Balance Blog: All Things Health, Wellness, and Chinese Medicine

Lauren Becker 9/23/23 Lauren Becker 9/23/23

Living With The Seasons: Autumn and The Metal Element

The teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for Fall, our focus turns to strengthening the metal element’s organ system pair, the Lungs and Large Intestine, and practice that which we observe in nature: letting go. Enjoy our 10 self-care tips for keeping well this fall.

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

In Chinese Medicine theory, there are five natural elements that exist within us, as they do in nature. Each season belongs to a particular element and has unique correspondences. When we study nature’s patterns and cycles, we can learn how to support our own health and stay well year-round.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

The fall welcomes the metal element. Trees drop their leaves, days are shorter and cooler, and pumpkin spice lattes replace iced mochas. We depart from the expansive, endless days of summer and hunker down into routine and structure. While some of us long for summer’s sun, fun and freedom, others feel exhilarated by the crispness and structure promised by fall.

Signs of metal imbalance relate to various Lung and Large Intestine patterns of disharmony. For example, prolonged grief can lead to lung qi deficiency, with tired breathing or low immunity. An inability to “let go” can cause stagnation in the lungs and large intestine with symptoms like constipation or asthma. Viral infections and poor air quality directly impact the lungs, causing phlegm, weakness, dryness, and toxicity. And resisting seasonal change… not flowing with the natural shifts in our environment… can also cause lung and large intestine disharmony on physical and emotional levels.

We can use the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine to support our body, mind and spirit in the midst of seasonal change. And Fall offers many gifts and opportunities for reconnecting with our health. Now, our focus turns to strengthening the Lungs and Large Intestine, gathering inspiration, and practice that which we observe in nature: letting go. To feel our best, we need to find balance in the metal element, embrace its virtues, and learn from the lessons of the season.

Along with your seasonal acupuncture tune-up consider these 10 wellness tips for a healthy fall:

Practice letting go.
Come fall, we may feel the weight of excess accumulation from the year in the form of mental and physical clutter. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, it’s time to shed what no longer serves us. Whether it means cleaning out a closet, winding down a relationship, or ending a habit, finding ways to let go will help ease the transition into fall.
Protect your neck.
In Chinese Medicine theory, “wind is the cause of 1,000 diseases”. Wind enters the body at the back of the neck- “the wind gate”- and causes conditions that develop quickly and enter the lungs- like colds, flus, headaches, and sore throats. Temperature fluctuations that are typically seen this time of year make us even more susceptible to wind. Remembering to wear a scarf or hoodie offers extra protection against wind invasions.
Practice deep breathing.
The Lung organ system is most active during fall- who doesn’t love taking deep breaths of fresh, crisp autumn air? Deep, cleansing breaths are necessary for stress release, clear thinking, and proper physiological functioning. Deep breathing exercises stimulates lung qi, which contributes to a strong immune system and an uplifted spirit. Tip: include chest opening essential oils like pine, eucalyptus, or frankincense into your breath work practice.
Do some grief work.
Grief is part of the qi of the season and the emotion associated with metal and the lungs. There is decay in nature, and a strong sense of letting go as nature prepares for new life. It’s natural to feel some sadness this time of year, especially during these pandemic times. Acknowledging feelings of grief and creating a practice around it will allow feelings of sadness and loss to move through in a healthy way. We recommend acupuncture, breath work, or speaking with a counselor,
Connect with what inspires you.
STAY INSPIRED! Inspiration is the yin to eliminations yang. While the theme of fall is to let go, inspiration is an important virtue of the metal element. The job of the lungs, after all, is to “inspire”. Whether it’s revisiting a good book or podcast, picking up your yoga practice, cooking, starting an inspiration board, or FaceTiming with a mentor… connecting with what inspires you will support the spirit of the lungs and help you feel uplifted- especially as we continue to socially distance and hunker down.
Sip on spices.
The flavor associated with the fall is “pungent”, which means aromatic and spicy. Pumpkin spice lattes and chai teas fall under this category. Spices likes cinnamon, ginger, clove, and anise help clear the lungs from congestion and phlegm, open the airways, and stimulate proper respiratory functioning. It’s important to keep the lungs strong as they are the first line of defense against illness.
Eat well.
So long, salads and watermelon. Eating raw, cold-natured foods during the cooler months contributes to damp accumulation, which feels like congestion, heaviness, and lethargy. It’s time for nourishing soups, stews, and stir-frys. The color associated with fall is white, so try including white and spicy foods like scallions, leeks, horseradish, onion, and garlic into your cooking. Spices counter dampness and congestion, following that theme of clear breathing and clear releasing… inspiration and letting go.
Get organized.
Who enjoys shopping at the Container Store as much as I do? Ok, maybe the thrill of new bins and desk organizers isn’t your thing. But if there’s a time of year to finally get things in order, here it is. The metal element enjoys structure and organization. We may have lost that in some areas of our life this year, particularly with virtual schooling and working from home. Organization, in a healthy amount (no extremes) creates space for ideas, inspiration, and planning. For more on this, check out our related article: Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Tidy Up ( and Other Lessons from the Metal Element)
Soothe dryness.
The climate associated with fall is dryness. While the lungs mostly prefer to be dry, too much dryness disrupts proper lung functioning. Chapped skin, a scratchy throat, and dry nasal passageways are signs of lung dryness. To nourish the lungs and keep the membranes healthy (which is essential for optimal immunity), make sure to stay hydrated. Other ways to soothe lung dryness: sip honey in hot water, eat pears and mucilaginous (slimy) foods like okra and eggs, use a humidifier, and lather up with almond or coconut oil.
Boost your Wei (Defensive) Qi.
Our Wei qi is our outermost layer of qi that circulates on the surface of our body, just beneath the skin, protecting us from wind invasions and airborne pathogens. Wei Qi translates to Defensive Qi, and it’s controlled by the Lungs. This is the first line defense of our immune system, which can become vulnerable during seasonal shifts. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils reinforce the Wei qi and strengthen our defenses.

Check out our related article, “5 Acupressure Points for Immune Support”, to learn how to use acupressure on points that stimulate the Wei Qi and boost immunity. Herbal medicine is very specific to each individual, and we recommend consulting with your acupuncturist to find the best formula for you. Many will include the ingredient Huang qi (astragalus) which strengthens Lung qi and our exterior. Favorite essential oils to diffuse for boosting Wei qi include tea tree, pine, fir, lavender, and eucalyptus.

Here’s to a resilient Fall. Stay strong, ya’ll. Call us for acupuncture, herbs, and general support and advice. We are here for you and your whole family. Book an appointment or call us at (843) 790-4295.

Lauren Becker 9/30/21 Lauren Becker 9/30/21

Fall Health Tips and the Metal Element

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

Along with your seasonal acupuncture tune-up consider these 10 wellness tips for a healthy fall:

Practice letting go.
Come fall, we may feel the weight of excess accumulation from the year in the form of mental and physical clutter. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, it’s time to shed what no longer serves us. Whether it means cleaning out a closet, winding down a relationship, or ending a habit, finding ways to let go will help ease the transition into fall.
Protect your neck.
In Chinese Medicine theory, “wind is the cause of 1,000 diseases”. Wind enters the body at the back of the neck- “the wind gate”- and causes conditions that develop quickly and enter the lungs- like colds, flus, headaches, and sore throats. Temperature fluctuations that are typically seen this time of year make us even more susceptible to wind. Remembering to wear a scarf or hoodie offers extra protection against wind invasions.
Practice deep breathing.
The Lung organ system is most active during fall- who doesn’t love taking deep breaths of fresh, crisp autumn air? Deep, cleansing breaths are necessary for stress release, clear thinking, and proper physiological functioning. Deep breathing exercises stimulates lung qi, which contributes to a strong immune system and an uplifted spirit. Tip: include chest opening essential oils like pine, eucalyptus, or frankincense into your breath work practice.
Do some grief work.
Grief is part of the qi of the season and the emotion associated with metal and the lungs. There is decay in nature, and a strong sense of letting go as nature prepares for new life. It’s natural to feel some sadness this time of year, especially during these pandemic times. Acknowledging feelings of grief and creating a practice around it will allow feelings of sadness and loss to move through in a healthy way. We recommend acupuncture, breath work, or speaking with a counselor,
Connect with what inspires you.
STAY INSPIRED! Inspiration is the yin to eliminations yang. While the theme of fall is to let go, inspiration is an important virtue of the metal element. The job of the lungs, after all, is to “inspire”. Whether it’s revisiting a good book or podcast, picking up your yoga practice, cooking, starting an inspiration board, or FaceTiming with a mentor… connecting with what inspires you will support the spirit of the lungs and help you feel uplifted- especially as we continue to socially distance and hunker down.
Sip on spices.
The flavor associated with the fall is “pungent”, which means aromatic and spicy. Pumpkin spice lattes and chai teas fall under this category. Spices likes cinnamon, ginger, clove, and anise help clear the lungs from congestion and phlegm, open the airways, and stimulate proper respiratory functioning. It’s important to keep the lungs strong as they are the first line of defense against illness.
Eat well.
So long, salads and watermelon. Eating raw, cold-natured foods during the cooler months contributes to damp accumulation, which feels like congestion, heaviness, and lethargy. It’s time for nourishing soups, stews, and stir-frys. The color associated with fall is white, so try including white and spicy foods like scallions, leeks, horseradish, onion, and garlic into your cooking. Spices counter dampness and congestion, following that theme of clear breathing and clear releasing… inspiration and letting go.
Get organized.
Who enjoys shopping at the Container Store as much as I do? Ok, maybe the thrill of new bins and desk organizers isn’t your thing. But if there’s a time of year to finally get things in order, here it is. The metal element enjoys structure and organization. We may have lost that in some areas of our life this year, particularly with virtual schooling and working from home. Organization, in a healthy amount (no extremes) creates space for ideas, inspiration, and planning. For more on this, check out our related article: Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Tidy Up ( and Other Lessons from the Metal Element)
Soothe dryness.
The climate associated with fall is dryness. While the lungs mostly prefer to be dry, too much dryness disrupts proper lung functioning. Chapped skin, a scratchy throat, and dry nasal passageways are signs of lung dryness. To nourish the lungs and keep the membranes healthy (which is essential for optimal immunity), make sure to stay hydrated. Other ways to soothe lung dryness: sip honey in hot water, eat pears and mucilaginous (slimy) foods like okra and eggs, use a humidifier, and lather up with almond or coconut oil.
Boost your Wei (Defensive) Qi.
Our Wei qi is our outermost layer of qi that circulates on the surface of our body, just beneath the skin, protecting us from wind invasions and airborne pathogens. Wei Qi translates to Defensive Qi, and it’s controlled by the Lungs. This is the first line defense of our immune system, which can become vulnerable during seasonal shifts. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils reinforce the Wei qi and strengthen our defenses.

