminar, it’s been a long time coming.

Theres still time to join me on the livestream, or to grab the recording - link in bio 🌿

13/02/2025

There’s a lot going on postpartum, especially in those first weeks - recovering and healing after birth, getting into the swing of breastfeeding, and caring for your new baby (why don’t they come with a manual?!).

This is a time when you need support - and it’s ok to outsource and build your own “village”.
I love providing care in this postpartum time, using acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition to support physical and emotional recovery after birth as well as breastfeeding issues.

Want to find out more? Send me a message, or book a session with me (link in bio) to support your postpartum health 💝

19/12/2024

It’s my last few days in clinic for the year. If you are feeling frazzled, on edge and in need of a reset so you can go into the holidays with more calm, I still have a few appointments left.

Booking link in bio, or give us a call (03) 99882141 if one of these spots needs to be yours ❤️

17/12/2024

It’s finally happening - the complete guide to Chinese herbs in pregnancy and postpartum!

Live in Melbourne on Sunday, 16th March 2025 (with a recording option too). This has been developing in my brain for so long it’s overdue.

Website is nearly ready, so for now:
✨save the date
✨email me info@fourgates.com.au to be notified when tickets go on sale (email link in bio)
✨DM me your email and I’ll add you to the list

19/11/2024

I love my job 💕

💫 After months of supporting my client through all stages of pregnancy, from morning sickness to preparing for labour…

💫 Along with some preconception work to boost fertility….

💫 I finally got to meet this divine little soul when his mama came in for some postpartum support 💕

It is a privilege to be a part of someone’s fertility journey, and such a delight to meet the “end result” (the beginning to a whole new chapter).

23/10/2024

My heart has been feeling heavy, and also full of gratitude to my teacher and friend, Steven Clavey.

There have been many beautiful and eloquent tributes to Steve and the wonderful world of Chinese herbal medicine he brought to life for his students, reminding me of memories of the clinic on Russell St, yumcha lunch interspersed with strategy and life lessons, learning taichi and how to play Go.

I’m so grateful to Steve for all the wisdom he generously shared, both in Chinese medicine and living well. I would not be half the practitioner (and human) without his kind guidance and encouragement over the years.

At his memorial, along with readings and jokes that reflected his deep intellect and wry sense of humour, we were invited to choose a book (or two) from his library. Frank Herbert’s Dune was a favourite, and so I chose the opportunity to dive deeper into that world. And Thomas Cleary to inspire me to continue exploring Daoism and some roots of Chinese medicine - though really it’s hard to go past Steve’s series “Tales of the fat monk”, which he also recorded as a podcast. It might be just as important as his textbooks in Chinese medicine!

🙏 ❤️ 💫

14/10/2024

Raw Chinese Herbs 🌿

When I was a kid I used to love mixing potions in the garden.
This feels like the grown-up equivalent, and is one of my favorite parts of my workday - designing a customized herbal formula using raw herbs for maximum potency.

Usually I start with a classical formula that fits the patients pattern of imbalance, then I tweak so it’s an even better fit - adding extra digestive or nervous system support, maybe an extra herb or two to improve circulation or direct the formula to its destination in the body. In this formula, as well as nourishing the blood, there is Ju Hua (chrysanthemum) and Gou Qi Zi (goji) to soothe the eyes.

Raw herbs are great when you need rapid results, or are very depleted. Once we see enough improvement we often shift to herbal powders or capsules, an easier option, but it’s great having raw herbs as a treatment option!

And if you’re keen to get started with your own custom blend, book in for an appointment -
www.fourgates.com.au/bookings (and link in bio 💫)

Mary-Jo x

20/06/2024

❄️ Winter clinic check-in ❄️ -

30/05/2024

Happy plants need:
☀️ sunlight
🚿 hydration
🌱 nourishment

If one of my clinic plants is not happy I figure out what it needs more (or less) of to thrive - and I start there for patients too. 🌿 What is your environment like and what needs to change for you to thrive?