Friday, December 4, 2009, 02:32 PM
Well here we are again – officially in cold and flu season. There seems to be a lot of media hype around swine flu, with vaccinations for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with compromised immunity. Because the swine flu has been assigned epidemic status in the U.S., I feel it is important to address what the flu actually is, and how natural medicine practices can help to prevent and/or treat everyone – children, adults and seniors, without further compromise to the body.
In allopathic (conventional medicine) terms, both colds and flu are caused by a virus. Yes, it is true – viruses are everywhere: on surfaces, on skin; we’re exposed through the coughing and sneezing of children (and adults), and so on. By now, we’ve all been educated about hand-washing, keeping our hands and surfaces around us clean, and keeping our noses and faces free of debris. This is all good; it makes perfect sense, for it prevents the virus from entering the body through these orifices, thereby eliminating any chance to proliferate in the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural medicine view colds and flu with a different kind of twist. Our bodies know that viruses and bacteria are all over the place. As such, the body, through its own intelligence, has an incredible immune system which fights off any and every invasion of virus or bacteria. A strong immune system doesn’t care whether H1N1 has entered the body; it does what it needs to do to neutralize and kill the virus. So the question really becomes: In addition to keeping my hands, etc. clean, how do I keep my immune system strong?
There are several things that everyone - even people with compromised immune systems can do to get strong enough in fending off the flu. By the way, a word about children: They spend the first several years of their life developing their lungs and immune systems, so they have a natural tendency to be more susceptible to childhood diseases, including colds and flu, as they love to play, explore and very actively enjoy their environment. The following information can be very helpful for them to build strong immune systems as well.
1. Get treated with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture not only balances the body and relieves pain, but also naturally stimulates the immune system. By using acupuncture in strategic areas along certain meridians, we call on the white blood cells to fight off any viruses, bacteria or other invasions.
2. Eat properly, and especially don’t overeat! It’s time we learn to give our body what it needs, as opposed to what we want it to have. If you eat food that energetically does not agree with your body, it will throw your body out of balance and ultimately compromise your immune system. Too many sweet foods, meats and fats compromise digestion, and this in turn lowers immunity. Prepare foods at home more. Be creative, and eat your vegetables.
3. Drink water! Remember that the human body is comprised of some 70% water. Drinking water will help your body to flush out impurities, viruses and bacteria that don’t belong in your body. This may include fresh water and unsweetened herbal and green teas.
4. Get enough rest. Listen to your body for this. This is the time of year when we naturally crave more rest. It is during rest and sleep cycles that the immune system and organ systems balance themselves – this is when self-healing takes place.
5. Keep stress in check. Studies show that high stress levels can lower immunity. Meditate, do light exercise, release that over which you have no power, love more, forgive more.
6. Stay warm, and protect yourself from wind. In TCM, we believe that the neck area is particularly vulnerable to attacks from wind and cold, resulting in colds and flu. Wearing a scarf can be very helpful in preventing these attacks. Even a thin, fashionable scarf will do!
If you do come down with a cold or any type of flu, acupuncture and herbs, fluids and rest are most important. The more you are able to turn your attention here, the faster you will recover.
Let us know what your thoughts are! Write a note on the blog.
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Friday, December 4, 2009, 02:30 PM
PEARS
A few years ago, Mom decided she wanted to go to Laughlin to celebrate her birthday. As her very willing traveling buddy, we loaded up the car on a dry, warm October morning, and hit the highway.
As we headed over the Cajon Pass, we saw flames and smoke emerging from the mountains that lead up to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. It was that time of year – wildfire season, and we were happy to be getting away. No soot in our lungs – no way! None of that sense of inhaling fire into our nostrils, as often happens during wildfire season.
It was beautiful and clear in Laughlin, and rather warm – almost hot! Knowing that I needed something food-wise to balance the heat and the general autumn desert climate, I searched the breakfast buffet for the perfect food. Alas, I found it! The pears were sitting in their place along the buffet, swimming in heavy syrup. I filled a cereal bowl with the pears (and a little of the syrup), and gleefully ate them, knowing that this would put everything back in balance.
I had a strong desire to stand in my chair at the buffet and make an announcement to everyone in the restaurant that they should eat pears to avoid respiratory problems, but fought against that urge. I didn’t want my mom to cringe in embarrassment – not on her birthday!
Pears are a sweet, nourishing food – and great medicine for the Lungs! As we find ourselves in the midst of cold & flu “season”, and running on the heels of annual wildfires in Southern California, pears are indeed one of those perfect foods. And they arrive right on time, in abundance to bring balance to lots of ailing lungs this time of year. It is no mistake that it is now pear season!
