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Dr. Kelly Cmolik Dr. TCM - Doctor of Chinese Medicine

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Dr. Kelly Cmolik Dr. TCM - Doctor of Chinese Medicine

The Natural Skin & Allergy Method™ | Root-cause treatment for acne, eczema, psoriasis, asthma + allergies. Programs, education, and real support.

Dr. Cmolik's practice is focused on the safe and effective treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. Holistic Dermatology - Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea and Acne
Asthma/Allergies
Autoimmune Support
Women's Health Concerns
Chronic Infections

01/28/2026

Once blood deficiency has been identified, the next question is always what do we actually do about it?

In Chinese medicine, the first place we start is digestion. If your body can’t properly digest and absorb nutrients, you won’t rebuild blood no matter how much you supplement.

From there, oral iron can be helpful for some people. When it’s appropriate, I often suggest taking iron every other night with vitamin C to support absorption and help avoid excess hepcidin, which can interfere with how the body uses iron.

And for those who are truly depleted, exhausted, and struggling to function, there are situations where an iron infusion can be an important bridge while the body rebuilds.

There is no one size fits all approach here. How depleted someone is, how well they digest, and what else is going on in the body all matter. This is why proper assessment is so important.

Blood takes time to rebuild, but with the right strategy, the body can recover and feel strong again.

01/26/2026

This is a personal one for me.

Over the past few years, I’ve experienced periods of very heavy bleeding, and with that came things I see so often in my patients too. Hair loss. Anxiety. Forgetfulness. Feeling depleted, scattered, and not quite like myself.

In Chinese medicine, this is often a picture of blood deficiency.

Blood in TCM isn’t just about lab values. It nourishes the mind, anchors the nervous system, supports the hair, the skin, the cycle, and our ability to feel calm and grounded in our bodies. When blood is depleted, the whole system feels it.

This is one of the many reasons I care so deeply about treating the root and not ignoring what the body is asking for.

This week I’ll be sharing more about blood deficiency, what it can look like, and how we support it properly through Chinese medicine.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone.

01/23/2026

Today I’m sharing two commonly used antiviral herbs you’ll often see in shops like this
Banlangen and Gan Mao Ling.

These can be helpful for short term, acute situations like the very beginning of a cold or viral exposure. They’re part of the reason people are drawn to Chinese medicine in the first place.

That said, this is where I want to slow things down for a moment.

In the West, we’re very used to the idea that if something works, it works fast. Take a pill, symptoms stop, job done. Chinese medicine doesn’t work like that.

This medicine is about formulas, precision, and time. It’s about actually addressing what’s happening in the body, not just silencing symptoms. These single herbs or patent formulas can be supportive in small moments, but they are not a replacement for proper diagnosis or treatment.

If you’re dealing with chronic illness, frequent infections, long term inflammation, or something that keeps coming back, this is where working with a trained practitioner matters.

Always speak to the staff in these shops before picking things up, and if you need real support, that’s what I’m here for.

This series was about opening the door to Chinese medicine, not self diagnosing.

And yes, Lily is still our absolute gem. We adore her. 🫶🏼

Link is in my bio to book a consultation and let’s figure out what’s actually going on.

01/22/2026

Today I’m sharing a few more staples you’ll see in shops like this that people reach for all the time:

Golden Throat Candy, which often contains jin yin hua and is commonly used for sore throats and heat
Watermelon frost powder, a classic for mouth and throat irritation
And dit da jow, a muscle and bone liniment that’s been used for generations, especially in the martial arts world, to keep blood moving after injury

These are well-known remedies, but they still work best when used appropriately. I always recommend asking the people who work here for guidance so you’re choosing the right thing for your situation.

This series isn’t about quick fixes or self-diagnosing. It’s about understanding what’s available, how these tools are traditionally used, and when it makes sense to reach for something simple versus working with a practitioner.

More education coming soon.

01/21/2026

One of my goals is to make Chinese medicine feel less intimidating and more accessible.

When you walk into shops like this in Chinatown, there are some really great things you can grab for smaller, acute situations — things like minor joint pain, bruises, or simple aches — without always reaching for a pill.

The key is knowing what you’re choosing. I always encourage talking to the people who work here so you’re getting the right thing for you. Chinese medicine is nuanced, and even the simple stuff works best when it’s used correctly.

This isn’t about self-diagnosing or quick fixes. It’s about expanding your options and learning how to use these tools thoughtfully.

This is part one. More coming.

01/16/2026

Back at my favourite spot in Chinatown, talking about two very important roots in Chinese medicine: Sheng Di and Shu Di.

This is why Chinese medicine is never about grabbing an herb and hoping for the best. Preparation, dosage, timing, and who it’s for matter.

I’m chatting here with Lily, who works in this shop and really knows her stuff. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, helps a lot of people, and is always generous with her wisdom when I’m in here. You won’t see her face because she’s camera-shy, but those blue-gloved hands know what they’re doing… we’re working on her though. 😉

This is real medicine. And it’s meant to be used with guidance.

01/15/2026

Same plant. Two very different medicines.

Sheng Di and Shu Di are both foxglove root, but they’re prepared completely differently, which changes how they work in the body.

Sheng Di is raw and cooling, and it’s one of the primary herbs I use in my eczema formulas. It helps clear heat, nourish Yin, and support inflammatory skin patterns.
Shu Di is prepared and much heavier. It builds Blood and Essence, but used at the wrong time or in the wrong person, it can absolutely make things worse.

