As any of the 37,000 acupuncturists in the United States will tell you, health, immunity and your body’s overall wellness start with strong digestion and a healthy gut. This connectedness to gut health is one of the reasons we launched Digestive Harmony as one of our foundational formulas in 2016 -- and likely why it's gained a cult-like following over the last five years. And, as we're finally starting to emerge from hibernation and feeling the effects of last year, we wanted to share this powerful wisdom from Chinese medicine to help give your gut a reset this spring.

Digestive health is everything in Chinese medicine, and nothing can disrupt that more easily than over-indulging or drinking and eating the wrong types of foods. Recognizing that we all like to let our guard down from time to time, Chinese medicine offers some useful practices that can help mitigate our temporary indulgences. These can be practiced at home to keep you feeling better and healthier.   

Three Chinese Medicine-Inspired Tips to Ease Bloating and Support Digestive Balance

1. Acupressure to Support Digestive Health and Ease Bloating

Like acupuncture, acupressure involves placing “pressure” on certain points on your body to elicit a physiological response.  To aid your body’s natural digestive response, you’ll want to place pressure on and massage "Stomach-36” which is described as “four finger widths below the kneecap and one finger width lateral to the edge of the tibia”.  Many might find tenderness in the area when pressure is applied and the area is massaged. It’s one of the most widely used points in acupuncture and is traditionally used to support the digestive process and promote a feeling of comfort after meals. Massage more than 2 times a day for about a minute on both legs.

2. Herbs for Bloating and Digestive Comfort

Digestive Harmony, inspired by the traditional herbal formula Bao He Wan, has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to support healthy digestion and a comfortable stomach. Commonly recommended by acupuncturists and herbalists, this formula is traditionally used to promote digestive balance—especially after heavy meals—by helping the body process food more smoothly and easing occasional feelings of fullness or bloating. Our customers love it too:

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I truly found digestive harmony while using this product. The product is easy to use and tastes great despite its funky aroma. I was hesitant at first because I take a daily probiotic and did not want to add another product to my daily routine. However, I do not use this product daily but instead find the most success using it on days when my digestion feels sluggish. With that said, I enjoy how this product makes me feel after a heavy meal. This is a great product and I highly recommend it!

3. Choose "Warm" Foods Over "Cold"

In Chinese medicine theory, the spleen and stomach need to maintain a temperature of 100 degrees, meaning when we eat foods that are cold and raw (like salads and smoothies), we’re forcing our bodies to work harder to digest and process these perceived “healthier foods”. Instead, focus on foods that have been lightly cooked or that are “warming” (think slightly spicier, like ginger). This will help "fire up" your metabolism and nourish your body by making nutrients more accessible.

Embrace the 2,500-year heritage of this powerful practice with herbs sourced in Asia but blended, packaged, and third-party tested in the U.S. for both safety and authenticity. We are proud to set a new standard for safety and efficacy in Chinese herbal medicine.  

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.

Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.