Winter is a time of quietude and introspection, where nature retreats to rest and recharge for the coming spring. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the winter season is associated with the Water element and the Kidney and Bladder organs. During this time, it is crucial to nourish our bodies, support our immune system, and maintain our warmth. Here are some TCM-inspired foods and tips to help you stay balanced and healthy this winter.
1. Warm and Nutrient-Dense Foods
In TCM, it is recommended to consume warm, cooked foods during winter to support the body's Yang energy, which is responsible for warmth and metabolic activities. Nutrient-dense, hearty foods like soups, stews, and roasts are perfect. Root vegetables, whole grains, and proteins should be the mainstay of your diet.
2. Kidney-Nourishing Foods
TCM associates the Kidney with winter. The Kidney, in TCM, is the source of all Yin and Yang energies in the body. Nourishing the Kidney can help maintain balance and vitality. Foods that support Kidney health include black beans, kidney beans, bone broths, seaweed, and dark leafy greens. Salty foods are also linked to the Kidney, but moderation is key.
3. Hydrate Wisely
While it's important to stay hydrated, too much cold water can dampen the digestive fire. Instead, opt for warm beverages like herbal teas. Ginger tea, for instance, can help warm the body and aid digestion.
4. Rest and Reflect
Winter is a time for introspection and conservation of energy. Prioritize rest and make sure you're getting plenty of sleep. Activities such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qi gong can support inner peace and tranquility.
5. Keep Warm
TCM emphasizes the importance of keeping the body, particularly the lower back and feet, warm in winter to protect the Kidney's Yang energy. Dress warmly and consider using heat packs or warming herbs such as cinnamon and cloves.
6. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
TCM treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine can help balance the body's Qi, or life force, during the winter months. If you're feeling out-of-sorts, consider booking a session at Āurum Acupuncture.
Winter, in TCM, is a time for restoration and preparation for the burst of life that comes with spring. By aligning your lifestyle and diet with the season, you can better support your body's natural rhythms and promote overall health and well-being.
Remember, everyone's body is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. Always consult with a healthcare professional or a trained TCM practitioner before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Stay warm, eat well, and enjoy the tranquility that winter brings!
Unraveling the Needle: Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
A question that continuously comes up in my practice - especially as needle-based therapies have gained immense popularity in recent years for their potential to alleviate pain, improve wellness, and enhance overall health - what is the difference between acupuncture and dry-needling? Two prominent practices that involve the insertion of thin needles into the body are acupuncture and dry-needling and it makes sense that people want to understand how to differentiate between the two. While these therapies may appear similar at first glance, they differ significantly in their origins, principles, techniques, and applications.
First, it is important to understand what dry-needling actually is. The term “dry-needling” was first used by Janet Travell, MD to differentiate between “wet needling” or hypodermic injections and “dry needling” which is either insertion of a needle into muscle without injection or with the use of a filiform - or solid - needle. So by this definition, acupuncture is dry-needling. However, while the distinction between acupuncture and dry-needling can be complex, there are significant differences in the two practices. To better understand these differences, let's delve deeper into the key distinctions.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice originating in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dating back over 2,500 years. Acupuncture has a rich history deeply intertwined with Chinese philosophy and culture. It was initially used to balance the body's vital energy, known as Qi, and has evolved over centuries to treat a wide range of health issues. Whereas, dry-needling is a relatively modern therapy that has its roots in Western medicine. It emerged in the late 1970s with Czech physician, Karel Lewit, when he published his landmark paper ‘‘The Needle Effect in the Relief of Myofascial Pain'’ where he concluded that the insertion of needles into muscles to elicit a trigger effect had a remarkable ability to treat pain in musculoskeletal conditions.
Acupuncture is rooted in the principles of TCM, focusing on the flow of Qi (or energy) through meridians or channels in the body. Acupuncture aims to balance Qi by inserting needles at specific acupoints along meridians, promoting the body's natural healing processes. Dry-needling is grounded in neuroanatomy and the understanding of trigger points, which are tight bands of muscle tissue that can cause pain and dysfunction. The primary goal of dry-needling is to release muscle knots and reduce pain by targeting specific trigger points.
