Heat shows up with such symptoms as rashes, acne, feeling irritable or restless, or with just feeling hot with warmer weather. In Chinese medicine, we not only use herbs and acupuncture to “clear heat,” but we also do it with the food we eat.

The grapes help improve circulation and prevent blood clots, while the orange provides a healthy dose of immune-boosting vitamin C. Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps anxiety, stress, blood pressure, metabolism and muscle strength. Pears are also rich in vitamin and minerals. They contain boron, which further helps the absorption of calcium to prevent osteoporosis.

In Chinese medicine, pears are “prescribed” to soothe the mucosal lining of the lungs from any irritation such as from coughs or sore throats.

This recipe is quite sweet, even with the kale, and can be modified by adding less banana and grapes, and by adding another easy to blend green like spinach or lettuce.

Yield: about 4 cups

Green Smoothie

• 1 cup green grapes
• 1  orange, peeled
• 1/2 Bartlett pear
• 1 banana
• 1 cup kale
• 1- 1 1/2 cup water depending on how much liquid you like

If you don’t have a Vitamix or high-powered blender, make sure to take the kale leaves off the stems and finely chop the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Drink up!

Committing to a cleansing program can make dramatic shifts in how you feel in a relatively small amount of time. Minor changes in your diet and lifestyle can also make significant strides towards better health, especially when these positive changes become part of your daily routine.

Here are a few tips for some basic ways to detoxify your body from environmental, food, and even emotional stressors:

1. Drink more water!  

I know you’ve heard this before, and you might even be saying, “Yeah, yeah, I do,” but do you really? You should be getting 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water each day, and more if you’re sweating a lot.

So, if you weigh 140 lbs., divide that by 2, which is 70 ounces of water per day.  With 8 oz. of water per cup, that’s about 9 cups of water each day!

That by itself will help your kidneys, liver, and colon flush out unwanted waste–which means clearer skin, better digestion, and better moods.

2. Lemon water

Drinking 1/2 to whole squeezed fresh lemon in a full glass or two of room temperature or warm water in the morning is a great way cleanse the acidic build up of toxins which your body is processing while you sleep.

Contrary to lemons’ acidic taste, they are actually alkalanizing internally, which is very balancing for good health.

3. Exercise

We all know this is essential for great health and peace of mind. If you’re in a rut, start with a manageable commitment, like a 10 minute fast paced walk every day.

Walk the stairs at work, walk during lunch, join a boot camp or create an activity with friends. Just move! Sweating leaches out chemicals, helps detoxify your internal organs and just plain ol’ feels good!

4. Acupuncture

While most people in the U.S. think of getting acupuncture only when they’re in pain, acupuncture actually helps balance out internal health, as well as treating symptoms like an achey knee or shoulder pain.

It’s like taking your car in for an oil change, only it’s your body, and acupuncturists are truly “body mechanics!”

Acupuncture helps cleansing as it enhances the flow of blood and Qi through the organs like the liver, heart, kidneys, and digestive tract. The nervous system also has a chance to sLOw down, which allows the body to heal any inflammation.

And like exercise, it just plain ol’ feels good and helps you relax and feel a sense of ease.

These are 4 very simple ways to improve your health and are a great way to jump start any cleanse. Use the energy of Spring to help get you moving towards your health goals!

Yours In Health,

Laura Farb, L.Ac., ACN

Benefits include:

• calms the nerves
• nourishes the skin, improves the complexion
• promotes deeper, more restful sleep
• increases energy
• lubricates the joints
• improves elimination of toxins from the body
• increases circulation

Overall, it’s soothing and is said to promote longevity.  If you’re feeling stressed with the busy-ness of the holiday season, this is a great ritual for calming agitation and grounding the spirit.

abhyanga oil

1 cup ghee (clarified butter, found in health food or Indian grocery stores) or sesame oil
½ cup mixed turmeric, fresh ginger, lotus root, fresh basil, cloves, and fresh orange peel, in any combination
Essential oils (optional): jasmine, basil, orange, rose

