Kaitlin Downes - Author & Contributor | Best Chinese Medicines

Un-Stuffed: How Chinese Medicine Can Help You Beat the Holiday Bloat

The holidays are nearly here, and that means one thing: indulgence! And after the challenging and stressful year we’ve had, don’t we deserve to have a little more fun, celebrate a little harder, and enjoy a few extra treats? But indulgence often comes at a cost – in this case stubborn bloating and weight gain,
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Lung & Chest Support: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?

Are you someone who always has a pack of tissues handy? Do you struggle with constant allergies, lingering coughs, or catch colds easily? Maybe your skin is dry and irritated, or you’ve been feeling more sad or disconnected than usual? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms could all point back to an imbalance
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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Chinese Herbal Formulas by Organ System

Chinese herbal medicine can be powerful. But if you’ve ever wanted to try a TCM formula, but gotten stuck wondering “which formula is right for me?,” you’re not alone. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers hundreds of time-tested herbal formulas, each designed to bring the body back into balance in its own unique way. But with
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Heart Health & Calm: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?

You may think of your heart as simply the vital organ that pumps blood, but Traditional Chinese Medicine sees the Heart as much more. In TCM, the Heart is the “emperor” or ruler of the entire body. It’s not only in charge of blood circulation but also housing the Shen (spirit/mind). For instance, do you
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Best Chinese Herbs for Brain Function

Finding your focus can be a challenge in our modern lifestyles. From distractions to high stress to environmental toxins, we are constantly bombarded with issues that prevent our brains from working optimally. Thankfully, Chinese herbs for brain function help you regain your concentration, restore your memory, and keep your brain sharp for years to come.
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What is a Healthy Gut? Natural Solutions to Heal our Most Stressed System

What’s with the gut? These days, it seems like everyone is talking about gut health and how important it is for total wellbeing. Ongoing research has shown that the gut is not just about digestion – it’s the essential factor to create overall health and wellness for the whole body. Without a healthy gut system,
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The Power of Chinese Green Tea

Green tea is one of the most popular superfoods in the world – and for good reason! From boosting your energy to fighting chronic disease, the benefits of Chinese green tea are endless. Read on to learn more about how the power of Chinese green tea can help you live your healthiest life. All About
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Eating With the Seasons: TCM Tips for Fall

Ever notice how your body seems to crave heartier meals, warm drinks, and a slower pace when autumn rolls around? That’s not just the weather talking — it’s your body’s way of syncing up with the season and bolstering itself for the cooler months ahead. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fall marks an important shift.
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Spleen Strength & Stability: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?

Do you feel tired after meals? Bloated no matter what you eat? Struggle with brain fog, loose stools, or stubborn weight gain? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms aren’t just random – they often point to an imbalance in one of the body’s most essential (yet often overlooked) organs: the Spleen. The TCM
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About the Author

Kaitlan Downes, MSAOM, L.AC

Kate Downes is a Chinese medicine practitioner with a passion for herbal medicine. In fact, it was her love for plant and earth medicine that first drew her to study Chinese medicine.

Kate has a MSAOM (Master of Science, Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) certification and practiced acupuncture in Indianapolis, IN for five years before packing her bags to roam the world. In order to stay in touch with the wellness community and continue to help others thrive with herbal medicine, she transformed her work from face-to-face patient care to spreading wellness through words. Her life as a remote herbalist and writer has allowed her to work with a variety of wellness brands, health pioneers, and her wonderful clients. She has a special interest in working with women’s health.

Kate thoroughly enjoys writing educational and useful pieces for Best Chinese Medicine. Her goal is to help the public gain a better understanding of the wonders of Chinese herbal medicine so they can be empowered in their own quest for natural, vibrant health.

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Articles Related To Author: Kaitlan Downes, MSAOM, L.AC

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (and Related Formulas) in Chinese Herbal Medicine
November 28, 2025

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Teapills or Six Flavor Rehmannia) is a traditional Chinese formula originally created as a gentle and gradual way of building up the strength and vitality of infants and children with what we might now call (generally speaking) developmental delay issues (e.g. failure to thrive, fontanels not closing, and…
Un-Stuffed: How Chinese Medicine Can Help You Beat the Holiday Bloat
November 21, 2025

The holidays are nearly here, and that means one thing: indulgence! And after the challenging and stressful year we’ve had, don’t we deserve to have a little more fun, celebrate a little harder, and enjoy a few extra treats? But indulgence often comes at a cost – in this case stubborn bloating and weight gain,…
Three Formulas to Help You Through the Holiday Season and Beyond
November 14, 2025

Welcome back to the members of our growing community of people interested in improving their overall health and sense of balance in their lives through the use of Chinese herbal formulas. Today’s article will take an in-depth look at three formulas that could prove to be quite handy to have around during the Holiday season:…
Lung & Chest Support: Which Chinese Herbal Formula is Right for You?
November 7, 2025

Are you someone who always has a pack of tissues handy? Do you struggle with constant allergies, lingering coughs, or catch colds easily? Maybe your skin is dry and irritated, or you’ve been feeling more sad or disconnected than usual? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these symptoms could all point back to an imbalance…
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Chinese Herbal Formulas by Organ System
October 31, 2025

Chinese herbal medicine can be powerful. But if you’ve ever wanted to try a TCM formula, but gotten stuck wondering “which formula is right for me?,” you’re not alone. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers hundreds of time-tested herbal formulas, each designed to bring the body back into balance in its own unique way. But with…