Chinese Medicine
Winter herbal healing & toning
03/01/12 10:40
Greetings!
Winter officially began with the Winter Solstice on December 22nd.
In Chinese medicine, the Winter season is associated with:
the element Water
the yin yang paired organs and meridians of the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder
the salty flavor
the colors dark blue and black
the low back, knees, bones, teeth, and thickness and luster of hair on the head
the emotion of fear
the virtue of wisdom
and the spirit of the Will
Some foods that are particularly nourishing for the Kidneys and the Water element within us are black beans, sesame seeds, walnuts, and seaweed. Sesame seeds specifically tonify the Kidney Yin, while walnuts tonify the Kidney Yang. An excellent kitchen medicine Kidney tonic is a walnut-sesame-honey paste. It is simple to make and is delicious!
Blend together equal parts of walnuts and sesame seeds (i.e. - one cup of each)
Add enough honey to make into a paste consistency (in a separate bowl to avoid the blender getting very sticky!) Eat one Tablespoon daily. Keep refrigerated.
Seaweed is a Kidney tonic because it is salty, and the salty flavor has a natural affinity for the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder. Seaweed is an excellent source of iodine and vitamin B6, and it's a good source of potassium and iron. An excellent company for quality seaweed is Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. Their products are certified organic, and they are tested for chemicals, heavy metals, fuel oil, radiation, and bacteriological pollution. The website iswww.seaveg.com.
Essential oils that are great for affecting the Kidneys are black spruce and vetiver. Putting a drop on the bottom of the foot, in the center of the ball of the foot, is a direct way of nourishing the Kidney Qi. This part of the foot is where the Kidney meridian begins.
There are stones that influence the Kidneys and the Urinary Bladder. For disease in these two Water organs, the following stones are helpful: cuprite, prehnite, jade, and smoky quartz.
Stones that help with fear are: angelite, golden yellow calcite, orange calcite, jet, kunzite, lepidolite, sunstone, and tiger's eye. The stones can be carried, worn, or kept in one's vicinity to be effective.
In acupuncture, there is a Yuan Source point on every meridian. It is where the Yuan (Original/Primordial) Qi is activated, accessed, and accumulated. These points connect to the internal organ for which the meridian is named. Empirically, they are powerful points for directly communicating with the deepest aspect of our Qi. On the Water meridians, the Yuan Source points are Kidney 3/ Tai Xi/ Great Ravine, and Urinary Bladder 64/ Jing Gu/ Capital Bone. Kidney 3 is the Earth point on the Water meridian, and it tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang, strengthens the low back, and relieves heel and ankle pain. Urinary Bladder 64 dispels wind, clears the brain, and calms the heart and the Shen(the spirit of the Heart.)
The famous classical Chinese herbal formula for supporting the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder is called Six Gentlemen/ Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. It is so named because of its elegant(gentleman-like) composition of six herbs that are perfectly balanced. The treatment principle of the formula is to enrich Yin and nourish the Liver and the Kidneys.
The six herbs are:
Shu Di Huang, prepared rehmannia root
Shan Zhu Yu, dogwood fruit
Shan Yao, wild yam root
Ze Xie, alismatis root/ great water plantain
Mu Dan Pi, peony root bark
Fu Ling, poria mushroom/hoelen
The functions of the herbs are as follows:
Shu Di Huang- nourishes Blood and Essence, tonifies Kidneys
Shan Zhu Yu- nourishes Liver, restrains leakage of Yin and Essence
Shan Yao- tonifies Spleen and Kidneys; astringes Essence
Ze Xie- clears heat, promotes urination, clears turbidity from Kidneys
Mu Dan Pi- clears Liver Fire, cools Blood
Fu Ling- strengthens Spleen, expels damp, promotes urination
The elegance of the formula is understood in realizing that the first three herbs are tonics being counterbalanced by the gentle draining action of the latter three herbs. While Six Gentlemen is a Kidney tonic, it is thus by having mild draining as part of the tonification strategy. The principle of Yang within Yin is demonstrated by this dualistic approach. Symptoms addressed with Six Gentlemen include: sore and weak low back, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, diminished hearing, and night sweats.
The Chinese New Year will be here on January 23. Look for a blog entry on the White Pine website commemorating this event in a few weeks!
Wishing you happy, healthy, thriving Water energy in this time of Winter.
Winter officially began with the Winter Solstice on December 22nd.
In Chinese medicine, the Winter season is associated with:
the element Water
the yin yang paired organs and meridians of the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder
the salty flavor
the colors dark blue and black
the low back, knees, bones, teeth, and thickness and luster of hair on the head
the emotion of fear
the virtue of wisdom
and the spirit of the Will
Some foods that are particularly nourishing for the Kidneys and the Water element within us are black beans, sesame seeds, walnuts, and seaweed. Sesame seeds specifically tonify the Kidney Yin, while walnuts tonify the Kidney Yang. An excellent kitchen medicine Kidney tonic is a walnut-sesame-honey paste. It is simple to make and is delicious!