Whether you choose Bartlett, Bosc, d’Anjou or Asian pears, you are in for a taste treat and great benefits health-wise.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pears are cold in nature, so they will counter symptoms of heat, like fever or yellow phlegm. They help to break up mucus and phlegm in the lungs, and they help to stop cough. While removing toxic mucus, pears also nourish the lungs by adding moisture to the linings of the stomach and lungs. They also benefit digestion by strengthening the stomach and providing fiber for good elimination. The sweet taste of pears makes them very enjoyable, while the slightly sour taste allows for more nourishing and strengthening, and assists in preventing further lung problems.
These qualities make pears a great food-as-medicine for adults and children alike. In fact, try this delicious recipe, used specifically in cooler weather to benefit the lungs:
-8 fresh pears of your choice, peeled (optional), cored and quartered.
-Juice of ½ lemon or lime
-Pinch of salt
-1/2 cup water
-1 cinnamon stick
-1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
-2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
-2 tablespoons honey
Simmer all ingredients on a low flame for about 20 - 30 minutes, or in a medium-sized crock-pot on low for 4-5 hours. Serve with breakfast, as a side dish, or as a dessert.
Enjoy to your health!
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 05:46 PM
Herbal medicine is one of the great loves in my life. Long ago I had used it to help cure myself of a serious digestive problem. At that time, as a layperson, the use of herbs confused me. I basically didn’t know what I was doing – I wasn’t sure what the dosages were, nor how to combine the herbs properly, if indeed they were combinable. But I was obsessed with getting better, so I spent lots of money with trial and error and fumbled through it. The process was so frustrating that I made a promise to myself to study herbs as much as possible. And so, here I am today, always studying and learning more about the wonders of herbal medicine…
Now, as an herbalist, many people often ask me for an herbal recommendation to address their health problem. Or, they research the internet for an herb in an effort to relieve their symptoms. There are many companies that produce and sell single herbs in many formats to meet the demands of those in the market who are searching to alleviate their symptoms through self-medication: ginkgo for memory, garlic for hypertension, ginseng for energy, ginger for digestion – the list goes on. The truth is, there’s a lot more to herbal medicine than meets the eye, and it is often the use of herbs by non-herbalists that makes herbal medicine subject to scrutiny – or even banning – by the federal government agencies.
Herbal medicine is an important modality used in holistic natural medicine. Over the past 5,000 years, Chinese Herbology in particular has been unique in that it has evolved into an art form all its own. This ancient system has proven time and again to be a powerful therapeutic method. Rather than using single herbs to treat symptoms, in Chinese herbal medicine we use combinations of herbs in order to enhance their actions and effects upon the body. When combined, a unique, synergistic formula is created. This combination increases the benefits of a particular formula, and minimizes any harmful side effects.
Practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine are familiar with most of the 1,800 herbs in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. All of these herbs are classified according to their energetic qualities, functions, and the different organs, meridians, and disharmonies for which they address.
The contents of an herbal formula, to be most effective, will include groups of herbs in different dosages and are used for different purposes. There is a certain hierarchy of herbs that follows:
1) Chief herb – the main herb of the formula that best addresses the patient’s complaint(s).
2) Deputy herb – supports the chief herb, often also addressing secondary signs and symptoms.
3) Assistant herb – supports and reinforces the effects of the other herbs. Moderates or counteracts any harsh properties of other herbs in the formula.
4) Envoy herb – harmonizes, guides and focuses the entire formula on certain meridians or areas of the body.
So, you can see, Chinese herbal medicine entails much more than assigning an herb to alleviate a symptom. This is science and alchemy combined, producing individualized formulae that are worth their weight in gold. We often use Chinese herbal medicine along with acupuncture as complimentary therapeutic modalities, but they may also be used separately with great results. Please contact us 310-475-8018 to set up an appointment for your free Chinese herbal medicine Consultation. Allow this superior system of Herbology to work for you – it is a safe, effective and drug-free way to become well and stay healthy, naturally!
Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 05:39 PM
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects more than 20 million Americans. Caring for a chronic condition such as asthma can sometimes be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that it can be controlled. Asthma manifests as a lung imbalance that causes obstruction of the airways. During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi (small airways in the lungs) constrict, impeding the outward passage of stale air. Typical symptoms of an asthma attack are coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty in breathing. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be powerful allies in the management of asthma, and they work well in conjunction with other types of treatment.
Asthma is really a symptom of a greater, underlying imbalance, caused by one or more of many possible factors, including allergies, various types of digestive problems, kidney-adrenal weakness, and liver/gallbladder disharmony. One of the main roles of natural, holistic medicine is not only to treat the symptoms, but also to discover and treat the underlying cause, the root of the asthma symptoms. Treating the symptoms of asthma is critical, as loss of breath can easily lead to loss of life. In fact, despite the continuing advances in conventional medicine, the mortality rate in the USA from asthma has actually increased in the past two decades. All the more reason to address the root of the problem and prevent re-occurrence of asthma attacks.
