Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture – the original bio-hack for Seasonal Allergies!

Many of us struggle with unpredictable seasonal-allergy symptoms. How does one create a plan of action to reduce the incidence and severity of an illness with such an unpredictable temperament? Luckily, acupuncture is like the duct tape of medical interventions, patching dysfunction and boosting the body’s natural resilience with the creative tenacity of MacGyver.

Acupuncture can often provide a measure of relief spanning several areas at once (stress relief, pain relief and immune system support at the same time). Because acupuncture’s mechanisms of action impact several biochemical pathways that influence seasonal allergies, it is a tool that works in both a preventive and a pain-relieving way. In this case, it treats nearly every stage of the seasonal allergy process (barring emergency medical conditions).

First stage: Annoyance and confusion. When did I start sniffling so much? Is my head hurting in general or just when I work? Am I getting weaker or is it actually more difficult to breathe? Is it [cedar/grass/mold etc.] season?

Acupuncture solution: Head it off at the pass! This is not a time to “tough it out” by ignoring these early warnings. This is a great time to come in for treatment. Acupuncture stimulates the immune system response, reduces stress, inflammation and alleviates symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, nasal congestion and interrupted sleep due to all of the above (1). This creates the conditions for your body to stop the cycle of inflammation, creating a window of opportunity for the body to repair itself and avoid the deeper depths of the next phase.

Treatment plan suggestion: acupuncture twice a week for four to six weeks for optimal results.

Second stage: Desperation. Help! All of a sudden, my head/chest/throat/ sinuses are painful, inflamed, phlegm-sodden fonts of misery. Am I developing pneumonia? Am I now a public health hazard?

Acupuncture solution: Let an acupuncturist soothe your body and mind. This is a tricky time, when the couch or bed becomes magnetic and a box of tissues, tea and sleep are often prioritized over seeing a medical provider. There may also be concern that one has become infectious. Have no fear, acupuncturists are here to treat you at your most miserable and possibly infectious states. In the acute stage of allergy-induced illness, acupuncture can offer startlingly effective pain relief, reduce the proinflammatory neuropeptides and cytokines that are making mischief in the mucosal tissues, and help clear the nasal passages (1). It can help the storm pass more quickly and give you an hour of much-needed rest during the treatment itself. An acupuncturist can also confirm whether a visit to urgent care is needed in cases such as bacterial infection and severe respiratory distress.

Treatment plan suggestion: every two to three days for three visits during the acute phase, including herbal formula prescription and cupping.

Third-Fifth stages: Denial, Amnesia, and Accommodation. The storm may have passed, but the waters are still choppy. Living on steroidal inhalers and antihistamines can’t hurt, can it? Shall I mow the lawn and just assume that I will generally feel more tired and foggy headed for the next three months?

Acupuncture solution: This is the absolute best time to come in for acupuncture. Patch the roof when the sun is out, rather than when you’re reminded of the leaky roof in the middle of the storm. According to Chinese medical theory, one should treat seasonal diseases two seasons ahead. So if you have stronger symptoms in the spring and summer, start getting acupuncture weekly in the fall and winter. This helps diminish the severity and frequency of allergy symptoms during the high season, and your acupuncturist can also recommend things to do at home in the meantime to support your body’s immune system. Try using diet and herbs, lifestyle adjustments, acupressure self-massage and other tools for stress relief such as meditation, which has been shown to activate the anti-inflammatory and immune system response. Could this be the original form of biohacking?

Ultimately, acupuncture should be considered as a first-line treatment for the discomfort of acute seasonal allergies, a medical tool to prevent flare-ups of allergies, and as a source of biohack information using herbs, diet, meditation and self-massage to improve well-being year-round.

McDonald, J. et. al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture and Their Relevance to Allergic Rhinitis: A Narrative Review and Proposed Model. Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 591796, 12 pages

Herbal Awareness

Did you know that there are many healing herbs that have the capacity to improve your health and well-being?
You may be surprised as to which ones they are, and what they can help with. Check out these recipes along with their powerful herbs:

Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Get energized with Ginseng! This powerhouse herb is known to boost your energy and lower your stress.

Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)
Ever tried Goji berries? These tiny berries pack a powerful punch, boosting your immune system and promoting eye health.

Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
Embrace the Licorice Life! Not just a sweet treat, Gan Cao has been used in Chinese medicine to soothe the stomach and cleanse the respiratory system. Do you use Licorice Root in your daily regimen?

Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Meet Astragalus, your immune system’s best friend. This healing herb is used to fight off stress and diseases.

Peony Root (Bai Shao)
Who knew the beautiful Peony also has healing powers? Used for its anti-inflammatory properties, this root is a must-have in your wellness routine.

Watermelon Frost
Say goodbye to pesky mouth ulcers with Watermelon Frost! This cooling herbal remedy soothes and heals, providing instant relief. Have you tried the magic of Watermelon Frost?