Blend together equal parts of walnuts and sesame seeds (i.e. - one cup of each)
Add enough honey to make into a paste consistency (in a separate bowl to avoid the blender getting very sticky!) Eat one Tablespoon daily. Keep refrigerated.
Seaweed is a Kidney tonic because it is salty, and the salty flavor has a natural affinity for the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder. Seaweed is an excellent source of iodine and vitamin B6, and it's a good source of potassium and iron. An excellent company for quality seaweed is Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. Their products are certified organic, and they are tested for chemicals, heavy metals, fuel oil, radiation, and bacteriological pollution. The website iswww.seaveg.com.
Essential oils that are great for affecting the Kidneys are black spruce and vetiver. Putting a drop on the bottom of the foot, in the center of the ball of the foot, is a direct way of nourishing the Kidney Qi. This part of the foot is where the Kidney meridian begins.
There are stones that influence the Kidneys and the Urinary Bladder. For disease in these two Water organs, the following stones are helpful: cuprite, prehnite, jade, and smoky quartz.
Stones that help with fear are: angelite, golden yellow calcite, orange calcite, jet, kunzite, lepidolite, sunstone, and tiger's eye. The stones can be carried, worn, or kept in one's vicinity to be effective.
In acupuncture, there is a Yuan Source point on every meridian. It is where the Yuan (Original/Primordial) Qi is activated, accessed, and accumulated. These points connect to the internal organ for which the meridian is named. Empirically, they are powerful points for directly communicating with the deepest aspect of our Qi. On the Water meridians, the Yuan Source points are Kidney 3/ Tai Xi/ Great Ravine, and Urinary Bladder 64/ Jing Gu/ Capital Bone. Kidney 3 is the Earth point on the Water meridian, and it tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang, strengthens the low back, and relieves heel and ankle pain. Urinary Bladder 64 dispels wind, clears the brain, and calms the heart and the Shen(the spirit of the Heart.)
The famous classical Chinese herbal formula for supporting the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder is called Six Gentlemen/ Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. It is so named because of its elegant(gentleman-like) composition of six herbs that are perfectly balanced. The treatment principle of the formula is to enrich Yin and nourish the Liver and the Kidneys.
The six herbs are:
Shu Di Huang, prepared rehmannia root
Shan Zhu Yu, dogwood fruit
Shan Yao, wild yam root
Ze Xie, alismatis root/ great water plantain
Mu Dan Pi, peony root bark
Fu Ling, poria mushroom/hoelen
The functions of the herbs are as follows:
Shu Di Huang- nourishes Blood and Essence, tonifies Kidneys
Shan Zhu Yu- nourishes Liver, restrains leakage of Yin and Essence
Shan Yao- tonifies Spleen and Kidneys; astringes Essence
Ze Xie- clears heat, promotes urination, clears turbidity from Kidneys
Mu Dan Pi- clears Liver Fire, cools Blood
Fu Ling- strengthens Spleen, expels damp, promotes urination
The elegance of the formula is understood in realizing that the first three herbs are tonics being counterbalanced by the gentle draining action of the latter three herbs. While Six Gentlemen is a Kidney tonic, it is thus by having mild draining as part of the tonification strategy. The principle of Yang within Yin is demonstrated by this dualistic approach. Symptoms addressed with Six Gentlemen include: sore and weak low back, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, diminished hearing, and night sweats.
The Chinese New Year will be here on January 23. Look for a blog entry on the White Pine website commemorating this event in a few weeks!
Wishing you happy, healthy, thriving Water energy in this time of Winter.
How singers cope with sore throats and raspy voices
29/11/11 13:31
How singers cope with sore throats and raspy voices
(with help from honey, herbs, and acupuncture)
In Chinese Medicine, when studying herbal medicine, we learn that Pang Da Hai, sterculia seed, is the secret pocket remedy of many an opera singer. It clears heat, which manifests as irritation or even hoarseness, and also moistens the yin, thereby coating the throat. The way it is used is to pour hot water over the dry seeds which are about the size of a large almond. Once the Pang Da Hai has been submerged, an amazing phenomenon occurs...which is this amorphous gelatinous glob spreading out throughout the cup. While it looks strange, it is extremely effective. The tea, which is very mild in flavor, is sipped and enjoyed as the voice is preserved for both performance and just talking!
Honey is also an excellent remedy and preventative for singers and actors. It is so lubricating and is loaded with B vitamins, so that it is also an immune boost.
