12/04/2026
Got questions about menopause??
Dr Sam shares his expertise insights with some top tips on navigating the changes in his latest article....
Life is about cycles. When it comes to the body, there are transitional phases we all go through that initiate us into different stages at certain ages in life. From a Chinese medical point of view after the age of forty years, Jing and essence start to decline. Jing is our life essence, a precious substance, and at the time of our conception, we are given a certain amount inherited from our parents. Jing and essence govern growth and development. In Daoist alchemy, Jing is considered one of the three treasures along side with Qi and Shen. There are many ways Jing can get depleted prematurely, and it is usually poor lifestyle factors that contribute to this. Those being drugs, alcohol, diet, overwork, and stress.
Jing and essence are stored in the marrow and are connected to the kidneys. The kidneys in Chinese Medicine are the root of Yin and Yang. There are two kidneys and the ancient Chinese consider the left kidney as the proper kidney and the right kidney as the gate of vitality known as Ming Men (Destinys Gate or the Gate of Vitality). In Chinese medicine, we use a concept known as the five elements. Each organ belongs to one of these elements and the kidneys belong to the water element. The kidneys are considered a cauldron full of water. There is a fire under the cauldron provided by Kidney Yang, the Gate of Vitality. One of the common symptoms in menopause is the intolerance of heat as well as hot flushes. This usually occurs as the kidney energy declines and can not anchor the fire consolidated by Ming Men, the gate of vitality, and therefore, the heat surges and ascends to the chest and face. This can lead to restlessness, insomnia, night sweating and mood swings.
In Chinese medicine, we use acupuncture and herbal medicine to strengthen the kidneys. Without getting to clinical, there are about 7 different medical patterns for menopause in Chinese medicine. Therefore, diagnosis is important to differentiate the patterns for accurate diagnosis.
There are other health cultivated ways of doing this outside of Chinese medicine. At times in the clinic, I will use cell salts and Australian bush flower essences, which I have found to be complimentary alongside acupuncture. I have noted over years of practice that some people are too sensitive for herbal medicine as Chinese herbs can be quite strong for some patients. This is when I will use cell salts and bush essences alongside treatments. Qi gong and Tai chi are beneficial exercises that help cultivate Jing and essence and keep the kidneys balanced.
Over the years, I have treated many women going through the menopause transition. Every case is individualised, and the number of treatments can vary. In most cases, consistent treatments are once a week for a month, and the body will be back in balance. If you change some basic lifestyle factors that are common in the west such as alcohol and coffee consumption which burn out Jing and essence and replace it with health cultivating exercises and treatments, it is amazing how quick the transition can be to a healthy balanced body, mind and spirit.
Samuel Dudgeon
Doctor of Chinese Medicine & Astrologer
M.AppSc., B.Hlth Sc. Cert. Astrology
Warrandyte & Torquay
