Friday, August 1, 2008, 10:50 AM
The cardiovascular system is one of the most vital systems in our human bodies. It receives and distributes blood through the heart, and pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation, and from the lungs back to the heart for circulation throughout the body. Cardiovascular illnesses are often lumped into the major category of Heart Disease. This issue of Heart & Soul Institute’s newsletter will focus on this category of illness that causes nearly half of all deaths in the United States.
The interesting, exciting and yet sad news is that cardiovascular disease is one of the most preventable of the chronic degenerative diseases. This is done, of course, through proper diet and exercise. Among the conditions included in heart disease are coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack, stroke, angina pectoris, high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, arrhythmia, and, most importantly, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis).
The key to the prevention and treatment of this disharmony lies first in understanding that all blood vessels must be healthy – clear of unwanted substances and demonstrating proper elasticity. If blood vessels become blocked and constricted, oxygen and other nutrients can’t circulate through the body, causing stagnation and decay of tissues. As such, a discussion of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis is necessary, as these seem to be the culprits of most cardiovascular disease. They both involve the buildup of deposits on the insides of the artery walls, which causes thickening and hardening of the arteries. In arteriosclerosis, the deposits are composed largely of calcium and other minerals; in atherosclerosis, the deposits consist of fatty substances. Both conditions have similar effects on circulation, causing hypertension and ultimately contributing to heart disease. How do these deposits form in the first place? There are two main reasons: 1) Leading a sedentary lifestyle, which in turn leads to little or no exercise. Blood vessels are little muscles; they need to be worked in order to function properly. 2) A diet rich in sodium, sugar and fat influences the build-up of minerals and fats in the blood vessels. Routine blood pressure readings and cholesterol testing have therefore become primary and preliminary indicators of impending or progressing heart disease in individuals.
Concerning cholesterol, it seems that high levels of this substance in the blood may not be the most predisposing indicator of heart disease. Please understand, however that high levels of cholesterol are not to be dismissed or disregarded. It is vital to seek proper advice so that you can maintain healthy HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This ratio determines the ultimate predisposition or bench mark of heart disease in individuals.
Cholesterol is a steroid made primarily by the body itself, necessary for the maintenance of the body’s cells. It also plays a role in manufacturing hormones and in regulating the immune system. There are two types of cholesterol: High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), known as “happy cholesterol,” as this actually helps keep the arteries cleansed and supple; and Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), or “loathsome cholesterol.” This LDL is what seems to be responsible for depositing fats on arterial walls, causing atherosclerosis.
Recent research and studies are revealing that some heart disease may be caused by residual pathogens left over from previous infections. The infection becomes low grade, and gradually attacks and inflames the vessels. This allows the vessels to rupture more easily, leading in turn to heart attacks or strokes. In western medicine, antibiotics are increasingly being used to treat heart disease of this type.
Research is also increasingly proving that improper dental and gum maintenance may greatly contribute to cardiovascular (and other chronic) diseases. Because the teeth, gums and oral cavity are teeming with bacterial and viral substances, improper dental and gum care may easily lead to inflammation, becoming a major factor in developing cardiovascular illness.
Though there are certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as smoking, family history and diabetes, many of us know the keys to avoiding heart disease: proper diet, aerobic exercise, and stress management are vital. In addition, herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation can prevent, treat and foster a reversal of symptoms, reducing the amount of hardening of other plaque in the arteries, and bringing the vascular system back into balance.
This subject is so vast, we will continue our study of the vascular system in the next issue of Heart & Soul Institute’s newsletter, due August 2008. The discussion will focus on hypertention and the use of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of this disharmony. If you have any questions or comments regarding this or any other health concern, please feel free to call us at 310-475-8018.
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Monday, July 7, 2008, 10:53 AM
Garlic is an herbal food whose medicinal properties are quite vast. In many ancient traditional cultures, garlic is known as a cure-all on many levels: it is used for physical ailments, for mental/emotional imbalances, and also for spiritual and supernatural healings.
Also known as Allium sativum in Latin, garlic is a member of the lily family, of which the onion also belongs. It is very pungent; hot and spicy in taste. As many of us know, its pungent flavor permeates the tissues very quickly and leaves behind the characteristic garlic odor. Garlic is very warming, and influences the lungs, stomach and intestines.