As far as acupuncture goes, there are several empirical points that work extremely well at both preventing and treating a sore throat. Some of these points are:
Lung 7 and Kidney 6
Large Intestine 4
Stomach 44
Stomach 42
San Jiao 6
Auricular point for the throat (ear acupuncture)
So, sing away, and feel assured by these simple yet effective preventions and remedies!
(with help from honey, herbs, and acupuncture)
In Chinese Medicine, when studying herbal medicine, we learn that Pang Da Hai, sterculia seed, is the secret pocket remedy of many an opera singer. It clears heat, which manifests as irritation or even hoarseness, and also moistens the yin, thereby coating the throat. The way it is used is to pour hot water over the dry seeds which are about the size of a large almond. Once the Pang Da Hai has been submerged, an amazing phenomenon occurs...which is this amorphous gelatinous glob spreading out throughout the cup. While it looks strange, it is extremely effective. The tea, which is very mild in flavor, is sipped and enjoyed as the voice is preserved for both performance and just talking!
Honey is also an excellent remedy and preventative for singers and actors. It is so lubricating and is loaded with B vitamins, so that it is also an immune boost.
As far as acupuncture goes, there are several empirical points that work extremely well at both preventing and treating a sore throat. Some of these points are:
Lung 7 and Kidney 6
Large Intestine 4
Stomach 44
Stomach 42
San Jiao 6
Auricular point for the throat (ear acupuncture)
So, sing away, and feel assured by these simple yet effective preventions and remedies!
Autumn & Lavender: In Celebration of Lavender
09/11/11 15:38
Happy Autumn!
Autumn is a contemplative time as we transition out of Late Summer and move toward Winter. In Chinese Medicine, each season is associated with one of the Five Elements. Autumn is the time of Metal. Metal is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, the breath, the ability to let go, grief, and our connection to Spirit.
Having recently returned from an amazing visit to Europe, I have been contemplating how significant herbal medicine is (and has been for many centuries) in European culture. Many apothecaries that carry herbs and now also pharmaceuticals have been operating since the 13th century, often in the same location. It was so wonderful to be able to visit the apothecaries and consult with the trained professionals and procure herbs, homeopathics, and/or pharmaceuticals depending on the presenting condition.
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, is an herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean. It is grown abundantly in the Provence region of France. Being among the lavender fields was an incredibly delightful sensory experience, as the concentration of lavender perfuming the air was so stimulating. It has a very uplifting, mind opening quality, and to smell it in such mass quantities was incredible.
Lavender is a highly medicinal herb. The part of the plant distilled for medicinal essential oil is the flowers. The flowers themselves are great to enjoy in baths and sachets. The essential oil is considered to me a middle note with a balancing influence, meaning it stimulates or relaxes according to individual needs, as in, it is adaptagenic.
From a western perspective, lavender essential oil regulates the central nervous system. It is helpful for abscesses, acne, anxiety, athlete’s foot, boils, burns, colds, coughs, cuts, cystitis, dandruff, depression, earache, eczema, fainting, flatulence, fluctuating moods, head lice, high blood pressure, infectious illness, insect bites and stings, insomnia, laryngitis, menstrual irregularities, migraine, muscular aches and pains, nervous tension, and skin care.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, lavender’s nature is cooling, its taste is spicy and sweet, and its channel affinities are the Lungs, Liver, and Pericardium.
It has four main functions:
1-Release Wind Heat: chills and fever, sinus infections, sore throat
2-Promote smooth flow of Liver Qi: headaches, muscle spasms and tightness, dysmenorrheal, scanty menses
3-Calm the shen (spirit): palpitations, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, high blood pressure
4-Diffuse Lung Qi: chest tightness
Topical applications:
1-Apply directly for insect bites, burns/sun-damaged skin
2-Reduce scarring
3-Diffuse for calming effect, or place on pillows
Additionally, lavender can normalize blood sugar levels.
Lavender is clearly a very versatile herb with a lot of healing properties. It is nice to incorporate the essential oil of lavender into our preventive health care at this time because of its direct relationship with the Lungs whose time is Autumn, and specifically its ability to diffuse Lung Qi is relevant. This helps us to engage with our breath and transform our emotions so that we can let go.
Autumn is a contemplative time as we transition out of Late Summer and move toward Winter. In Chinese Medicine, each season is associated with one of the Five Elements. Autumn is the time of Metal. Metal is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, the breath, the ability to let go, grief, and our connection to Spirit.
Having recently returned from an amazing visit to Europe, I have been contemplating how significant herbal medicine is (and has been for many centuries) in European culture. Many apothecaries that carry herbs and now also pharmaceuticals have been operating since the 13th century, often in the same location. It was so wonderful to be able to visit the apothecaries and consult with the trained professionals and procure herbs, homeopathics, and/or pharmaceuticals depending on the presenting condition.
