It’s easy to get sucked into biohacks and new detox regimes when we’re trying to live our healthiest lives, but this conversation on ancient Chinese medicine will leave you asking yourself:
What if some of the most powerful healing practices have been around for thousands of years?
In this episode of Toxic Free with KB, I sat down with Dr. Felice Chan, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncturist, and herbalist, to talk about stress, healing, digestion, and what ancient Chinese medicine habits can help us navigate them all in modern life.
Turns out, it isn’t always about doing more. But instead, returning to very simple practices to create conditions that allow your body to do what it was designed to do all along.
Meet Dr. Felice Chan & the Four Pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine
You know I am all about finding the top-qualified experts, and Dr. Felice Chan is no different. Not only did she start her career in neuroscience and pre-medicine, but she went on to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctoral training, a Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and her Doctorate in Chinese Medicine.
Aka she knows her stuff.
She explains that modern medicine often focuses on diagnosing and treating symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a more holistic approach, looking at how different systems in the body interact and influence one another to get to the root cause.
Much of our chat swirled around the four pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine:
- Acupuncture
- Food as Medicine
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Lifestyle & Mindfulness
And even while these pillars are rooted in ancient Chinese medicine practices, we got into how they’re likely more relevant than ever — in a world full of chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, poor digestion, and burnout. So stick around, you’re going to want to hear her insight on all of them and swipe her simple, daily habits that are proven to help.
Acupuncture for Stress, Healing & Detox Support
One of the biggest misconceptions about acupuncture is that it’s only used for pain relief, but you can use acupuncture for stress, detox, and healing, too.
The Roots of Acupuncture in Ancient Chinese Medicine
Dr. Felice Chan explains that to understand acupuncture, you first have to understand one of the foundational concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Qi (pronounced “chee”) —an invisible force that flows throughout the body and supports everything from movement and digestion to emotional and physical well-being.
According to TCM, Qi travels along pathways called meridians. When that energy is flowing freely, the body is in balance. But when Qi becomes blocked, stagnant, or depleted, symptoms can begin to appear.
For thousands of years, practitioners have used thin needles at specific points along these meridians to help restore balance, improve the flow of Qi, and support the body’s natural healing processes.
“But KB, show me the research?!” OKAY!
What Modern Medicine Says About Acupuncture
For those of us raised in Western culture, the idea of life force energy can feel a little hard to wrap our heads around.
But modern research is beginning to uncover some of the science behind these ancient practices, including pain pathways, neurotransmitters, circulation, and the nervous system itself – with leading experts from Harvard and Johns Hopkins citing its usage.
Some research: Effectiveness, Uses, & Safety of Acupuncture
Dr. Felice explains that acupuncture supports the body’s shift out of the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight state ) into the parasympathetic (rest and digest state). In other words, it encourages the body to move away from constant stress and toward healing.
She said it best: “If you’re stressed, you’re not detoxing.” And your body isn’t prioritizing things like digestion, repair, and recovery either.
Which makes sense that it’s used for chronic pain, suggested as an aid in depression, and even used for chemo patients to manage discomfort!
KB Hot Tip: If you’re in Southern California, Dr. Felice Chan has her own acupuncture practice in LA! Give her a visit!
Food as Medicine aka It’s All About the Gut
I swear, no matter what health expert I bring on Toxic Free with KB, we end up talking about the gut.
Proof: Food As Medicine: Dr. William Li’s Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Gut Health & Nourishment
Double proof: Natural GLP-1s, Gut Health, Fiber & Weight Loss: Microbiologist Kiran Krishnan Weighs In
And I’m not complaining, gut health fascinates me.
So when Dr. Felice told me that Food as Medicine was a pillar of TCM, I said tell me everything.
According to TCM, your digestive system loves two things: warmth and consistency. It’s not just about what you’re eating, but how your body is receiving it.
Here are some of the simple habits Dr. Felice Chan wants you to try out:
Prioritize a Protein-Rich Breakfast with Warm Lemon Water
Start your day with real nourishment that supports your systems throughout the day. And skip the morning iced coffee – it’s shocking your digestive system! Instead, start with some warm lemon water to help wake up systems in a soothing way.
Warming Foods & Spices
Not only does TCM emphasize warm-to-the-touch cooked foods and broths, but also foods that have internal warming effects. Ginger is a go-to example – known to support digestion, circulation, and overall balance.
Growing up in Hong Kong, Dr. Felice remembers broths filled with ingredients like goji berries, jujube dates, ginseng, mushrooms, apples, and papaya!
Don’t Forget Bitter Foods
While they aren’t always the most popular foods on the menu, Traditional Chinese Medicine associates bitter foods with liver support.
Dr. Felice says some of her favorites are chrysanthemum greens and bitter melons – specifically stir-fried bitter melon with eggs and serving it over rice! (Immediately added to the weekly meal rotation).
Make Herbal Tea Part of Your Routine
Dr. Felice Chan wants you to drink. more. tea. In fact, when I asked her for one simple toxic-free habit everyone can start today, her answer was immediate: “Tea over cold water any day!”
When we started talking about detoxification, she immediately rattled off some of her favorites:
- Spearmint tea
- Peppermint tea
- Chrysanthemum tea
- Dandelion root tea
Spearmint tea is one she especially recommends for hormone balance and acne concerns, while chrysanthemum tea is her personal daily go-to.
Lifestyle and Mindfulness Matter, Too
When I asked Dr. Felice what helped her heal her own health issues, her answer wasn’t acupuncture, herbs, or some complicated protocol. It was stress management.
She explains that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, illness can develop when Qi and blood become blocked. For her, stress was the blockage. She realized she was constantly operating in a go-go-go state, holding tension in her body and barely breathing into her diaphragm.
So what did she do? She slowed down.
Here are some of the daily habits she shared when I asked how she did it:
Take a Few Breaths Before You Eat
If we eat while stressed, we’re digesting while stressed. That means the body is processing food in a fight-or-flight state rather than a rest-and-digest state.
Her recommendation? Sit for a minute and take a few breaths before meals to help support digestion and nutrient absorption.
Try Five Minutes of Qi Gong
If you’ve never heard of Qi Gong, think of it as a moving meditation.
Dr. Felice describes it as slow, intentional movement paired with breathwork. She says even five minutes can be transformative for stress levels and help the body feel calmer.Watch her video & add it to your routine! → Beginner Qi Gong Exercise
Create a Calming Morning Routine
It doesn’t have to be the step-by-step routine Dr. Felice uses, but find something that works for you. The template: nourishment, movement, mindfulness.
Here’s a look at her go-to morning routine for inspo:
- Warm lemon water
- Journaling
- Breathwork
- Qi Gong
- A nourishing breakfast
Listen to the Full Episode for More Ancient Chinese Medicine Habits
As much as I love a new technology or biohack, it’s true that some of the best remedies for our bodies have been around a long time. Dr. Felice Chan’s episode digs into even more habits and ancient wisdom to add to your routine — so don’t miss it!
🎧 Listen on Apple or Spotify
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube
Catch you next time on the pod! XO
