Xiaolan Zhao is a Western-trained surgeon who gave up her career in trauma to pursue traditional Chinese medicine and push it to the forefront as a viable alternative treatment option. We spoke with her on the eve of the publication of her second book, Inner Beauty.
So just what is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?
It is a part of Chinese culture that comes from Taoist religion and was passed generation to generation. It comes from experience and observation, not really science, just experience and life trial.
How long has it been around?
From 3,000 to 5,000 years.
You are also trained in Western medicine, so why the shift?
Yes, I did Western medicine first and was sent to work as a surgeon at a hospital. But the weakness was that it was all operation and trauma, the last call for the results. You do help lots of patients, but by practicing clinically, we can prevent, and we don’t have to go to that stage.
Are you a licensed medical doctor in Canada?
No. I just came here for medical research, pharmaceutical research.
Who should use TCM?
There is a benefit for everyone. It is preventative, so we talk about lifestyle and qi, energy balance and how to feel good. I think everyone can use that.
What is qi?
Qi (pronounced “chi”) is energy. If a person is alive, it is because we have qi flowing in our bodies.
Do you need to accept the spiritual side to go ahead with treatment?
No. Actually, for most of my patients, I’m usually the last option when they’ve tried everything else, and say, “OK, maybe let’s try this one.” That’s the very beginning always when you’re really sick and you hit a wall and don’t know where to go anymore.
So what percentage of your patients are Westerners?
About 90 per cent. I’ve never advertised in any newspaper. So when I started, my first patients were all medical doctors, like Carolyn DeMarco, and were very much into holistic and into TCM. First they’d send their relatives, then their patients, and it was all word of mouth.
So how many patients do you have now?
About 12,000.
Your new book concentrates on our perception of beauty and focuses largely on skin treatment. Why?
We all notice beauty — everyone cares — especially external beauty. I can see how many people suffer from that by cosmetic surgery. We’ve forgotten what is inner beauty. Good health comes from inside: how you honour yourself and are at peace with yourself.
So why skin, exactly?
Skin is really the expression of internal problems. The body has 14 meridians that represent each organ. The meridian spots, if skin problems show up, that’s a message. We need to listen to our bodies — the symptoms are language — dialogue with ourselves to say maybe you don’t have enough sleep; too much sugar, coffee, alcohol.
What about wrinkles?
I don’t deal with wrinkles. I don’t do anything. The reason I would deal with it is if there is a skin condition — psoriasis, acne, eczema … but for beauty, if someone asks for acupuncture in the face, to be wrinkle-free, I don’t do this.
What about more obscure Chinese medicines, such as rhinoceros horn, shark fin, that use animal parts, endangered species?
I don’t use any animal products. If you use animal products — for example, bear, dog — I think that is not really good karma. Pretty much, it is awareness that underneath we are one, which is very much Buddhist thinking. You just need to use herbs or something else instead.
Is there a traditional Chinese version of Viagra?
We do talk about how we open the sexual energy channel. Sex energy is most important in TCM and can help you to well-being. We use the three modalities [herbs, acupuncture, massage] to boost libido.