There are two basic types of asthma: 1) early-onset allergic type, which is also called extrinsic or atopic asthma, and 2) late-onset type, also known as intrinsic asthma. Early-onset type asthma affects children more and has the following characteristics: it starts in early childhood; it appears to run in families; it is often associated with eczema from birth; individuals have skin reactions to common allergens. Late-onset asthma, happening in adulthood, is often associated with or is a by-product of other diseases such as bronchitis or sinusitis, both of which can also be caused by allergies. Here, adult-onset asthma can often be confused with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or congestive heart failure, all of which have the symptoms of shortness of breath and/or wheezing.
Other factors that can instigate an attack include adrenal disorders, anxiety, temperature changes, exercise, extremes of dryness or humidity, fear, laughing, low blood sugar, and stress.
Good holistic treatment of asthma has several components to it: stopping the attacks and other symptoms, removing stagnation and strengthening affected organ systems, and identifying allergens. Acupuncture truly does a phenomenal job at stopping asthma attacks and relieving symptoms on a long-term basis for both adults and children. Acupuncture, TCM and herbal medicine are also used for gently detoxifying the body and strengthening organ systems. At Heart & Soul Institute, we also provide guidance for diet and proper exercise, both essential components for healthy living, managing the asthma and preventing further attacks. Through acupuncture treatments, nutritional work and herbal medicine, we help patients to uncover allergens and food sensitivities, providing a framework of knowledge for consistently smooth breathing.
Contact us at Heart & Soul Institute:
www.heartandsoulinstitute.com,
or call us at 310-475-8018 with your questions.
We will be happy to help you find the answers.
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 03:15 PM
Adult-onset Diabetes is one of those diseases that can easily be prevented, treated, and yes, even reversed with the help of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, and modified lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. It’s important to know this from the outset, as many people may have a sense of hopelessness if the condition has recently been diagnosed, runs in the family, or if a person is experiencing a downhill slide from the long term effects of the disease.
Also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or type II diabetes, adult-onset diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs in adults and, increasingly, children and adolescents, who eat a lot of junk foods, fast foods, or rich foods – essentially what has become the Standard American Diet (SAD). As a result these individuals are often overweight.
Type II diabetes differs from type I, or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type I is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. People with this type of diabetes must take insulin in order to survive.
With type II diabetes, however, the pancreas either is not producing enough insulin, or doesn’t respond to it properly. In this latter case, there is enough insulin, but the effects of a diet rich in fats block its utilization by the body. Eating refined white sugar, other simple sugars and refined foods in general also contribute to diabetes because in excess, these convert to fat in the body. With the utilization of insulin being blocked, the body is unable to metabolize sugar. Too much sugar then enters the blood stream, and is excreted through the kidneys into the urine. This could go on for years before actual physical symptoms begin to occur. These symptoms could include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive hunger
- Infections & inflammations
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
The metabolism of sugar by the body may seem relatively unimportant compared to, say, the beating of the heart or the expansion of the lungs, for example. We have to remember, though, that the proper functioning of the major organs depends completely on precise operation of those systems that seem minor. The heart doesn’t just relentlessly beat because it’s a really big muscle. A healthy heart has healthy arteries, with a network of smaller muscular pumps feeding into the heart. Healthy arteries have healthy blood, and the list goes on.
If left untreated, or if only partially treated (i.e., taking the drugs or supplements but not exercising or modifying the diet), complications involving the circulation will eventually occur. These complications include hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and neuropathy (numbness, tingling, pain, lack of sensation) in the extremities. Neuropathy precludes easy injury and difficulty healing of extremities, which can result in amputation for diabetics. Neuropathy can also take place in the eyes, causing blurred vision and eventual blindness. Ongoing damage to the kidneys due to diabetes may eventually lead to kidney failure and subsequent dialysis.
Natural, holistic medicine has been used very successfully in the treatment of type II adult-onset diabetes. How? By very simply bringing the body back into balance. The whole person is treated, taking into account the physical, mental, spiritual and environmental aspects of the diabetic’s life.
-Acupuncture opens the channels and allows the blood to start circulating properly again. The immune system is activated through acupuncture, which initiates healing of damaged tissues.
-Herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation will differ for each individual in repairing the circulatory system and rebalancing pancreatic and other digestive functions.
-Lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) will also differ for each person, but is essential in the treatment of type II diabetes. In fact, when diabetics use holistic medicine for treatment, approximately 80% can eventually stop taking insulin, glucophage, glyburide, metformin and other diabetic medications altogether, and the remaining 20% can reduce their intake, of course with the added support and guidance of the prescribing physician.
Used as a preventive tool, the cycle of diabetes running in the family can stop with this generation. It is a matter of taking control of one’s health and one’s life, and showing that similar responsibility in our communities.
-Doris-Owanda Johnson, L.Ac.
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