Lauren Becker 9/19/21 Lauren Becker 9/19/21

Late Summer, the Earth Element + Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, we take seasonal changes as opportunities to better our health and prevent disease. Late Summer is the time to reinforce the vitality of the earth element.. Adjusting our qi with the flow of the seasons will help us cultivate balance, resiliency, and vibrant health throughout the year.

A Chinese Medical Perspective on Health + Wellness in the Late Summer

"In its central position the Earth is the pivot for all of the other Elements which encircle and spin around it. It is a place of stability within the body, mind, and spirit. From this stable anchor, change and growth can take place. Our food can be transformed and processed by the Stomach and Spleen and turned into qi that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit” - Angela Hicks, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Late summer’s ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

ELEMENT: earth

YIN ORGAN: spleen

YANG ORGAN: stomach

EMOTION: worry

SPIRIT: yi (intellect)

CLIMATE: humidity

COLOR: yellow

TASTE: sweet

SENSE ORGANS: mouth

TISSUES: muscles

VIRTUES: empathy, nurturinG

The long, endless days of summer are winding down and we find ourselves transitioning into the season of the Earth element- the season of harvest. It’s time to take stock in the celebration and abundance of summer and let that nourish our body and mind.

Earth is a gentle rolling hill, a long golden beach, or a staggering mountain range. Within us, Earth is family and friends. It is the fabric of life that we create and nurture with integrity. The season The Earth element belongs to a “fifth season” that spans from the hazy days following the peak of summer to the start of fall. During this time of year, we focus on the digestive system, nourishment, and stability.

The Spleen and Stomach

The Spleen and Stomach meridian systems belong to the Earth element, and they play a very important role in our overall health and wellbeing. So much so that in 1180 CE, famous Chinese physician Li Dong Yuan founded the Earth School because he believed that the etiology of most diseases was a result of injury to the digestive system. According to this school of thought, the Spleen and Stomach are at the center of one’s health. The Earth School teachings remain relevant in today’s practice, especially in light of the recent research on the relationship between gut health and immunity.

The Spleen is in charge of making our body's qi and blood, which are the vital substances needed to stay healthy. Additionally, the spleen “holds” the blood in the vessels, and ascends energy to prevent prolapse of various organs like the uterus and bladder. Most importantly, the Spleen transforms the food we eat into energy and transports that nutritive energy (“ying qi”) to other parts of our body. When the spleen is weak or out of balance, various health issues from digestive to gynecological to emotional arise.

In Chinese medicine theory, every organ “houses” a spirit, which corresponds to a certain aspect of our psyche. Our thoughts and mental capacity relate to the spirit of the Spleen, called the Yi (which translates to Intellect). The Yi influences our capacity for studying, concentration, memorizing, etc. With school back in session, supporting the spleen Qi is essential!

The emotion associated with the spleen is worry. With its connection to the mind and thinking, the Yi is be prone to worry, anxiety, and overthinking. When caught in this loop, spleen Qi deficiency symptoms arise, like digestive weakness, IBS, and fatigue. Meditation and calming the mind are very important for spleen health.

The Earth element relates to issues of dampness (humidity, heaviness, phlegm) - the climate of late summer. Dampness shows up in the body in many ways: physical fatigue, mental fatigue, worry, digestive problems, and muscle weakness to name a few. Because the spleen and stomach meridian systems are particularly impacted by dampness, food therapy becomes so important to keep everything on track.

Seasonal Wellness

In Chinese Medicine, we take seasonal changes as opportunities to better our health and prevent disease. Just like the seasons cycle, our health is not a fixed state. When there are changes in nature, it’s important that we adjust to the natural rhythms and flow of the earth. Addressing our health in this way will help us cultivate balance, harmony, and holistic health throughout the year.

Now is the time to reinforce the vitality of the earth element and spleen Qi- acupuncture, food therapy, and mindfulness are particularly supportive.

“Earth generates Metal”. Fall is the season of the metal element and the lung meridian system- and of course, when colds, flus, and seasonal allergies circulate. Cultivating a balanced earth element and strong Spleen qi in the late summer contributes to a stronger immune system and healthy lungs in the fall. Preventative medicine is the best medicine!

“Knowing how to treat the center is knowing how to bring all networks into balance.” - Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644)

Here are some tips to boost the vitality of your earth element and the wellbeing of your mind, body, and spirit:

Warm it up. The earth element thrives on a nourishing diet, and nutritional therapy related to the Spleen is key for maintaining good and balanced health. Cold raw food creates dampness in the spleen, which interferes with its role of the transportation and transformation of nutrients and energy, and its ability to produce qi and blood. This leads to a variety of health imbalances. Maintaining warmth in the Earth center of the body is very important.

As summer draws to a close, it’s time to phase out your consumption of cold raw foods, including smoothies, ice water, and salads. Dairy, refined sugars, and fatty and greasy foods also contribute to dampness. Do include warm, cooked meals. Aromatic spices like ginger, fennel, coriander, caraway, and cardamom help to warm things up, resolves dampness, and strengthen the spleen Qi.

Say yes to sweet. Sweet flavors, in small amounts, favor the Spleen and Stomach (sadly, we are not talking about ice cream). Sweet foods that strengthen the Earth element include whole grains, like millet, rice, and root vegetables, such as yams, sweet potatoes and carrots. Enjoy the sweet fruits and veggies that are in season and available in the late summer harvest.

Don’t skip breakfast. According to the Chinese Medicine clock, the Stomach has optimal digestive capacity between 7-9am. Your meal should be substantial and fortifying. A good breakfast strengthens the stomach and spleen qi and yang for the day. Optimal breakfast foods are energetically warming foods, prepared with warm cooking methods that stimulate the body and do not spread dampness. A favorite in Chinese Medicine food therapy is breakfast congee, a highly nourishing and healing way to start the day.

(get our congee recipe here!)

The color of the Earth is yellow. The Su Wen Chapter 10 states that, “yellow corresponds to the Spleen”. Eating foods that are yellow and orange are especially supportive for Spleen health. Examples include squash, sweet potato, yams, corn, papaya, and carrots.

Find your center. The Earth element is about stability, nurturance, caregiving, and bounty. Seek activities that keep you centered and grounded; focus on what nourishes and fulfills you and those you care about. With fall just around the corner, the season of "letting go", we will soon think about the things we have too much of and begin the process of releasing, clearing, and simplifying.

Be mindful about what you mentally ingest. As our focus turns to the health of our Spleen and Stomach organ systems and its relationship to the "Yi"- our mind and intellect- we need to be mindful about what we MENTALLY ingest, as well. This is a perfect time of year to think about our relationship with social media and the news and to create boundaries around screen time.

And finally- sing like no one’s listening! Every element has an associated sound, through which it expresses itself. The sound of the Earth element is "singing". Whether your stage is the shower, the car, or a stage, get those vocal chords warmed up and sing your heart out!

CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE, HERBS, AND OILS TO HELP

The transition from summer to fall can be tough, and some people dread this time of year. Resistance to the changing seasons can cause stagnation in the body and weaken the immune system. Acupuncture helps our body and mind move effortlessly with seasonal changes.

For a daily earth-strengthening fix, try patchouli essential oil. Entering the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach channels, this oil resolves dampness and phlegm and harmonizes the digestive system. On an emotional level, patchouli can help the body transform and release pent-up emotions and calm a worried or restless mind. We also like neroli for tonifying spleen qi, soothing a nervous stomach and easing anxiety, and grapefruit for uplifting the spirit and resolving stagnation caused by food and dampness.

There are many helpful herbal formulas for fortifying the Spleen qi and balancing the earth element, and the best option for you should be determined by your acupuncturist. Some formulas are better for draining dampness, and others for building Qi and blood, treating digestive weakness, or calming worry and anxiety.

Try acupressure on acupuncture point Spleen 9 (Sp-9 Yin Ling Quan), located on the inside part of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia below the knee. The easiest way to find the point is to run your thumb up the edge of the bone on the inside of your lower leg until it falls into a hole- if the point is active, it will feel tender. This is THE acupuncture point for resolving dampness anywhere in the body. Gently press on this point for 20-30 seconds to help relieve abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas pains, and lethargy after eating. This point also helps treat edema, swelling, thirst and urinary difficulty. And if you find yourself trapped in a cycle of worrisome or anxious thoughts and circular thinking, press on Spleen 9 to help break the pattern and bring ease to a worried mind.

