Chinese Medicine Theory

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Raw Food

December 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Chinese Nutritional Therapy, Season of Winter | No comments

There are some correlations between western nutritional science and Chinese food therapy. One of the ways in which they diverge is on the topic of raw food. Chemically, food contains more of its vitamins and minerals when raw, and the longer a food cooks, the more of it’s nutrients are lost. This doesn’t mean western Nutritionists believe that all people should eat all vegetables and fruits raw at all times. However, in Chinese nutrition, raw food should rarely, if ever, be consumed.

I like to think about the stomach as a pot on a stove. If you put cold water and foods into it, it takes more time for the pot to get the food up to temperature in order to digest it than if you put warm, slightly cooked foods into it. The Spleen/Stomach energy has to work very hard, and use quite a bit of qi to break down raw food into components useable by the body. We believe that when food is consumed that has been slightly cooked, through saute, stir fry, baking, roasting, or the like, the Stomach/Spleen can get the most value from the food with the least effort. This is especially true in the wintertime when the body is already working hard to function in the cold weather, and even more so in those who are diagnosed with having a Spleen qi vacuity.

During the winter months, avoid excessive raw food and cold beverages. Give your digestive system the benefit of partially broken down veggies and even fruits (baked pears are fantastic!!) until the weather warms again. You might even consider having a cup of miso or tea before a meal, this helps warm the stomach so that it will be best prepared to digest effectively.

Sufjan Stevens

October 30, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, TCM in Movies, TCM in Music, TCM in Pop Culture, Topics in Muscles Bones and Joints | No comments

If you’ve ever wondered what Liver Qi Stagnation felt like, all you have to do is get in your car in a big city at rush hour in stop and go traffic. Add to that a hot summer day in August and no air conditioning. Maybe to really experience it, throw in a broken sound system that only plays am stations. That frustration, that desire, or really, that NEED to move but being unable to, THAT is what Liver Qi Stagnation feels like. Being stuck is the essence of this pattern. When the qi cannot move, the blood also stagnates. We get frustrated, we get hot and our muscles get tense. Maybe our jaw clenches, our head pounds, and our shoulders can be found by our ears. We loose patience easily, maybe we yell out or throw some inapproriate hand gestures.

Sufjan Stevens is a young artist, mainly a musician, who has created a movie and musical score based on this sensation of sitting in traffic, specifically on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, or the BQE. Sufjan may not know anything about Liver Qi Stagnation (or maybe he does, I don’t really know) but he describes the sensation, and also his personal transformation beyond it after 9 months of driving on the BQE in an interview with Steve Inskeep on NPR’s Morning Edition. I encourage you to listen to the interview, check out the trailer for the film and maybe this about your own flow of qi while driving in traffic.

One of my favorite parts about the film is his use of hoola hoopers (is that a real term?) His reasons may not have anything to do with qi flow, but one of the BEST ways to get your Liver Qi moving is to move your body, and anyone who has spent any time with a hoola hoop can tell you that nothing gets the Qi flowing, and possibly the laughter as well, like a hoola hoop!!

The interview: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114288376

The movie trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6sRXCLVyoc

Blood Deficiency

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Chinese Nutritional Therapy | 1 comment

raspberry

Blood deficiency is more prevalent in women than in men due to the menstrual cycle, but some men suffer from this as well. It arises from a number of conditions, including, but not limited to: heavy menstrual cycle, a history of hemorrhage, amenorrhea, or long term vegetarianism. Blood deficiency can underlie a number of physical symptoms including dizziness, pallor, fatigue, scanty or absent menstrual cycle, some types of numbness or skin rashes, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, chronic muscle spasms, slow to heal tendonitis and injuries, heart palpitations and specific types of insomnia. It is very important to stay well hydrated if you are blood deficient. 6-8 glasses of water are essential, as well as introducing fluids that have electrolytes in them. Organic chicken broth is another way to help hydrate the body while providing easy to assimilate nutrients.

If your practitioner has diagnosed you with Blood Deficiency, there are some simple foods and supplements that you can incorporate into your diet that will help your body to build more and stronger Blood. Be sure to check with your Naturopath or physician before starting supplementation to be sure the supplement is appropriate for your particular situation.

1) Certified Organic beef

2) Green leafy vegetables such as kale and chard

3) Black strap molasses

4) Dark colored fruits and vegetables like red grapes, raisins, berries, beets, etc.

5) Slow-cooked soups, stews and braised meats which are the best methods for extracting essential nutrients from bones, meats and vegetables

6) Seaweeds (be sure to use quality brands that ensure purity standards)

7) Organic Royal Jelly which is a wonderful tonic that is naturally high in amino acids, vitamins and enzymes
8) Iron supplements such as “Floradix” which is a gentle liquid tonic that helps support the blood.