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, is an herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean. It is grown abundantly in the Provence region of France. Being among the lavender fields was an incredibly delightful sensory experience, as the concentration of lavender perfuming the air was so stimulating. It has a very uplifting, mind opening quality, and to smell it in such mass quantities was incredible.
Lavender is a highly medicinal herb. The part of the plant distilled for medicinal essential oil is the flowers. The flowers themselves are great to enjoy in baths and sachets. The essential oil is considered to me a middle note with a balancing influence, meaning it stimulates or relaxes according to individual needs, as in, it is adaptagenic.
From a western perspective, lavender essential oil regulates the central nervous system. It is helpful for abscesses, acne, anxiety, athlete’s foot, boils, burns, colds, coughs, cuts, cystitis, dandruff, depression, earache, eczema, fainting, flatulence, fluctuating moods, head lice, high blood pressure, infectious illness, insect bites and stings, insomnia, laryngitis, menstrual irregularities, migraine, muscular aches and pains, nervous tension, and skin care.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, lavender’s nature is cooling, its taste is spicy and sweet, and its channel affinities are the Lungs, Liver, and Pericardium.
It has four main functions:
1-Release Wind Heat: chills and fever, sinus infections, sore throat
2-Promote smooth flow of Liver Qi: headaches, muscle spasms and tightness, dysmenorrheal, scanty menses
3-Calm the shen (spirit): palpitations, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, high blood pressure
4-Diffuse Lung Qi: chest tightness
Topical applications:
1-Apply directly for insect bites, burns/sun-damaged skin
2-Reduce scarring
3-Diffuse for calming effect, or place on pillows
Additionally, lavender can normalize blood sugar levels.
Lavender is clearly a very versatile herb with a lot of healing properties. It is nice to incorporate the essential oil of lavender into our preventive health care at this time because of its direct relationship with the Lungs whose time is Autumn, and specifically its ability to diffuse Lung Qi is relevant. This helps us to engage with our breath and transform our emotions so that we can let go.
Late Summer and remember to vote for Best Of on Mtn Xpress
22/08/11 17:02
Hello!
Oh the beauty of Late Summer......of course it a season unto itself within Chinese medicine, culture, and philosophy. We are still in the fullness of Summer, yet we feel, smell, and sense the approach of Fall. The winds of change bring the pivotal shift out of the full heat of summer and and into the more moderately warm and less humid days of Late Summer. This season is under the domain of the Spleen. One of the roles of the Spleen is that of transitioning between the seasons. Healthy Spleen Qi fuels this smooth progression, helping us to stay centered and calm. When the Spleen Qi is flourishing, the mind is clear. The glorious color association of Late Summer is that of yellow.
I would like to suggest an ode to yellow......both poetically and metaphorically within ourselves.
Yellow is in abundance around us in many of the blooming wildflowers right now, such as: St. John's Wort, Goldenrod, Jerusalem Artichoke, Sneezeweed(really it is named that!), and Mullein. It is so bright and beautiful.
Yellow is the color associated with the area of the body just beneath the heart, above the navel. This area is actually called The Yellow Court. It is our center, our sacred place that protects our heart, harboring all the positive, infinite possibilities of who we are. It is essentially the holding place or residence of unconditional love within us. It is helpful to visualize yellow incubating and expanding outward from this area.
Haiku for Late Summer:
open to yellow
while swallowing bright flowers
tranquility smiles
Oh the beauty of Late Summer......of course it a season unto itself within Chinese medicine, culture, and philosophy. We are still in the fullness of Summer, yet we feel, smell, and sense the approach of Fall. The winds of change bring the pivotal shift out of the full heat of summer and and into the more moderately warm and less humid days of Late Summer. This season is under the domain of the Spleen. One of the roles of the Spleen is that of transitioning between the seasons. Healthy Spleen Qi fuels this smooth progression, helping us to stay centered and calm. When the Spleen Qi is flourishing, the mind is clear. The glorious color association of Late Summer is that of yellow.
I would like to suggest an ode to yellow......both poetically and metaphorically within ourselves.
Yellow is in abundance around us in many of the blooming wildflowers right now, such as: St. John's Wort, Goldenrod, Jerusalem Artichoke, Sneezeweed(really it is named that!), and Mullein. It is so bright and beautiful.
Yellow is the color associated with the area of the body just beneath the heart, above the navel. This area is actually called The Yellow Court. It is our center, our sacred place that protects our heart, harboring all the positive, infinite possibilities of who we are. It is essentially the holding place or residence of unconditional love within us. It is helpful to visualize yellow incubating and expanding outward from this area.