1. In a small saucepan, heat the ghee or sesame oil gently until it’s starting to boil but not smoking.
2. Stir in the mixed herbs and remove from heat.
3. Cover and let steep for 1 day. Strain the oil through a coffee filter or a double layer of cheesecloth into an airtight container.
4. Add 5 to 8 drops of essential oil, if desired.
5. Massage into the entire body before bathing

Excerpted from Inner Beauty, by Reenita Malhotra (Chronicle Books, 2004).

I’d like to offer a simple, delicious and warming recipe which helps digestion and circulation and keep blood sugar steady. It’s great for breakfast, easy to prepare, and soothing when you don’t want to eat a lot. I sometimes drink this, wait an hour or two and then have something more substantial like eggs.

For those of you who’ve wondered what the yellow, frothy conconction I’m drinking in the morning at my desk is, here you go

Jade Lotus Morning Tonic

1 cup hot water
1-2 scoops of Standard Process Whey Protein
3 TBS. coconut milk, from the can
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder (can add more)
1/2 tsp. ginger powder (can add more or less according to how much zing you like)
1/2 tsp. cardamom
dash of stevia, honey, or grade B maple syrup

blend and enjoy~

Cold contracts and obstructs.  Imagine how you feel standing outside when it’s in the 30’s.  Or how ice cream feels when it’s in your mouth.

Cold symptoms would be those such as feeling chilly, having cold limbs, a pale face, and the desire to drink warm liquids.  Even pain in the joints and limbs or in the stomach can be due to Cold.  I could go on here, but this topic is best saved for winter!

On the other hand, Heat symptoms show up as a red face, itchy eyes, fever, sweating, and with skin rashes that feel hot or itchy.  Feeling irritable and restless can also be signs of Heat.

Pain with any burning sensation indicates heat, whether it’s in the muscles or a burning feeling in the stomach or even the burning experienced with a UTI.  Not necessarily pleasant to talk about, much less experience, but I think you get the drift.

Just like it sounds, Heat symptoms are hot in nature and get aggravated with more heat, such as eating spicy food with an already burning stomach, ending up with acid reflux.  Or doing too much physical activity outside during the heat of the day leading to dehydration and even to the extreme of heat stroke.  I am always amazed at the people who are jogging outside mid-afternoon in the summer and really wonder if this is working for or against their health!

Hot and Cold symptoms can also manifest at the same time to different degrees, which is also important to distinguish when diagnosing and coming up with the correct treatment plan.  For example, I treat a lot of people with migraines and headaches, who often have a mix of both these patterns.  The headaches can be hot in nature: burning, throbbing pain with red eyes, but can combine with cold natured symptoms such as dizziness and a tendency towards feeling cold.

The importance is to figure out the varying degrees so as not to over treat with herbs that are too cold or too warming, and to give the right balance with acupuncture.  Think Goldilocks.

This principle of Hot and Cold is based on common sense and helps determine what is going on in the body so that we can give the most appropriate and clinically effective treatment.  The body wants to be in balance, and the beauty of Chinese medicine is to create harmony so that we are not only free from disease but also strong and healthy, living with ease.

Some simple tips to treat fiery symptoms in the body are:

• Keep foods light and easy to digest (see recipes below for a couple of suggestions)
• Drink peppermint tea
• Drink at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water per day–more if you’re going to be active and outside
• Eat the watermelon RIND, the white part, which “clears heat” from the body
• Mung beans are cooling in nature–sprouted or cooked
• Give yourself a couple of hours after eating dinner before lying down for bed
• Limit alcohol and sugar intake
• Drink green juices from mostly vegetables
• Meditate and find activities which soothe and inspire you!