Garlic may be used in the treatment of lung ailments. Its pungent quality makes it an excellent diaphoretic – it opens the pores to promote sweating in cases of cold and flu. It detoxifies the body, so is used for any kind of infection in the lungs, stomach or intestines, including bronchitis, pneumonia, earaches, sore throats, and so on. Before the advent of refrigeration, garlic was used in abundance to protect food from spoilage. Garlic is used to regulate blood pressure, whether the pressure is high or low. It is effective in helping reduce LDL cholesterol and in strengthening the heart. Garlic treats weak digestion, improves circulation, treats arthritis, rheumatism, low back and joint pains, nervous disorders, cramps and spasms.
In addition, garlic is used as a preventative and treatment for all types of intestinal worms. Garlic paste can be applied topically for ringworm. Large doses of garlic can be used for amoebic dysentery, a type of diarrhea caused by certain amoeba or other micro-organisms, and is also an effective antibiotic for staphylococcus, streptococcus, and other bacteria. Garlic is a great antifungal and is an integral component in the successful treatment of Candida Albicans yeast infections.
Garlic can be used in many different ways, but be sure not to boil it, as it renders the healing components ineffective. It can be eaten whole, juiced, or minced and combined with more palatable substances like honey, or in a raw salad, or with sesame tahini, hummus, and the like. It can also be taken as a tea infusion (steeped in hot water), or gently cooked in food. Garlic can be used internally or externally, as in enemas, in a bolus or suppository or directly on the skin. Caution must be used here, as prolonged use can irritate the skin and other tissues.
Internally, garlic is to be used very cautiously in those with heat conditions: red face/eyes, a sensation of feeling too hot, aversion to heat, canker sores, or a feeling of overwhelming thirst. The dosage can vary according to the individual’s needs and the type of imbalance being treated. The information provided here is intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using this or any other herb for medicinal purposes.
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 11:22 AM
It’s tangerine season! The peelings of tangerine and other citrus fruit have been proven to be very beneficial in treating certain health problems. In Chinese herbal medicine, there are a variety of citrus fruits that abound with medicinal properties. In general, citrus fruit peel is used to unblock stuck energy in the organ systems, especially the stomach, liver, lungs and intestines. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular types of citrus used in TCM.
Tangerine peel, also known in Chinese Pinyin as Chen Pi, is very aromatic, pungent, bitter and warming, and treats the respiratory and digestive systems. It regulates the quip, and improves the functioning of the digestive system. It relieves symptoms such as abdominal distension, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and mild diarrhea. Tangerine peel also dries dampness and transforms phlegm, making it great for coughs with a lot of phlegm and a stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm. Here, the peel is from the ripe fruit, and is more effective as the peel ages.
Qing Pi, or the immature, green tangerine peel, has quite a different function. Its taste is bitter and pungent; it is warm in nature, and influences the gallbladder, liver and stomach. This type of citrus is used primarily to break up stagnant energy and regulate the liver. Symptoms may include distension and pain in the chest, breast, sides of the abdomen, or hernia pain. It also dissipates clumps and reduces food stagnation to clear the digestive tract of any undigested material.
Da Fu Pi, or the peel from the areca fruit, is pungent and warming, and treats the large and small intestines, as well as the spleen and stomach. This herb is great for regulating the digestive system where there is constipation involved. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, overeating, abdominal distention, regurgitation of food, and belching with acid regurgitation. It is also a mild diuretic, as it promotes urination and reduces swelling, especially in the abdominal area or in the legs.
The tangerine itself as a fruit is cooling in nature, and has a sweet and sour flavor. It is a general tonic for weak digestion and poor appetite; it regenerates body fluids; helps cool and moisten those individuals who are dry and overheated. Tangerines are valuable for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis; they also help lower high fever. Their vitamin C content benefits those with weak gums and teeth.
