Balance Blog
All Things Health, Wellness, and Chinese Medicine
Seasonal Wellness: Fall, the Lungs + Letting Go
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.
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.
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 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.
Spring Wellness + the Wood Element
The Wood energy of the season wants to rise up, push through, and get things done. It’s active and energetic, and supports vision, creativity, and leadership. This is the time of year we would work on any blockages so we can have access to all that great energy. After all, the themes of the season are growth, rebirth, and renewal. When this energy is thwarted or constrained, the result is Qi stagnation.
Winter and the Water Element: A Chinese Medical Perspective to Seasonal Wellbeing
Wherever you fall in the transition to the cold winter months, the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for Winter, our focus turns to strengthening the water element’s organ system pair, the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder, and practice that which we observe in nature: stillness and conservation.
Hello, 2020! 9 Ways To Use Acupuncture in the New Year
Take charge of your health and wellbeing, and learn how you can use acupuncture in the New Year!
Easy-To-Pack Wellness Essentials for Holiday Travel
Packing wellness travel essentials can be a real lifesaver when you're on the road for the holidays. Bring along these easy-to-pack items to make your day better and your trip easier. And, get a few tips on pre- and post-holiday travel care!
'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.
How To Turn Your Teatime Into A Soothing Daily Ritual
Tea ceremonies have been performed for centuries in cultures all around the world. They are quiet celebrations rooted in mindfulness, respect, and living in the moment—and they can take as little as 10 minutes. How can you get started with your own ritual?
9 Self-Care Tips for Fall
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.
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.
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.
The Most Essential Back-To-School Essential Oils
Back to school, back to school! These are our favorite essential oils for students and teachers.
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.
Summer Self-Care from a Chinese Medical Perspective
Summer is here! Whether you thrive in the heat or want to melt away, self-care is essential this time of year. The organ system related to the fire element is the heart, so our summer our wellness outine should support a healthy heart and circulatory system. As the heat turns up, here are our favorite ways to stay healthy!