Some simple tips:

• Stay hydrated with water before and after cocktails
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with spring water or sparkling water with lemon
• Drink alcohol with meals or after having meals that include balanced proteins and good fats to avoid blood sugar spikes, which can lead to energy and mood swings and to gaining weight
• The higher the alcohol content, the higher the calories
• When using mixers, opt for freshly squeezed juices and consider STEVIA as a natural sweetener option

Also, I’m including an article on balancing the risks and benefits of drinking:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/alcohol-full-story/index.html

and lower-calorie drink recipes:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/summer_drinks

Remember, moderation is key–enjoy!

In Chinese medicine, spring is connected to the Wood element and the organ systems of the Liver and Gallbladder.  Just as the trees and plants are budding and growing, the Wood element represents the energy of growth, movement and flexibility.  And, not surprisingly, the color associated with Wood is green, which is also the predominant color of spring.

According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the Liver is responsible for the smooth  flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body.  When this energy is blocked, we can feel anger,  resentment, frustration or stress—not very flexible!

Spring is the perfect time for cleansing and getting Qi moving.  Just as we are naturally  drawn to “spring cleaning” to get rid of unnecessary stuff around us, cleansing our bodies  helps move out junk or unwanted toxins internally, invigorating our spirit as well.

Here are some simple suggestions to get you in the flow of spring and regeneration:

Exercise, Stretch, Move – Get your Qi moving, which automatically gets your liver functioning optimally. Walk, bike, jog, do yoga, T’ai Chi or dance!  Movement keeps the body supple and flexible.

Add Sour tastes – Sour tastes help smooth and soothe the Liver Qi. Drink fresh squeezed lemon in water first thing in the morning. Add some apple cider vinegar to salad dressings. Eat cultured vegetables or sauerkraut—other great foods for digestion and cleansing.

Eat Green foods ­­– As spring approaches, you might find yourself drawn to eating more salads and vegetables.  Consider eating more greens including dandelion, parsley, kale and chard. Steaming beet greens is also detoxifying and great for digestion.

Include Chinese Herbs – Chinese herbal formulas can specifically target “stuck” areas in the body and help the smooth flow of Qi so that all the organ systems are harmonized and working efficiently.  A Chinese herbal tonic would be a great addition to any cleanse, specifically addressing any annoying symptoms you’re having, especially allergies or colds.

Try some Acupuncture – Even if you don’t receive acupuncture treatments regularly, getting a “tune up” at the beginning of spring is a great way to keep yourself healthy, free of unwanted stress and make the transition between seasons without getting sick.

Do a Cleanse – If you want a more thorough cleansing experience, Standard Process’ Purification Program is a very gentle yet deep cleanse, and it’s NOT a fast.  Side benefits can include weight loss, better sleep, and renewed energy.  This is a great way to transition into spring!

Taking a few simple steps to make a healthy transition into spring can be easy!  Creating healthy routines and getting support with natural medicine including acupuncture, herbs, and whole food nutrition are amazingly beneficial.  Wishing you a Happy Spring with renewed health and smooth flowing Liver Qi!

Allergies can be a year round problem for many in Austin.  With our much beloved “green” city comes an abundance of plant life and pollens, from ash to elm, from ragweed to cedar, which can wreak havoc with the immune system. Runny noses, itchy eyes, sinus pressure and congestion can be a daily nuisance even progressing as far as flu-like  symptoms with chronic sinus infections.

“Cedar Fever” has hit the Austin area–great way to start the New Year, right? Are you tired  of taking drugs, antihistamines, and antibiotics year after year to treat your symptoms?    There are more natural solutions to treating and even preventing allergic reactions, also  bypassing the need for sinus surgeries.

A combination of Chinese medicine with acupuncture, herbs and nutritional support may  be the answer for you.  From a Chinese medical perspective, allergies stem from a deficiency in the body, which leads to symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and low energy.  Chinese medicine treats the root cause to not only alleviate these symptoms but also to prevent allergic reactions from happening.

