Rediscovering an Ancient Superpower: Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

Growing up, one of the rituals my mother and I shared was throwing the I Ching. We’d sit on the floor with a small notebook, three coins, and a deep sense of curiosity. She had learned it from her aunt, and I always felt like we were carrying forward something ancient—something that wasn’t just about “predicting” but about listening. We’d toss the coins six times to form a hexagram, which we’d look up in the I Ching’s pages—each hexagram representing a pattern of potential.

So when someone throws the I Ching, they’re not asking “What will happen?” so much as “What is the energy of this moment, and how should I align with it?” It’s a mirror of the current energetic pattern, and guidance for returning to balance. At the time, I didn’t think too much about the deeper mechanics of it.

It wasn’t until university, while studying Taoist medicine and classical Chinese texts, that I realized those hexagrams are built from the eight fundamental symbols known as kua (or gua/卦). These eight kua are more than just philosophical ideas—they’re energetic archetypes. In Taoism and in Chinese medicine, they describe the core forces of nature: Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Water, Mountain, Wind, Fire, and Lake. When combined in pairs, they create the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching—but they also form the basis of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, sometimes called the Marvelous Vessels in Chinese medicine. These vessels govern deep-level regulation of our hormones, DNA expression, and ancestral energy—functions that, in modern language, we might associate with epigenetics or quantum regulation.

What struck me was this: the same binary-based system used to explore change and synchronicity in life (through the I Ching) is also used to understand energetic anatomy and healing in Chinese medicine. These aren’t separate systems—they're two expressions of the same natural order. In a way, throwing the I Ching as a child was my first introduction to how pattern governs biology—something that now deeply influences my work as a holistic health practitioner.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a perspective on health that ties together mind, body, emotions, and organs in a way modern medicine often overlooks. In Western medicine, we might see a psychotherapist for our emotional distresses, and a gastroenterologist for digestive issues. TCM, by contrast, views these aspects as inseparable – an insight that makes it a uniquely powerful healing system. For example, in TCM emotions and physical health are intimately connected, each influencing the other in a dynamic loop. This means a bout of anxiety might disturb your digestion, or unresolved grief could weaken your lungs. By treating you as a whole, TCM can often uncover root imbalances behind what seem like isolated issues.

What Is TCM, and How Is It Different?

What makes TCM unique is that it doesn't just ask "What disease do you have?" Instead, it asks:

"What is your pattern of imbalance?"

This pattern-based approach looks at how your symptoms, energy, emotions, and organ function all relate. It's called pattern differentiation—and it’s what allows us to treat the root cause, not just manage surface symptoms

One reason TCM is so effective is its truly holistic approach. Rather than zooming in on one symptom or one body part, a TCM practitioner looks at the entire landscape of your health – physical complaints, emotional state, lifestyle, and more – to find patterns. In TCM theory, the body’s organs aren’t just individual machines; they’re part of an interconnected web that includes mental and emotional dimensions. An illness is rarely just “in your head” or just “in your body” – it’s usually both. In fact, each major organ in TCM is linked to specific emotions, and imbalance in one can affect the other. For example, an upset Liver system might trigger irritability or anger, while prolonged worry can weaken your Spleen (digestive system). This integrated view helps TCM practitioners untangle mind-body knots that a purely physical approach might miss.

Pattern vs. Symptom: Instead of diagnosing diseases by name alone, TCM identifies patterns of imbalance. Two people with the same Western diagnosis (say, migraines) might have very different TCM patterns. One person’s headaches could stem from Liver-related stress, while another’s might be due to Kidney energy depletion – the treatment for each would differ accordingly. This pattern-based diagnosis is deeply personal and comprehensive, addressing why the imbalance is happening in the context of the whole person. The result is a tailored treatment that can simultaneously ease physical symptoms and restore emotional equilibrium. It’s an approach that treats causes, not just effects, which is especially empowering in chronic or stress-related conditions.

Key TCM Diagnosis Frameworks

Behind TCM’s therapies are several key principles or concepts that practitioners use to understand and diagnose what’s happening in your body.

