MOAIE x Tea stories — A Conversation with Ichelle from InfiniQi

From curiosity to calling

“I always had an interest in health,” Ichelle begins, “but in high school, I had to find my own ways to manage it.”
When conventional medicine didn’t offer much relief, her curiosity led her to acupuncture — and she was immediately fascinated. “Once I started reading about it, I realized how acupuncture connects to a whole system of Chinese medicine — herbs, cupping, nutrition. It’s a complete way of seeing the body.”

Her path led her to London’s University of Westminster, one of the few universities in Europe offering a full-time, degree-level program in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

“What I loved was that from week one, we were already in clinic,” she says. “It was very hands-on, very international. We learned to think beyond the common strategies and really focus on the patient — to find the best treatment for that person. TCM has a thousand years of evolution across regions and philosophies; there isn’t one way, and that’s the beauty of it.”

 

Inside InfiniQi: where women come to reconnect

In her practice today, Ichelle mainly supports women’s health — with a focus on fertility, menopausal transitions, hormonal imbalance,endometriosis and PCOS.

“Many women come because their cycles are irregular or they’re struggling to conceive,” she says. “We don’t treat lab values — we look at the body’s energy system, its signals and patterns. The face, the nails, the hair, digestion, even emotional tone — they all tell part of the story. The aim is not to suppress symptoms but to bring the body back to balance, so it can heal itself.”

And how long does that take?
“It depends,” she smiles. “Some feel a shift after one session, others after several weeks. With hormonal issues, we often work together for two or three months. The imbalance took years to form — so we give the body time to remember how to restore itself.”

One myth she’s keen to dispel: that acupuncture is painful or mystical.

“It’s not,” she says. “It’s very practical. The body is constantly communicating in clear signs we can observe and palpate, and symptoms that express themselves; Chinese medicine just helps us listen whilst acupuncture or herbs help restore the balance.”

 

What women’s wellness really means

When asked how she defines women’s wellness, Ichelle pauses. “It’s about vitality — not just physically, but mentally. Feeling connected to yourself and the world around you.”

Her diagnostic process begins with the tongue, pulse, and facial expression, but also with energy and presence. “We peel back the layers,” she explains. “As treatments progress, women notice they’re calmer, more energized, more resilient to stress.”

Her top advice?
“Take a quiet moment and ask yourself: What do I need right now? We often know what’s good for us — rest, slowing down, nourishment — but we ignore it. Write down what your body and mind need this week and start from there.”

She believes modern culture undervalues rest — especially for women juggling work, families, and societal expectations. “We’re depleting our life energy daily,” she says. “Companies could do more to support rest and flexibility. Wellness starts when we listen to the body, not push past it.”

 

How acupuncture works — and why it matters

At its core, acupuncture is about restoring flow.
“The needles are gateways,” she explains. “They influence the body’s energy — what we call Qi — through the meridians that connect organs and systems. By adjusting where energy is blocked or deficient, we help the body rebalance.”

She’s also clear about science and transparency. “We still lack a shared biomedical language to fully explain how acupuncture works, but the effects are observable and repeatable. It’s not placebo — it’s regulation. More research is needed, but the evidence base is growing.”

Lifestyle matters too: “Good sleep, balanced food, manageable exercise — they amplify the effect. What blunts it? Overwork, overtraining, or stress. And maybe skip the wine on treatment days,” she adds with a grin.

 

Tea as medicine: the synergy of tradition and ritual

During our conversation, we shared a cup of Moaie’s new calming tea blend, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine. We asked Ichelle to describe the synergy of its ingredients.

• Jujube (Da Zao) — “It’s used to calm the spirit and strengthen the digestive system. It’s harmonizing — it balances a formula. It also nourishes the blood, making it perfect around menstruation or during times of depletion.”
• Peach Gum — “It’s not from classical formulas that I have studied but from TCM nutrition — a yin tonic for the skin and fluids. It’s often used in Chinese desserts with jujube, for anti-aging and glow.”
• Tulsi (Holy Basil) and Lavender — “Our society is demanding, and adaptogens like tulsi help build resilience to stress. Lavender supports the nervous system. Together, they help women restore calm.”

The result? A ritual that reconnects body and mind — not as a quick fix, but as an act of care.

Quick-fire reflections with Ichelle

Your morning anchor?

Slow mornings without my phone. Allow yourself to wake up calmly and get ready without rushing or unnecessary stimuli.

Wellness advice you’d retire forever?

Wu Wei — the Daoist idea of non-doing. Don’t force, control, or rush everything. Move from a place of inner quietude — effortless action prevents unnecessary energy depletion.

One book or podcast for stressed women?

None. Reading or listening can also consume mental energy — just like stress. Instead, breathe. Go to nature. Practice gentle yoga or yoga nidra.

Your north star word for 2025?

Rest. Without guilt. Especially if you’re a caregiver — the more you care for others, the more you must care for yourself.

Closing thoughts

When asked what she hopes women take away from her work, Ichelle doesn’t hesitate.
“That they learn to trust their body again,” she says softly. “To see symptoms not as something to fight, but as messages — a conversation. Healing begins when we start listening.”

 

About InfiniQi
InfiniQi Acupuncture, founded by Ichelle, is based in Eindhoven and focuses on women’s health, hormonal balance, and emotional wellbeing through acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Learn more at www.infiniqi.nl

 

About Moaie Care x Tea Stories
The new Essential Calm Botanical Tea blend — infused with jujube, peach gum, tulsi, lavender, and Moaie’s Essential Calm drops (www.moaie.care)  — launches at Tea Stories Eindhoven and Amsterdam, celebrating the art of modern rituals rooted in ancient balance. (www.goodteastories.com)