Chinese medicine expert explains the ancient practice

Mamie Woo began practicing Chinese medicine in 1985. She believes the body can heal faster through the many different modalities of the medicine, including pressure and massage, herbs, exercise, diet, acupuncture, Chi Qiong and Tai Chi.

She said most people go to see her as a last resort, when Western medicine can't find a solution.

"Through my evaluation, I come up with a whole plan. It brings the body back to balance. When the body is balanced, the body will heal itself," she said.

You help clients identify if they are yin or yang. What is the difference?

The Tai Chi symbol is black and white. The black part is yin and the white part is yang. If you're a yin person, you are skinny, you're always cold and your skin is pale and your hands and feet are always cold. The opposite is a big body, a red face and you're hot all the time. You want to do the opposite.

If you're a yin, eat hot food, don't drink ice water, and dress warm. Eat yang food like walnuts. The characteristics of food are divided into hot, warm, neutral, cool and cold. Taco sauce is hot. Watermelon is cold. If you eat cold food, then you're cold. You need warm food for your yin body.

I always advise my clients, if you don't trust my Chinese medicine, change your food. Sometimes, if you change your diet, there's real improvement.

Mamie Woo at a glance

Age: 68.
Children: Five.
Education: Attended college in China.
Hobbies: Gardening and reading.
Source: Mamie Woo

What is the most common problem you see people for?

Mostly pains and insomnia. They just don't feel well and can't figure it out.

What is the biggest tip you can provide for staying healthy?

Dress warm, eat nutritious meals, eat three meals a day and eat on time. Look at the value of the food. Make sure you have protein, iron, fruits and vegetables. Make sure you have sufficient rest. Don't let yourself get exerted.

How do you figure out what is wrong with someone?

I do evaluations. They fill out a form on how they feel, such as a headache or back pain. I look at their tongue and feel the pulse on both hands. I see their face and listen to their voice. I tell them not to wear make-up, so I can see their true color. I question them about lifestyle. I do a massage or recommend herbs or foods they should or shouldn't eat. We have a different diagnosing system (than Western medicine).

What does qi mean?

Qi is the energy in your body. Some people spell it chi. The Koreans spell it ki.

How are Chinese herbs different from prescription medicine?

Chinese medicine aims in balancing the whole body. In Western medicine, when you have pain you take some pain pills. The pain will be gone but then it will come back more severe. Chinese medicine is different. You want to find the herb that's warm and gets the cold out. You build your body so it will not hurt again. In the meantime, you try to balance the whole body.

Has there been an exciting success story that stands out?

I have a medicine called Eyesight Tonic. It's very good for people with eye problems. People take that and their eyesight gradually improves. Everybody is different. This particular lady had been taking it for two years. She took it religiously. Her optometrist was amazed because her eyesight had improved.

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