Optimizing Digestive Health During the 2025 Holidays with TCM: A Guide for Practitioners

As we enter the heart of the holiday season, many patients begin to experience common digestive complaints — bloating, sluggishness, and digestive discomfort caused by heavier meals, rich foods, and disrupted routines. For TCM practitioners, this is a critical time to offer supportive care grounded in the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Understanding Digestive Imbalance in TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Spleen and Stomach are central to digestive function. When overburdened by irregular eating habits, overeating, or excessive cold and greasy foods, the Spleen’s ability to transform and transport becomes impaired. This can lead to Damp accumulation, Qi stagnation, or even internal Cold.

From a constitutional perspective, patients with existing Spleen Qi Deficiency or Damp accumulation are especially vulnerable to seasonal dietary excess.

Practical Strategies for Practitioners

Here are some actionable ways to support your patients through this season:

1. Emphasize Warm, Cooked Foods

Encourage patients to minimize raw and cold foods. Warm soups, stews, and gently cooked vegetables support the Spleen and ease digestion.

2. Recommend Eating in Moderation

Suggest smaller, more frequent meals. Remind patients to chew slowly and eat mindfully — this preserves digestive Qi and reduces strain on the Spleen and Stomach.

3. Offer Acupuncture for Digestive Regulation

Points like ST36 (Zusanli), CV12 (Zhongwan), and SP6 (Sanyinjiao) can help regulate the digestive system, relieve bloating, and strengthen the middle burner.

4. Use Customized Herbal Formulas

With tools like the Sun Ten Dispensary, practitioners can create custom formulas that directly address each patient’s TCM pattern. Consider herbs that:

• Strengthen Spleen Qi – such as Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Dang Shen

• Resolve Dampness – like Chen Pi and Sha Ren

• Support digestion after indulgent meals – by incorporating herbs such as Shan Zha and Mai Ya

Patient Education is Key

Consider offering short seasonal handouts or workshops to your patient base, highlighting TCM principles for digestive wellness. When patients understand the "why" behind their symptoms, they’re more likely to make lasting changes.

Sun Ten Dispensary Makes It Easy

With the Sun Ten Dispensary, you can send herbal prescriptions directly to patients with no in-office inventory required. Practitioners can build formulas tailored to individual presentations and have them shipped directly to the patient’s home—convenient for both clinic and patient during the busy holiday season.

Support Digestive Wellness, the TCM Way

November is the perfect time to reinforce the value of TCM for seasonal digestive support. By offering personalized care that considers constitution, diet, and lifestyle, you help your patients maintain balance and vitality through the holidays and into the new year.