Astragalus: A Leader Amongst Leaders

If you choose one herb to support your immune system this season, it should be astragalus. Astragalus, or Huang qi, is an adaptogenic herb that is native to China. The name means "yellow leader," and it's called this because of its yellow roots and its reputation as the leader of the tonic herbs. Astragalus has been used for thousands of years to strengthen spleen (digestive) qi and wei qi, the protective energy that helps prevent illness. Modern uses include supporting the immune system and helping to prevent colds, influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia and mononucleosis. It has been used to prevent immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy and it improves blood flow. Astragalus has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in antioxidants.

Regular use of astragalus in appropriate doses is safe and a great way to help prevent a cold or flu. It's safe and effective for kids too. It can be taken raw and steeped in a decoction, or in powder form. Talk to your acupuncturist about dosage. Keep in mind that if you currently have a cold or flu, you should discontinue use until it passes. Astragalus should not be used with immunosuppressive medications. Here's a link to my favorite manufacturer of tonic herbs: Dragon Herbs

Happy Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day!

National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day-it's a day to spread the word on the holistic benefits of Chinese medicine. If you've tried acupuncture and like it, please tell your friends about your experience! If you haven't had a treatment in a while, call your acupuncturist to set up a fall tune-up. Now is the perfect time to give your immune system some extra attention.

Wishing you the best in health!

Adaptogens: Herbs For Strengthening and Balancing the Body

What are adaptogens?  Adaptogens are natural substances that are nontoxic, produce a nonspecific defense response to stress, and have a normalizing influence on the body.  They help the body to adapt to various environmental, biological, physical and emotional stressors, restoring balance to the body's systemic functions.  They're capable of either toning down the activity of hyper-functioning systems or strengthening the activity of hypo-functioning systems.  In other words, they are a safe boost to the body, helping it to function at optimum levels.  Adaptogens are considered to be tonics in that they nourish the organs and strengthen the protective energy of the body.  Tonics are safe and can usually be taken every day to help regulate and strengthen the body.  

Some important adaptogens used in Chinese medicine are Panax ginseng, Astragalus, Cordyceps, Codonopsis, Eleuthero, Polygonum multiflorum, Gynostemma, Lycium, Duanwood reishi, Rhodiola, and Schisandra. 

Look for follow-up posts highlighting these truly amazing herbs!

Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture: Effective Treatment for Reducing Back and Pelvic Pain in Pregnant Women

Auricular acupuncture is a microsystem within Traditional Chinese Medicine. It uses a localized area of the body (the ear) to treat the body as a whole. It can be used alone or with other treatments such as full body acupuncture or herbs. A recent study reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynocology shows that pregnant women who received ear acupuncture had a significant reduction in low back and pelvic pain. 152 women were split into three groups: one group received acupuncture needles in three points, held in place with tape for one week, another group received sham acupuncture and a third group served as the control and received no acupuncture. 81% of the control group reported a significant reduction in pain, while only 59% of the sham acupuncture group and 47% of the control group reported pain reduction. If you are interested in receiving acupuncture while pregnant, be sure to locate a board certified and licensed acupuncturist to discuss treatment options.

Food for Balance

Come fall, my body craves pumpkin soup, roasted root vegetables, casseroles, sauteed greens, stews...comfort food for chilly days. Gone are spring green salads, fresh tomatoes, asparagus, peaches and corn. We naturally move toward warmer foods when the temperature drops. When we listen to our bodies, we can adjust our diets to correspond to the change in seasons and balance internal energy. As Yin emerges in the fall and grows through winter, our bodies need warm, Yang food. Think spices like ginger, green onion, garlic and cayenne. Try sipping on warm beverages, and cooking your food a little more to help fuel your internal furnace. You'll leave the table feeling energized and nourished, and if you choose your food wisely, you can help boost your immune system and maintain your health.

An indispensable book on the virtues of food as medicine, both to maintain health and treat illness, is Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition, by Paul Pitchford. It's a mainstay for acupuncturists and could benefit anyone interested in the healing power of food.

Opposites Attract

The Taiji, or Yin Yang symbol as it's known in the west, is familiar to just about everyone. But what do those fish-like swirls and dots really mean? In Taoism, the beginning of the universe is represented as the Wuji, an empty circle. It symbolizes a great void, literally "lack of extremes." Following the Wuji is the Taiji, representing the nature of Yin and Yang, literally "ultimate extremes,” the dynamic universe as it is today.