Chinese Medicine proposes that we will feel our best if we live according to the seasons. In late Summer, it is the Earth element that is the most active and also the most vulnerable. With appropriate diet and lifestyle adjustments, we can cultivate a healthy Earth element, a strong gut and optimal immunity.

Lauren Becker 6/7/21 Lauren Becker 6/7/21

TCM Tips for a Healthy Summer

Things are warming up and we've got your TCM tips to help you enjoy a happy and healthy summer! The transition from Spring to Summer is represented by the wood element moving into the FIRE element. The new growth and budding energy of spring is now exploding into summer vibrance and abundance. Whether you thrive in the heat or want to melt away, self-care is essential this time of year.

Things are warming up and we've got your TCM tips to help you enjoy a happy and healthy summer!

The transition from Spring to Summer is represented by the wood element moving into the FIRE element. The new growth and budding energy of spring is now exploding into summer vibrance and abundance. Whether you thrive in the heat or want to melt away, self-care is essential this time of year:

SYNC UP YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE. Chinese Medicine suggests aligning your sleep schedule with seasonal changes will help you have the most energy throughout your day. In the summer, take advantage of the long days by rising early, napping in the afternoon, and staying up later. This practice will help keep balance within your circadian rhythm AND get the benefits of being in the sun before the rays get too hot and strong.

EAT WITH THE SEASON. In these hotter months, our diet should be light, cooling, nutrient-dense, brightly colored, and hydrating. Good options include: apricot, bananas, apples, lettuce, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, citrus, peaches, cucumber, zucchini, asparagus, bok choy, water chestnut, corn, snow peas, and mint. These foods are plentiful this time of year, so be sure to incorporate them into your diet on a regular basis to offset the summer heat.

HYDRATE! Balancing fire with water is essential to staying healthy in the summer. This means to be sure to drink plenty of water and keep the mineral and electrolyte balance in check. Chronic dehydration can have more to do with electrolyte and mineral depletion rather than how much water you're actually drinking. Try coconut water on hot days or adding a pinch of sea salt or trace mineral drops to your glass of water. TCM also recommends watermelon juice for cooling the body and cleansing the system.

NOURISH THE SPIRIT AND CULTIVATE JOY. This is the essence- or the qi- of the season! Summer also corresponds with the Heart and Small Intestine organ systems, so symptoms like poor memory, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, UTIs, heartburn, or depression will indicate imbalance of these organ systems this time of year. If you're struggling with any of these, it's time to schedule an acupuncture treatment!

SCHEDULE AN ACUPUNCTURE APPOINTMENT. Acupuncture quickly and effectively brings balance in our body and helps our internal rhythms adjust to change. No surprise here, that acupuncture is our #1 go-to for self-care, especially with regards to seasonal transition.

Lauren Becker 9/28/20 Lauren Becker 9/28/20

Seasonal Wellness: Fall, the Lungs + Letting Go

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

This year, we should acknowledge that the shift into fall may feel a bit heavier, even for those of us who LOVE the cooler season. COVID has disrupted structure and routine. There is an endless news cycle of sadness and loss. With COVID and wildfires, our lungs need more protection and support than ever. We didn’t really get that expansive, fire energy of summertime- nostalgia lingers in the air. And we may not feel so ready to move inward, since we’ve already been isolating since March. Arguably, we’ve been operating out of a “metal” place for months. With all that its endured, our metal element could surely use some love right now.

Along with your seasonal acupuncture tune-up (though this particular fall, we do recommend more frequent general wellness visits with your acupuncturist), consider these 10 wellness tips for a happy and healthy you this fall:

Practice letting go.
Come fall, we may feel the weight of excess accumulation from the year in the form of mental and physical clutter. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, it’s time to shed what no longer serves us. Whether it means cleaning out a closet, winding down a relationship, or ending a habit, finding ways to let go will help ease the transition into fall.
Protect your neck.
In Chinese Medicine theory, “wind is the cause of 1,000 diseases”. Wind enters the body at the back of the neck- “the wind gate”- and causes conditions that develop quickly and enter the lungs- like colds, flus, headaches, and sore throats. Temperature fluctuations that are typically seen this time of year make us even more susceptible to wind. Remembering to wear a scarf or hoodie offers extra protection against wind invasions.
Practice deep breathing.
The Lung organ system is most active during fall- who doesn’t love taking deep breaths of fresh, crisp autumn air? Deep, cleansing breaths are necessary for stress release, clear thinking, and proper physiological functioning. Deep breathing exercises stimulates lung qi, which contributes to a strong immune system and an uplifted spirit. Tip: include chest opening essential oils like pine, eucalyptus, or frankincense into your breath work practice.
Do some grief work.
Grief is part of the qi of the season and the emotion associated with metal and the lungs. There is decay in nature, and a strong sense of letting go as nature prepares for new life. It’s natural to feel some sadness this time of year, but 2020 has pushed us into an unrelenting and intense grief cycle on so many levels. Acknowledging feelings of grief and creating a practice around it will allow feelings of sadness and loss to move through in a healthy way. We recommend acupuncture, breath work, or speaking with a counselor,
Connect with what inspires you.
STAY INSPIRED! Inspiration is the yin to eliminations yang. While the theme of fall is to let go, inspiration is an important virtue of the metal element. The job of the lungs, after all, is to “inspire”. Whether it’s revisiting a good book or podcast, picking up your yoga practice, cooking, starting an inspiration board, or FaceTiming with a mentor… connecting with what inspires you will support the spirit of the lungs and help you feel uplifted- especially as we continue to socially distance and hunker down.
Sip on spices.
The flavor associated with the fall is “pungent”, which means aromatic and spicy. Pumpkin spice lattes and chai teas fall under this category. Spices likes cinnamon, ginger, clove, and anise help clear the lungs from congestion and phlegm, open the airways, and stimulate proper respiratory functioning. It’s important to keep the lungs strong as they are the first line of defense against illness.
Eat well.
So long, salads and watermelon. Eating raw, cold-natured foods during the cooler months contributes to damp accumulation, which feels like congestion, heaviness, and lethargy. It’s time for nourishing soups, stews, and stir-frys. The color associated with fall is white, so try including white and spicy foods like scallions, leeks, horseradish, onion, and garlic into your cooking. Spices counter dampness and congestion, following that theme of clear breathing and clear releasing… inspiration and letting go.
Get organized.
Who enjoys shopping at the Container Store as much as I do? Ok, maybe the thrill of new bins and desk organizers isn’t your thing. But if there’s a time of year to finally get things in order, here it is. The metal element enjoys structure and organization. We may have lost that in some areas of our life this year, particularly with virtual schooling and working from home. Organization, in a healthy amount (no extremes) creates space for ideas, inspiration, and planning. For more on this, check out our related article: Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Tidy Up ( and Other Lessons from the Metal Element)
Soothe dryness.
The climate associated with fall is dryness. While the lungs mostly prefer to be dry, too much dryness disrupts proper lung functioning. Chapped skin, a scratchy throat, and dry nasal passageways are signs of lung dryness. To nourish the lungs and keep the membranes healthy (which is essential for optimal immunity), make sure to stay hydrated. Other ways to soothe lung dryness: sip honey in hot water, eat pears and mucilaginous (slimy) foods like okra and eggs, use a humidifier, and lather up with almond or coconut oil.
Boost your Wei (Defensive) Qi.
Our Wei qi is our outermost layer of qi that circulates on the surface of our body, just beneath the skin, protecting us from wind invasions and airborne pathogens. Wei Qi translates to Defensive Qi, and it’s controlled by the Lungs. This is the first line defense of our immune system, which can become vulnerable during seasonal shifts. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils reinforce the Wei qi and strengthen our defenses.

Lauren Becker 9/16/20 Lauren Becker 9/16/20

Embrace the Earth Element

Chinese Medicine proposes that we will feel our best if we live according to the seasons. In late Summer, it is the Earth element that is the most active and also the most vulnerable. With appropriate diet and lifestyle adjustments, we can cultivate a healthy Earth element, a strong gut and optimal immunity.

A Chinese Medical Perspective on Health + Wellness in the Late Summer

"In its central position the Earth is the pivot for all of the other Elements which encircle and spin around it. It is a place of stability within the body, mind, and spirit. From this stable anchor, change and growth can take place. Our food can be transformed and processed by the Stomach and Spleen and turned into qi that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit” - Angela Hicks, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Late summer’s ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

ELEMENT: earth

YIN ORGAN: spleen

YANG ORGAN: stomach

EMOTION: worry

SPIRIT: yi (intellect)

CLIMATE: humidity

COLOR: yellow

TASTE: sweet

SENSE ORGANS: mouth

TISSUES: muscles

VIRTUES: empathy, nurturinG

Now is the time to reinforce the vitality of the earth element and spleen Qi- acupuncture, food therapy, and mindfulness are particularly supportive.

“Knowing how to treat the center is knowing how to bring all networks into balance.” - Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644)

Here are some tips to boost the vitality of your earth element and the wellbeing of your mind, body, and spirit:

(get our congee recipe here!)

CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE, HERBS, AND OILS TO HELP

Lauren Becker 9/4/20 Lauren Becker 9/4/20

How To Make Congee

Congee is a traditional, highly nourishing Chinese breakfast used for healing since the Han Dynasty (206 BCE). Made with rice, other grains, and water, eating congee is a simple and powerful way to support digestion and overall health.

A Nourishing Breakfast for Healing

In Chinese Medicine, congee is prescribed anytime that Spleen qi- the energy that propels digestion and production of qi and blood- needs to be replenished. This is often the case with chronic illness, recovery from acute illness, digestive issues, and postpartum symptoms. Or, when we are over worked and over stressed.