9) Chlorophyll Supplements particularly barley grass (avoid spirulina as it tends to be too warming)

Ways to Increase Immune Function and Protect Oneself During Flu Season

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Fall, Season of Spring, Season of Winter, The Principle: Wind, Topics in Colds Flus Allergies | No comments

huangqi
There many things we can do to help support our body’s natural immune function. Certainly getting enough rest, fluids, and quality fresh food is essential. Acupuncture is also a good option, since one of the proven effects of this therapy is increased immunity, even when this isn’t the focus of treatment. Regular acupuncture helps bring our bodies back into balance, and a body in balance has the ability to fight foreign contaminants such as bacteria and viruses. In Chinese Medicine terms “expel uninvited guests” such as wind cold, wind heat, wind damp, etc.


Aside from acupuncture, many Chinese herbs, including mushrooms, have been proven to increase immune function in several ways. There are herbs that are simply antibacterial and antiviral, helping our bodies to stave off infection when we come in contact with these agents. There are also herbs which increase the number of Killer T and Natural Killer white blood cells which attack microbes preventing us from getting sick, and helping us to recover from illness.

One of the key immune enhancing herbs in Chinese Medicine is Huang Qi, or Astragalus. The root of this plant tonifies the qi and blood of the entire body, especially the Spleen and increases the Wei, or Protective Qi. There are several classic herbal formulas that contain Huang Qi which can be used to prevent illness. There are also formulas, which when taken at the early stages of illness help the body recover quickly and decrease the severity of an illness. These formulas are important to have on hand in order to provide a quick means of protection. That way if you find yourself around people sick people, or if you will be traveling on airplanes, or simply have a tendency towards decreased immune function, you can give your body as much support as possible to keep from getting sick.

Childhood Ear Infections

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Fall, Season of Spring, Season of Winter, Topics in Colds Flus Allergies, Topics in Pediatrics | No comments

ears

Several years ago Jake Fratkin, OMD (Oriental Medicine Doctor), made waves throughout the pediatric community by declaring on a radio show that the cause of ear infections was antibiotics. Since that time, several studies have been done which indicate that he was right. The likelihood of a recurrent ear infection during the first six weeks after taking antibiotics is significant. Not only is a child more likely to get another ear infection within six weeks if they are given antibiotics, but the recovery time from an infection is the same whether antibiotics are given or not. Even the Washington State Department of Health has issued a statement that most ear infections clear on their own and that overuse of antibiotics leads to drug resistant bacteria. So why are medical doctors still giving antibiotics to children with ear infections? In some cases, they no longer are. More and more doctors and medical institutions are reserving antibiotic administration for extreme cases of infection as a last resort. Here in Seattle, Dr. David Springer of Wallingford Pediatrics received an award from Premera Blue Cross for his use of “evidence-based best practices” in avoiding and limiting antibiotic use for ear infections.

 

So if antibiotics aren’t the answer, what do we do for ear infections? Chinese Herbal Medicine is an excellent choice for the prevention and treatment of ear infections. There are two key formulas which, when administered correctly, can alleviate pain within hours and eliminate the infection within only a couple of days. They are safe, they are effective, and they are easy to administer. Several companies have created liquid extracts of these classic Chinese formulas adding a touch of glycerin or stevia to mask the bitter flavor of the herbs so that they are more palatable to children. I have used them with my own children and have avoided any antibiotic use so far. In addition to Chinese formulas, I have used garlic ear drops, which kill microbes and dry fluid when placed directly into the ear canal, and probiotics which help the immune system fight the infection. All three can be combined and your Chinese Medicine practitioner can help you determine the best course of treatment so you can avoid unnecessary, and potential harmful antibiotic overuse in your children.

Five Phases and Spring

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Spring | No comments

red shoes

Season: Spring

Direction: East

Climate: Wind

Yin Organ: Liver

Yang Organ: Gallbladder

Emotion: Anger

Sound: Shouting

Color: Green

Flavor: Sour

Movement: Upward

Tissue: Tendons

Virture: Kindness

Protect Your Windgate

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Fall, Season of Spring, Season of Winter, The Principle: Wind, Topics in Colds Flus Allergies | No comments

windgate

While the name “wind gate” refers specifically to a point on the Bladder channel of the upper back, we often use this term to talk about the entire back of the neck and upper back. This area is particularly vulnerable to invasion by wind leading to symptoms of colds and flus such as chills, body aches, nasal congestion, and cough. In the Springtime when the weather starts to turn warm we can be too quick to pull off the winter layers. Exposing the back of the neck and upper back to the elements, particularly the wind, we increase the likelihood of falling ill. Protect your “wind gate” by wearing a scarf, a high collar, or a turtle neck, and you will increase your chances of making it through the spring in good health.

Springtime Detox

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Spring | No comments

water

Around this time of year I start to get questions about fasting, detox diets and cleanses. Though it is a common temptation in the springtime to want to make a “fresh start” in our bodies, overly restrictive diets, flushes, enemas, and the like, are considered too extreme in Chinese Medicine. Often these types of detox protocols perpetuate imbalanced eating and elimination habits, which can damage the Spleen leaving the body weak in both qi and blood. Chinese medicine, on the other hand, is a system that encourages moderation rather than deprivation.

