March Newsletter - Welcoming the Year of The Fire Horse & Transitioning into Autumn

Year of the fire horse

As we move into March, we begin the gentle transition from the outward, expansive energy of summer, into the inward and reflective energy of autumn. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), seasonal change is one of the most important influences on our health. This is a time to recalibrate, protect our energy, and prepare the body for the cooler months ahead.

Year of the Fire Horse

On the 17th of February, we welcomed the 2026 Chinese New Year and dynamic influence of the Fire Horse. This year combines the bold, fast-moving nature of the Horse with the transformative energy of Fire.

In TCM Five Element theory, fire governs the Heart and Small Intestine, which represent joy, connection, and clarity of spirit (Shen). Fire years often bring…

- Increased movement and change

- Passion, creativity and innovation

- Heightened emotional intensity

- A need for grounding and nervous system regulation

What to keep in mind this year…

- Protect your heart energy; avoid burnout and overstimulation

- Prioritise rest and nervous system care

- Balance enthusiasm with thoughtful planning

- Stay connected to the community - fire thrives in healthy connection.

Fire years can be exciting and productive, but they also require us to anchor ourselves so we don’t scatter our energy.

Welcome Back Dr. Jade Ouk!!

Dr. of Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture and Chinese Herbalist)

Welcome Back Jade

The team at Peninsula Natural Medicine are so excited to welcome Jade back to the clinic!

After taking some time off to spend with her beautiful babies, Jade is now returning to practicing at the clinic on Saturday mornings 8am-12pm.

Jade brings a diverse background to her practice and strongly advocates for accessible, quality support for people of all ages and abilities.

Jade has a strong passion for dermatology and herbal medicine, inspired by her own successes in treating her 3-decade-long battle with eczema, using traditional Chinese medicine and herbal medicine. This experience inspired her to study Chinese Medicine at the Southern School of Natural Therapies.

Whilst much of Jades clinical experience has grown in areas for stubborn skin conditions, palliative cancer care, neurological rehabilitation and gynaecology, her passion lies in working with any patient to reach their own optimal dynamic state of wellbeing

You can make a booking with Jade online at Peninsula Natural Medicine,

or by calling the clinic on 5973 4116

When Coping Starts Costing You

A blog by Peninsula Mind Care

Over the past few months, a clear pattern has emerged in counselling sessions here in Mornington. More men are seeking support not because they “can’t cope,” but because the way they’ve been coping is beginning to damage their relationships and sense of self.

It rarely begins as a crisis. It begins quietly.

A few extra drinks. Snapping more easily. Gambling that’s “under control.” Working longer hours. Withdrawing emotionally. These behaviours are coping strategies. And for a while, they work. Most maladaptive coping strategies serve one purpose: avoiding uncomfortable feelings — shame, pressure, rejection, grief, fear of not being enough.

Alcohol numbs anxiety. Anger creates control. Avoidance protects vulnerability. Gambling offers escape. But what once protected you can begin costing you — mentally, financially, relationally. Trust erodes. Intimacy declines. Anxiety increases.

Eventually many men say, “I don’t know why I keep doing this.” Underneath that is something harder: “I think I’m part of the problem.”

Ownership hurts. But it is also where agency begins.

Another common pattern? Men attend one or two sessions, we begin touching something real — shame, grief, fear — and then they cancel. Not because counselling isn’t working, but because it is. Facing avoided emotions can feel raw and destabilising. If you’ve spent years avoiding certain feelings, suddenly meeting them requires tolerance for discomfort.

This is not weakness. It is a skill that was never taught.

Meaningful change requires staying in the room when it gets hard. If something in this resonates, it may be worth paying attention to. The urge to quit can be part of the work. There is power in saying, “This isn’t just happening to me. I’m participating in it.” Agency is where change begins.

At Peninsula MindCare in Mornington, we support males from pre-teens through later life stages. The themes often include avoidance, shame, anger, withdrawal, and vulnerability.

It is never too early, and never too late to change how you relate to yourself and others.

You can read the full blog at Peninsula MindCare

Counselling is available in Mornington and across the Mornington Peninsula through face-to-face counselling, tele health sessions, and walk-and-talk counselling, supporting adults experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, and life transitions.

Health Awareness Dates for March

Through a Traditional Chinese Medicine Lens

Melanoma Awareness Month – All of MarchIn TCM, the skin is governed by the Lung system and protected by Wei Qi (defensive energy). Summer heat can create internal heat and toxin accumulation, which may manifest on the skin.