In her book “The First Forty Days,” Heng Ou explains: “the power of congee is that it’s such easy eating… it is a food of rebirth; its simplicity and clean taste feel so comforting in a weary or recovering body.”

Congee can be made in advance in large quatities for an easy breakfast every day of the week. Use these guidleines to get you started. As you become more familiar with the process, you'll likely find that you can make adjustments in the recipe to suit your own preferences. Like the smoothie, a congee can be adapted to meet many varied medicinal needs.

Any congee will strengthen Spleen qi and digestion. When choosing which ingredients to add, you can take these energetics into consideration:

aromatic flavors like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom will strengthen digestion, clear phlegm, and support the lungs
meat, eggs, dark colored berries, and beets will build blood
nuts and seeds will nourish yin, strengthen Kidney qi, generate fluids, and soothe symptoms associated with heat and dryness like hot flashes, night sweats, dry coughs, and thirst
fruits and veggies support a healthy Liver and keep its qi and energy flowing smoothly throughout the body

Base Recipe

MAIN INGREDIENTS: 3/4 c. long grain white rice, 3/4 c. long grain brown rice, 10 c. water.

Combine rice and water in a crock pot. Add in additional ingredients, listed below. Cook on low setting for about 6 hours. Stir occasionally. Add salt to taste. Portion it out in glass containers for easy heating in the mornings. Dilute if desired when preparing.

Additional Ingredients

Grains: If you decide to use one of these grains, reduce the rice to 1/2 c each. Then add 1 c. of: barley, buckwheat, cornmeal, Job's tears, millet, oats, OR quinoa

Vegetables + legumes: Pre-cook the veggies and beans: beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, adzuki beans, lentils, mung beans, mushrooms, scallions (garnish)

Meat: Fish may be added frozen. Pre-cook all other meats: chicken livers, dark or light chicken, pork, white fish; top with an egg

Nuts + seeds: almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, black sesame seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds

Dried fruit: goji berries, Chinese red dates, raisins, figs

Seasonings: brown sugar, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, honey

Broths: chicken, beef, bone, or vegetable stock. Keep total liquid at 10 c.

Resources

Ou, Heng. The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother (2016)

Chinese Acupuncture Clinic, Asheville, NC

download the congee recipe pdf

Lauren Becker 6/3/20 Lauren Becker 6/3/20

10 Fun Facts About Acupuncture

There is a lot to know about a medicine that has been in existence for thousands of years! Most people are familiar with the fact that acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles in different areas of the body to treat health concerns. Whether you are new to the world of acupuncture or not, enjoy these fun facts you might not know about acupuncture!

There is a lot to know about a medicine that has been in existence for thousands of years!

Most people are familiar with the fact that acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles in different areas of the body to treat health concerns. The regular acupuncture goer might know that we diagnose conditions based on patterns of imbalances, such as “qi stagnation” or “dampness”. Who doesn’t love the client that comes in telling you that their liver qi feels stuck? Whether you are new to the world of acupuncture or not, enjoy these fun facts you might not know about acupuncture!

Acupuncture is a highly individualized, patient-centered medicine. For example, if 25 people with a headache received acupuncture, all 25 people could have different acupuncture points chosen as part of their treatment.
There are over 300 acupuncture points on the body. The points are located from head to toe and are connected by the acupuncture meridian system. Every point has its own special function and many work on both a physical and mental-emotional level.
Acupuncturists look at your tongue and take your pulses. These are diagnostic tools that are used to gain information about your health and plan a course of treatment.
Acupuncture looks at how root imbalances affect the whole system. When one thing is out of whack, it can affect you in multiple ways. Acupuncture excels at tackling multiple symptoms all in one treatment while also correcting the root cause.
You don’t have to have anything wrong to get an acupuncture treatment. One of acupuncture’s strengths is its ability to PREVENT things from going wrong. As a preventative medicine, acupuncture boosts the immune system, promotes healthy circulation, aids in organ and cell detoxification, decreases inflammation, and helps your body respond to stress in a healthy way.
Today’s acupuncture needles are as thin as a strand of hair and don’t hurt! They are single-use, sterile, and made of stainless steel. Thousands of years ago, this was a different story- the original acupuncture “needles” were made of sharpened stones, bamboo, or bone.
Licensed Acupuncturists undergo extensive training. We attend a rigorous 3-4 year graduate program and complete over 2,000+ clinical internship and continuing education hours. Our training includes a strong foundation in western medicine, ethics, and safety.
In 2003, the World Health Organization published a review of clinical trials of acupuncture, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials. This review endorses the use of acupuncture for over 200 symptoms and diseases. The US National Institutes of Health issued a consensus statement proposing acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention for complementary medicine.
Acupuncture was essentially unknown in the US until President Nixon's visit to China in the early 1970s. An accompanying reporter from the New York Times had to undergo an emergency appendectomy and experienced significant port-operative pain relief with acupuncture. His first-person account of its benefits was widely publicized in the US.
Acupuncture is just one part of a broad system of Chinese Medicine. Other healing modalities include chinese herbal medicine, tui na (massage), tai chi/qi gong (movement), and Chinese dietary therapy.

Lauren Becker 4/29/20 Lauren Becker 4/29/20

A TCM Toolkit for Seasonal Allergies

Do you suffer from springtime allergies? From itchy eyes to asthma, Chinese Medicine and acupuncture can help! Acupuncture and herbal medicine can decrease pain and inflammation, bolster the immune system, and regulate the body's histamine response to its various offenders.

The shift into spring is a great time to start your holistic allergy regimen. One of the many strengths of Chinese Medicine is that it can be used as preventative medicine to stop allergies before they start. As always, you can contact your acupuncturist to learn which TCM tools and techniques are best for you, and how you can use them to relieve those sniffles and sneezes.

If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer, in addition to using acupuncture, you may find relief with these healing remedies we often use in our acupuncture practice:

Essential oil: Niaouli MQV

An oil extracted from the Melaleuca plant, Niaouli is related to Tea Tree and has an aroma similar to Eucalyptus. This is an excellent oil for treating Wind-Heat viral conditions (such as the common cold with a fever and sore throat) and is especially useful for allergies. Niaouli decreases your histamine response and is most effective when used preventatively - that is, before you anticipate an allergy attack. Use a chest rub, steam inhale, or just hold a bottle up to your nose for a quick sniff during allergy season to help keep symptoms at bay.

Essential oil: Peppermint

Love, love, love peppermint! It’s a powerful oil to “open the portals”, clear congestion from the head and face, and disperse “wind-heat” symptoms. If your allergies present with red itchy eyes, an itchy nose with sneezing, foggy thinking, or sinus pressure and headaches (sinus infections, included)- this oil is for you! Additionally, peppermint enters the liver acupuncture meridian to unblock qi stagnation and help the body to release and relax. Peppermint is a very strong oil, so it should always be used mindfully and it is not appropriate for young children. If used topically, be sure to dilute the oil in a carrier like almond or jojoba oil. A few drops of peppermint can be used in a shower as a steam or in your essential oil diffuser.

Chinese Herbal formula: Bi Yan Pian

Often used to treat sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasal allergies, this formula helps stop a runny nose and opens stuffy sinuses. The formula contains herbs that clear heat and reduce toxicity, so it is best for nasal allergies that present with inflammation, infection, yellow phlegm, and heat in the face.

Chinese Herbal formula: Yu PIng Feng San "Jade Windscreen"

Yu Ping Feng San is a classical herbal formula that powerfully tonifies the Lung and Spleen Qi and resolves dampness. It also protects the exterior from "wind invasions", meaning things that we can catch: colds, flus, and viruses. This three-herb formula includes the adaptogen astragalus, and is taken preventatively to boost the immune system. Taken as an herbal tea or pill, Yu Ping Feng San is great for teachers and students who need to keep their immune systems strong, and for those who anticipate an allergy season coming up.

Single herb: Ju hua (chrysanthemum)

This bright yellow herb is used to clear heat, disperse wind, and clear the liver and eyes. The herb is cooling and enters the Lung channel, which opens into the nose, and Liver channel, which goes to the head and opens into the eyes. "Wind" refers to sensations (like pain or itchiness) or maladies of the body that appear quickly and are constantly changing. Allergies can come on suddenly and may present with sneezing, headaches, and dry, itchy eyes. Ju Hua is a great herb to use as a tea when allergy symptoms hit. Make a compress from the tea and put over the eyes when they feel hot, dry and itchy.

Acupressure point: Large Intestine-4 (LI-4)

Located in the meaty muscle between the thumb and index finger, this point is used to treat all symptoms of the head and face. A popular acupressure point for headaches, this point is used to help alleviate red, itchy eyes, fevers, heat in the face, sinus troubles, toothache, and jaw pain. In combination with other points, LI-4 boosts the body's defensive Qi and strengthens the immune system, regulates sweating, and moves qi and blood stagnation to stop pain.

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Tool: Gua Sha spoon

Gua means "to scrape or rub" and "sha" are the markings that can appear on the skin during the scraping. We use a porcelain soup spoon to perform the gua sha technique. The spoon rubs over acupuncture points and muscular areas to improve blood flow to an area, release tension, and stimulate the immune system to relieve allergy and cold symptoms. Gua sha techniques are specific but easy to learn and use at home- ask your acupuncturist to learn more. A few minutes of gua sha goes a long way to make you feel better!

Lauren Becker 12/12/19 Lauren Becker 12/12/19

Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas 2019

Looking for a bit of holiday gift inspiration? We put together some gift ideas for your friends and loved ones. These presents are small enough to be stocking stuffers and big on health and wellness!