The theory of Yin and Yang dates back more than 6,000 years. Yin and Yang are opposites, traditionally described as the shady side of the mountain and the sunny side of the mountain, respectively. Everything in the universe can be categorized as Yin or Yang when coupled with another, because everything in the universe is relative. For example:

Yin is cold, receptive, slow, dark, night, the moon, feminine, north, water.
Yang is hot, active, fast, light, day, the, sun, masculine, south, fire.

However, there is also always Yang within Yin, and Yin within Yang. Take the seasons, for example. Winter is considered Yin (cold) and spring is considered Yang within Yin (cold with growing warmth). Summer is Yang (hot), and fall is Yin within Yang (hot with growing coolness).

Yin and yang are mutually dependent. It is impossible to describe one without the other. What is hot without cold? We can't think about night without reference to day. Yin and Yang are constantly in motion and changing. Night turns into day, day turns into night. A sapling pushes forth into the world and continues to grow and mature into a tree, harnessing Yang energy, until growth ends and the process of decline begins, with an increase in Yin energy, eventually decomposing and turning back into soil. The cycle continues.

Let's revisit the Taiji (Yin Yang) symbol again. The visual attributes are meant to remind one of the essential nature of Yin and Yang. Each contains the essence of the other and they are continuously transforming into each other, supporting and controlling each other. The black, Yin, dot within the white, Yang, swirl reminds us that there is a seed of Yin within Yang, waiting to grow, and vice versa. It is the most important symbol in Taoism because it represents the nature of the universe and the understanding that the only constant factor in nature is change.

I hope that this will help you appreciate the simple, complex beauty of the Taiji the next time you come across this ubiquitous symbol!

Acupuncture Eases Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Last year, researchers from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit studied the effects of acupuncture treatments on 47 women with breast cancer. Acupuncture was shown to be as effective as Effexor in mitigating hot flashes, a common side effect of anti-estrogen drugs, and had the added benefit of increasing energy and sex drive. For more info, visit henryford.com.

Live Longer?

I love this book.  The Secrets of Longevity was written by co-founder of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Maoshing Ni.  Dr. Mao comes from a long line (38 generations) of Taoist healers and knows a thing or two about anti-aging medicine.  His book is chock-full of pearls of wisdom that will have you kicking up your heals on your centennial birthday. 

Infection Protection

Why do some people seem to breeze through the cold and flu season without so much as a sniffle while others catch every little virus that comes their way? From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, the body's natural resistance against diseases and its repair ability are due to a flow of protective energy that circulates near the surface the body, which is called defensive energy, or wei qi (pronounced "chee"), and corresponds with the immune system in western medicine. When this healthy energy is abundant and flowing freely, our bodies are able to fight off viruses naturally. It's when the balance of energy is disturbed that we have the potential to succumb to illness. So the old Toaist saying goes, "It's best to dig a well before you are thirsty." In other words, we should work to build our wei qi now to prevent illness in the future. How do we do that? Here are a few tips to get you started.

Diet: Food is medicine, to be sure. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet is your first step toward a flu-free season. Curb your sweet tooth, watch the saturated fats and pile on the vegetables. Adding some garlic, green onion, ginger and cayenne is helpful too. And don't forget to drink plenty of pure, filtered water.

Exercise: It's a must. And it is proven to boost the immune system. Aim for 30-45 minutes five days a week. But you needn't race the treadmill. Gentle exercises, like walking, yoga, tai chi and qi gong will do the trick, and help calm your mind at the same time.

Sleep: You know you need it. Are you getting enough? Seven to nine hours of undisturbed sleep are ideal. Make it a priority to give your body the rest it needs, and it will reward you for your efforts.

Chinese herbs: There are several tonic herbs that have long been used to powerfully and safely regulate the defensive qi. Duanwood reishi, cordyceps and astragalus are three of the best. All are potent immune modulators that strengthen and protect the body and mind.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is energy medicine, and the focus of it is always to balance energy in the body with the intention of preventing and treating illness. It's a great idea to get a "seasonal" acupuncture treatment four times a year at the change of seasons, when our bodies are most prone toward imbalance.

Sound Mind Acupuncture

Please join yoga teacher and musician extraordinare, Karen Faith, and me for Sound Mind Acupuncture, a Gingko Acupuncture signature treatment blending ancient wellness practices with contemporary energy and warmth.  Enjoy a group experience combining vibrational healing and a stress-reducing acupuncture treatment with flower essences and energy cleansing.  Participants should come in comfortable dress for the revitalizing perk of a few well-placed needles and the other-worldly hum of huge crystal singing bowls. Space is limited.  Please call ahead to reserve.  $40.  708-386-4343

maryjane@ginkgoacupuncture.com

October 25th and November 8th, 3-4pm

Yoga Trek Center

911 S Lombard Ave

Oak Park, IL