Once upon a time, a man planted a gourd vine. The slender vine soon grew thick with green leaves, and a few white blossoms bloomed. After the flowers withered, small gourds began to grow. They were so adorable that the man couldn’t stop checking on them several times a day.
One day, he noticed a few aphids on the leaves. He thought, “What’s the big deal? Just a few bugs.” He gazed lovingly at his baby gourds and whispered, “Grow faster, little gourds! I hope you grow even bigger than pumpkins!”
A neighbor saw him and said, “Don’t just stare at the gourds—look at those bugs on the leaves! You should take care of that right away.”
Surprised, the man replied, “What, treat bugs on the leaves? I only care about the gourds.”
But as days passed, more and more aphids appeared. The little gourds turned yellow and started falling off the vine one by one. The man was filled with regret and promised himself he’d do better next year.
The following year, he planted another gourd vine. This time, he took great care—watering, fertilizing, and watching closely. Before long, the vine was lush again, and the white flowers blossomed. When the tiny gourds appeared, he was just as delighted as before. Then one day, he spotted aphids again, just like last year. But this time, he remembered the neighbor’s advice and acted fast, treating the leaves and getting rid of the bugs completely.
As a result, the gourds grew larger each day. Eventually, they really did outgrow the pumpkins. The man was overjoyed.
I first read this fable, “All I Wanted Was the Gourd”, back in elementary school. But I’ve come to realize that in real life, there are plenty of people just like that man.
In my own experience, I’ve encountered many. Take my community group, for example. People often reach out and say, “Sister Chu Ye, I want to get pregnant. I want a baby.” So I offer to help by suggesting a constitution assessment, analyzing the results, and sharing everything I’ve learned through years of trial and error. I even compiled a beginner’s guide, packed with practical tips, and I send it to anyone who asks.
Yet some people—yes, even those who’ve been in the group for a year—keep asking the same questions they asked on day one. They don’t truly take the time to learn or apply the knowledge. They’re just hoping for quick results: a baby now, a miracle detox now, a magic cure to solve years of imbalance overnight. But they’re not willing to read, not willing to try, not willing to grow.
The ones who take it seriously—who study, try things out, reflect—those people are now busy taking care of their babies, enjoying life, and even helping others. The ones who just wanted the “gourd”? They’re still empty-handed.
I remember when I had no other choice but to self-study to solve my own health issues. I was actually grateful that I could search online and learn. Yes, the internet has tons of answers. But you have to figure out what fits you and what doesn’t. And the only way to know for sure is through experience. Practice is the ultimate test.
I didn’t have a mentor. I learned through my own body. Moxibustion turned out to be a safe, natural method—far safer than taking pills or getting injections. It works by expelling illness rather than suppressing symptoms. Once I grasped the basic concepts of meridian therapy, I just began to explore. I rested when tired, slept when sleepy, did moxibustion when in pain, cupping when itchy. Repeating these simple acts daily became my foundation.
Why did I persist? Because I had a big wish: to live in health. I believed that even tiny progress each day adds up. I believed that one day, I’d feel my best—and I’ve been working toward that ever since.
At first, I had no tools. Then I found some that helped cover a wider area. Later, I discovered how critical it is to treat the back and lower waist—areas I had neglected. That was my bottleneck. It took me years to realize the importance of warming yang energy in those zones. Now, I teach beginners how to use tools properly right from the start, to avoid the detours I took.
When I started seeing results from moxibustion, people came to me for advice. At first, I would just Google things like “which points to warm for this condition,” and pass along what I found. But after listening to lectures on classical Chinese medicine, I realized that wasn’t responsible. The same symptoms can come from different causes. You can’t just give everyone the same advice.
That’s when I learned about body constitution theory, especially the system developed by Professor Wang Qi. His method allows people to identify their own constitutional imbalances through a guided assessment. From there, we can tailor advice to their specific needs. Over the years, this method has proven effective again and again. It helps people understand the root cause—imbalance in their constitution—not just chase symptoms.
I’ve never blindly followed anyone. I’ve only trusted what I could prove through practice. That’s how I learned to assess moxa quality, choose tools, and refine my methods—step by step. The wisdom of the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine reminds us: healing is not just about symptoms. It’s about alignment—with one’s own nature, emotions, and the rhythms of life itself.
I’m not an expert. I’m a practitioner. I don’t know every lab report or Western diagnosis. What I do know are the flows of qi, the balance of yin and yang, and the language of the body.
So if you believe in meridian-based wellness, if you’re open to the idea that health starts with restoring inner balance, then please take the time to read the “Beginner’s Guide.” Many of your questions are already answered there. It may look simple, but it’s a roadmap—a doorway to deeper understanding.
And if you want to go further, the internet is always there to support your search.
Don’t just say you want a child—say you want true health. Act early. Catch the bugs before they spread. Identify the imbalance in your constitution. Adjust. Stay consistent. When the effort is real, the result will come—naturally.
Along the way, you’ll also learn calm, perseverance, and how to stay grounded.
Whatever it is you hope for, it won’t come from wishing alone. You have to engage, reflect, and grow. Learn from setbacks, start over with purpose, and hold fast to your intention.
Then one day, you’ll have your harvest—and much more.