Looking for a bit of holiday gift inspiration?

We put together some gift ideas for your family and loved ones. These presents are small enough to be stocking stuffers and big on health and wellness!

#1 - For the beauty queen! Facial rejuvenation tools like jade rollers, gua sha stones, and small silicone cups are perfect DIY additions to a facial routine.

#2 - Ahhh, the gift of rest and relaxation! Eye pillows and aromatherapy are the r+r perfect pair.

#3 - A bundle of all-natural bath and body products made locally by Mission Essentials. A little something for everyone!

#4 - A few fun items for your sporty friend! Gua sha spoons, pump cups, and a Pilates spiky ball help release tightness and improve mobility. Plus, a Chinese herbal pain liniment to treat sore, achey muscles.

#5 - An array of Chinese herbal wellness products made in Asheville by Nourishing Roots Apothecary. We are currently loving the healing skin salve for dry, winter skin!

#6 - The immune boost pack! Included are three of our go-to products for staying well: locally-made elderberry syrup from RD Naturals, local and raw honey from Queen and Comb, and the Turkey Tail Immunity Blend made locally by Out of the Weeds.

#7 - Give the gift of health and wellness! We offer e-cards and gift cards.

#8 - For the tea lover! Choose from three chai tea blends (classic black tea chai, decaf rooibos chai, and herbal root chai)- or try them all! A tea strainer is necessary for these loose-leaf blends.

#9 - Lastly, something special for the alchemist: essential oils for daily rituals. The Daoist Drops essential oil line is created by acupuncturists out of Asheville. Use these essential oil blends as companions for empowerment, healing, and creating change in the body.

All products listed are available for purchase in our shop!

Lauren Becker 11/30/19 Lauren Becker 11/30/19

Trying Facial Rejuvenation

by Andrea Geiger, L.Ac.

(Andrea received advanced training in cosmetic acupuncture from Virginia Doran, M.S., L.Ac. and Dr. Guangying Zhou L.Ac. She additionally earned a Diploma in Dermatology through the Avicenna Center in England.)

Slow down the aging process in a natural way, without injections.

I first tried facial rejuvenation acupuncture about four years ago in Portland, Oregon. Even as an acupuncturist, I was skeptical that a treatment could lift my cheeks, fade fine lines, increase brightness and reduce hormonal acne. I was going to turn 40 and felt the full weight of the number (in truth…more in my head than on my face). At the time, I was slightly obsessed with my cheekbones, as they seemed to sag a bit more year after year. If I could find a safe, cost-effective way to give them a lift, I was all-in. Especially, if it could help me happily embrace my age.

I went to my first facial rejuvenation acupuncture session. Afterwards, I was truly amazed by the results, which lasted for weeks. My checks were lifted and the fine lines around my eyes evaporated. I just glowed. Literally, glowed for over a week. Forty, please…. I felt more like 33. My expectations were met on the first treatment. This usually does not happen with patients, as it can take up to 5-6 treatments to see results. I was impressed and curious.

I began my study of facial rejuvenation acupuncture with local teachers in the Portland area. As I wanted to expand my knowledge, I decided to study with the originator of the technique out of New York, Virginia Doran, L.Ac. In November, I attended an amazing weekend training and became certified in facial rejuvenation techniques. I am extremely excited to share this process with other woman in Charleston, who may be looking for a more natural way to address the aging process.

how it works

Facial rejuvenation is designed to help the whole body look and feel younger. When we encounter a lot of stress or experience emotional times in our lives, it can often show on our face. The treatment is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and involves the insertion of needles into not only the face, neck, head and ears; but also, the body. Acupuncture points are chosen and inserted in a specific order, to increase an individual’s overall health, which in turn helps the skin to glow and appear younger. The ideal series length is 10-12 treatments. And, the treatment series can hold five years or more, with a maintenance treatment every four months.

facial rejuvenation is for anyone who...

wants to slow the aging process
Is interested in an alternative to injections
wants to reduce the impact of stress and emotion on their face.
has acne or rosacea

what results can I expect?

Increased muscle tone, lifting sagging cheeks and jawlines
Elimination of puffiness
Reduction of fine lines, crow’s-feet, laugh lines, the “11” lines between the eyebrows
Sculpting of the face, bring definition to your features
Increased moisture, blood circulation and tighten the pores
Reduction of bags under the eyes
Lifted eyelids

If you are curious about facial rejuvenation acupuncture and want to learn more or setup an appointment, please contact us. I'd like to introduce you to the process and see how it can help you look younger and just glow!

Andrea is accepting NEW clients for facial rejuvenation beginning in January 2020.

Lauren Becker 11/10/19 Lauren Becker 11/10/19

'Tis the season of fall... and it finally feels like it!

Fall is the season of slowing down, contracting inward and beginning to store. It is the time to reserve our energy, to organize, set limits and heed boundaries. The endless energetic days of summer are over, we feel a call to refocus and shift inward. We also see this shift reflected in nature. Days are starting to shorten, leaves are turning, and crisp early mornings are becoming more frequent. As we adjust, so does nature.

by Andrea Geiger, L.Ac.

Season of Dryness

It is also the season of dryness. In Chinese Medicine, the Fall is associated with the element of Metal. This element possesses the quality of healthy dryness, balancing the dampness of the Earth element. However, when the Metal element becomes out of balance, it has a tendency to move towards the extreme of its nature...you begin to feel dry. This can adversely affect each person individually, but some of the symptoms include dry cough, constipation, dandruff, dry skin and flare-ups of eczema, or a lack of moisture to your eyes, nose and mucous membranes.

The Body's Organs

Metal is also the organs of the lung and large intestine. These organs rule our ability to release and eliminate in a healthy way. Fall is the time to purify the body by letting go of anything that does not serve us. These organs also play a vital role in a strong immune system. In Chinese medicine, the lung circulates the "defensive qi" that protects the body from pathogenic invasions.

How to Maintain Balance

It is important to stay in balance with the dryness of the Metal element and support the lungs and large intestine organs during this season. Some helpful tips for Fall:

Stay hydrated - it is important to combat the dryness by drinking plenty of water (no ice!). Enjoy a warm cup of water with lemon and honey every morning to start your day off right.
Put on a scarf - you can catch a cold or flu through the back of your neck, as in Chinese medicine it is said that wind or cold can invade your body. Sounds like an old wives tale! But, I find covering up your neck with a scarf can make a big difference in maintaining your health.
Get out in nature and breathe - open up those lungs and drink in the fresh air! Take a walk and relish in the change of the seasons.
Eat warm foods - time to cook and incorporate seasonal vegetables as well as pungent food and spices like ginger, garlic, onions, horseradish, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and turmeric. Don't forget your bone broths!
Use essential oils - there are many options out there to boost your immunity throughout the Fall season. Pick your favorite single oil or blend (Frankincense, Tea Tree, Vitality, Thieves, On Guard, etc.) and use daily.
Regular acupuncture treatments - Acupuncture is an important avenue to stay healthy through the change of the seasons. It can help our body transition with more ease! And, don't forget at the first sign of a cold or flu...please come in for acupuncture!

Lauren Becker 10/15/19 Lauren Becker 10/15/19

9 Self-Care Tips for Fall

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

Wherever you are in the seasonal transition, the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for Fall, our focus turns to strengthening the metal element’s organ system pair, the Lungs and Large Intestine, and practice that which we observe in nature: letting go.

Along with your seasonal acupuncture tune-up, consider these 9 self-care tips for a healthy fall:

Practice letting go.
Come fall, we may feel the weight of excess accumulation from the summer in the form of mental and physical clutter. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, it’s time to shed what no longer serves us. Whether it means cleaning out a closet, winding down a relationship, or ending a habit, finding ways to let go will help ease the transition into fall.
Protect your neck.
In Chinese Medicine theory, “wind is the cause of 1,000 diseases”. Wind enters the body at the back of the neck, and causes conditions that develop quickly, like colds, flus, headaches, and sore throats. Temperature fluctuations that are typically seen this time of year make us even more susceptible to wind. Remembering to wear a scarf or hoodie offers extra protection against wind invasions.
Practice deep breathing.
The Lung organ system is most active during fall- who doesn’t love taking deep breaths of fresh, crisp autumn air? Deep, cleansing breaths are necessary for stress release, clear thinking, and proper physiological functioning. Deep breathing exercises stimulates lung qi, which contributes to a strong immune system and an uplifted spirit. Tip: include chest opening essential oils like pine, eucalyptus, grapefruit, or frankincense into your breath work practice.
Do some grief work.
Grief is part of the qi of the season and the emotion associated with metal and the lungs. It’s natural to feel some sadness this time of year. There is decay in nature, and a strong sense of letting go as nature prepares for new life. Acknowledging feelings of grief and creating a practice around it will allow feelings of sadness and loss to move through in a healthy way.
Connect with what inspires you.
Inspiration is the yin to eliminations yang. While the theme of fall is to let go, inspiration is an important virtue of the metal element. The job of the lungs, after all, is to “inspire”! Whether it’s revisiting a book or podcast, going to the art museum, or picking up your yoga practice, connecting with what inspires you will support the spirit of the lungs and help you feel uplifted during the shorter days to come.
Sip on spices.
The flavor associated with the fall is “pungent”, which means aromatic and spicy. Pumpkin spice lattes and chai teas fall under this category. Spices likes cinnamon, ginger, clove, and anise help clear the lungs from congestion and phlegm, open the airways, and stimulate proper respiratory functioning. It’s important to keep the lungs strong as they are the first line of defense against illness.
Eat well.
So long, salads and watermelon! Eating raw, cold-natured foods during the cooler months contributes to damp accumulation, which feels like congestion, heaviness, and lethargy. It’s time for nourishing soups, stews, and stir-frys. The color associated with fall is white, so try including white and spicy foods like scallions, leeks, horseradish, onion, and garlic into your cooking.
Soothe dryness.
The climate associated with fall is dryness. While the lungs mostly prefer to be dry, too much dryness disrupts proper lung functioning. Chapped skin, a scratchy throat, and dry nasal passageways are signs of lung dryness. To nourish the lungs and keep the membranes healthy (which is essential for optimal immunity), make sure to stay hydrated (this is easily forgotten when days are cooler). Other ways to soothe dryness: sip honey in hot water, take elderberry or black cherry herbal syrup, eat mucilaginous (slimy) foods like okra and eggs, use a humidifier, and lather up with almond or coconut oil.
Get organized.
Who enjoys shopping at the Container Store as much as I do? Ok, maybe the thrill of new bins and desk organizers isn’t your thing. But if there’s a time of year to finally get things in order, here it is. The metal element thrives on structure and organization. Organization creates space for ideas, inspiration, and planning. For more on this, check out our related article: Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Tidy Up ( and Other Lessons from the Metal Element)