Acupuncture uses thin, sterile needles, often made of stainless steel.Needles are placed at various acupoints, which may or may not coincide with trigger points, and are typically left in place for a longer duration to balance energy flow. In dry needling, solid, filament needles are used, typically without the addition of substances (hence "dry"). The needles are inserted directly into trigger points or tight muscle bands to elicit a twitch response, which helps release tension and relieve pain.
Acupuncture is employed for a broader range of health issues, including pain, digestive disorders, stress, anxiety, and more. Acupuncture seeks to restore balance in the body's energy flow, addressing both physical and emotional well-being. Dry-needling is commonly employed to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as muscle pain, tension, and myofascial pain syndrome. The primary objective is to reduce pain, improve muscle function, and enhance mobility.
The biggest difference, however, may be in the training. Acupuncturists undergo extensive training in TCM theories, meridian systems, and needle techniques, typically completing formal programs and obtaining licensure. Acupuncture is regulated in many countries, ensuring practitioners meet specific educational and ethical standards. Whereas, practitioners of dry needling, who often include physical therapists, chiropractors, and some medical doctors, have varying degrees of education in needling technique. Regulations regarding dry needling vary by region, and it may not be regulated in some places.
In summary, while acupuncture is highly regulated and dry-needling is mostly regulated, they are distinct practices with different practitioners, training requirements, and scopes of practice. Acupuncture is practiced by licensed acupuncturists, with a broader range of applications based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles - which means they are able to treat musculoskeletal pain in addition to things such as women’s health, digestive health, autoimmune issues, etc. Dry-needling is primarily performed by physical therapists and focuses on musculoskeletal issues. Patients in Tennessee - or any other state in the US - seeking these therapies should ensure they receive treatment from qualified and licensed practitioners in their respective fields.
Chlorophyll, Chlorella, and the Importance of Blood
As daylight fades on 2021 and we move towards 2022, post-holiday hibernation is beginning. The temperatures are finally getting cooler and my thoughts turn inward just as the season predicts. I look around and see the leaves have fallen from the trees and I’m reminded of a particularly potent pigment in mother nature: chlorophyll.
“Chlorophyll is a photosynthetic pigment present in green plants that absorbs light energy and uses it to produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. Chlorophyll is crucial to the process of photosynthesis, which is responsible for sustaining the life process of green plants.” What I find so fascinating about chlorophyll is its similarity to another vital fluid: blood.
As famous botanist Donald Peattie found in Tree: A Life Story, "Using spectrum analysis, [I] learned that the constituents of a chlorophyll molecule were eerily familiar. 'To me, a botanist's apprentice, a future naturalist,' he writes, 'there was just one fact to quicken the pulse. That fact is the close similarity between chlorophyll and hemoglobin, the essence of our blood.' This is no fanciful comparison, but a literal, scientific analogy: 'The one significant difference in the two structural formulas is this: that the hub of every hemoglobin molecule is one atom of iron, while in chlorophyll it is one atom of magnesium.' Just as chlorophyll is green because magnesium absorbs all but the green light spectrum, blood is red because iron absorbs all but the red. Chlorophyll is green blood."
What is the importance of this finding? Firstly, it leads us to the conclusion that plants are not as different from us as we may like to believe. Secondly, with such striking biological similarity, it is clear that we may use chlorophyll to nourish our own blood, because in Chinese Medicine (CM) we use “like to treat like”.
I talk a lot about blood quality in session and the key difference between how CM views blood and how Western Medicine views it is, CM is more interested in the quality of blood rather than the quantity. If the quality is good, you will have enough quantity. Blood is categorized as connective tissue, therefore fresh, healthy, high quality blood is one of the vital fluids that keeps our bodies running and functioning optimally.
That being said, I frequently recommend chlorella whenever a patient presents with any blood quality issues. Blood quality issues run the gamut and can be anything from pain to insomnia and everything in between. “Chlorella is a single-celled green algae found in bodies of freshwater and contains high concentrations of nutrients such as vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin B complex and iron. The algae also contains a high amount of protein and can produce healthy oils high in polyunsaturated fats.”
