The Mama Qi Story: Western Woman Meets Eastern Wisdom (and Learns to Laugh Along the Way)

Māma Qi began as a chaotic, beautiful, and slightly sweaty journey into motherhood. As a Western woman navigating the postpartum haze, I thought I had it all figured out—until my partner’s Chinese mother (affectionately known as Mā-ma) arrived with an arsenal of Eastern remedies, rituals, and an impressive side-eye for my lack of self-care.

Māma brought me red date tea, hearty soups, and stern reminders to “warm the body and protect your Qi.” She introduced me to practices like belly binding and ingredients I couldn’t pronounce (but now swear by). While I embraced most traditions—like nourishing foods and resting like a queen—I drew the line at not washing my hair for a month. Even my postpartum hormones couldn’t handle that one.

Somewhere between sipping teas and learning to balance my Qi, I realised something profound: these rituals weren’t just about recovery. They were about reclaiming space for myself in the chaos of new motherhood. And then it hit me—why hadn’t I known about this before? Why didn’t Western culture emphasise looking after the mother so she could care for her baby and herself?

That’s when Māma Qi was born: part education, part inspiration, and part gentle nudge to put yourself first (with a wink). We blend the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—yes, red dates are magic—with modern wellness, but keep it approachable. Our mission is to show women how to embrace ancient traditions in their everyday lives, whether they’re navigating postpartum, perimenopause, or just trying to survive another Monday.

At Māma Qi, you’ll find teas, hampers, and rituals designed to nurture your body, boost your energy, and give you a reason to pause. You’ll also find a healthy dose of laughter, because let’s face it, life’s too short to be serious about steeping leaves.

So, whether you’re sipping tea to cool a menopausal flash or eating soup like your life depends on it, know this: Māma Qi is here to help you nourish your Qi and your sense of humour. Because taking care of yourself isn’t just wise—it’s essential, and dare we say, it can even be fun.