What is Turn Bone?

Taiwan folk term “turn bone” (aka “becoming an adult) means the period of physiological and psychological changes, which children go through during the onset of puberty and pre-adulthood. This phase is the second growth peak of organs of human bodies, with boys starting about the age of 12, while girls about the age of 10. In fact, everyone’s growth development is different. Some start early and some late.

Chinese medicine believes that kidneys are the root of innate endowment while spleen and stomach are the root of acquired endowment, which depend on each other and work together. Huangdi Neijing stated “kidneys have the essence needed for bone and marrow growth” and “spleen helps muscle and limbs growth”. When the innate constitution is insufficient and the spleen and stomach are not strong enough to create qi and blood to nurture the other organs, muscles, and bones, growth delay occurs. In the aspect of modern nutrition, growth period needs calories, supplement of protein, calcium, iron, and zinc in order to meet the needs of growth.

For “turn bone” period or physique growth delay, one can add some Chinese medicine to tonify the kidney and fortify the spleen in cooking to enhance growth. Any discomforts in this phase should be taken care of by doctors instead of taking home remedies or over-the-counter medicine blindly. One should tonify the spleen before puberty, not kidneys. Girls should pay attention to warm the meridian and uterus. Besides, chicken with root of Asian basil is good for this phase. Chicken with root of Uraria crinita is good for spleen and stomach.

“Turn bone” phase has the most growth potential. Any discomforts in this phase need doctors’ attention. One can take this opportunity to condition allergic rhinitis, asthma, poor gastrointestinal function. With nurture, balance diet, proper exercise, and plenty of sleep, you can help your child enter the adulthood smoothly.

Directions

1. Take on package between ½ hour after dinner and ½ hour before bed, Monday through Saturday. Heat the medicine drink before use. Do not take this medicine drink when you have a cold, fever, or on menstrual period. 
2. Plenty of Sleep (best before 11 pm). Balanced Diet (food high in zinc: oysters, shrimp, clams, beef, pork, pig liver, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, and pumpkins). Regular Exercise (stretch and jump exercise, such as jump rope, pull ups, and basketball). Massage ST 36 acupoint (Yongquan, the notch on the sole 1/3 from the front).