Steve Woodley Traditional Mitochondrial Medicine

25/08/2026

Chinese exercises have long focused on health including accounts from the Warring States period (475 - 221 BCE) describing people cultivating their bodies and striving for longevity through exercises. The largest review of its kind is now supports this claim revealing that tai chi and related exercises are particularly beneficial for musculoskeletal disorders in multidimensional ways, including improving pain, balance, mental health, muscle strength and physical function.

What was not looked at, was the effects on neurological conditions, which has was shown in a previous review on 2022 but not included in the review.

Analysis finds ‘high certainty evidence’ of their effectiveness for the 1.7bn people worldwide with musculoskeletal conditions

18/08/2026

I was watching this video today, on mitochondria in health and disease, by Doug Wallace, a highly respected scientist considered the father of mitochondrial genomics. Right near the end, at 1:27:45, he gives a shout out to traditional Chinese medicine!

Lecture Starts at 15:41www.pswscience.orgMitochondria and Their R...

12/08/2026

This is the most amazing news for patients and acupuncturists alike.

I have always been a fan of blood donation, with my father receiving several during his life, but I have always been restricted from donating due to the fact that I practise acupuncture. Rarely does 4 months go by when I have not given myself treatment of some kind. Many of my clients are also left in a similar situation of choosing between treatment and donation. They must either suffer unnecessarily, or deny the NHS their blood.

Now we can have the best of both worlds.

07/08/2026

If you are a conventional medic, Five Element acupuncturist, or western herbalist, and have always wanted to learn Chinese herbal medicine, then this Foundation Course is aimed at you. It covers the basic principles, physiology and philosophy of Chinese medicine, providing a solid foundation for further study towards a qualification in Chinese herbal medicine.

As the lead lecturer, one of the things I enjoy most about this course is drawing on nearly two decades of clinical practice, my background in anthropology, and my research into mitochondrial health to help students bridge the gap between familiar concepts and the language of Chinese medicine.

Whether you are looking to broaden your clinical skills or take the first step towards a full qualification, the course is designed to give you the confidence to continue your journey into Chinese herbal medicine.

Start Your Journey into TCM

Our Foundation Course is designed to guide you step by step —

from the core principles of Qi, Yin-Yang, and the Five Elements, to building a solid foundation in diagnosis and clinical thinking.

You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers and practitioners in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The teaching combines classical theory with modern clinical insight — helping you understand not just what TCM is, but how it is applied in real practice.

👩‍🏫 Instructors: Dr. Steve Woodley & Lianne Acquilina

Both bring a wealth of clinical and teaching experience, offering a structured and accessible introduction to TCM. Their approach ensures complex theory is broken down into clear, practical knowledge — suitable for beginners while still valuable for those with a healthcare background.

📅 Start date: October 4, 2026 – March 14, 2027

📍 Format: Fully online (live teaching sessions)

🗓️ Schedule: 10 Sundays

⏱️ Total: 70 hours

Course Format & Experience:

✔ Live, structured online lectures with clear progression

✔ Interactive sessions with opportunities for Q&A

✔ Step-by-step learning — ideal for beginners

✔ Clinical context to support real-world understanding

✔ Access to teaching materials and guided learning



This course offers a structured introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine — designed for healthcare professionals, prospective diploma students, and complete beginners who want to build a strong grounding in Chinese medical theory, diagnostics, and treatment principles.

✔ Instalment plans available

✔ Referral: £20 for you & a friend

🌿 Start your journey this October 2026

Now accepting applications

Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

28/07/2026

Once again, it seems that we have something to learn from ancient Chinese longevity practices, except this time it's not the science but the culture.

The modern longevity culture sees ageing as an enemy to be fought, and our losses in that battle as a source of shame, to be concealed, when it begins from the moment we are born. Therefore, the article argues, it is anti-life.

Conversely, Chinese Yang Sheng literally translates to "nourishing life" and is the opposite of this. The wisdom of experience is aspired to, as seen in the image of the sage, usually a old man with a long beard. The goal is to nurture life from within, living in tune with the environment and with minimal effort, maintaining a functional body and mind that lives to your maximum allotted years with as little suffering as possible.

If this approach interests you, my studies focused on how traditional medicines interact with mitochondria, the main drivers of cellular ageing. My clinical practice brings these insights to bear on the practice of Chinese medicine. It is not a hack, a temporary cosmetic fix, or a novel product, just time-tested techniques informed by modern science.

Rapid scientific progress has given us the tools to stop time more convincingly than ever – but lurking behind these claims is the same fear of ageing

19/07/2026

Sadly, an all too common story with internet purchased herbal supplements: many do not contain what they say and some even contain hidden dangerous prescription only drugs. The consumer has little recourse for correction when all the companies involved are importing or refuse to accept responsibility for what is sold on their platform.

At the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, an approved suppliers scheme ensures that the herbs we use are audited to exceed UK law and safety guidance, and are prescribed by a professional who understands their correct use and is updated regularly on modern safety research.

Fiona Cameron bought "herbal" sleeping pills online but discovered they were prescription only.

11/07/2026

Ear seeding is a relatively modern practice within Chinese medicine, a mere 70 years old, although it has roots in older texts that mention treating the ears for certain severe disorders.

Today it is used mainly to treat stress and addictions due to the dense innervation of the outer ear. It is the only place on the entire surface of the human body where the vagus nerve, which controls many of our fight/flight responses, sends direct nerve fibres to the skin.

Someone like Djokovic, who is always looking for an edge, is most likely using this technique to bring his stress levels down during his high stakes Wimbledon matches.

Novak Djokovic is looking for his 25th Grand Slam title as he prepares for Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, with Clare Balding spotting the Serbian's secret weapon

09/07/2026

A second monograph for Herbal Reality on Coptis chinensis (huang lian) also went live yesterday, documenting this famously bitter herb's traditional use in infectious and inflammatory disorders, and the modern research on its berberine content that has made it a popular candidate for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes.

Huang lian is extremely bitter and cold, noted for its powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions against damp-heat conditions.

09/07/2026

My latest article has been released on Herbal Reality today, on Polygonum multiflorum, known as "Black Haired Mr. Wu" in Chinese (He Shou Wu) after its fame in longevity medicine for being able to prevent greying hair. Besides these traditional uses, and some research to support its claims, the monograph also covers recent issues with liver toxcity from its incorrect use and how that has been mitigated traditionally and today.

He shou wu is associated with youth, dark hair, good skin and sleep but the unprocessed roots are a source of concern for potential liver damage.

02/07/2026

The panel discussion of journal editors that was held at the UK Conference of Chinese Medicine is now available on YouTube, featuring yours truly in my role as the editor of the Journal for the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

https://youtu.be/PTXXP89Bwp4?si=oN8OxXpjCWTM-e2L

What role do academic journals play in shaping the future of Tradit...