Chinese medicine views the body as a healthy ecosystem. Not only is it impossible to steralize this enviroment of all of its toxins, it is unwise. The body is far more adaptable than we give it credit for. As a responsive ecosystem each body has fine tuned processes designed for maintaining homeostasis. When we try to “clean” this system, we often do more damage than good . Most detoxes end up flushing out helpful bacteria and energy, forcing the body to scramble to re-establish healthy flora. In addition, detox protocols tend to stress the body by dumping massive amounts of toxins and debris into the blood stream, overwhelming the body’s natural filtering systems while depriving the body of the healthy energy and nutrients that it needs.

Your body is not a dirty house that needs to be scrubbed clean. Your body is a harmonious synergistic entity that needs your support and love to carry you through this world the best it can. Instead of trying to create a pure environment in your body, give it more of what it needs; fresh whole foods, exercise, meditation, rest, playfullness and less of what it doesn’t; caffeine, alcohol, chemical foods, stressful thoughts, guilt. By incorporating these simple changes, the spleen and other organs will become stronger and happier, and in turn, better able to function at their optimal level. Your body will thrive with an abundance of qi and blood and you will look and feel great!

Anxiety

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Spring | No comments

Lately, I have noticed an increase in feelings of anxiety in our patients and friends, and even ourselves. Spring is a common time for anxiety. The energy of Spring is rushing upward. Just as bulbs are opening and the tulips are pushing up through the soil, so too is the energy of our bodies. When we are a little unrooted, or have a deficiency of blood or yin, our energy can rise too quickly, and in an uncontrolled way. This causes physical feelings of discomfort in the upper abdomen and chest such as heart palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing and a “nervous” stomach. Acupuncture and herbs, and sometimes moxa, can help bring this energy back down into our dan tien, or belly. There is also a visualization I learned years ago that can help one feel more “rooted.”

 

Meditation for Anxiety:

Stand in a quiet, comfortable position. Close your eyes and take a deep breath, in….and out. Relax the muscles in your face, your jaw, your ears. Let the space behind your eyes melt toward the floor. Slowly work your way down your body, allowing each part to let go. Do this from your shoulders, arms, hands to your ribs, stomach, hips. All the way down to your feet. Once you have reached your feet, imagine that there are roots, just like those beneath a tree, coming out of your feet. They grow away from your feet and push down into the earth where they spread out and grab on to the soil. Let yourself feel the strength and stability this provides.

 

Any time you are feeling the energy rising in your body, or your chest or stomach feeling tight and uncomfortable, try this visualizaton. Once you have practiced it a few times, it only takes a few minutes.

When Our Children Suffer From Illness

July 15, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Topics in Pediatrics | No comments

moby

Children bring us such joy. Watching them play, learn, and drink in life with such zeal is a benefit to our heart qi. It is so painful for us to see them sick. As a mother, I have found this to be true, and I have seen it in the parents of my pediatric patients.

Children Can Benefit from Chinese Medicine

When our children suffer, there is no reason we can’t help them with acupuncture and herbs. Children’s bodies change so fast, they respond quickly to treatment and require very little to step onto the road to recovery. With small children, needles are inserted and removed quickly. There is no need to retain needles for the usual 20-30 minutes, since the qi of children is so close to the surface and very accessible. In addition to this quick needling technique, medical massage, called Tui Na, and acupressure can be used, particularly when a child is afraid of the needles. I have found that parents tend to be more worried than their children about having needles inserted. Children are usually more curious than anything, but will pick up on the fear of their parents and then decide they do not want to be needled. When this happens, acupressure and massage techniques can still be very effective.

Herbal medicine is as safe for our children as it is for us. There are a few companies making Chinese Herbal formulas in liquid form specifically for children. These are easy to administer, either directly into the mouth with a quick squirt, or mixed in with drinks or soft foods such as yogurt or oatmeal. My own daughter takes hers directly into her mouth without complaint, but as the daughter of an herbalist, she has had many years to get used to the taste of chinese medicinals. With older children, the same herbal pills that we take ourselves can be given in smaller doses.*

Moxibustion is another technique that is very useful for children. Even newborns can benefit from a little moxa to warm the belly and aid in digestion.

What Pediatric Disorders Does Chinese Medicine Treat?

Children suffer from some of the same disorders that adults do. There are also some things to which children are more prone and below is a list of the most commonly seen things in the pediatric Chinese Medicine clinic.

Colds, Flus, Allergies

Ear Infections

Skin rashes, viral, eczema, or acne

Constipation, Diarrhea, Vomiting or Gas

Acid Reflux

Failure to Thrive, Low appetite

Insomnia, or Night Terrors

Irritability or Agitation, Anxiety

ADHD

Asthma

Headaches

Cough

Sinus Infections

Menstrual Irregularities

Depression

*Always seek the advice of a trained herbalist before administering herbs to children.

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