This is why I don’t recommend trying to use herbs like this on your own. In Chinese medicine, dose, preparation, and timing matter just as much as the herb itself. Too much of the wrong thing can aggravate a pattern instead of healing it.

This medicine is precise, powerful, and incredibly effective when used properly. That’s why working with a trained practitioner matters so much.

If you’re dealing with eczema or chronic inflammatory skin patterns and want the right formula for your body, head to the link in my bio to book a program consult, or comment itch to learn more.

01/12/2026

Topical Steroid Withdrawal is not just a bad eczema flare. It is a very different physiological state and it requires a very different treatment approach.

TSW can involve intense burning, swelling, temperature dysregulation, skin shedding, fluid shifts, and a level of discomfort that can feel overwhelming. I also see many people who believe they have TSW when what they are actually experiencing is a severe eczema flare that needs to be properly identified and treated.

This distinction matters. The wrong approach can make things worse. The right approach can be life changing.

This is exactly why working with a skilled practitioner is so important. This is my niche. This is the work I care deeply about. And this is where Chinese medicine can offer real, meaningful support when used correctly.

If you are struggling and unsure what you are dealing with, you do not have to navigate this alone. Comment ITCH or head to the link in my bio to book a program consultation and get clarity on your next steps.

01/11/2026

Eczema is not one thing. Even within atopic eczema alone, there are multiple ways it can show up, behave, and progress. Each pattern needs a different approach.

This is why proper diagnosis matters. What works for one person can make things worse for another, and without understanding the pattern underneath, treatment often misses the mark.

In conventional care, the default is usually topical steroids. While they can suppress symptoms short term, long-term use can complicate the picture and, in some cases, lead to topical steroid withdrawal. I’ll be talking more about that in the next video.

Chinese medicine is exceptionally good at working with complexity. When the pattern is identified correctly, treatment becomes targeted, intelligent, and far more supportive of long-term healing.

If you’re ready to understand what’s actually driving your skin, comment ITCH or head to the link in my bio to book a program consultation.

01/07/2026

Eczema isn’t one condition. There are multiple types, patterns, and root causes, and this is where so many people get misled.

In this reel, I talk through some of the most common forms I see in practice, including atopic eczema (known in Chinese medicine as the wind of the four crooks), nummular eczema, stasis eczema, dyshidrotic or pompholyx eczema, and more severe presentations like erythrodermic eczema.

Each of these behaves differently. Each has different drivers. And each requires a different treatment strategy. Treating them all the same, or relying on suppression alone, is often what leads people into years of frustration and, in some cases, topical steroid withdrawal, which I’ll talk more about soon.

Chinese medicine is exceptionally effective when eczema is addressed earlier in life, before years of suppression and layered interventions complicate the picture. That said, even long-standing cases can improve significantly when the root causes are properly identified and treated.

This is my niche. This is what I do. And yes, the results can be life-changing.

If you’re ready to understand what’s actually going on with your skin and get real support, comment ITCH or head to the link in my bio to book a program consultation.

01/05/2026

The podcast is officially live 🎙️✨

Episode two of Chinese Medicine in the Modern World is out now on iTunes and Spotify.

This episode is all about eczema and why it isn’t just a skin problem. I break down the root causes, why steroids often fall short long-term, and how Chinese medicine approaches chronic eczema in a very different, systemic way.

This is a topic I’ve spent decades studying, treating, and refining in clinical practice, and I’m so proud to finally share this conversation in a longer-form way. There’s a lot of nuance here, and this episode barely scratches the surface, but it’s an important place to start.

🎧 You can listen now on iTunes or Spotify.
🔗 Links are in my bio.

If eczema is something you or your child are dealing with and you want to understand what’s really driving it, comment ITCH and we’ll get you the right information.

01/04/2026

The next episode of Chinese Medicine in the Modern World is dropping tomorrow, and I’m excited for this one!

We’re talking eczema. What it actually is, why it’s become so common, and why so many people get led down a treatment path that never truly addresses what’s driving it.

In this episode I break down how I look at eczema clinically, why it is almost never just a surface level issue, and how Chinese medicine approaches it through patterns, terrain, and step by step strategy. We get into common myths, why flare ups do not always mean treatment is failing, and why this work is often about peeling back layers over time.

If you have been dealing with chronic eczema, or you are supporting a child with it, I made this episode for you.

The full episode drops tomorrow. Link in bio for Spotify and iTunes.

If you want to learn about working together, comment CLEAR and I’ll send you the details.

RootCauseHealing HolisticHealth

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Vancouver, BC

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 7pm
Wednesday	10am - 7pm
Thursday	10am - 7pm
Friday	10am - 7pm

Telephone

+17787250955

Website

https://linktr.ee/drkellycmolik

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About Kelly

Dr. Cmolik has a clinical focus on dermatology, allergies/asthma and chronic inflammatory disease.

She earned her Doctorate in Vancouver, BC and went on to study with a world expert in the UK, obtaining her postgraduate diploma in dermatology.

Dr. Cmolik is a member of the International Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology Association (ITCMDA), which was created to help skin disease sufferers locate practitioners worldwide who have been trained in effective dermatological treatment protocols.

After spending much of her career collaborating with other health professionals, including working closely with the Family Physicians, ER Physicians and Functional MDs, she is now in private practice.