A study in the September 2004 issue of Allergy concluded that a combination of Chinese herbs and weekly acupuncture sessions may be more effective than a placebo at relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.[1]

Acupuncture, herbs, and nutritional support help strengthen the immune system and calm the nervous system giving much needed relief!

Other natural tips include:

*Drink plenty of water, which helps the sinuses stay moistened and helps the organs flush out toxins.

*Eat local, seasonal foods including local honey. Local honey has small amounts of the local pollens, which the body can use to fight off full-blown allergic reactions.

*Limit or eliminate dairy and refined sugar. Dairy creates more mucus and phlegm, and sugar depresses the immune system.

December, 2004, Vol. 05, Issue 12

1. Stay hydrated. Drink more water! As a general rule, drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water per day. Dehydration feeds stress responses in the body. So, if you’re feeling tired or having a headache, it could just be that you need to drink some water. And sometimes, thirst may be mistaken as hunger. Try a glass of H2O before reaching for unnecessary calories. Adding some freshly squeezed lemon or lime gives some flavor and is also detoxifying.

2. Eat a healthy snack before parties. t’s easy to overindulge in rich foods, sugar, and alcohol when out at parties, especially if you show up famished! Eating a balanced snack of protein and fat (with some vegetables is a plus) an hour or so before a party will help curb the tendency to over eat.  Also, taking a few moments to quietly enjoy your food really helps.  We tend to socialize while drinking and nibbling and can lose track of how much we’re actually taking in. By slowing down, you can really savor every bite without over doing it.

“The more you eat, the less flavor.  The less you eat, the more flavor.”  ~Chinese Proverb

3. Try 3 minutes of deep breathing. Take at least one 3 minute break a day to focus on your breath and nothing else. Wherever you find you have a few minutes to spare, slow down your breath. Sit up straight, inhale down into your belly and into your lungs until you can’t take any more air in. Then exhale, pulling the belly all the way in towards the spine until you get the last bit of air out. Repeat for a couple of minutes. This will definitely help calm any agitation and help you feel more settled.

4. Exercise. Can’t work in an hour at a time? No problem. Aim for 15 minutes a day as a start. Wind down your work day with a brisk walk. Take the stairs when you have the choice. Getting your body moving will help flush out cortisol, a stress hormone, and will definitely relieve tension and help burn excess fat. Exercise also increases dopamine and serotonin, the “feel good” hormones, improving mood and concentration.

5. Schedule time to rest and relax! Most of us get over scheduled with things TO DO, that we don’t take time to really rest and rejuvenate.  Our Type A culture reinforces the need to be constantly productive; but in actuality, we are better able to focus and get more done when we take time out to rest. What helps you feel replenished? Maybe it’s taking a nap or reading a book, perhaps it’s a walk in the park or meditating by the water.  Whatever it is, slow down and enjoy some healthy down time.

6. Say No to antibiotics; treat the root cause, not just the symptoms. Antibiotics are routinely prescribed for infections when not usually necessary. They cause side effects which affect digestion and usually create lingering symptoms because they wipe out all the gut and intestinal flora, the healthy with the bad. Chinese herbs and nutritional supplements made from whole foods with some acupuncture treatment can help curb most colds and flus, especially if treated when coming down with symptoms.  Acupuncture strengthens the immune system and calms the nervous system so that you can heal faster–with positive side effects!

7. Enjoy some reflective time. The end of another year is here. You made it. 2010 is amazingly coming to a close. Take some time to reflect on your year, the goals you set, your accomplishments, the fortuitous happenings, which helped make your year successful. Even it all didn’t turn out just right–I’m sure if you have much to celebrate, and there’s always more to look forward to!

Wishing you and your loved ones joy and love this holiday season!

Yours in health,

Laura Farb, L.Ac., Dipl. OM, ACN

Any questions about the practice of Chinese medicine in the West?  I find this pretty funny and rather true . . .