Why chlorella over chlorophyll? Though they are related, there are some key differences between chlorella and chlorophyll. Chlorella is a type of algae and chlorophyll is the substance plants use, along with sunlight, to make their own food. While straight chlorophyll is an excellent supplement, taking chlorella has added benefits such as:
Delivers a high amount of nutrients to the body: Chlorella is packed with good-for-you stuff like vitamins B12 and C, iron, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
Helps the body process heavy metals and detox: One of chlorella's best-known benefits is that it's a great ingredient for helping rid your body of all the toxins that come from processed foods, the environment, and life in general which can disrupt our hormonal balance. It binds to heavy metals to assist with detox.
Provides protective benefits to the body: While studies are mixed, this edible algae may also help strengthen the immune system, as well as possibly lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and manage blood sugars.
Promotes weight loss:A 2008 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food discovered that regular chlorella intake over a 16-week period resulted in a lower body fat percentage for the participants, along with lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
While supplements are not a cure-all, they are certainly part of the process of healing. Feel free to reach out directly with any questions and I look forward to seeing you in the clinic!
https://www.livestrong.com/article/470008-chlorella-vs-chlorophyll/
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/chlorella-vs-chlorophyll-10702.html
Inflammation and How to Prevent it
Inflammation is a word that is frequently thrown around. But what is it really and how can you prevent it?
Read moreThe (Long Overdue) Normalization of Menstruation
The normalization of women's menstruation is long overdue. For centuries women’s cycles have been shrouded in mysticism and secrecy with the overarching belief being that during the time of the month when a woman bleeds, she is “impure” and must be kept out of the public eye. The menstrual rituals of different cultures run the gamut from the use of menstrual huts to “cleansing” baths once a woman ceases bleeding.
What this broad belief of “menstrual uncleanliness” has done is create a culture around menstruation where bleeding is considered bad or unclean and therefore, as with most bad or unclean things, it does not get discussed; this lack of openness on the subject ensures serious and honest conversations about our cycles, including what is “normal”, do not occur. Too often, women believe that if their mother suffered from it (whatever “it” is…), then that is also their fate and if their mother did not, then they are just the unlucky one to have to deal with this problem now.
For this reason, so many women have no understanding about what a normal cycle is, what a period should feel like and further, what measures can be taken if they experience something pathological with their period. So having said that, I would like to shed some light on what a normal cycle is, what a normal period is and what can be done if you experience pain or discomfort.
A normal cycle (with a cycle being defined as the first day of bleeding to the next first day of bleeding) can be anywhere from 26-35 days with the sweet spot really being 28-30 days. Some patients' cycles are slightly longer or shorter than this, and what I say regarding that is: if you are in good health and your cycle is regular, then that is what is normal for you, and what is normal for you is not pathological. A typical period from start to finish, will last anywhere from 3 to 6 days. Shorter or longer bleeding is atypical and would need to be explored further. As for pain with one's cycle, that is pathological, meaning it is not “normal” and not something that one must learn to just “power through” or “suffer with”. The same goes for pain with ovulation, or Mittelshmirz. Premenstrual syndrome is something many women struggle with, and is comprised of any number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as bloating, irritability, cramping and fatigue, experienced prior to a woman beginning her monthly bleed. There are many different reasons one might experience PMS or feel pain with their cycle or with ovulation, and in addition to speaking with a gynecologist, one can also seek out alternative remedies such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help alleviate any unusual symptoms. The usual course of treatment for a gynecologist when a women comes in with these complaints is to put the woman on birth control, which comes with its own set of issues. I am all for women having ownership of their bodies, it is another thing for me when I see doctors covering up pathology with a pill that does nothing to address the root of the problem.
Consider how many women you know who have had painful or irregular cycles. Think about how many women you know who may have had trouble conceiving. And now think about how most of those women struggled through the pain and how the ones trying to conceive had to see a number of doctors to get pregnant, if they were lucky enough to get pregnant at all. Think about all the women out there that don’t talk about it at all. This is what a lack of conversation does, it breeds a paucity of education about ourselves. If education is power, then the mainstreaming of women’s health is imperative to our work towards equality in healthcare.
A Case of Extreme Bloating: Before and After
Another before/after transformation ✨😁✨
Patient came in with a chief complaint of extreme bloating (she is NOT pregnant). She had modified her diet on the advice of her dietician. Multiple functional tests reported nothing out of the ordinary. These cases are always the most frustrating for patients - they don’t feel good, but there is no pathological reason for it!
In her first treatment I opened her Dai Mai, the “girdling” channel, and worked on moving Qi of the Middle Jiao.
