Blog

In Chinese medical theory, food is considered medicine. Food has qualities and functions biochemically and energetically that target specific organs. Not only that, but the action a particular food takes to benefit that organ in terms of taste, color and temperature is what is included in Five Element theory. Food has a relationship to both the natural elements as well as the organs in the body and balances the elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood to healthy, generating cycles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) everything is thought of in terms of yin and yang theory. Yin is often dark, cooling, moist, still, and internal where are Yang is bright, hot, moving, dry, and outward; Our bodies are constantly trying to achieve a balance between these two forces. There are even some foods that are considered a force of yin and some food is considered more yang. Depending on one’s constitution, some foods might exacerbate a hotter constitution while others would promote a cooling effect. Each person realistically needs a unique approach to food intake, as not all foods deemed “healthy” are good for everyone across the board. It is not recommended to self-diagnose, so see your Chinese medical provider to get a proper diagnosis of your particular constitution and advice on foods that may be right for you according to this theory.

Color is one way to determine which organ a food will target. Ideally, one eats what is in season and includes a wide variety of flavors and colors. Colors in vegetables have beneficial antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents as well as phytonutrients:

Green: Green goes to the liver channel, a wood element. Foods that are green are spinach, lettuce, green beans, broccoli and avocado. Generally, these foods are more cooling and contain sulforaphane, an anti-cancer compound, as well as important vitamins like beta-carotene, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B complex, vitamins C, A and K.

Red: Red food tends to benefit the heart, a fire element. Red foods include tomatoes, carrots, strawberries, peppers and apples. Hawthorne berries and goji berries have been shown to benefit the heart and prevent heart disease, and vegetables with red color often have lycopene, a substance shown to help prevent cancer. Orange vegetables like carrots have carotenoids and lutein, powerful phytonutrients.

Yellow: Yellow benefits the spleen/stomach, the earth element, involved with digestion. Yellow foods include soy, barley, egg yolks, yellow peppers, lemons, summer squash and cantaloupe. Yellow foods boost your mood and contain bioflavonoids, carotenoids and
vitamin C.

White: White benefits the lungs, a metal element. These foods moisten the lung and include white beans, radish, wild rice, garlic, cauliflower, potatoes, mushrooms and jicama. These are packed with potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Garlic contains allicin, which when crushed or chopped is anti-fungal and an antibiotic.

Black: Black benefits the kidneys, the water element. Examples of these beneficial foods are seaweed, black beans, black sesame seeds, kelp and black rice. These foods are loaded with vitamins and minerals that strengthen bones, benefit the thyroid, and promote longevity.

The next time you create your meal, include a combination of colors and flavors to not only delight your palate but also to keep your organs happy and balanced. Eat what’s in season, cook your vegetables, as cold, raw vegetables are harder to digest, eat slowly and include some kind of exercise during the day.

Healthy blood circulation is a vital component of life for human beings. Without proper blood flow, life would cease to exist. Blood isn’t the only thing that’s important, it’s what the blood is carrying that makes circulation so important. Blood carries fresh oxygen, hormones and nutrients that we absorb from our food. Without these components, the organs and tissues of the body become depleted, weakened and eventually stop functioning. Any blockages in the veins and arteries can deprive the brain and the rest of the body from the needed oxygen, which can then lead to a plethora of other medical issues.

A Bloodflow Overview

Poor circulation is a problem that affects thousands of people around the world, and decreased circulation is frequently referred to as a silent killer. Many people assume that blood circulation issues aren’t a worry that needs to be prioritized until it’s too late and gets overlooked for years. Poor blood flow can cause pain, numbness, tingling, cold hands/feet and even heart rhythm irregularities.

