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Warming up to Summer Health

8/28/2012

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Summer is seen in Chinese Medicine in two parts, the first part of Summer is the Element of Fire, and Late Summer is seen as the element of Earth. Fire governs the Heart and Small Intestine.  The emotions of Joy and Laughter are emphasized as the Summer air and memories warm our hearts.  This is a great time to connect with the things that bring you joy.  
      The Small Intestine helps with the digestion of food, it separates the clear from the turbid. The warming nature of the season helps to move fluids in the body which brings about detoxification.  One can see it is very important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water and nutrient rich fluids including coconut water and juices.  
       The Earth element encompasses all of the other elements and therefore when strengthened in the body, all is nourished with itself. It is the digestion and absorption of nutrients from our food, this transformation that helps keep our body healthy and in balance.  The Spleen and Stomach are the organs associated with the element of Earth.  
       As we eat the food gets metabolized and different elements (minerals, vitamins, proteins, and more) get sent to the various tissues of our body to help them with their unique function. Metabolism is a word that covers many processes that turn food into energy for our body to use.  Chinese Medicine has many ways to help one regulate their different metabolic processes.  The food that one eats is of strong emphasis as one takes a look at the foods that give more energy and stability (naturally) and the foods that take more time to feel energy from. Some foods take more energy to process than they can give.  The cleaner our food is, the easier it is for us to absorb the nutrients from it, where as more processed food requires more work for our body to get energy from. Organic and in season locally, lend to a healthy body and when the body is more in balance so is the mind and spirit.
       Each season we are given time to look at our unique patterns and strengthen ourselves with the medicine that is already in the environment.  Wishing everyone a wonderful Summer!

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Awaken to Spring Healing

3/30/2012

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Spring is a time where our creativity gets a refreshing lift as we become more open to our possibilities and ambitions.  The Chinese Medicine Element of Spring is Wood, which governs the Liver and Gallbladder.  The Liver organ and meridian have various roles including fortifying and cleansing of blood, regulating the smooth flow movement of Qi (energy, Prana) throughout the body, and aids in the flexibility of our tendons.  The Gallbladder organ and meridian according to Chinese Medicine, aids in metabolism of fats along with clarity in decision making.
    Spring is an optimal time to work on our flexibility in many ways.  We can strengthen our body through exercises such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Gyrotonics and more that focus on gentle and strengthening movements to open our joints while stretching our muscles and tendons.  This creates a cleansing action of our tissues and blood as the flow of Qi becomes more balanced in the body.  Spring is also a time of movement and growth that can inspire us to embrace the changes we need to make in a healthy way.



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Healing Wisdoms of Winter

12/30/2011

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_Winter has arrived as the cold air brings on a stillness that can be felt even amongst the bustling of a city.  It is a time when many animals go into hibernation, where our energies become focused more internally, a natural time for restorative healing.  Through the lens of Chinese Medicine we can see Winter as the Element of Water.  The Water Element is represented in the body by the Kidneys, Urinary Bladder and the Adrenal Glands.  Regulating and restoring our body's ability to manage stress, our blood pressure, nutrients absorbed and the balance of fluids are some important functions of these organs.
    Our Kidneys hold our will power to help us with achievements in life.  This is a great time to access this essence that lies deep within us to help with life goals and creative projects we may have, meditation is an important practice of the season.  With balancing our Water Element, we are able to calm the body's reaction to stress, regulate our nervous system, and help to strengthen our memory.  Water also helps to calm emotions that rise up like the heat from a flame. Acupuncture, nutritional support and lifestyle tips found within Chinese Medicine are wonderful assistants in helping to heal ailments associated with the Water Element. Embrace the energies of the season and come in to Golden Leaf Natural Health for a seasonal balancing treatment!


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Grounding with Nature's Roots

11/18/2011

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Eating with the seasons used to be the only option, but today with options from all over the world one's overall well being can get confused and ungrounded.  Certain foods grow at specific times of the year and location to help balance the changes the seasons have on our systems.  We are now deep in the season of Fall as the elements become dryer, colder and lighter with the wind picking up to help move things in a stronger and faster way.  We can feel these attributes in our body, and with our thoughts and emotions. Below is a list of a few of the root vegetables of the season and their health promoting benefits according to Chinese Medicine. 

Beetroot - 
Tonify and builds the blood, promotes Qi (energy, Prana) circulation in the body, especially with the Heart, Liver, Small Intestine and Large Intestine. By tonifying blood our body has more nutrients and when we are nourished, we feel more settled and grounded within ourselves. The temperature is neutral, it counteracts cold and the flavor is sweet.

Carrots -
Tonify Qi, and help circulate Qi throughout the body.  They help remove toxins and counteract heat and damp heat in the body.  Carrots nourish our Liver, Lung and Spleen. Their temperature is neutral and their flavor is sweet.

Yams - Tonify and build Qi and Yin.  By balancing and nourishing the Yin in our body we help to calm and ground ourselves.  Yams nourish our Kidneys, Lung and Spleen. Their temperature is neutral and their flavor is sweet.

Incorporating root vegetables into meals can help strengthen one's body and calm their mind throughout changes in their life as well, not just in the Fall.  Understanding the different health benefits of food is a medicine we all can use.

Cheers to your health~ 



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The Healing Treasures of Fall

10/15/2011

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The season of Fall, according to Chinese Medicine, is associated with the element of Metal.  The Metal element governs organization, communication, setting limits and boundaries.  It is a good time to finish projects that were started in the Spring and Summer as one can experience the "harvest" from all your hard work. This is also a great time to begin more introspective projects as the weather gets colder and we spend more time physically inside. 
    The Metal element governs the Lungs and Large Intestine as well as the emotions of "letting go" and Grief.  As we take a deep breath of the Fall air, we sense a crisp cool quality, a big change from the recent Summer heat.  This shift in air quality is felt by our lungs and its energy channel opening to our nose.  This is a time many experience colds, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, asthma and allergies such as hay fever. These are symptoms that can be helped with Acupuncture, medicinal herbs, nutritional support and self care therapies such as Neti-pot use.
    Some may also experience irregularities with their digestion and elimination as the Large Intestine comes into play as a an organ that helps us let go of things our body does not need. Balancing one's digestion can also be greatly helped with Acupuncture, medicinal herbs, and nutritional support. This is an important process to go through, a reflection of this is seen in the trees and plants around us letting go of their leaves and fruit.  We can embrace this time of the year as a time to cleanse and detox as we move more inward to work on our home,  ourselves, and become more in touch with our dreams and aspirations.


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    Author
    Jennifer Saferstein M.S., L.Ac., A.P.

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