Next I prescribed a modified Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan for cold in the middle, to warm and move in an attempt to jumpstart movement in the middle.
The 1st pic is after her first treatment, where she said she already noticed a decrease in bloating. The 2nd pic is from today, after 6 days of herbs. Big difference!! There is still some bloating, but you can see her waist now and more importantly, she feels SO much better.
Next steps are to continue warming Yang and work on nourishing Spleen Qi so she can work on her next big project: getting pregnant.
What is Ear Acupuncture & How Does it Work?
In the 1950s, Dr. Paul Nogier, coined as the “father of Auriculotherapy,” discovered that certain points in the ears correspond directly with specific parts of the body. The process of inserting hair thin needles into these specific points within the ear is called Auricular, or “ear,” acupuncture. Auricular is different from ‘regular,’ or body, acupuncture because it does not utilize the meridian system. Auricular utilizes points or areas within the ear to stimulate specific organs or to obtain certain results. It is similar to reflexology in that certain groups of cells gather in certain areas, like these specific points, and represent or dedicate themselves to specific parts, functions, and/or organs of the body. Therefore, “stimulation of a reflex point in the ear can relieve symptoms of distant pathology with a reliable duration,” (Gori & Firenzuoli, 2007). Signals created by ear acupuncture travel directly to the brain. The body then takes these signals as commands coming directly from the brain, thereby allowing ear acupuncture to take advantage of its own control center, the brain.
Auricular acupuncture is used for a wide variety of reasons and is effective at treating a variety of physical, mental or emotional issues. It can be used alone or as an additional modality along with a typical acupuncture treatment. When used alone, the treatment is typically for pain or substance abuse and the aim is to get quick results with minimal time and energy. The most famous protocol to be administered alone is called the NADA protocol and is used to treat anxiety, addiction and for smoking cessation. When used along with body acupuncture, ear points help strengthen the treatment. Additionally, ear seeds (small seeds or magnets) are sometimes applied at the end of a treatment to further stimulate the points and help keep the effects of the acupuncture going between sessions.
Overall, ear acupuncture (when administered properly by a licensed professional) can be as effective as body acupuncture at reducing pain, cravings, and easing anxiety. Many people enjoy the benefits as an extension of treatment, and as an added bonus many people love the way ear seeds look!
Works Cited:
Gori, L., & Firenzuoli, F. (2007). Ear Acupuncture in European Traditional Medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 4(Suppl 1), 13–16. http://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem106
What the Tongue Tells us About Your Health.
Everyone wants to know why we look at tongues and what we’re looking for.
Well here is a great example: 25yo F trying to conceive. She has PCOS and hypothyroid and has not had a natural period in over 10 years. From her tongue I can see that she has damp accumulation, particularly of the low jiao, there is heat accumulation as a result of the damp, some blood deficiency, and dysfunction of the digestive system which is hampering all of this.
The 2nd picture was taken about 2 months later, after a course of damp clearing, Spleen and Kidney tonifying herbs. Here we see a lot of damp has been cleared by the thinner tongue coat, the coat is no longer yellow so we can see we have cleared heat as well. The tongue is far less puffy, though we still see some puffy “rails” on the sides, so we see fluids are not accumulating as they had been. And overall color is pinker - though the lighting is different, the color has definitely changed as well.
I’m also happy to report that after 10+ years, she finally got a natural period!!
Next steps are monitoring BBT to try and track if and when she is ovulating to time conception and further Kidney Yang tonification to support a healthy pregnancy!
The Gut-Brain Connection
Chinese Medicine has long held that there is a connection between what you feel and how you feel. Western medicine research is beginning to understand the relationship between our guts and our minds called the “Gut-Brain Axis.” Our gut and brain have a steady ability to communicate via the nervous system, hormones, and the immune system. Such communication greatly affects how we feel physically as well as emotionally.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, has it’s very own nervous system called the enteric nervous system (ENS) which governs the movement and regulation of the digestive system. “Scientists call the enteric nervous system the “little brain”. But it’s not so little. The ENS is two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells lining your gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to rectum…(and what’s more) researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes.” As a result of this strong relationship, what we put into our bodies becomes vital to our physical and emotional wellbeing.