Yin and Yang: Yin and Yang are perhaps the most widely recognized TCM concept. They describe how opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world – and in our bodies. Yin is associated with qualities like coolness, rest, darkness, and substance; Yang with warmth, activity, light, and energy. Rather than enemies, these two are partners that continuously transform into each other – think of day (yang) turning into night (yin), then back again. Good health in TCM is all about Yin-Yang balance. If Yin and Yang in the body become unbalanced (for example, someone running on “too much Yang” might have high stress, heat symptoms, and insomnia, whereas “too much Yin” might manifest as coldness, fatigue, and depression), illness can result. A practitioner will assess signs to see if an ailment leans towards a Yin or Yang nature and then help rebalance it. The goal is to restore harmony, because when Yin and Yang are in equilibrium, the body’s self-healing capacity kicks in. A relatable example: think of the right balance between work and rest. Work (Yang) gives life excitement and productivity, but without enough rest (Yin) to complement it, you burn out. TCM would view burnout as Yang exhaustion (and often Yin deficiency too), treatable by cooling, calming therapies to rebuild substance and calm the overactive energy.

Qi – The Body’s Vital Energy: Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the life force or energy that flows through meridians, the channels connecting all parts of the body. If you’ve never heard of meridians, you can think of them like an invisible network akin to blood vessels or nerves, but for energy. Qi is what animates us – in TCM theory, it powers circulation, warms the body, defends against illness, and links mind and body together. We derive Qi from the air we breathe and the food we eat, and we also have inherited Qi (our innate vitality). When Qi is abundant and moving freely, we feel healthy and alert. When it’s blocked, deficient, or chaotic, problems arise. Have you ever described yourself as feeling “stuck” or “drained”? That’s essentially Qi talk. TCM states that this vital energy circulates through the meridians and connects to every organ and function. So if there’s a blockage (say, due to stress, injury, or poor diet), it’s like a traffic jam in your system – pain or dysfunction might occur in that area or even elsewhere along the path. A common example is “Liver Qi stagnation,” where stress or repressed emotion causes the Liver’s energy to get stuck; a person with this pattern might experience tension headaches, irritability, or digestive issues. The job of treatments like acupuncture and herbs is often to “move Qi” and restore its normal circulation. Many first-time acupuncture patients are surprised that treating points on, say, the foot can relieve a headache – that’s the meridian network at work, ensuring that when Qi flow is smoothed out, distant parts of the body benefit.

The Five Elements: TCM also uses the model of the Five Elements (Five Phases) – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water – to understand how different organs and systems relate to each other. Each element corresponds to particular organs, emotions, seasons, colors, and other attributes, creating a rich symbolic map of the body. For instance, the Liver is associated with the Wood element (think growth and flexibility), the Heart with Fire (warmth and joy), the Spleen with Earth (nourishment and stability), the Lungs with Metal (structure and grief), and the Kidneys with Water (depth and fear). This might sound abstract, but it leads to very practical diagnostic insights. If someone has asthma with lingering sadness, a TCM practitioner notes a Metal/Lung theme. Or if a patient has stress-related neck tension and frustration, that points to a Wood/Liver imbalance. Five Element theory is essentially about relationships: how one organ system can affect another, either positively (in a generating cycle) or negatively (in a controlling cycle). It teaches that our internal organs keep each other in check like a well-rehearsed orchestra – when one instrument is out of tune, others eventually feel it. Practitioners use this framework to piece together a patient’s story: maybe a Kidney (Water) weakness is leading to Heart (Fire) symptoms like insomnia, because Water isn’t balancing Fire – a classic pattern in menopausal women, for example. By understanding these relationships, TCM can treat the root element imbalance and rebalance the whole system. The Five Elements also reinforce the notion that we are deeply connected to nature. Seasonal changes affect our health (e.g., winter’s Water energy urges rest, summer’s Fire energy is more active) and our emotions are natural but must remain in balance. This elegant system ensures TCM diagnosis and treatment consider the whole context of a person’s life and environment. As one overview explains, Five Elements theory looks at how the elements support and regulate each other to keep Qi flowing harmoniously throughout the body – when applied by a skilled practitioner, it’s like reading the body’s ecosystem to find where there is imbalance.