Lauren Becker 10/6/19 Lauren Becker 10/6/19

7 Natural Remedies to Keep You + Your Daycare Toddler Healthy

There are many easy and effective ways to keep your family healthy, even in the face of daycare germs. Learn about these 7 natural remedies to help boost your little one's immunity, lessen the severity of cold and flu symptoms, and promote a quick recovery.

This week, our one year old stars daycare. It’s a bittersweet transition that feels very exciting and just a little sad (I’ll be fine, I promise). As both Acupuncturist and Mom, I feel both extremely ready and not ready for the potential germ onslaught. Daycare toddlers, on average, get sick 8-12 times in their first year of daycare!

The good news: being exposed to germs early on will strengthen your little one’s immune systems so that they endure less sick days in the future. And, our daycare toddler will force us to be more diligent than ever to stay on top of our self-care and diet! I have a gazillion tools in my toolkit for keeping my family (and yours!) healthy. Sometimes I forget that, and get lost in the anxiety thinking about how many times she will get a cold and if she is doomed to be a booger face forever.

So, I write this article for myself and for you, as a reminder that there are MANY easy and effective ways we can stay healthy, even in the face of daycare germs. If we do get sick, these natural remedies will help to lessen the severity of the symptoms and promote a quick recovery. And of course, these recommendations are in addition to the basics: wash your hands, get good rest, stay hydrated, and control cross-contamination.

Here are 7 safe and natural home remedies to keep your family and your toddler healthy when daycare begins (because these are at-home remedies, acupuncture is not on this list- but, it is my #1 go-to for preventative care and to treat stubborn cold symptoms):

Elderberry for everyone!

This tasty immune-enhancing fruit can be enjoyed by the entire family! Elderberry helps prevent and relieve cold and flu symptoms. The fruit is loaded with vitamin A and vitamin C and packed with healing antioxidants. During cold and flu season, I recommend taking the syrup preventatively. My one year old loves its sweet and tangy flavor and will eat it by the spoonful! Elderberry can also be prepared as a supplement, lozenge, or herbal tea. For a fever, I recommend diluting the syrup in a glass of water to stay hydrated and to break the fever more effectively. To shorten the duration of flu symptoms, elderberry is most effective when taken within the first 24 hours. Bonus: elderberry combines well with honey! Yum!

For the kiddos, I recommend this alcohol-free brand: Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Syrup for Kids

Take probiotics for prevention.

Probiotics are living microorganisms found in fermented foods that help balance the “friendly” bacteria in the digestive system. A healthy gut and strong digestion are keys to vitality, energy and overall lasting health (interestingly, the go-to acupuncture point to boost overall wellness and immunity is Stomach-36 “Leg Three Mile”, a point along the Stomach acupuncture meridian!). Probiotics can be taken daily as food or in a supplement to support immunity and gut health. Supplementing with probiotics is especially important if your little one has been prescribed antibiotics, which kills both good and bad bacteria. I dissolve a little bit of probiotic powder in my daughter’s water a few times a week. (We also use probiotics to help promote healthy bowel movements! If poops seem dry or difficult to pass, probiotics can certainly help.) Note: probiotics must be refrigerated because they contain living microorganisms.

I like this brand of probiotics for little ones: Toddler’s Blend Probiotic by Flora

Diffuse essential oils.

When it comes to essential oils and toddlers, you have to be mindful about dilution and appropriateness. For example, peppermint oil is great for adults but is too strong to use topically on a one year old. Instead of topical application, I recommend diffusing oils in the room because you don’t have to worry about dilution or skin reactions, and the diffuser benefits everyone in the room. My favorite germ-fighting oils to use include: eucalyptus radiata, tea tree, lavender, lemon, and palmarosa. Eucalyptus radiata is cooling and especially great for kids who tend to have more heat in their systems than adults (think about how quickly they can develop a high fever). Used together, tea tree and eucalyptus have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, disinfectant, anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties (wow!). Lemon and lavender will add a pleasant smell while also supporting the immune system and lifting the mood. Palmarosa is my favorite to use when there is a rapidly spreading sickness going around, like strep throat or the flu. Use them all together or on their own!

My current favorites to use in the house: Kid Safe Germ Destroyer by Plant Therapy and Microbe-X by Snow Lotus

Eat nutrient-rich foods.

Vitamin C, Vitamin A, zinc, and protein are top priorities. These are found in fruits, veggies, grains, and animal products. Brightly colored fruits and veggies are especially great sources of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient to promote healing. Orange foods like sweet potatoes and carrots are loaded with Vitamin A, a vitamin necessary for healthy skin. Skin is our top defense against infection, so keeping it healthy is essential for staying well. Zinc, an important mineral found in meat, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, dairy, eggs, and shellfish, strengthens the immune system and promotes wound healing. Protein gives us the strength required to overcome illness if we should get sick, and can be found in the similar foods that are high in zinc. Note: Rather than fruit juices, consume whole fruits to get the most nutritional benefits.

I am obsessed with The Minimalist Baker for healthy and super simple recipes.

Use aromatic spices.

Think chicken soup spices or chai tea spices. Spices are rich in healing properties and can strongly open the lungs and sinuses to clear out congestion and phlegm. Cinnamon and ginger, for example, are loaded with antioxidants, they decrease inflammation, and both contain antiviral and antibacterial properties. They are often used together in Chinese herbal formulas to treat the common cold. Thyme, oregano, and basil together are antiviral, antibacterial, anti fungal, and anti parasitic. For the kids: Try sprinkling cinnamon on oatmeal or sweet potatoes. Add some ginger root to boiling water, simmer, and make ginger root tea. Use your chicken soup spices in pasta sauce or frittatas. Chinese Medicine would advise consuming white, spicy foods such as garlic, onion, leeks, scallions, and horseradish to clear the lungs and enhance immunity.

Mountain Rose Herbs is a fantastic website to order bulk spices and herbs online

Consume local, raw honey.

Local, raw honey is full of beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients. Rich in antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, this tasty medicinal is a powerful aid to strengthen your immune system, treat seasonal allergies, soothe a sore throat, heal wounds, and ease digestive issues. To calm a cough or break up chest congestion, try using honey in hot water with a little bit of lemon. We love using food as medicine! Note: honey is safest for toddlers one year and older.

We recommend Charleston’s very best local, raw honey: Queen & Comb

Keep Yin Qiao San in your medicine cabinet.

This formula is for the parents! Yin Qiao San is a classic Chinese herbal formula used to treat sickness that comes on quickly with fever, thirst, and a sore throat. In other words: HEAT symptoms. Chinese Medical theory refers to colds that present with heat symptoms as a “wind-heat” condition. Herbs in the formula disperse wind-heat, strengthen the lungs, open the airways, and resolve toxicity. The minute you feel any of these “wind-heat” symptoms come on, take Yin Qiao. The formula can be taken as a tea, tincture, or pills. Shortening the duration of your illness and easing your symptoms will benefit the whole family!

Available in our herbal pharmacy: Yin Qiao San herbal pills and herbal tea

Lauren Becker 9/16/19 Lauren Becker 9/16/19

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Tidy Up (and other lessons from the metal element)

We’re all familiar with spring cleaning, but fall is a perfect time to de-clutter and tidy up! Understanding the five elements allows us to bring harmony in our home and in ourselves. The fall welcomes in the metal element phase. After the growth of spring (wood) and the abundance of summer (fire), fall, the season of the metal element, is a time to decrease.

We’re all familiar with spring cleaning, but fall is a perfect time to de-clutter and tidy up! Here’s why:

Fall welcomes in the metal element phase. In Five Element theory, each element (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) has special associations with particular areas of life, certain emotions, personalities, shapes, colors, seasons, and organ systems in the human body. Understanding the five elements allows us to bring harmony in our home and in ourselves. The metal element is all about a lesson in letting go.

The metal element represents transformation. Fall is a season of transition, the time in between summer and winter, when yang transforms to yin. You can see this transformation happening in the environment: leaves fall off the trees, and the days are shorter and cooler. Resonating with the energy of the season, it’s natural to feel that urge to transform our own living space, as well.

The power of metal is decrease. After the growth of spring (wood), the abundance of summer (fire), and the harvest of late summer (earth), we come to fall (metal), a time to decrease. When summer transitions to fall, we can feel the weight of excess accumulation in the form of mental and physical clutter. Decluttering our space will help to let go of excess and find levity in our space.