Hormonally and immunologically speaking, when we are under stress, our bodies react by releasing what are called “inflammatory cytokines.” These are little chemical messengers that bring our immune system into high alert. In a way, our body reacts to all stress as if it were an infection (and to chronic stress as if it were a chronic infection) by releasing these cytokines. How is the gut involved? It turns out that the gut flora plays an important role in regulating our immune response. “Your digestive tract is...where 80% of your immune system is located. Research is revealing links between an unhealthy gut and a wide range of medical problems, including obesity, allergies, asthma, and cancer. In fact, many researchers believe that diseases often stem from a communication breakdown between the gut and other parts of the body.” Additionally, growing evidence shows disruption of the microbiota in early infancy as a “critical determinant of disease expression in later life.” Therefore, the makeup of our gut microbiome can make the difference in whether we are sick or well.
What does this mean for you? It means that in terms of feeling well physically and emotionally, the quality of the food we consume is just as important as making time for a workout.
When in doubt, here are 8 ways to a healthier and happier “second brain”:
1. Limit or stop your consumption of:
– Processed foods
– Refined sugars
– Alcohol
– Caffeine
– Grains
– Seed oils (these are high in omega-6 oils, which are pro-inflammatory)
2. Take antibiotics only when absolutely necessary; these play a major role in killing off healthy gut flora.
3. Avoid exposure to pollutants, pesticides, and other chemicals.
4. Eat coconut milk yogurt, coconut milk kefir, sauerkraut, refrigerated pickles, and kimchi. These are probiotic foods that supply your body with good bacteria.
5. Eat prebiotic foods such as jicama, onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks, bananas, chicory root, and Jerusalem artichokes. These supply the soluble fiber that your good gut bugs love to eat.
6. Take a powerful probiotic supplement such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium lactis to flood your system with good bacteria.
7. Manage your stress. Activities like yoga and meditation don’t just calm your mind; they help heal your “second brain” as well.
8. Drink bone broth every day. The gelatin and anti-inflammatory nutrients in bone broth soothe and heal your gut.
References:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-brain-gut-connection
https://www.drkellyann.com/blog/gut-brain-connection-your-second-brain
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/
The Beautiful Order of Things
When things feel so out of control - as they have for some time now - I often turn to Chinese Medicine (CM) to help make sense of things. CM has a rich history that relies heavily on philosophy and observation of the environment to help us understand the world around us, which in turn provides insight into our bodies on a deeper level. There’s even a proverb for this: as above, so below.
The Nei Jing, which informs all modern practitioners and has been around for over two millennia, is the seminal Chinese Medicine text. However, it is much more than a medical text, as Edward Neal, MD, MSOM states: “it is a manual on how the universe works.” So to discuss the Nei Jing is to understand it functions as a medical text by discerning patterns in the natural world and creating a language for those patterns. In doing so it seeks to help us better understand nature, the environment, and thereby ourselves. This explains why many discussions around Chinese Medicine involve environmental terms, such as “Damp”, “Wind”, “Hot”, and “Cold”. Chinese Medicine practitioners view the body as an extension of the world and its environment.
Bearing this in mind, when I turn to CM for guidance during difficult times, I see the correlation between ourselves and the world at large; just as the universe expands and contracts, we inhale and exhale. The Nei Jing infers from this: if we consider the universe as taking a breath, when breath is moving outward, is when things are coming into being or generating. When breath is moving backwards, is when things are going back to their source to be regenerated - the generation/regeneration cycle or the life cycle.
It’s interesting, then, that COVID-19 is a virus which affects the lungs primarily and affects our ability to take a full breath. That gasping for air is a signal we are in the regeneration period; the period of change and transformation. The Nei Jing demands of us to understand that you cannot have generation without regeneration. Make no mistake, nature seeks balance just as our bodies seek homeostasis and will do what is necessary to maintain that balance. What follows regeneration is a rebirth.
This, then, is an entreaty to understand this basic principle of Chinese Medicine. If we are doing too much, producing too much, using too many of our resources, nature will invoke transformation and change. If we can think of something good coming out of this, it’s that we use this moment as a point of change. So what will you do with this moment? What will I? What changes are out there waiting for us?