Other TCM Frameworks: There are additional concepts (like the Eight Principles of Yin/Yang, Hot/Cold, Internal/External, Deficiency/Excess, and the theory of Zang-Fu organ functions) as well as diagnostic tools such as pulse and tongue diagnosis. But these all tie back to the big ideas above. As a TCM practitioner, I feel your pulse at several positions to sense the quality of Qi in different organs, look at your tongue’s color and coating for clues of heat, moisture, and stagnation, and ask detailed questions about everything from sleep to your emotional state. By filtering all this information through the lenses of Qi, Yin-Yang, and Five Elements, I can form a coherent picture of your health. It’s a bit like detective work – connecting the dots among seemingly unrelated symptoms. The outcome is a diagnosis like “Kidney Yin deficiency with Heart fire rising,” which might sound poetic, but in actuality, it succinctly captures an imbalance affecting multiple systems. And thus it points to a clear plan for treatment to restore balance across those systems.

Why TCM Feels So Powerful for Today’s Chronic Conditions

Most of the clients I see aren’t dealing with emergency situations—they’re dealing with things like:

• Hormonal imbalances

• Lack of Deep Sleep

• Digestive issues

• Burnout or adrenal fatigue

• Histamine intolerance or chronic inflammation

• Recurring infections or low immunity

• Anxiety or emotional overwhelm

These are complex, whole-body issues. And honestly, modern medicine doesn’t always offer satisfying answers—especially when your labs look “normal,” but you know you don’t feel well.

That’s where TCM shines. It allows us to see patterns and connections that Western medicine often misses—especially between:

• Emotions and organ health (like grief affecting the lungs, or fear impacting the kidneys)

• Digestion and immunity (your gut health is key in TCM, often seen as your "Earth element")

• Energy levels and hormonal balance (we’d look at Kidney Yang or Yin deficiency for fatigue or low libido)

The Connection to Quantum Biology

Here’s the exciting part: modern science is beginning to validate many of TCM’s core principles.

In quantum biology, researchers are exploring how the body communicates through energy fields, light (biophotons), water structures, and vibrational resonance.

These concepts align almost perfectly with what TCM has described for centuries:

• Meridians may reflect electrical pathways through connective tissue and fascia

• The “Qi” we talk about in Chinese medicine may correlate with electromagnetic or photonic signaling

• Emotions influencing organ health may be explained by vibrational coherence and nervous system regulation

In other words, TCM is already operating in the realm of quantum coherence, long before science had language for it. That’s why I believe Chinese medicine is not just ancient—it’s cutting-edge.

Why I Practice This Way

I’ve seen firsthand how people begin to heal when they feel seen, heard, and treated as a whole person—not a collection of symptoms or disconnected systems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine gives me the tools to work deeply with each patient, one-on-one. It allows me to understand the story behind the symptoms and help guide the body back into balance.

Over the years, I’ve come to see symptoms not as problems to silence, but as messages—the body’s way of asking for change. Whether it’s fatigue, skin issues, anxiety, or digestive distress, your body is always speaking. My work is about helping you learn that language—deciphering the patterns and signals so you can understand what your body truly needs to restore equilibrium.

If you’ve been told everything is “normal” but you still don’t feel well… this may be the approach you’ve been looking for.

References

1. Vanbuskirk, S. (2024). How Emotions and Organs Are Connected in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Verywell Mind.

2. Encircle Acupuncture. (2020). The Emotions and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

3. Gaia Herbs. (n.d.). An Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Yin-Yang and Five Elements.

4. Verywell Mind. (2023). TCM Approach to PMS and Liver Qi.

5. Jinxiang, Z., Shuo, Y., & Yu, T. (2011). Quantum: A new-found messenger in biological systems. Bioscience Trends, 5(4), 183–187.