The metal element likes structure. Following the endless summer days, fall brings back routine and structure. The school year begins, summer travel ends, and its back to the day planner. The metal element thrives with structure, organization, and methodical planning. Now is the time to bring that metal energy into your home!

In her book “The Holistic Home”, Laura Benko explains that fall is a time of harvesting and gathering your ideas: “Use this time to prepare yourself for future goals like researching for a book, collecting ideas for redecorating, or planning a wedding or trip.” Decreasing clutter invites space that fosters ideas, planning, and preparation.

(Note: if you need some organizational or decor ideas, consider incorporating some metal element feng shui. The color of metal is white, and its shape is a dome. Incorporate items made of metals, rocks, and minerals into your home. Examples are bronze picture frames, stainless steel kitchen containers, white desk organizers, and geode bookends).

Grief is the emotion of metal. Fall is the season when the qi (energy) moves inward, and days become shorter and darker. Grief is part of the qi of the season: there is decay in nature, and a strong sense of letting go as nature prepares for new life. Cleaning out our closets can allow feelings of sadness and loss to move through in a healthy way.

The Metal element organ systems inspire and let go. The lungs and the large intestine are the organ systems associated with the metal element and the fall season. The lungs are about inspiration, and the large intestine is about elimination. Our lungs take in cleansing breaths and exhale carbon dioxide. The large intestine eliminates waste from digestion. Both organs let go of toxins and absorb essential nutrients needed for life.

Staying in sync with the seasons, we should bring this theme of discernment into our home come fall. What is valuable, what is not? Consider the energetics of the lungs: cleansing, purification, and inspiration. Create a space that inspires you! Consider the energetics of the large intestine: elimination. Let go of excess and things that are no longer needed, and tackle spaces that make you feel weighed down.

Chinese Medicine proposes that we should live in harmony and balance with the cycles of nature. Fall is about shedding our leaves and letting go. If we resist or act counter to what is happening naturally in our environment, our body, spirit and mind can suffer. Benko explains, “de-cluttering your mind, body, spirit and home is essential to living life more fully. It’s easier to feel joy, to think with clarity, and to make your goals happen.”

We acquire a lot of material possessions during our lifetime. Many spiritual teachers recommend that people continuously let go and pass through life, contrary to our tendency to hold, posses, and hang on to things. When we hold on to things for too long, there is lack of movement and change, and the Qi (energy) in our home becomes stagnant and our personal energy can feel compromised.

Qi stagnation can feel like stress, frustration, or irritability. Particularly in the fall, if the movement of lunq Qi is impaired, this feels like asthma, shortness of breath, chronic coughs or colds, or chest tightness. Stagnant large intestine Qi can cause abdominal pain or constipation. Creating movement and space in our home promotes the healthy flow of Qi in our environment and in ourselves, and supports a balanced metal element.

Organizing, decluttering, and perfecting the home will come more naturally to people with more metal energy in their elemental make-up. Hello, Marie Kondo! But achieving a minimalist, highly organized space is not for everyone. The fall clean-up is more about cleaning out your closets, creating a space where you feel inspired, a space where you can BREATHE, a space that feels lighter, and a space that fosters the qi of ideas and creativity to flow.

Resources:

Benko, Laura. “The Holistic Home: Feng Shui for Mind, Body, Spirit, Space” (2016).

Hicks, Angela. “Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture" (2004).

Morris, Laura. “Clutter vs. Mess”: www.mindfuldesignschool.com. March 4, 2019.

Lauren Becker 8/18/19 Lauren Becker 8/18/19

The Most Essential Back-To-School Essential Oils

Back to school, back to school! These are our favorite essential oils for students and teachers.

Back to school, back to school!

Immune support, stress management, and mental focus are priorities this time of year. Here are our favorite essential oils for students and teachers:

grapefruit

Its healing properties include: antiseptic, antidepressant, and analgesic oil. As a citrus oil, grapefruit lifts the spirit, promotes mental alertness, and supports the immune system. Grapefruit in particular improves appetite and digestion, treats food stagnation, and regulates the flow of qi to relieve pain. This oil is best used in a diffuser.

lavender

Its healing properties include: analgesic, nervine, anti-spasmodic, hypotensive. Most famously, lavender relieves stress and tension. This calming oil also lowers blood pressure, promotes restful sleep, and enhances immunity. Lavender opens the chest and promotes smooth flow of liver qi. This oil can be massaged into the head, neck, and upper shoulders, or, used in a diffuser.

neroli

It’s healing properties include: sedative, anti-depressant. This pleasant floral oil eases anxiety and calms a worried mind, supports digestion, soothes a nervous stomach, and enhances overall emotional well-being. Neroli strengthens spleen qi and clears heart fire. Apply neroli to the center of your chest, inner wrists, and center of stomach. This is a wonderful and easy to use oil for children!

peppermint

Its healing properties include: anti-inflammatory, sedative, hypo-regenerative, carminative, antispasmodic. Peppermint boosts mental clarity and concentration (nourishes a visionary and promotes new ideas!); clears the sinuses and alleviates headaches; and improves IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Peppermint regulates the liver qi to relax emotions. Because peppermint is quite strong, dilute it with a carrier oil if using directly on the skin, or use straight in a diffuser. Peppermint is not appropriate for young children.

tea tree

Its healing properties include: anti-viral, anti-bacterial, disinfectant. Tea tree excels at reducing histamine levels. We often use it to boost immunity, strengthen the lungs, and protect against colds and allergies. Dilute the oil and use it as a chest rub, or use straight in a diffuser. Tea tree is safe to use for kids!

recommended carrier oils

almond, jojoba

CONTACT US TO PURCHASE YOUR FIVE-PACK OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL OILS!

Lauren Becker 7/24/19 Lauren Becker 7/24/19

The Spirit of the Small Intestine Acupuncture Channel

In Five Element theory, each of the five elements has a correlating season and organ system pair. For the Fire element, the season is Summer and the organ systems are the Heart and Small Intestine. Here, the spotlight is on the Small Intestine- a favorite channel used to clear summer-related heat and dampness, improve mental clarity, calm the spirit, and support digestion and gut health.

"The Small Intestine is responsible for receiving and making things thrive. Transformed substances stem from it."

- Su Wen, Chapter 8

In Five Element theory, each of the five elements has a correlating season and organ system pair. For the Fire element, the season is Summer and the organ systems are the Heart and Small Intestine. All of the body's organs represent "Officials", and each play an important role in keeping us physically, mentally, and spiritually balanced.

In the Summer, the Fire element organs are the most active and therefore need the most attention and care. Here, the spotlight is on the Small Intestine- one of my favorite channels to use for clearing summer-related heat and dampness, and improving mental clarity, calming the spirit, and supporting digestion and gut health. She is small but she is mighty!

The role of the Small Intestine is to sort the pure from impure.

This Fire element organ is a bit of an alchemist! It receives material and transforms it, and through the process of separation, sorts what to keep and what to discard. Everything we eat and drink passes through the Small Intestine and is transformed and sorted out through the process of digestion. Nutrients are absorbed into the blood and waste is eliminated.

The Small Intestine’s ability to separate pure from impure also works on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level. In our fast-paced world, our minds have a lot to sort out! With constant input from 24/7 headlines and social media feeds, we have to be able to sort out what serves us and what does not. We have endless decisions to make and a million ways our choices are being influenced. A healthy Small Intestine system gives us the ability to clearly see our choices and make decisions. It gives us the power to find a way to extract what's good and discard the rest.

What do we take in and what do we leave out? What should we absorb, what to eliminate? Because the Small Intestine's job is to separate the pure from impure, it also has the important role of discrimination. But as we are constantly faced with so many choices and influences, this can become an overwhelming task for the Small Intestine to take on.

When overwhelmed, the job of the organ Officials become impaired. When the Small Intestine can no longer discriminate, people can become easily confused or indecisive. We can feel ambivalent, and not even be able to see what we are supposed to be choosing from. We can feel mentally foggy, unable to make decisions, or evaluating what to do next.

Similarly, the food we take in impacts the spirit of the Small Intestine. When overwhelmed with junk food and empty calories, the Small Intestine struggles to decipher what to keep as nourishment and what to let go of as waste. Our gut heath can become compromised, digestion impaired, and immune system out of whack.

How can we support the spirit of the Small Intestine?

The goal is not to go towards extreme purity (of food, exercise, water, spiritual practice, etc), as this also creates imbalances. The goal is to cultivate awareness, listen to our body, and strive for balance in our busy lives. Eating well, self-care, acupuncture, sleep, healthy boundaries, exercise, meditation… any of these practices will help support the spirit and health of the Small Intestine organ system.

Here are some of our favorite acupuncture points to support the Small Intestine:

Small Intestine 4 (SI-4) “Wrist Bone”: Located on the wrist bone below the pinky finger, the Source Point of the Small Intestine is excellent for strengthening and calming all aspects of the organ. It improves a patient’s well-being and ability to separate pure from impure on all levels. It promotes peristalsis, supports a healthy gut lining, and stimulates the immune system.

Small intestine 5 (SI-5) “Yang Valley”: Located just below SI-4, the Fire point of the Small Intestine channel invigorates the Small Intestine and enables people to acquire greater mental clarity and calmness. It guides appropriate decision making, helping the Small Intestine to separate the pure from impure. This point also aids in digestion and nutrient absorption, and is effective for clearing heat and dampness from the body,

Small Intestine 11 (SI-11) “Heavenly Ancestor”: Located on the center of the scapula (shoulder blade), this one of the most important spirit points on the Small Intestine channel. This point is used to help clear the internal mental and spiritual chaos of someone who has lost clarity and certainty. This point opens the chest and calms an anxious heart (the Yin organ pair of the Small Intestine).

