Dr. Erika Siegel is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine with over a decade of clinical experience. In Chapter 3 of Handbook for Human Potential, she translates the principles of Chinese medicine — qi, meridians, elemental balance — into practical, modern healing tools.
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Handbook for Human Potential
Who is Dr. Erika Siegel?
Dr. Erika Siegel is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, educator, and mom: by nature, a juggler of life's abundance. She's been practicing functional, integrative medicine for 20 years, offering whole-bodied health care and inspiration to thrive. Dr. Siegel continuously expands her knowledge of therapies from around the globe to support others in maintaining the balance of mind, body, and spirit.
Her two-volume book set, The Nourish Me Kitchen, combines a first-of-its-kind functional medicine reference book along with a stunning wholesome-foods cookbook. Through these books you get an inside view of Dr. Siegel's practical knowledge and time-tested expertise — backed by peer-reviewed research — empowering you to support and heal yourself with food, medicine, home remedies, herbs, and self-care.
Discover the foundations of your personal wellness and illuminate the mysteries of how your body works through this integrative, East-meets-West field guide for living vibrantly and aging gracefully.
“When Qi is moving freely, your mind and body will feel more in the flow.”
— Dr. Erika Siegel, The Nuts and Bolts of Chinese Medicine
Key Takeaways to Implement
From the end of Erika's chapter
- 1
Identify your dominant constitution (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) using a dosha quiz and begin making one dietary or lifestyle adjustment that supports your type.
- 2
Add one bitter or sour food to your daily diet to support liver function and bile production — think lemon water in the morning, arugula in a salad, or apple cider vinegar before meals.
- 3
Practice eating without screens or distractions for at least one meal per day to activate the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state.
- 4
Learn the five flavors of Chinese medicine (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent) and begin noticing which ones you crave or avoid as clues to your internal balance.
- 5
Explore Dr. Siegel's two-volume book set, The Nourish Me Kitchen, for a full functional medicine reference and wholesome-foods cookbook.