You can easily age your own tangerine peel. Start with organic tangerines. As you eat the tangerines, put the peels in a warm place to dry (an oven with just the pilot light is good). Once dry (1-3 days later), store in preferably a dark colored glass jar for at least 6 months. The longer the better. When making a tea, simmer for no more than 15 minutes so as not to destroy the volatile oils. Use your imagination and combine with other herbs like fennel, ginger, cinnamon or mint in making pleasant tasting, health benefiting teas. Tangerine peel is to be used sparingly by those with symptoms of dryness, or by those with yellow or green phlegm.
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 11:17 AM
As we find ourselves in the prime of winter and at the start of a new year, we naturally take the time to reflect and re-evaluate how our lives are going, and what we can do to improve ourselves. Winter is a time of contraction and storage, introspection and hibernation. This is the time of the water element. In Chinese philosophy, there are five elements, which include fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Each element is assigned certain characteristics, including a season, emotions, and organ systems. The water element corresponds to winter, its emotions are fear and fright, and its organ systems naturally involve the kidneys and urinary bladder.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys govern water metabolism and control the bladder. In addition, the kidney energy (different from the actual organs) is seen as the root and foundation of the body. It rules the lower abdomen, including the sexual organs and their reproductive functions. This energy also provides energy and warmth. In this context, adrenal gland activity is also related to the kidneys, as the adrenals contribute to the energy, warmth, sexuality, and other attributes of the body. The kidney-adrenal connection is clear since the adrenals are located directly on top of the kidneys and produce secretions that make kidney activities possible.
During the winter, an individual may experience some form of kidney imbalance, whether energetically or through the organ system directly. Some general symptoms may include:
-All bone problems, especially those of the knees, lower
back, and teeth
-Hearing loss, ear infections and other related diseases
-Hair loss, split ends, premature graying
-Any urinary, sexual and reproductive imbalances
-Premature aging
-Poor growth and development of the mind and body
-Excessive fear, insecurity, anxiety
Like the kidneys, fear is deeply rooted, and we are often not consciously aware of even major areas of fear and insecurity. A little healthy fear protects us and keeps us from foolhardiness. When excessive, however, fear fosters a general insecurity about life and also “injures” the kidneys. On the other hand, weak kidneys generate fearful feelings, which in turn block loving experiences. Unbalanced fear is an emotion that completely stifles the capacity for creativity, and fosters a sense of separateness from one’s environment and one’s higher being. Fear is gripping, allowing for non-movement, non-action. A person may feel so completely stuck in fear so as to abandon any kind of hope in having the courage to rebalance or rectify the situation. What’s more, fear may perpetuate or even create the very thing or circumstance feared.
Many people receive psychotherapy in an attempt to identify and dismantle deep insecurities. Though somewhat effective, this often is not enough because the kidney-adrenal complex has not been renewed. By restoring the kidneys to any significant degree, one typically feels a tremendous elation as the dark cloud of fear lifts. Acupuncture, herbal medicine and other modalities of TCM are very effective in combating any illness related to the kidneys. They tone and strengthen the kidneys and urinary bladder, and boost the adrenal and immune systems. Acupuncture also treats the emotional aspect of one’s being. It opens the channels in the body to let the energy flow again. By opening up the channels, the brain is accessed to release certain chemicals, which serve to promote a sense of well being. This allows a person to relax, meditate, have positive reflections, and ultimately gain insight and courage in eradicating fears and balancing the emotions.
May this New Year 2008 bring you everlasting peace, love, abundance, courage and joy!
Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. & C.H.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 11:04 AM
* Your kidneys normally come in pairs. They are roughly 5
inches long and 3 inches wide.
* To locate your kidneys, place your hands on your hips, and
slide them up until you feel your ribs. Place your
thumbs against your back – that’s where they reside.
* Your kidneys receive about 120 pints of blood per hour.
* Over 400 gallons of recycled blood is pumped through your
kidneys every day.
* Half of one kidney could do the work that two kidneys
usually do.
* The kidneys filter waste from the blood, and purify blood
for your body.
* Your kidneys maintain homeostasis by balancing fluids and
minerals in the body.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine:
* Store Jing Qi
* Govern reproduction & development
* Control water metabolism
* Receive & grasp Qi
* Control the bones
* Produce marrow to fill the brain
* Relate to the ears
* Manifest in the hair
* House will power
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