Chrysanthemum
Relax and unwind with a cup of Chrysanthemum tea! This delicate flower brew promotes calmness, reduces inflammation, and supports eye health. How do you enjoy the serenity of Chrysanthemum?

Honeysuckle
Unveil the beauty secrets of Honeysuckle! This aromatic herb has been used for centuries to soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote a radiant complexion. Have you tried Honeysuckle in your skincare routine?

Peppermint
Experience the invigorating power of Peppermint! This cooling herb helps ease digestion, relieves headaches, and freshens breath. How do you enjoy the refreshing benefits of Peppermint?

Summertime Naps

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Did you know that you don’t have to completely fall asleep to gain the benefits of taking a nap? If you spend your power-nap duration of 20 minutes just lying on the couch with your eyes closed, your body will still effectively and safely lower it’s blood pressure. This will also reduce stress levels that your body may be experiencing. So if you can’t seem to drift off like you were hoping to, don’t worry- your body is still recharging!

Also did you know that taking a nap can also help with your productivity?

If you need help to brush up on your sleep, we may be able to help. Call us at (218) 724-3400 to schedule an appointment with Heidi in Duluth Minnesota.

Summer’s Bounty: Diet Tips for Staying Balanced in the ‘Great Yang’ Season.

The Great Yang season is upon us. Yang energy is bright, fiery and hot like the midday sun. Yang is the counterbalance to Yin. Yin is expressed in the cooling, calming energies of life. Together, Yin & Yang, like night & day, represent the dynamic balance between the opposing, but complementary forces that make up all of existence. These forces are ceaselessly intermingling in a sacred dance of life’s cycles. The cycle of the seasons is a perfect demonstration of this balance in motion, and as we turn the corner into summer, we reach a pinnacle in the cycle, the summer solstice. Summer is known as the “Great Yang” season because of this peak in the yang energy: the sun (ultimate yang energy) is closest to the earth and the day (yang time) is the longest at this time of year.

We, as humans, are part of nature, so these forces exist in us just as in our environment. With each changing season, Chinese Medicine offers lifestyle guidance to tune our own energy cycles to the world around us so that we can live in health and harmony.

One of the branches of this ancient medicine and health philosophy is dietetics. There are a number of simple things to consider when adjusting your diet to the energy of the Great Yang season.

In Season Fruits/Veggies/Herbs:
Time to hit the farmer’s market! It’s vital to interact with your natural environment through the food it offers. Summer is full of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs that help to keep you hydrated, and to disperse your qi to match the light, ascending energy of yang. Nature knows best so pay attention to what is growing well in your area as it may be exactly what your body needs to be more aligned with the energy of the season.

Heart and Small Intestine Considerations:
The heart and small intestine are the paired yin and yang organs associated with summertime and the element of fire. The heart houses the mind and it’s job is to perfuse the body with blood while the small intestine’s job is to sort and process the food received from the stomach. Blood tonifying foods like dark leafy greens and lean meat are important to ensure a blood-rich safe haven for the mind to rest, as well as enough blood to carry that energy of consciousness throughout the body. Red foods like cherries, strawberries, goji berries and tomatoes support the fire element and it’s no coincidence that these foods are rich in antioxidants credited with cardiovascular benefits. Also, have a heart when considering the important sorting job of the small intestine. We can alleviate stress on this organ by not overloading it with nutrient-deficient, over-processed food. Keep it fresh!

Timing is Everything:
11am-1pm is heart time according to the 24-hour cycle of energies in our bodies. Lunch time, the time when the energy is strongest in the heart meridian is also a time when our digestive fire is strong, so enjoy a mid-day meal! 1pm-3pm is small intestine time, this is the time to sort and absorb food, rest, and allow your body to process the nutrients.

Presentation of food:
Be mindful of aesthetics when serving yourself or others food in all seasons, but especially summer, as beauty pleases the heart. What feeling does your food stimulate before you even eat it? Consider garnishing your dishes with a little extra love like a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a fresh edible flower.

Summer Recipe:

While a soup may seem like more winter-appropriate, sipping a warm soup can help the body stay hydrated and also induce gentle perspiration to keep the body cool. You can add slightly cooling ( in nature not temperature) foods and herbs to the soup to balance the warm temperature. Here’s a simple summer soup to assist the heart in blood circulation and qi dispersion while helping to eliminate excess heat.

6 cups Vegetable Stock
1 cup beets
1 cup carrots
1 cup corn
1 tablespoon roasted sesame oil
½ oz carthamus flowers (commonly known as safflower, this is an herb for blood circulation in Chinese Medicine)

Cut the beets and carrots into cubes and stew in the stock for 15 minutes. Cut the corn off the cob and palace the carthamus flowers in a sachet. Add the corn, carthamus sachet and sesame oil and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.