Haiku for Late Summer:
open to yellow
while swallowing bright flowers
tranquility smiles
Blue Ridge Roller Girls use acupuncture
02/08/11 16:35
In Asheville, North Carolina, there is a phenomenal roller derby team
called The Blue Ridge Roller Girls. They have a huge following and a
tremendously varied fan base. They perform regularly at the Civic
Center, often drawing crowds of more then 5000 people per evening bout!
Roller derby originated in Austin, Texas in the 1970's. It consists of a
team of strong, bold women on roller skates, competing to quickly
circle the track, while holding back their opponents via hip blocks. It
is a very athletic endeavor, and these women are protected by helmets
and knee and elbow pads.
The Blue Ridge Roller Girls have the fortunate opportunity to have a
team of two acupuncturists as their sponsors. The way these
acupuncturists sponsor the players is to administer acupuncture to the
players before the bouts.
Several hours before the doors open and the crowds begin to descend on
the arena, the acupuncturists set up shop in the locker room. The
players carefully request what exactly they need to get from their
acupuncture treatments. The players' requests vary widely, but one
consistent theme is the request of endurance and speed!
The acupuncturists listen intently to each request and formulate a treatment
plan specific to each player. Often the treatment strategy includes
energy boosting, determination and focus, calming of nerves, and, of
course, tending to old injuries. The treatments usually last about
20-30 minutes and often include auricular acupuncture, in addition to
body points.
The derby ladies are thrilled to get such comprehensive sports medicine
care, and the acupuncturists take great pride in directly supporting
their local legends!!
called The Blue Ridge Roller Girls. They have a huge following and a
tremendously varied fan base. They perform regularly at the Civic
Center, often drawing crowds of more then 5000 people per evening bout!
Roller derby originated in Austin, Texas in the 1970's. It consists of a
team of strong, bold women on roller skates, competing to quickly
circle the track, while holding back their opponents via hip blocks. It
is a very athletic endeavor, and these women are protected by helmets
and knee and elbow pads.
The Blue Ridge Roller Girls have the fortunate opportunity to have a
team of two acupuncturists as their sponsors. The way these
acupuncturists sponsor the players is to administer acupuncture to the
players before the bouts.
Several hours before the doors open and the crowds begin to descend on
the arena, the acupuncturists set up shop in the locker room. The
players carefully request what exactly they need to get from their
acupuncture treatments. The players' requests vary widely, but one
consistent theme is the request of endurance and speed!
The acupuncturists listen intently to each request and formulate a treatment
plan specific to each player. Often the treatment strategy includes
energy boosting, determination and focus, calming of nerves, and, of
course, tending to old injuries. The treatments usually last about
20-30 minutes and often include auricular acupuncture, in addition to
body points.
The derby ladies are thrilled to get such comprehensive sports medicine
care, and the acupuncturists take great pride in directly supporting
their local legends!!
Summer
27/06/11 11:03
Summer
Welcome, Summer! In Chinese Medicine, each season has many associations within the
body as well as the world in which we live. There are the organs and their respective
channels or meridians(pathways of energy), one of the five elements, color, emotion,
and sound. Summer is the season of the Heart, and Fire, the color red, joy, and laughter.
Summer is officially upon us, as Summer Solstice was June 21.
The word solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning sun, and sistere, meaning to
stand still. This is because when this astronomical event takes place, the Sun stands still
in declination, that is, the apparent movement of the Sun’ s path North or South comes to
a stop before reversing direction. In this vein, may we take a moment to contemplate the
fullness of fiery Summer as we delve into it.
And now a haiku for Summer:
feathery cohosh rising
above plump red fallen fruits
as mourning doves coo
The spirit of the Heart is called Shen. It is considered to be the most heavenly of the five
spirits. A teacher of mine, named Lorie Dechar, writes about Shen as follows,” It is the
starlight and sunlight that stream down from the sky and illuminate the mountaintop. It
inhabits the realm of the divine fire of the sun and the initiatory energies of dawn.”
The Heart is revered as the Emperor or Empress within the body. All of the other
components of the body and mind rely on the Emperor to live and reign from a place of
wisdom, love, and purity. From an acupuncture perspective, a significant way to affect
and honor the Heart is through the Source point on the Heart channel. Source points are
the most direct way to connect with our Yuan Qi or Original Qi, our deepest and most
precious Life Force Energy. This point is named Shen Men, which translates as Spirit
Gate. It serves as a gateway to the Emperor.
Now that we are in the time of the Empress, Summer, it is a great time to receive
acupuncture on the Source points on all the Fire channels. The Heart is paired with
the Small Intestine; and together they are the Imperial Fire. The Pericardium (Heart
Protector) and Triple Burner are also of the Fire element and are known as the Ministerial
Fire. Needling these Source points is a reverent way of honoring the Fire within and
around us.
This is seasonal acclimation via acupuncture.