(This post was inspired by a talk Dr. Edward Neal, MD, MSOM did in April 2020, titled, “The Neijing Perspective on Epidemic and Pandemic Diseases and the Current COVID-19 Situation”)
Acupuncture for Immunity: Health is Wealth
Every so often, I find there is a shift in the collective subconscious and suddenly everyone is talking about the same thing. With the global Coronavirus pandemic front and center in everyone’s minds these days, it seems that all anyone has been talking about is their health and immunity and what can be done to improve it. Questions like “How can I improve my health overall?” or “Are there any supplements I can take to help boost my immunity?”, have been cropping up again and again in my Telehealth sessions. Of course, the answer is different for everyone and will depend on if there are any underlying conditions and where your health and immunity are at today.
That being said, let’s first understand what immunity is with some definitions:
Immune System: a system of cells and organs designed to protect you against “foreign” invaders or “bad” bacteria
Immune Response: the chain reaction of events that occur when your immune system detects those foreign invaders
Immunity: the body’s overall ability to create immune responses to the appropriate things
Why is that important to know? Your general health and wellbeing relies on how well your immune system works in initiating the proper immune response. When we talk about immunity, we're typically referring to the response and how it may be affecting how you feel. Some people find that their immunity is poor because they either have over or under active immune responses. The reasons for this are plentiful (and too long to get into here!), but it should be noted that this atypical response can be the reason for a myriad of health issues ranging from allergic reactions and allergies to gut and intestinal problems.
Two big factors that play a part in our immunity are lifestyle and diet. Getting some regular exercise, establishing healthy sleep habits, and maintaining a “clean” diet with few inflammatory foods and the right balance of macronutrients are all ways in which you can boost your immunity naturally by creating the right environments for our body to produce the correct response. In addition to those changes, things like reducing stress, consuming immune-supporting herbs, and spending quality time outdoors to soak up sun are also some manageable and simple ways to pump up your immunity this spring.
While it’s impossible for us to predict everything, we can certainly help with the stress reduction through acupuncture and immune-supporting herbs and supplements. Acupuncture has been proven to decrease leukocyte (white blood cell) values (Kou et al., 2005). What this tells us is that through the use of acupuncture, we can support a healthy and well-circulating immune system which supports appropriate immune responses. The research shows: acupuncture really works!
The other benefit of acupuncture in the immune response is that it reduces stress, which has a huge effect on health. When you are stressed, your body enacts its most innate fight or flight response, which introduces cortisol and all sorts of stress response hormones into your body. Over time this will damage your body and put you in a chronic state of “flight” where secondary functions - such as digestion or reproduction - are thrown out of whack since they are not considered essential.
Herbs are the pharmaceutical arm to Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM), and they allow us to accelerate the acupuncture response through careful selection of herbs and supplements. Some people are curious about what single herbs will help alleviate fatigue or ease allergies, but to that I say there is no “one size fits all” approach in TCM. It’s a matter of working with your body to create the proper formula. For most who need an immunity boost, that usually involves herbs like ginseng and astragalus which are good for reducing fatigue and increasing immunity.
Supplements differ from Chinese Herbs in that they are single ingredient vital nutrients you should already be getting through nutrition, but may not be getting enough of in order to receive a therapeutic effect. The supplements I suggest to everyone looking for a little bit of an immunity boost are: A high quality multivitamin with minerals, 1000mg liposomal Vitamin C, 20mg Zinc, 500IU Vitamin D, Elderberry, and a probiotic to encourage optimal gut health.
The key to using acupuncture for immunity is the knowledge that good health requires maintenance and upkeep, just like staying in shape. Using a three prong approach of diet, lifestyle, and stress reduction via acupuncture is an excellent course of treatment that has been proven to work.
References:
Kou, W., Bell, J. D., Gareus, I., Pacheco-López, G., Goebel, M. U., Spahn, G., ... & Dobos, G. J. (2005). Repeated acupuncture treatment affects leukocyte circulation in healthy young male subjects: a randomized single-blind two-period crossover study. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 19(4), 318-324.
No sanitizer? No problem! Homemade Hand Sanitizer Recipe
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of hand washing right now: it’s the most effective way to stop the spread of germs and viruses, period. But in the event you don’t have access to running water (think: on your next big supermarket run), hand sanitizer is definitely effective in a pinch. Unfortunately, with so much in flux in the world, it's becoming nearly impossible to find any in stores. What’s a guy or gal to do? Well…make her own, of course! Below is a recipe for homemade sanitizer. Unfortunately there is really no such thing as “all natural” sanitizer, because the main ingredient for any disinfectant is usually alcohol, though there are a number the CDC recommends and you can find a list here, as well as a good explanation for the difference between cleaning and sanitizing.