References:

Gumenick, Neil. "Spirit of the Points: The Small Intestine". Acupuncture Today, July 2019.

Hicks, Angela. "Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture". Elsevier Limited 2004.

Lauren Becker 7/15/19 Lauren Becker 7/15/19

It's All Connected: The Amazing Meridians

It may seem strange that when you get an acupuncture treatment for a backache we needle a point behind your knees, or for gall bladder stones we needle a point on your foot. What makes it possible? Every part of your body is connected by a meridian system!

It may seem strange, at first, that when you get an acupuncture treatment for a backache we needle a point behind your knees, for a toothache we needle a point on your hand, or for gall bladder stones we needle a point on your foot.

What makes it possible for points on the wrist to treat pain in the chest, or, points on the back to treat the brain and mood disorders is a distribution network in the body called meridian systems.

The meridians are like a giant web, circulating qi and blood throughout the body and linking different parts of the body together.

Every organ has its own meridian, or channel, that traverses a certain area of the body. The flow of Qi in the meridians concentrate at certain areas- these are the acupuncture points. When needled, acupuncture points can regulate the way in which the body functions and has been shown to effect the electrical and nervous systems of the body, impact neurotransmitters, and reduce substance P (which is responsible for the sensation of pain).

There are hundreds of acupuncture points located all over the body, from head to toe. How do we choose which points to use?

Based on a person’s health history, chief complaint, tongue and pulse diagnosis (that’s a big, fascinating topic for another time!), and channel palpation (pressing along the channels to find areas of tenderness or pain), we establish a Chinese medical diagnosis and select a unique group of points that work together to treat the patient’s symptoms and their underlying cause.

This is why acupuncture is a “root and branch medicine”.

A treatment plan for a migraine may include points that stop pain and reduce tension (the symptoms, or "branch"), in addition to points that target the underlying pattern of imbalance, or root cause, such as Liver Qi stagnation. A treatment plan for allergies may use points to open the sinuses and stop sneezing (the branch) and strengthen deficient Lung Qi (the root).

We consider which channels and organ systems are affected, and often chose local and distal points as part of your treatment plan.

Remember: every part of your body is connected by the meridian system!

Locally, acupuncture points can move qi and blood, stop pain, increase circulation and decrease inflammation at the site of injury or disease. Distal points will open the affected channels to move pain out, encourage circulation along the entire channel, and strengthen channel deficiencies.

The Gall Bladder meridian, for example, descends from the head and temples to the ribcage and hips, and then travels down the legs to the fourth toe. Needling Gall Bladder points on the feet can treat issues at the opposite end of the channel, like head aches, gall bladder disease, and rib pain.

Each point has its own special action on the body, and each point works at both a physical, mental, and spiritual level.

The location of the point, its associated organ system and meridian, and even its name indicates what that point can do. Acupuncture point Pericardium 6 (PC-6), is a point along the pericardium channel which begins at the middle finger, travels up the arm and ends at the center of the chest.

Anatomically, the pericardium is the membrane that surrounds the heart. In Chinese Medicine theory, the pericardium is called “the heart protector”. The name of this particular point, “Inner Gate”, refers to how the heart regulates its boundaries: what gets let in, what gets let out. The point functions to open the chest, stop chest pain, circulate heart qi and blood, and calm anxiety. It’s location over the median nerve at the wrist makes it a great point to treat carpel tunnel syndrome and other arm and wrist issues.

Acupuncture allows us to access our health and wellness from a holistic perspective. It acknowledges that everything is connected, and that it is possible to address multiple issues with one singular treatment!

Lauren Becker 6/25/19 Lauren Becker 6/25/19

Autoimmune Conditions + Chinese Medicine

As a holistic medicine, acupuncture is a very helpful ally in the treatment of autoimmune disorders because it addresses both the root of disease and the associated physical and emotional symptoms.

Autoimmune disorders affect many individuals, posing daily physical and emotional challenges, sometimes to the point of disability. The spectrum of autoimmune disorders range from mild to severe, examples including allergies, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and lupus.

Under normal physiological functioning, our immune system protects us against harmful and toxic substances like viruses and bacteria. In an autoimmune condition, however, the immune system has an inappropriate reaction against healthy cells and tissues and attacks the body. Consequently, autoimmune disorders affect the bones, joints, skin, blood, and organs.

Doctors often will prescribe medications that provide symptomatic relief of inflammation and pain, as well as immunosuppressant drugs to control the immune system. Those with autoimmune conditions commonly experience fatigue and mental-emotional distress along with other physical symptoms.

As a holistic medicine, acupuncture is a very helpful ally in the treatment of autoimmune disorders because it addresses both the root of disease and the associated physical and emotional symptoms.

In Chinese medicine, autoimmune disorders arise when patterns of disharmony in the body cause the immune system to act out of balance. The goal of acupuncture treatments is to bring the body back into balance, alleviate pain, and strengthen and regulate the immune system. For those on immunosuppressant drugs, acupuncture becomes an important adjunctive therapy to encourage healthy functioning of the immune system in the long-term.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine also promote restful nights, which is essential for maintaining and restoring good health. Studies have shown that lack of sleep increases pro-inflammatory processes of the body that cause pain and inflammation, the major symptoms of autoimmune disorders.

The Divergent Meridians

In Classical Chinese Medicine, your practitioners may choose to work with the Divergent Meridians, a channel system that is especially helpful for autoimmune disorders. The name of this system speaks to exactly what it does: the meridians “divert”, or re-direct, pathogens away from attacking healthy cells and tissues. Using this meridian system protects the joints, bones, and organs from the autoimmune processes.

In theory, the Divergent Meridians deal with our Wei Qi and our Yuan Qi. Wei Qi can be likened to our immune system, protecting and defending the body from disease and pathogens. Yuan Qi refers to our constitution, and the things that make up who we are: our DNA, genetics, and our vital organs.

Working at the Wei Qi and Yuan Qi levels, the Divergent Meridians represent the process of autoimmune disorders, where the immune system (Wei Qi) acts out of balance and threatens the body’s organs and vitality (Yuan Qi).

As a treatment option, the Divergent Meridians are a fascinating channel system and relate to the complex nature of autoimmune disorders.

Lauren Becker 6/25/19 Lauren Becker 6/25/19

Acupuncture for Emotional Balance

Chinese Medicine offers an opportunity to improve your mental and physical health and to help you understand how your physical and emotional symptoms are related.

With a strong treatment focus on the connection between emotions, stress, trauma, and physical pain, acupuncture effectively addresses general health, emotional, and psychiatric concerns. Acupuncture is a “root and branch” medicine, meaning it treats the symptoms of a disorder as well as its underlying cause.

In Chinese Medicine theory, emotions and mental functions are viewed as components of Qi (the body’s vital energy) and blood. There are acupuncture points along meridians located all over the body that affect the brain and mental activity. The goal of treatment is to correct the movement of qi and blood in the meridians and bring balance back to the mind, body, and spirit.

Acupuncture induces a relaxation response, has been shown to affect the nervous system, and positively impacts neurotransmitter activity. Acupuncture can also help regulate the hormones, immune system, digestion, nutrient absorption and metabolic activity as well as modulate the body’s inflammatory response, all of which, when impaired, can influence one’s emotional wellness.

Acupuncture can help treat a wide range of emotional and psychological disorders, from mild to debilitating, including:

Depression * Anxiety * Panic Attacks * Fears and phobias * Lack of motivation * Hopelessness * ADD/ ADHD * PTSD * Eating disorders * Addiction * Stress* Insomnia * OCD * Borderline Personality Disorder * Bipolar Disorder

Auriculotherapy and the NADA Protocol

Ear acupuncture, or auriculotherapy, is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and is especially effective in the treatment of addiction, mood disorders, PTSD, and pain. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) developed a 5-point ear acupuncture protocol specifically for the treatment of addiction, which is used by more than 2,000 drug and alcohol programs today. We offer ear acupuncture to those struggling with addiction or an emotional crisis.

While acupuncture will not, of course, change the circumstances of a person’s life, it does provide a foundation for recovery and rehabilitation, in addition to empowering the individual to create change. Acupuncture can work synergistically with other behavioral therapies.

Balance Blog: All Things Health, Wellness, and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

Practice letting go.

Protect your neck.

Practice deep breathing.

Do some grief work.

Connect with what inspires you.

Sip on spices.

Eat well.

Get organized.

Soothe dryness.

Boost your Wei (Defensive) Qi.

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

Practice letting go.

Protect your neck.

Practice deep breathing.

Do some grief work.

Connect with what inspires you.

Sip on spices.

Eat well.

Get organized.

Soothe dryness.

Boost your Wei (Defensive) Qi.

A Chinese Medical Perspective on Health + Wellness in the Late Summer

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Late summer’s ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

ELEMENT: earth

YIN ORGAN: spleen

YANG ORGAN: stomach

EMOTION: worry

SPIRIT: yi (intellect)

CLIMATE: humidity

COLOR: yellow

TASTE: sweet

SENSE ORGANS: mouth

TISSUES: muscles

VIRTUES: empathy, nurturinG

Here are some tips to boost the vitality of your earth element and the wellbeing of your mind, body, and spirit:

CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE, HERBS, AND OILS TO HELP

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons.

Fall’s Associations in Chinese Medicine

element: metal

yin organ: lungs

yang organ: large intestine

emotion: grief/sadness

climate: dryness

color: white

sense organs: nose

tissues: skin

yin organ time: 3-5am

yang organ time: 5-7am

virtues: purity, self worth, receptivity, inspiration

Practice letting go.

Protect your neck.

Practice deep breathing.

Do some grief work.