The Source points on the Fire meridians are:
Heart 7, Shen Men, Spirit Gate
Small Intestine 4, Wan Gu, Wrist bone
Pericardium 7, Da Ling, Great Mound
Triple Burner 4, Yang Chi, Yang Pool
Look forward to seeing you in this Yang time of fiery Summer,
Welcome, Summer! In Chinese Medicine, each season has many associations within the
body as well as the world in which we live. There are the organs and their respective
channels or meridians(pathways of energy), one of the five elements, color, emotion,
and sound. Summer is the season of the Heart, and Fire, the color red, joy, and laughter.
Summer is officially upon us, as Summer Solstice was June 21.
The word solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning sun, and sistere, meaning to
stand still. This is because when this astronomical event takes place, the Sun stands still
in declination, that is, the apparent movement of the Sun’ s path North or South comes to
a stop before reversing direction. In this vein, may we take a moment to contemplate the
fullness of fiery Summer as we delve into it.
And now a haiku for Summer:
feathery cohosh rising
above plump red fallen fruits
as mourning doves coo
The spirit of the Heart is called Shen. It is considered to be the most heavenly of the five
spirits. A teacher of mine, named Lorie Dechar, writes about Shen as follows,” It is the
starlight and sunlight that stream down from the sky and illuminate the mountaintop. It
inhabits the realm of the divine fire of the sun and the initiatory energies of dawn.”
The Heart is revered as the Emperor or Empress within the body. All of the other
components of the body and mind rely on the Emperor to live and reign from a place of
wisdom, love, and purity. From an acupuncture perspective, a significant way to affect
and honor the Heart is through the Source point on the Heart channel. Source points are
the most direct way to connect with our Yuan Qi or Original Qi, our deepest and most
precious Life Force Energy. This point is named Shen Men, which translates as Spirit
Gate. It serves as a gateway to the Emperor.
Now that we are in the time of the Empress, Summer, it is a great time to receive
acupuncture on the Source points on all the Fire channels. The Heart is paired with
the Small Intestine; and together they are the Imperial Fire. The Pericardium (Heart
Protector) and Triple Burner are also of the Fire element and are known as the Ministerial
Fire. Needling these Source points is a reverent way of honoring the Fire within and
around us.
This is seasonal acclimation via acupuncture.
The Source points on the Fire meridians are:
Heart 7, Shen Men, Spirit Gate
Small Intestine 4, Wan Gu, Wrist bone
Pericardium 7, Da Ling, Great Mound
Triple Burner 4, Yang Chi, Yang Pool
Look forward to seeing you in this Yang time of fiery Summer,
The Health Benefits of Goji Berries
24/06/11 13:18
The Lycium fruit, Goji berry, is very popular now in the health food movement, as it has been for thousands of years to the Chinese. It is also known as Wolfberry fruit and Gou Qi Zi (in pinyin, the English written version of phonetic Chinese, pronounced "go chee zuh".) It is also known as Matrimony Vine. It has long been revered as a health tonic.
The part of the plant that is used is the fruit. It resembles a raisin, though it is light red in color. The taste is also somewhat like a raisin. It is sweet.
Some of the many health benefits include:
longevity
healthy vision
relieves dizziness and vertigo
reduces blood sugar
prevents anemia(iron deficient anemia)
helps low back pain
relieves tinnitus
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Gou Qi Zi is classified as a Yin and Blood Tonic. Yin is generally the fluid aspect of the body. Specifically it is associated with the Liver and the Kidneys, and that is why it nourishes the eyes, because the eyes are associated with the Liver. The Goji berries nourish the Liver Yin and therefore keep the eyes moist and support healthy vision. The Kidneys are associated with the ears and the low back. Because the Goji berries nourish the Kidney Yin, they help with tinnitus (ear ringing) and low back pain. Also because of their affiliation with the Kidneys, they play a significant role in longevity. The Kidneys and their role in the body are very highly revered in TCM. They are thought to be the foundation of our energy and life force. Gou Qi Zi nourishes the Kidney Yin and therefore enhances longevity;for when the Kidney Yin dries up, there is no more life.
It is best to eat a small handful of the Goji berries daily. They are great as a snack. They are also great in oatmeal, or added to rice, or tossed in a salad.
They can be found at most health food stores as well as from your local Acupuncturist and Herbalist!
The part of the plant that is used is the fruit. It resembles a raisin, though it is light red in color. The taste is also somewhat like a raisin. It is sweet.
