Live in Harmony with the Seasons

Live in Harmony with the Seasons

Five Phases (Seasons) in Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine is a medicine of the seasons, based in part on an understanding that all change in the universe and in your body happens in five distinct phases that correspond to the seasons - namely:

• Wood (Spring)
• Fire (Summer)
• Earth (Late Summer)
• Metal (Autumn)
• Water (Winter)

Chinese medicine works by balancing the bodies Qi (energy), Yin and Yang in relation to the five phases to achieve optimal health. To help you be well and stay well by living in harmony with the seasons, here are some of my favorite wellness tips for Spring as well as a special offer from our newest Suite 103 Practitioner. Be Well and Enjoy!

Spring: Invite the Wood Element
Spring is dominated by the wood element in Chinese medicine which governs the Liver and the Gallbladder organs. The Liver and Gallbladder are related to growth, change, benevolence, creativity and deciding a course of action. In this spirit, Spring is a time for clearing out the old to make way for the new. A great way to do this is to focus on your diet, ensuring that your digestion is smooth and healthy. How do you do this?

First, try to include more greens in your diet. Green is the color of Spring and of the wood element, and green veggies are a great source of fiber, antioxidants and important vitamins and minerals. If you are having a hard time including greens in your diet - especially good organic veggies - consider a service like spud! Spud! is a local organic produce delivery service that will bring local fruits, veggies and more right to your door. I use it at home and not only does it help me ensure that I'm getting plenty of fresh and local foods, but it saves me valuable time shopping and reduces my carbon footprint. If you're interested in checking it out, use the code CR5-1005173 for a $25 discount.

Next, try drinking some milk thistle tea or taking milk thistle caps daily through the Spring months. Milk Thistle is an antioxidant that targets the liver, protecting it from incoming toxins as well as encouraging it to cleanse itself of damaging substances like alcohol, medications and environmental toxins

Lastly, if you haven't been in for a tune up for a while, now is a great time to check in. Since Chinese Medicine is a seasonal medicine, coming in with the change of seasons is always recommended as a minimum health maintenance program.

Office Updates

Welcome Jamaica Stevens, LMT - $40 new patient offer
Yes, we have a new massage therapist joining us on Saturdays who specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy Massage and Reiki and she is truly amazing. She's offering a special $40 first appointment offer to all current patients - a very generous offer for her outstanding service. Simply go online to our online scheduler and book a one hour massage with Jamaica to take advantage of this offer. Please note "$40 new patient special" in the notes section of your appointment. Slots are going fast, so I recommend booking soon if you are interested.

Rebecca Honored by Cambridge Who's Who
Nifty, huh? Rebecca has just been honored by Cambridge Who's Who Among Americal Entrepreneurs as an Outstanding Professional in the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Spread the word! Press release can be seen by looking back one blog post.

Stave off Colds and Flus with Chinese Herbs

Shorter days and Fall weather are upon us making it an important time to be good to yourself. Fall is a great time to tonify and strengthen the immune system in preparation for the winter cold and flu season, and Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs are the perfect tool to keep you well. Consider coming in for a tune up if you haven't already or just stocking up on some of my favorite wellness formulas. What are those formulas you might ask?...

YIN QIAO SAN is a must have for your medicine cabinet (its how I've managed to only take 4 sick days in 2-1/2 years). A powerful combination of herbs to expel wind-heat, which translates as an anti-viral to combat the common cold - especially colds that start with or include a scratchy throat. If you start taking Yin Qiao at the first sign of catching something, there is a good chance you won't get sick at all. You can also take Yin Qiao preventatively if you are around sick people or worried about getting sick - truly a teacher's best friend! So if you haven't discovered the joys of this simple $8 remedy, now is a great time to start! Furthermore, for some people this formula has also been known to stop snoring...

CANG ER ZI WAN which I fondly refer to as "herbal sudafed." This simple 4 herb combination including mint and magnolia flower is designed specifically to treat wind stagnation in the sinuses - also known as nasal congestion. If you're in need of a nasal decongestant but just can't handle the side effects and drowsiness that accompanies over the counter medications, consider keeping this on the shelf for a quick fix when you need it. For $10 it can't hurt, in fact I can promise it will help!

CHINESE HERBAL SOUP MIX: Also called Chinese Chicken Soup Mix, this bag of bulk herbs contains 13 edible tonic herbs such as Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), Dried Longan Fruit, Dang Gui (DongKui), Hai Zao (a kind of seaweed) and more. These herbs combine to make a tasty immune boosting soup which is ideal for preparing for winter, for recovering from a cold or flu if you've gotten sick or for recovering from any illness that has zapped your energy. Traditionally the soup is made with chicken due to the energetic qualities chicken possesses, but it can be made vegetarian no problem with the same wonderful health benefits. One package of soup mix with instructions retails for $10 and will make a full stock pot of soup. Safe for children.

Since a great portion of your immune modulating cells reside in your gut, taking probiotics to support your digestion combined with a good diet are also must-haves when preparing for winter. My herbal dispensary is full of Chinese herbal formulas for many occasions, as well as select western nutritional supplements such as fish oil, probiotics, multi vitamins and B vitamins. If there is ever a supplement you are having a hard time finding or that you want advice about, please don't hesitate to ask. If I don't have it or can't find it, I have a wonderful network of Naturopaths and Nutritionists who I can direct you to for help.

Lastly, please let me express that if you feel a cold coming on - book an appointment! Acupuncture, especially when combined with Chinese herbs and with accessory therapies such as cupping and gua sha, can help you get better significantly faster and the sooner you get in for treatment the better results you will have. I'm not afraid of getting sick thanks to my arsenal of herbs listed above, so don't you worry about bringing things into my office - I want to help!