6. Abacus Chinese Medicine (Russell, J.). (2016). Quantum Qi – We Are the Same as Everything.

7. Buzanowski, J. G. (2012). Acupuncture for Pain Relief. U.S. Air Force Public Affairs.

Parasites: The Hidden Hitchhikers Sabotaging Your Skin

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

A Modern Parasite Problem

Imported produce, household pets, international travel, and even municipal water all increase our exposure to protozoa and helminths. These organisms flourish in the gut, siphon off nutrients, and dump metabolic waste that stresses the liver, lymph, and skin.

Heavy Metals: The Hidden Enablers

Parasites, pathogenic bacteria, and opportunistic Candida species thrive in the presence of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. Metals:

• Bind to bacterial cell walls, shielding microbes from immune attack.

• Disrupt beneficial strains (e.g., Lactobacillus spp.), tilting the gut ecosystem toward opportunists.

• Chelate sulfur compounds, starving detox enzymes of cysteine and glutathione and prolonging systemic inflammation.

Because metals “feed” microbial overgrowth, a staged protocol is essential:

• Mobilize and bind metals first (see Section 5).

• Then target parasites, Candida, and dysbiotic bacteria with synergistic herbals.

• Finally rebuild terrain with probiotics and prebiotic fibers matched to individual microbiome gaps.

How Parasites Trigger Skin Issues

When parasites settle in the gut, they set off a cascade of internal changes that quickly show up on the skin:

• Gut-lining irritation and leak: Parasites inflame and erode the intestinal wall, allowing undigested food particles and endotoxins to slip into circulation. This “leaky gut” response often surfaces as eczema patches, hives, or sudden rosacea flares.

• Excess histamine release: Many parasites stimulate mast cells and basophils, flooding the system with histamine. The result is classic allergy-type skin reactions—persistent itching, diffuse redness, or localized welts that resist topical creams.

• Nutrient theft: By consuming or blocking absorption of zinc, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-vitamins, parasites deprive the skin of materials needed for repair. Wounds heal slowly, the barrier becomes fragile, and chronic dryness or cracking can set in.

• Biotoxin overload: Parasites produce metabolic waste that the liver and lymph must process. When those pathways clog, toxins are pushed through pores instead, fueling cystic acne, a dull or gray complexion, and that “toxic” skin look no amount of exfoliation fixes.

In short, the gut–skin conversation turns sharply negative when parasites move in, making internal cleanup essential for lasting clear, glowing, vibrant skin.

Herbal Eradication

For centuries, traditional systems have used botanicals to dislodge parasites while protecting gut tissue:

• Black walnut hull contains juglone and tannins, which help paralyze intestinal worms and tighten the gut wall, reducing permeability and leakage of parasite by-products into the bloodstream.

• Wormwood (Artemisia annua), rich in sesquiterpene lactones, disrupts parasite metabolic processes and stimulates bile flow through its bitter action—both of which support detox and proper digestion.

• Berberine-containing herbs like Coptis and Goldenseal are packed with berberine alkaloids, offering strong antiprotozoal activity and helping to rebalance the microbiome by suppressing harmful bacteria while sparing beneficial strains.

• Clove bud, which contains the active compound eugenol, is particularly effective at destroying parasite eggs, preventing reinfection cycles. It also offers broad-spectrum antifungal activity, making it valuable in cases where Candida overgrowth coexists with parasites.

• Neem, rich in azadirachtin, interferes with parasite hormonal signaling, disrupting their reproductive cycles and reducing their ability to thrive in the intestinal environment.

• Finally, pumpkin seeds provide cucurbitin, a compound known to dislodge tapeworms from the intestinal wall, physically assisting in their removal from the digestive tract.

Clearing Parasites Safely (with lunar timing)

A comprehensive, plant-based parasite protocol should be timed and tailored for maximum effect. Interestingly, many practitioners observe that parasite activity increases during the full moon. This is due to a combination of hormonal, circadian, and neurotransmitter shifts—particularly increased serotonin and melatonin fluctuations—which may stimulate parasite reproduction and movement.