As we transition into autumn, it is a good time to book a professional skin check, support lung health with pears, white radish, almonds, and staying hydrated, and clear any residual summer heat with bitter greens and chrysanthemum tea.

Skin health reflects internal balance. Prevention and early detection is essential.

Worlds Greatest Shave for Blood Cancer Awareness - All of March In TCM, Blood nourishes the body and anchors the mind. Blood deficiency or stagnation affects vitality, immunity, and emotional stability. .

To support healthy blood, include beetroot, dark leafy greens, black sesame, dates, and grass-fed meats into your diet. Prioritise adequate sleep, as blood restores at night, and manage stress levels to prevent blood stagnation.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can gently support blood and immune health.

World Hearing Day - March 3rdThe Kidneys open into the ears in TCM. Hearing changes often reflect Kidney energy and health depletion. To support your kidneys, prioritise rest, keep your lower back warm, avoid over work and burnout as this taxes the kidneys energy reserve, and eat kidney-nourishing foods (walnuts, black beans and bone broth)

International Women’s Day - March 8th In TCM, women’s health is centred around Blood, Liver, and Kidney systems.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can be used to support menstrual irregularities, fertility, perimenopause & menopause, and emotional regulation.

The liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi. When constrained by factors such as stress, poor diet and emotional suppression, it can contribute to PMS, mood swings, and tension. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, kinesiology and counselling can all play supportive rolls in looking after women’s health.

Glaucoma Week - 8th-14th March The liver opens into the eyes, meaning from a TCM perspective, vision issues often relate to Liver Blood deficiency or Liver Yang rising.

Support your eyes by reducing screen time, wearing sunglasses when UV is high, managing stress to avoid liver Qi (energy) stagnation, and incorporate Goji berries and spinach into your diet.

World Kidney Day - 12th March

The Kidneys are the foundation of vitality, ageing, fertility, bones, hearing, and willpower in Chinese Medicine. Signs of kidney depletion may include fatigue, lower back soreness, frequent urination and feeling depleted or fearful. Autumn is the time. to begin gently conserving energy in preparation for winter.

March Energy: Transitioning into Autumn

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Autumn is associated with the Metal Element, Lung and Large Intestine organ systems. The emotion connected to this season is grief, while it’s virtue is the ability to let go. Climatically, autumn brings dryness, which has a direct impact on the body.

As we move toward autumn, the body will begin to draw energy inward, making this a great time to simplify schedules, establish regular sleep routines, declutter physical and emotional space, and nourish fluids to protect your body against dryness.

Dryness during autumn can affect the skin, sinuses, lungs, and bowels, often showing up as dry skin, scratchy throats, dry coughs, congestion, and constipation. From a dietary perspective, we can support the body with moistening and gently nourishing foods such as pears stewed apples, white fungus, a small amount of honey, sesame seeds, and grounding root vegetables.

Emotionally, autumn invites reflection and release. It is a powerful time for counselling, acupuncture, and nervous system support, helping us process what needs to be let go of, while strengthening what we wish to carry forward into the cooler months.

Autumn Lung & Kidney Nourishing Stew

Ginger Spiced Pumpkin, Lentil and Black Sesame Stew

- Pumpkin strengthens Spleen Qi

- Red lentils build Blood

- Black sesame nourishes Kidneys

- Ginger warms digestion

- Root vegetables ground and stabilise

Ingredients:

- 1 small pumpkin (cubed)

- 1 cup red lentils (soaked in water for 2 hrs prior)

- 1 carrot & 1 sweet potato (chopped)

- 1 onion & 2 cloves of garlic

- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger

- 1 tbs black sesame seeds

- Vegetable or bone broth

- Olive oil, turmeric, cumin (1tsp of each spice)

Method:

1. Sauté onion, garlic and ginger in a pan over medium heat

2. Add spices and vegetables

3. Add lentils and broth. Simmer for 25minutes until liquid has reduced slightly.

4. Blend for a smoother consistency if desired, or leave textured

5. Top with toasted black sesame seeds

6. Serve warm and eat mindfully

   
   

This meal combines cooked and warming elements to support your spleen and stomach, improving overall digestion and nourishing the body in Autumn.

Sweet potato strengthens the Spleen, Ginger warms digestion and dispels dampness, and the meal as a whole is easy to digest.