Some of the many health benefits include:
longevity
healthy vision
relieves dizziness and vertigo
reduces blood sugar
prevents anemia(iron deficient anemia)
helps low back pain
relieves tinnitus
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Gou Qi Zi is classified as a Yin and Blood Tonic. Yin is generally the fluid aspect of the body. Specifically it is associated with the Liver and the Kidneys, and that is why it nourishes the eyes, because the eyes are associated with the Liver. The Goji berries nourish the Liver Yin and therefore keep the eyes moist and support healthy vision. The Kidneys are associated with the ears and the low back. Because the Goji berries nourish the Kidney Yin, they help with tinnitus (ear ringing) and low back pain. Also because of their affiliation with the Kidneys, they play a significant role in longevity. The Kidneys and their role in the body are very highly revered in TCM. They are thought to be the foundation of our energy and life force. Gou Qi Zi nourishes the Kidney Yin and therefore enhances longevity;for when the Kidney Yin dries up, there is no more life.
It is best to eat a small handful of the Goji berries daily. They are great as a snack. They are also great in oatmeal, or added to rice, or tossed in a salad.
They can be found at most health food stores as well as from your local Acupuncturist and Herbalist!
Crossing the streets
05/02/10 17:16
One may at first think this an odd subject on which to write, but nonetheless it was a significant part of our experience. Again, the city where we were is Tianjin, the third largest city in China. Many of the streets are 3-5 lanes across in each direction, plus a big bike lane on the outside of the car lanes. There are a few crosswalks but they tend to not be acknowledged. So, the method for a pedestrian to cross the street is such:
First deal with the bike lane......find a pause in the constant flow of bicycles, mopeds, carts, etc. and find safety on the line separating the bike lane from the car lane. From here, look into the traffic and discern an opening not readily visible to the eyes.
Secondly walk across one car lane, to again temporarily seek safety on the dotted line between car lanes. If possible, proceed to the middle of the street.
Thirdly, once here in the middle, begin to observe traffic coming from the opposite direction, and use the same technique, making your way across one lane at a time.
Finally, the bike lane again......find your chance across in the non-stop flowing assortment of bicycles.
Ok, so that is a basic approach of how to do it. What is really interesting is that after a few days of trying this, which tends to be a pretty intense phenomenon, I noticed something. I started looking at not just the cars, buses, taxis, bicycles, but also the people operating them. Consistently, every person was calm and serene. I realized they were not nervous or uptight about the scenario. There was an obvious sense of trust that they were not going to be run into by another vehicle, nor were they concerned that they might run over a pedestrian! Ok, this was a big breakthrough for me. From then on, I got into the practice of doing a breathing meditation while crossing the streets. I sought and cultivated the calm mind, as it seemed everyone else was also doing.
I did not see any accidents or road rage......in a system of seemingly no rules, there was order.
First deal with the bike lane......find a pause in the constant flow of bicycles, mopeds, carts, etc. and find safety on the line separating the bike lane from the car lane. From here, look into the traffic and discern an opening not readily visible to the eyes.
Secondly walk across one car lane, to again temporarily seek safety on the dotted line between car lanes. If possible, proceed to the middle of the street.
Thirdly, once here in the middle, begin to observe traffic coming from the opposite direction, and use the same technique, making your way across one lane at a time.
Finally, the bike lane again......find your chance across in the non-stop flowing assortment of bicycles.
Ok, so that is a basic approach of how to do it. What is really interesting is that after a few days of trying this, which tends to be a pretty intense phenomenon, I noticed something. I started looking at not just the cars, buses, taxis, bicycles, but also the people operating them. Consistently, every person was calm and serene. I realized they were not nervous or uptight about the scenario. There was an obvious sense of trust that they were not going to be run into by another vehicle, nor were they concerned that they might run over a pedestrian! Ok, this was a big breakthrough for me. From then on, I got into the practice of doing a breathing meditation while crossing the streets. I sought and cultivated the calm mind, as it seemed everyone else was also doing.
I did not see any accidents or road rage......in a system of seemingly no rules, there was order.
Reflections on being in China
20/01/10 18:41
Wow.
It was such an amazing experience to be in Tianjin in northern China for 3 weeks. The bulk of our time was spent in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Tianjin. There, our patient and friend was staying for an extensive acupuncture treatment of 3 months' duration. She received acupuncture twice a day, Tui Na (TCM massage), cupping, and physical therapy (also twice a day.) The hospital provided her herbal medicines which she took four times a day, and they served her nutritious meals, designed for her constitutional health. Needless to say, the patient made many significant improvements in her health!
The hospital is huge....15 stories. There are four buildings that make up the hospital. It is a TCM teaching hospital. Often there were many students observing the doctors. We were fortunate enough to befriend some of the students....very kind and dedicated. There is a huge herbal pharmacy, actually there are two. There is a building devoted entirely to the cooking for the patients. And...interestingly, the food was excellent! Lots of fresh vegetables, tofu, pumpkin cakes, fresh squeezed juices of kiwi, carrot, pineapple, and watermelon......very tasty!