But back to our recipe! The most important ingredient is alcohol and the percentage of alcohol counts. A bottle of 99% alcohol is best, but if you don’t have that on hand or can’t find any, you can also use 75% or 60%, though you will not be able to dilute those as much. Please know that the bottle of vodka you have laying around will not count, as the alcohol content, while strong enough to get you drunk, is not strong enough for proper sanitization.
Ingredients:
Isopropyl alcohol (99-75% recommended)
Glycerol or glycerin (to keep alcohol from becoming too drying - if you can’t find any or don’t have any on hand, you can leave it out, but don’t forget to apply moisturizer after applying the sanitizer)
Hydrogen peroxide (used to inactivate any contamination in the solution)
Distilled water (or boil water and wait for it to cool down)
Essential oil of your choosing (for scent)
Spray bottle (this should be sterilized before being used)
Directions: mix 12oz of alcohol, 2 teaspoons of glycerol, 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, 3oz of water (less if you are using lower concentration alcohol - ¾ of your solution should be alcohol) and 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends allowing any mixture be left to sit for 72 hours to allow any spores present in the mixture or bottles to be destroyed.
Recommendations for essential oils are: Tea tree oil for its antimicrobial ability or Thieves oil for its immunity boosting power. Clove and eucalyptus are in the Thieves oil blend, so they can be used alone or together if you can’t find Thieves oil.
Acupuncture for Allergies...it's AMAZING!!
Asthma and allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), food allergy, and eczema, are common for all age groups in the United States. Folks in Memphis, TN are particularly susceptible due to all the tree pollen, ragweed and grass. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. Surprisingly, it is among the country’s most common, but overlooked, diseases.
An allergy attack occurs when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, called an allergen, which could be something you eat, inhale into your lungs, or touch. An allergen is any chemical substance of non-microbial origin that triggers an immune response in your body. An immune response is when your immune system, thinking the allergen is a foreign invader, overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). The IgE molecules attach to mast cells, which are white blood cells that are part of the immune response and are plentiful in the lungs, skin, and linings of the nose and gastrointestinal tract. The next time a person is exposed to that allergen, these IgE-primed mast cells release powerful chemicals, which in turn cause the allergic reaction, commonly seen as itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies, however, they can be managed through proper treatment and prevention.
Some steps you can take today to help alleviate symptoms and prevent allergies from getting in the way of living your life include:
Acupuncture is incredibly effective at helping mediate the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. In fact, in 2015 The American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Clinical Practice Guideline recommended acupuncture for patients with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) who were interested in nonpharmacological solutions. Acupuncture is recognized as an effective alternative to medical therapies, and is associated with a reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life for patients.
Chinese herbal medicine, which is the pharmaceutical arm of acupuncture, is well known to help boost immunity naturally in order to prevent an allergic outbreak from occurring in the first place. Specifically, magnolia flower powder ( “Xin Yi San”) has been found to reduce nasal symptoms in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (hay fever) due to its diverse immunomodulatory effects. This is far from the only Chinese medicine formula effective at treating allergies, so please be sure to speak with your Chinese Medicine practitioner about what formula would be right for you.
Supplements such as Quercetin, which is a naturally occurring antioxidant, have been found to have an antihistamine effect, reducing allergic outbreak. Bromelain, which will oftentimes come with Quercetin, and is found in pineapples, is another well known anti-inflammatory said to be effective at treating respiratory distress.
When all else fails, don’t forget these two important tips:
Wipe yourself down with a small towel when walking into the house. The reason being, that when we enter our homes, we’re bringing in small bits from the outside as well, which will exacerbate any allergic reaction.
Neti pots are thought to be useful for allergy season for the same reasons - because you are clearing out any potential allergens, bacteria, or mucus that could lead to an allergic response.
Please note that anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include flushing, tingling of the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or lips; light-headedness, and chest-tightness. If not treated, these can progress into seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, shock, and respiratory distress or even death. If you think you are experiencing any of these signs, call 911 immediately.