Why it matters:

• During full moons, people often report worsened bloating, insomnia, sugar cravings, itching, and skin flare-ups—classic signs of parasitic agitation.

• Targeting parasites during this window may make herbal antimicrobials more effective, as the organisms are more active and less protected.

How to use it:

• Start your parasite-clearing herbs a few days before the full moon and continue for 5–7 days.

• Combine with binders, drainage support, and grounding practices to offset possible die-off symptoms.

Binders & Metal Mobilizers

Before beginning any parasite-clearing protocol, it’s essential to mobilize and eliminate heavy metals, which often shield parasites and opportunistic microbes in biofilms. This step involves a strategic combination of agents used in a specific sequence:

1. Start with a chelation primer, such as cilantro, humic-fulvic acid complexes, or a low dose of liposomal EDTA. These agents help loosen metals from deep tissues and biofilms, making them more accessible for removal.

2. Once metals are mobilized, it’s important to follow up with a binder—options like activated charcoal from coconut shell, bentonite clay, or modified citrus pectin are excellent choices. These substances act like sponges in the gastrointestinal tract, binding heavy metals and parasite-derived toxins, ensuring they’re safely escorted out of the body via the stool rather than being reabsorbed.

3. Timing matters. For best results, take binders 30 to 60 minutes before meals or herbal antimicrobials. This ensures they do not interfere with nutrient absorption or reduce the potency of your botanicals.

Sequencing the Protocol

1. Assess & Map – Stool PCR to identify parasites, yeast, and bacterial strains; hair or urine test for heavy metals.

2. Open Drainage – Daily bowel movements, adequate bile flow, mineral repletion.

3. Metal Mobilization + Binder – 2–4 weeks.

4. Herbal Parasite + Candida Phase – 4–6 weeks, often in pulsed cycles (5 days on, 2 days off).

5. Rebuild Microbiome – Strain-specific probiotics (e.g., L. rhamnosus for histamine balance) and resistant starch.

6. Retest & Adjust – 8–12 weeks post-protocol.

Professional Guidance Matters

The exact mix of parasites, bacteria, fungi, and metals is unique to each gut ecosystem. Incorrect sequencing or dosing can trigger severe die-off reactions, nutrient depletion, or microbial rebound. A qualified practitioner can:

• Interpret PCR and metal panels.

• Tailor herbals to individual microbiome.

• Adjust binders, electrolytes, and liver supports in real time.

Key Takeaway

Heavy metals enable parasites and Candida; parasites inflame the gut and skin. A plant-based, staged protocol—metals first, microbes second, terrain rebuild last—removes the root triggers without damaging the microbiome. Guided herbal therapy, strategic binders, and personalized sequencing can transform stubborn skin problems by healing from the inside out.

References

Alyousif, M. S., Al-Shawa, Y. R., & Al-Khalifa, M. S. (2015). Efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica) and wormwood (Artemisia annua) extracts against helminth parasites: An in vivo study. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 39(4), 698–703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-013-0403-9

Ghosh, S., & Playford, R. J. (2003). Bioactive natural compounds for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Clinical Science, 104(6), 547–556. https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20020314

Gorbach, S. L. (2000). Probiotics and gastrointestinal health. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 95(1 Suppl), S2–S4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9270(99)00806-0

Guan, Y., Hu, J., Wang, X., & Shao, J. (2020). Mechanisms of heavy metal exposure on gut microbiota and its correlation with human diseases. Frontiers in Genetics, 11, 566. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.00566

Kosalec, I., Pepeljnjak, S., & Kušan, I. (2005). Mycotoxins and fungi in fermented food. Croatian Medical Journal, 46(1), 107–112.

Kumar, S., & Singh, S. (2015). Wormwood (Artemisia annua): A traditional herb for modern medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 3(5), 147–151.