Another complication of poor circulation is the possibility of blood clots. Blood clots can be very dangerous. They can dislodge and travel to the heart, lungs or brain and block major blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

There are many causes of poor circulation including excessive cholesterol buildup in the arteries, obesity, diabetes, poor lifestyle choices, improper diet, smoking, alcoholism, pinched nerves, bacterial and viral infections and even excessive stress. The symptoms of poor circulation include weakness of the limbs, loss of sensation, extreme sensitivity, tingling, numbness, burning sensation and pain. If circulation issues are left untreated, it can eventually lead to the tissues turning black and dying, which is then a case for amputation.

Modern medicine treats poor circulation using prescription medications, angioplasty, surgical placement of stents and even amputation. All of these treatments can have serious side effects and any time surgery is done, there will be down time for recovery that may be extensive. But there are alternatives too.

TCM and Circulation

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has been around for thousands of years. TCM uses modalities like acupuncture, acupressure and herbal formulations to treat the effects of poor circulation, while actually addressing the root cause too.

Acupuncture in particular is great for increasing blood circulation because the use of acupuncture needles stimulate nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a key regulator of localized circulation. Therefore, the more nitric oxide, the greater the blood flow and circulation to the tissues.

Acupuncture treatments have also been shown to stimulate the release of compounds like leukotrienes and antihistamines that both dilate the blood vessels, while also reducing swelling of tissues. This leads to increases in blood flow to the areas of the body deprived of oxygenated blood.

Another element of TCM is the use of herbs and herbal formulations. Foods, such as garlic, ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper can be very beneficial for those suffering from poor circulation. However, we advise that adding these herbs needs to be discussed with a physician if you are already taking blood thinners for a circulatory problem.

Poor circulation can be painful and can even be deadly in some cases, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask me to find out how TCM and acupuncture can help you with your circulation problems.

Many years ago, when I was an acupuncture intern, I saw a patient who had lost all of his hair within a single week. All of his hair, including eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair fell out immediately after learning his unborn child was not going to survive. Miraculously, the following week, he learned the tests used on his pregnant wife were faulty and that the child would in fact be healthy. Around that time, this patient went in for acupuncture session to see what could be done for him.

Fear & The Kidneys


In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney is the organ system that rules bones, teeth and hair and the mental-emotional component of the kidney is fear. It was fascinating to witness such a vivid example of how tightly the emotional and physical aspects are intertwined in this medicine. This poor man experienced such a deep level of shock and fear, the immediate physical manifestation of this disruption in kidney energy was complete baldness.

In five-element theory, kidney personality types can be introspective, enjoying time alone to philosophize. They might be seen as unconventional, perhaps a little quirky. As the element of kidney is fear, an imbalance in this energy might lead to the types of worries and anxieties that are unfounded. This type of patient might obsess about death, even though they are currently healthy or may even question their existence. Since this organ is connected to willpower, a balanced kidney type would have optimistic, realistic long-term life goals. They would feel as if their life had a purpose. Out of balance, this type might be too fearful of an uncertain future to move forward. They might exhibit an aura of being directionless, or lacking in follow-through.

Other Impacts of the Kidney


The kidney is also linked to the sex drive. Deficient kidney energy might manifest in a lack of sexual desire. On the other end of the spectrum, excess kidney energy can result in a hyperactive sex drive.

When I see patients that seem to have grown old before their time, I think of the kidney as this organ regulates the aging process. Some people maintain their youthful vibrancy throughout the years due to healthy kidney function. Other people appear to become hardened as they complain about their various aches and pains, fearful about growing old and consumed with worries about impending health issues that could manifest.

How Acupuncture Can Help

Getting an acupuncture tune-up on your kidneys won’t bring you eternal youth, unfortunately, but it can help to give you an energetic boost and reset your system. I often see patients who exhibit the “tired but wired” paradox so often caused by a mix of stress, overwork and stimulants. These patients are running on overdrive, and the kidneys take the hit. By treating the kidneys, we can stimulate your natural energy reserves while we get your body and mind back into a state of homeostasis.

Ask me how Acupuncture can help your Kidneys!