I learned a lot as the doctors were aware of my being an acupuncturist in the U.S., and they were happy to show me what they were doing as far as treatment principles and needling techniques. They knew that I would be continuing her treatments once we were home, which I am! Generally, I found that I was reminded of my Chinese teachers from Five Branches and their approach to medicine and humanity as I watched the Chinese doctors in Tianjin.
I have arrived home feeling inspired.
Will write more soon!
It was such an amazing experience to be in Tianjin in northern China for 3 weeks. The bulk of our time was spent in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Tianjin. There, our patient and friend was staying for an extensive acupuncture treatment of 3 months' duration. She received acupuncture twice a day, Tui Na (TCM massage), cupping, and physical therapy (also twice a day.) The hospital provided her herbal medicines which she took four times a day, and they served her nutritious meals, designed for her constitutional health. Needless to say, the patient made many significant improvements in her health!
The hospital is huge....15 stories. There are four buildings that make up the hospital. It is a TCM teaching hospital. Often there were many students observing the doctors. We were fortunate enough to befriend some of the students....very kind and dedicated. There is a huge herbal pharmacy, actually there are two. There is a building devoted entirely to the cooking for the patients. And...interestingly, the food was excellent! Lots of fresh vegetables, tofu, pumpkin cakes, fresh squeezed juices of kiwi, carrot, pineapple, and watermelon......very tasty!
I learned a lot as the doctors were aware of my being an acupuncturist in the U.S., and they were happy to show me what they were doing as far as treatment principles and needling techniques. They knew that I would be continuing her treatments once we were home, which I am! Generally, I found that I was reminded of my Chinese teachers from Five Branches and their approach to medicine and humanity as I watched the Chinese doctors in Tianjin.
I have arrived home feeling inspired.
Will write more soon!
White Pine Acupuncture Providers for Mission Hospital Employees
27/10/09 12:02
We are so happy to be providing insurance-covered acupuncture services for Asheville Mission Hospital employees. Through the Alternative Healthcare Option(AHO) plan, Mission employees can come see us, as the official acupuncture providers on their insurance/benefits plan. This makes our services widely available and very affordable to many hospital employees. Mission employees who are on the AHO plan simply bring their AHO member card to their treatment, and we take care of all the billing and processing. We look forward to working with many more nurses, educators, and administrators through this great integrative opportunity.
And we want to give a big THANK YOU to all of our patients at Mission who continually asked for us to be covered on the AHO plan!! It is a great honor once again to be so actively integrating Western and Eastern Medicines in the Asheville community.
And we want to give a big THANK YOU to all of our patients at Mission who continually asked for us to be covered on the AHO plan!! It is a great honor once again to be so actively integrating Western and Eastern Medicines in the Asheville community.
Acupuncture meets Roller Derby!
25/09/09 12:29
We are the official acupuncturists for Asheville's Blue Ridge Roller Girls! This means that we provide acupuncture to the team members before the bout, to boost their dynamic athletic performance. We address whatever aches and pains may need attention, treat muscular strain, as well as preventing strains by keeping the channels open and free of obstruction. During half-time, we offer tune-ups for any pain conditions, energy boosts, or whatever the Roller Girls desire! We also focus on mental acuity so that the ladies are able to optimize their athletic endurance and finesse.
This is a really fun and exciting event.....oh the many faces of Chinese Medicine in today's modern world!
We have an informational booth set up....so come say hi! Learn all about our Asheville acupuncture clinic. The last bout of this year's season is this coming Saturday evening, September 26 at the Asheville Civic Center.
This is a really fun and exciting event.....oh the many faces of Chinese Medicine in today's modern world!
We have an informational booth set up....so come say hi! Learn all about our Asheville acupuncture clinic. The last bout of this year's season is this coming Saturday evening, September 26 at the Asheville Civic Center.
Late summer into fall
01/09/09 12:06
As we all know, we have been blessed with abundant rains this summer. While the early mornings bring the freshness and coolness of the coming autumn, the afternoons are definitely hot and steamy. This is the time of late summer, a season unto itself in Chinese Medicine theory. Humidity (aka dampness in Chinese Medicine) is prevalent in the environment and therefore also affecting us within our bodies. We are seeing a lot of these effects of late summer in our clinic. Strategically,we are boosting the Spleen Qi, so that it may "do its job" of transforming and transporting fluids in the body. The Spleen is the organ associated with late summer, as well as being the organ responsible for the transition from one season to the next. When the Spleen Qi is healthy, we stay healthy and well......hence our boosting and supporting the Spleen Qi especially now, preventive medicine at work. By the way, when we speak of the Spleen, we are not referring to the actual organ, but rather what we refer to as organ energetics, a group of signs, symptoms, functions and attributes associated with the Spleen. Qi (pronounced chee) is loosely translated as energy, or life force.