Müller, M., & Kersten, S. (2003). Nutritional modulation of gut microbiota – the role of polyphenols. Nutrition, 19(5), 373–376. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-9007(02)01093-5

Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 184745. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/184745

Tang, Y., Gong, Y., Wu, Y., Wu, J., & Liu, J. (2016). Efficacy of clove oil and eugenol against intestinal parasites: In vitro and in vivo studies. Parasitology Research, 115(5), 1941–1947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-4946-y

Upton, R. (2001). Black Walnut Hulls Monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium.

Walker, W. A., & Iyengar, R. S. (2015). Breast milk, microbiota, and intestinal immune homeostasis. Pediatric Research, 77(1-2), 220–228. https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2014.174

Infrared Saunas – Sweat It Out: Detoxing for Clear Skin in a Toxic World

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

The Modern Toxic Burden

Glyphosate: Detected in 80 percent of U.S. urine samples.

PFAS “forever chemicals:” Found in almost every blood sample tested.

Industrial chemicals in newborns: More than 200 identified in umbilical-cord blood.

Contaminated drinking water: Over 158 million Americans have PFAS-tainted taps, plus lead, pesticide runoff, and more.

Our livers and kidneys work non-stop to process this load, but when they fall behind, the body pushes leftovers out through the skin. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, early wrinkles, and a chronically dull complexion are common signs that detox pathways are struggling.

Why Traditional Saunas Fall Short

Traditional saunas heat the air to 160–200 °F. That intense external heat can spike cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol:

Slows Phase II liver detoxification.

Depletes glutathione, the master antioxidant.

Keeps the body in sympathetic “fight-or-flight” mode, closing down efficient toxin processing.

You still sweat, but mobilised toxins may stay in circulation longer—and some will simply resettle in tissues.

Gentle Heat, Deeper Detox

Infrared panels warm tissues directly at 110–140 °F, producing a comfortable, steady sweat while keeping cortisol lower. Benefits include:

Deeper penetration: Up to 1.5 inches below the skin, loosening metals stored in bone and fat.

Higher sweat volume at lower heat: More efficient removal of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury; measurable excretion of BPA and phthalates.

Parasympathetic activation: Rest-and-digest mode supports liver, lymph, and gut function.

Skin gains: Better circulation, reduced inflammation, and fewer oxidative-stress signals that age and inflame the skin.

Don’t Forget a Binder

Mobilising toxins is only half the job; they need to leave the body, not recirculate. Take a binder 30–60 minutes before your infrared session to trap mobilised chemicals in the gut for safe elimination.

Recommended binders:

Binder Typical Dose* Key Targets

Activated charcoal (coconut shell) 500–1000 mg Heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins

Bentonite or zeolite clay 1 teaspoon in water Metals, ammonia, mould toxins

Chlorella (broken-cell) 2–3 g Mercury, BPA, PFAS

Modified citrus pectin 5 g Lead, cadmium, radioactive elements

*Always confirm the right product and dose with your health professional.

Safe-Use Checklist

Hydrate: 500 mL water before, sip during, 500 mL after. Add electrolytes.

Session length: Start at 10–15 minutes; work up to 30–40 minutes, 3–4 times per week.

Cool-down: Shower promptly to rinse off sweat-bound toxins.

Listen to your body: Light-headedness, palpitations, or excessive fatigue mean shorten the next session.

Contra-indications: Pregnancy, uncontrolled hypertension, and certain heart conditions—get medical clearance first.

Key Takeaway

Lowering toxic load calms systemic inflammation and frees the skin to repair. Infrared sauna—paired with a quality binder, good hydration, and gradual heat exposure—offers an efficient, low-stress way to unload metals, plastics, and chemical residues. Make it a regular part of your detox plan, and let your complexion show the results.

References

Olorunsogo, D. O., et al. (2022). Glyphosate exposure in the general population: A review of epidemiological studies. Environmental Research, 204(B), 111984.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/

Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2005). Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns. https://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns

Andrews, D., Naidenko, O. (2019). PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported. Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org

Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: a systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 184745.

