Regenerative Agriculture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
You may have heard about regenerative agriculture. According to Wikipedia, it is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming. It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting biosequestration, increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil. In other words, it uses a natural, holistic approach to create health in an entire ecosystem. As an acupuncturist, this sounds very familiar.
Regenerative Agriculture & Chinese Medicine Use the Same Principles
If one aspect of a human being has an issue, such as headaches, we don’t just inspect and treat their head. We find out the cause, there is an imbalance of emotions, nutrition, or movement within the body, etc… that is causing the issue. We look at the whole person to find the imbalance. With regenerative agriculture, its the same. If there is an issue with the tomato crop, you don’t just treat that one group of plants, you look at all the systems that the tomatoes require for optimal health- water quality and amount, soil nutrients, drainage, presence of beneficial bugs, etc…
Look at the Whole System
Another way these two practices are similar is the way a problem is treated. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses ancient herbal formulas made from plants and other ingredients found in nature to re-balance the body, not just temporarily subdue a symptom like most Western medications. Regenerative Agriculture uses nature itself to improve and heal the land. These practices can include growing plants that attract beneficial bugs, using compost and fertilizer that comes from the farm, companion planting, rotational grazing. This all takes the place of herbicides and pesticides that temporarily fix a problem but cause bigger damage in the long run.
Use Nature to Heal
The first time I learned about acupuncture, a light went off and I realized at a young age there is a healthier way to treat our bodies. That same light and excitement appeared the first time I heard about regenerative agriculture. I am always searching for better ways to live, better practices to support, better businesses models to encourage. If you can find food that comes from a regenerative farm, you are not only supporting sustainable and compassionate farming, you are supporting your own health and the health of the planet.
Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to restore balance within the body, mind and environment. Garden Acupuncture uses Whole-Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM) to restore balance and health not only within individuals, but within our greater Brooklyn, New York community. Through acupuncture, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle support, we empower our clients to understand, improve and maintain holistic health.