Monica McLean Acupuncture and Herbs

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Monica McLean Acupuncture and Herbs

Women’s health acupuncture and herbs for all seasons of life.

09/01/2026

I often recommend creatine to my perimenopausal and menopausal clients for the brain and mitochondrial benefits—and younger women who train hard or are looking to improve focus, strength, and overall output.

A concern that occasionally comes up is kidney function testing, specifically creatinine levels showing slightly out of range for women taking creatine.

It’s important to understand that creatinine is a normal metabolite of creatine. When someone supplements with creatine, higher creatinine levels on blood work are expected and not inherently harmful. Higher creatinine levels in helathy individuals simply reflects increased creatine turnover.

Bottom line:
✔️ Healthy women supplementing with standard doses of creatine (3-5 g) do not show evidence of kidney damage in research.
✔️ Elevated creatinine in bloodwork with creatine use is expected and not proof of kidney injury.
✔️ If someone does have existing kidney disease, creatine is not usually recommended

This is general information and not individual medical advice

05/01/2026

In tcm, women have 7-year life cycles. As we approach the 6th and seventh lifecycle, hormonal systems transform dramatically described as the Ren Mai and Chong Mai weakening, and Tian Gui (reproductive essence) diminishing. In perimenopause and beyond women become more insulin resistant and are prone to more inflammation with lower estrogen levels. This is a time to double down on protein, fibre and nutrient dense meals, rather than skipping meals, fasting or eating less. This state often leads to puffiness, weight gain and exacerbates symptoms of hormonal fluctuations like sugar cravings, hot flushes, mood swings and poor sleep.

I often treat women that skip breakfast and only have coffee in the morning, I’ve been there too. This spikes cortisol - stress and dysregulates blood sugar 🎢 for the whole day.

I see great results for women that shift to a protein-rich and whole food diet. A great place to start is breakfast- having a protein-rich breakfast with 30 grams of protein and fibre (ex: 2, ideally 3 eggs with avocado and flax seeds OR Greek yogurt, collagen powder, berries with seeds and nuts) before coffee is satiating, blood sugar stabilising and sets us up for the day of health food choices and balanced energy.

Other supportive nutrients include:

Magnesium glycinate- supports cell function and sleep
Omega 3 fats, particularly SPMs - to combat inflammation.
Curcumin- great for inflammation causing headaches, joint pain, acheyness after workouts.
Creatine- promotes atp production, energy and focus
Vitmain d- usually from the sun, but sometimes supplements are necessary. This is a hormone precursor and is necessary for immune and hormone health
Extra fibre- Phgg, acacia and other fibre supplements promote gut health and regular bowel movements.

Shifting how and what you eat and drink is the fastest way to reverse insulin resistance, reduce inflammation and improve energy and focus.

This is challenging for some women. During sessions, I suggest achievable changes for women that not only takes these general suggestions on board but also incorporates TCM food therapy, which involves choosing certain foods for an individual’s constitution.

16/12/2025

Why I love a twilight walk:

🌞 Infrared (Red & Near-Infrared) Light Exposure
As the sun lowers in the sky, its light spectrum shifts toward red and near-infrared wavelengths. This makes evening sunlight biologically calming.

Mitochondrial support: Near-infrared light penetrates tissue and can enhance cellular energy (ATP production)

Reduced inflammation: Infrared light is associated with anti-inflammatory and tissue-repair effects

Improved circulation: Supports nitric oxide release, aiding blood flow

Gentle nervous system support: Less stimulating than blue light, promoting relaxation rather than alertness

⏰ Circadian Rhythm Alignment
Evening walks act as a powerful circadian cue for your brain and body.
Signals the transition from day to night

Helps suppress late-evening cortisol spikes

Supports melatonin release later in the evening

Improves sleep onset and sleep quality

I absolutely feel these benefits and encourage all of my clients to get morning and evening sunlight whenever possible. The future of medicine is definitely frequency, and this is the simplest and most primal way to absorb nature’s medicine 🌅.

17/10/2025

Why Migraines Are So Common in Perimenopause

As estrogen levels start to fluctuate during perimenopause, the brain and nervous system feel the impact. Estrogen isn’t just a reproductive hormone — it also helps regulate inflammation, blood vessel tone, and the way our brain chemicals (like serotonin) communicate.

When estrogen rises and falls unpredictably, it can:
⚡️ Increase inflammation in the nervous system
⚡️ Make blood vessels more reactive
⚡️ Heighten pain sensitivity

These inflammatory changes can trigger the perfect storm for migraines — especially around hormonal shifts, stress, or disrupted sleep.

From a TCM perspective, flucuating hormones and stress can lead to Liver Qi stagnation, which generates heat and inflammation in the body. This heat rises and further aggravates headaches, irritability, insomnia, and hot flushes.

Supporting your inflammatory balance through diet, quality sleep, stress support, acupuncture, and herbal medicine can make a huge difference in calming these hormone-driven headaches.

09/10/2025

Preparing to Conceive in the Next Year?

The months before conception are a powerful window to support your fertility and future baby’s health.

Work 1:1 online with Monica McLean — Integrative Women’s Health Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist — to:
🌀 Balance hormones
🩸 Regulate your cycle
🥚 Improve egg & s***m quality
💫 Create the healthiest foundation for conception

Through personalised Telehealth sessions, Monica blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern functional tools to optimise your fertility — whether you’re conceiving naturally or through IVF.

Your preconception health shapes your future baby’s wellbeing. Let’s make this season count. 💕

🔗 Learn more & book via link in bio

06/09/2025

Happy Father’s Day to our #1 . ❤️‍🔥

23/05/2025

Progesterone in TCM 楊

In Chinese Medicine progesterone is closely associated with Yang energy, particularly Kidney Yang. A healthy luteal phase reflects strong Yang activity with a temperature jump, reduced anxiety, and increased appetite. If you are curious about your progesterone, basal body tracking gives us a lot of insight! 📈

Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum—the temporary gland formed after ovulation from the follicle that released the egg. So cool!! This means healthy ovulation is critical for optimal progesterone levels. Health can never be observed in isolation ⭕️.

🔽 Progesterone stabilises the endometrium in the second half of the menstrual cycle to support implantation and consolidates to prevents premature bleeding.

🧘‍♀️ Progesterone is a neurosteroid, meaning it has direct effects on the nervous system. Ever notice that you feel more chilled and sleep better after ovulation until it drops with estrogen right before your period and you have insomnia and a night sweat? Not just in your imagination, sis!

☯️ TCM imbalance reflecting low or imbalanced Progesterone:

Kidney Yang Deficiency: Cold hands/feet, fatigue, frequent urination, early miscarriage, infertility

Spleen Qi Deficiency: Poor appetite, loose stools, mid-cycle spotting, luteal phase deficiency

Liver Qi Stagnation: PMS, mood swings, breast tenderness, irritability- often related to imbalanced progesterone to estrogen.

Address

Waterloo Avenue
Sydney, NSW
2154

Website

http://Monicamclean.com.au/

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