Genuis, S. J., Birkholz, D., Rodushkin, I., & Beesoon, S. (2011). Blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study: Monitoring and elimination of bioaccumulated toxic elements. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 61(2), 344–357.

Genuis, S. J., Beesoon, S., & Lobo, R. A. (2012). BPA, phthalates, and other environmental toxins: Evidence for their excretion through sweat. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 187-189.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Air pollution. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

Park, S. Y., et al. (2020). Ambient air pollution and acne: A cross-sectional study of Korean adolescents. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 140(3), 552–555.e2.

Puri, P., et al. (2017). Impact of air pollution on skin: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 10(3), 46–51.

From Equations to Energy – Why I Chose Natural Medicine

By Dr. Sofía Swatt, DNM, PhD

When people ask me how I became a doctor of natural medicine, they’re often surprised to hear where it all began: in engineering classrooms at UC Berkeley. I started my academic journey studying Environmental Science and Engineering, following in my mother’s footsteps and driven by a deep love for mathematics and a fascination with the natural world.

Midway through college, I found myself drawn even deeper into the world of theory and computation. I was enthralled by the mental challenge of solving technical algorithms and exploring complex theoretical frameworks, which eventually led me to pursue a master’s degree in pure mathematics. But while I was thriving academically, my body was silently crying out for help.

Behind the scenes, I was suffering from chronic gut pain so intense it would sometimes cause me to faint. My skin—another mirror of inner imbalance—was erupting in breakouts that left my self-esteem in pieces. I tried everything. I saw over a dozen specialists—dermatologists, gastroenterologists, functional doctors—ran endless labs, and followed strict elimination diets. I only ate vegetables at one point. I did infrared saunas, colonics, liver flushes, acupuncture, glutathione IV drips, homeopathy, Tibetan medicine, candida & parasite cleanses, and every gut repair supplement under the sun. I even took Accutane—not once, but three separate times. Nothing worked. In fact, the last round of Accutane made my skin worse. You name it, I tried it—and still, nothing touched the root.

At some point, I realized that the answer wasn't going to come from outside of me. I had to take healing into my own hands.

By then, I had already amassed a wealth of knowledge in the “biohacking” and quantum biology spaces, driven by my own research and relentless curiosity. It was around 2019–2020 that I started understanding the human body not just as a biochemical machine, but as an energetic field—an intelligent matrix of electricity, magnetism, and consciousness. The missing link in my healing wasn’t another supplement, restrictive diet, or lab test. It was the biofield—our body’s energetic architecture.

I came to understand that illness often begins in the outermost layers of the energy body—through emotional trauma, chronic stress, or disconnection—and then moves inward, manifesting as physical symptoms. And so, the breakthrough came not through trying harder, but through harmonizing my energy field.

This wasn’t just a hard chapter—it felt like death row. I was utterly devastated, emotionally exhausted, and out of options. I had tried everything I knew to try—and then tried more. My body was in pain every single day, my skin was a source of deep shame. I started to believe that maybe this was just going to be my life. That maybe healing wasn’t in the cards for me. It’s hard to put into words the kind of loneliness and desperation that comes from doing everything “right” and still feeling broken.

And yet, somehow, through the grace of this path, I found my way back to life. Not through a quick fix, but through deep surrender—through doing the inner work, reclaiming my emotions, and remembering who I really was beyond the diagnosis, the symptoms, the suffering. Through my training in hypnotherapy, shamanic healing, and Reiki, I was blessed to encounter teachers, mentors, and healing practitioners who helped me peel back the layers of emotional pain I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. That’s when everything shifted. My skin began to heal. My digestion stabilized. I now feel healthier, more alive, and more radiant than ever before. Not because I chased perfection, but because I committed to becoming whole. That is what saved me. And that is why I do this work now—because I know what it’s like to feel hopeless, and I know that healing is possible.

Sometimes, the answers aren’t in another pill or protocol—but in the parts of ourselves we were never taught to listen to. And when we begin there, everything can change.