REST, RESTORE, REVITALIZE
In nature, winter is the season where all living
things slow down, conserve their energy and prepare for the outburst of new
life and energy in the spring. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the
fundamental principles of winter – rest, restoration and revitalization.
The Nei Ching, one of the earliest surviving medical books on
acupuncture, advises:
“During the winter months one should refrain from overusing energy.
Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in winter. Desires
and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as if keeping a happy
secret.”
Eating warm hearty soups, dressing warmly, and refraining from cold and raw
foods is also recommended.
Element: Water
Nature: Yin
Organs: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Ears and Hair
Emotion: Fear and Depression
Flavor: Salty
Seasonal acupuncture treatments in winter serve to nurture and nourish
kidney Qi (the organ associated with winter) which can greatly enhance the
body's ability to thrive in times of stress and aid in healing, preventing
illness, and increase vitality.
Call now for more information or to schedule your seasonal tune-up
De-stress this Winter with Acupuncture
While optimal health and well-being in the winter
season calls for rest, energy conservation and the revitalization of body
and spirit, your holiday activities may have a different agenda. This year
can be filled with a mad scramble of visitors, family get-togethers and
frantic shopping trips. Compound the usual seasonal pressures with the
constant barrage of bad economic news and you may find this to be one of
the most stressful times of the year.
Stress, frustration and unresolved anger can cause a disruption in the flow
of qi or energy through the body. These energetic imbalances can throw off
the immune system or cause symptoms of pain, sleep disturbances, mood
changes, abnormal digestion, headaches, and menstrual irregularities, and,
over time, more serious illnesses can develop. Acupuncture treatments can
correct these imbalances and directly effect the way you manage stress.
Studies on Acupuncture and Stress
Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture
in the treatment of stress.
A 2008 study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that
acupuncture point alleviated preoperative anxiety in children while a 2003
study conducted at Yale University showed that ear acupuncture
significantly lowered the stress level of the mothers of children that were
scheduled for surgery.
A German study published in Circulation found that acupuncture
significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The extent
of the blood pressure reductions by acupuncture treatments was comparable
to those seen with antihypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle
changes, including radical salt restrictions.
Another study from the University of New Mexico measured the affects of
acupuncture on 73 men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The researchers found the acupuncture treatments to be as helpful as the
standard treatment of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance,
consider acupuncture therapy to regain peace of mind, regulate your immune
system and stay healthy.
Miso Soup with Scallions
Did you know that
Miso Soup with Scallions is actually an ancient herbal remedy for colds?
In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes about Miso Soup with Scallions
in a book called, Bei ji zhou hou fang or Emergency Formulas to
Keep Up One’s Sleeve.
The soup is indicated for the onset of a cold when a person is just
beginning to feel a headache, stuffy nose and a slight fever. So, the next
time you feel a cold coming on, be sure to have your miso!
Miso Soup (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
* 6 cups water
* 3-4 Tablespoons Aka Miso or red soy bean paste (usually sold in the
refrigerated section)
* 3-5 green onions stalks, chopped
Directions:
* Dissolve the miso in a little bit of boiling water (about 2 tsp.)
* Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the miso & scallions.
* Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
* Remove from heat top with green onions and serve.
Variations: you can add various other ingredients to make a more
substantial soup, such as tofu, seaweed, fresh mushrooms, cooked shrimp,
snow pea sprouts, cooked rice noodles, or paper-thin slices of fresh
ginger.
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In This Issue
·
REST,
RESTORE, REVITALIZE
·
De-stress
this Winter with Acupuncture
·
Miso Soup
with Scallions
·
Stress
Busting Foods
Stress Busting Foods
The foods that you
eat play a crucial role in your overall well-being as well as your ability
to handle stress.
Over 1400 chemical changes occur as stress hormones, such as cortisone, sap
important nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium from the
body.
Here are three foods that can replenish your supply of these nutrients and
enhance your ability to manage stress:
Cauliflower – Cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables, such as
broccoli, cabbage, and kale are chock full of stress-relieving B vitamins.
Cauliflower is also one of the very best sources of vitamin B5 or
pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid helps turn carbohydrates and fats into usable energy and
improves your ability to respond to stress by supporting your adrenal
glands. Fatigue, listlessness, numbness and tingling or burning pain in the
feet are all indications that you may need more vitamin B5 in your diet.
Salmon – Salmon is a healthy and delicious way to get your dose of B
vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B12 supports production of red
blood cells, allows nerve cells to develop properly and is essential to the
synthesis of the “happy” brain chemical serotonin.
Among the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a 2003 study published in Diabetes
& Metabolism found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
significantly reduced the stress response and kept the stress hormones
cortisol and epinephrine in check.
Blackberries – Blackberries are jam packed with Vitamin C, calcium
and magnesium. Vitamin C has shown to be a powerful stress reducer that can
lower blood pressure and return cortisol levels to normal faster when taken
during periods of stress.
Magnesium and calcium act together to help regulate the body's nerves and
muscle tone. When there is too little magnesium in your diet, nerve cells
can become over activated and can trigger muscle tension, muscle soreness,
muscle spasms, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.
Blackberries have more than double the amounts of vitamin C, calcium and
magnesium than their popular cousin, the blueberry.
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