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In a country like India where people commonly suffer from pollution related illnesses like Sinusitis, it can be quite pervasive and troublesome. Affecting different parts of the face, the sinus can be classified as frontal sinus, maxillary sinus and sphenoid sinus. Sinuses drain into the nose through a small tube the size of a ball-point pen refill and tend to get blocked very easily. When blocked, fluid accumulates in the sinus and causes sinusitis or the inflammation of the mucousal layer lining the sinuses.
The function of sinus is to remove dirt particles, pollen, smoke, and other suspended particles. A person started feeling pain when these sinuses are infected leading to swelling and congestion within the spaces. In some cases, this infection spreads to the ears, throat and lungs.
If you suffer from sinusitis, here is how you can differentiate between the different types:
The frontal sinus starts above the eyebrows and when infected the pain radiates to the top or back of the head. In the case of an infection in the maxillary sinus, you will feel pain in and around the cheeks or teeth. And finally in the case of a sphenoid sinus infection, you will experience pain behind the eyes.
Sinusitis can cause eye problems such as pain, swelling, puffiness, redness in the eye, dark circles and it can also leads to poor vision. Besides, astigmatism and squinting can also occur as affected person repeatedly press and rub their eyes. According to Ayurvedic texts chronic sinusitis can also develop into Glaucoma. Other side effects of sinusitis are toothache, halitosis (foul breath), tonsillitis and adenoids, ear infections, meningitis, lung infections and indigestion. Sinusitis is often caused due to a common cold, but it could also be due to a bacterial infection, allergies or fungal infection. If the sinusitis is persistent it can also lead to serious infections and complications that may make the person feel breathless.
Remedy 1: Steam inhalation taken five to six times a day with holy basil (Tulsi) can be very effective in curing sinusitis. In case of acute sinus pain, steam may be required for seven to ten days and in chronic sinusitis pain it may continue for two years. Doing Pranayam (yogic breathing) in the form of Kapal Bhaati (forced exhalation) can help to drain out pollutants from the sinuses.
Remedy 2: One should practice ‘kunjar’, ‘jalneti’ ‘rubberneti’ and ‘ghritneti’ after waking up at 4:30 am and relieving oneself. Thereafter, at around six in the morning a person should massage their abdomen, face and spinal cord and then have a foot bath and sponge bath using water water infused with neem leaves. At eight am, you should have some lemon juice with honey or orange juice in half a glass of warm water. At eleven in the morning aperson should have lemon juice, honey, orange or some seasonal fruits. In the afternoon at 2 pm, take water, honey, soup or fruit juice. Keep covering your face and neck after taking hot steam. At 6 pm take seasonal fruits like pomegranate, orange, sweet orange, papaya, apple, pear or others.
Remedy 3: Avoid having milk, sugar, coffee, white flour, fried or oily products made of gram flour, refined fast food, carbonated soft drinks and other such drinks, biscuits, bread, meat, liquor, cigarette, toffee and chocolates.Improvement in diet regime is the permanent treatment of the disease.
Remedy 4: In the beginning of the problem, one should have lemon juice with water for three days or fast, having water only. Then, for next five days keep a strict watch on your diet, eliminating the above mentioned foods. After a week, increase the amount you eat, including foods like roti during lunch and dinner along with vegetables, salad, curd and sprouted cereals. After recovery, the patient should regularly have a vapour bath in the morning. Afterwards, cold waist bath and spinal cord bath is also suggested, which increases one’s immunity.
Remedy 5: A good remedy is to have ginger with honey. All you need to do is mix ginger powder with jaggery and make tablets weighing 5 grams (approx.). Have these tablets twice a day. Alternatively, you could have a concoction made with 11 leaves of basil (tulsi), black pepper 11 in number, sugar candy 20 grams, ginger 2 grams and one glass full of water. Boil all the ingredients till it is reduced to half, strain it and have it while it is still warm. Don’t take bath for around one-and-a-half hour after having this medicine and make sure you rest for a while. Continue these activities for five days and you should get imminent relief.
Remedy 6: One should perform pranayama, janusheershasan, ardhmatyendrasan, dhanurasan, chakrasan, shalabasan, bhujangasan, sarvangasan, halasan, matyasan, shavasan, morning walk and meditation for 15 minutes, which helps in increasing the immunity. These are some simple steps to avoid and overcome sinusitis.
• Should perform yoga every day.
• Sinusitis can be cured through steam inhalation of basil leaves.
• Inhalation should be done six times a day.
• Do Pranayam (yogic breathing) in the form of Kapal Bharathi (forced exhalation).
• In chronic sinus pain the steam may need to be continued for 2 years.
Acharya Balakrishna, is an exponent of Ayurveda and a renowned botanist. He is also the co-founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar.
Spring is the time of year for seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and the pollen is released into the atmosphere, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of sniffling and sneezing. Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer through a season of itchy noses, watery eyes and scratchy throats, an allergic reaction to springtime’s pollens, molds, weeds and grasses. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, that number is rising along with the global temperature. You may have been struggling with spring allergies for years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a few new tricks about coping with them. Here you can find top 10 strategies to overcome your spring allergy hat can help you enjoy spring instead of just suffering through it.
Got a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold? Nasal irrigation may help. Using a saltwater nose rinse is a natural option that can help clear out pollen and other irritants in the nose. A 2007 study found that irrigating your nose works better than using commercial saline nasal sprays. As it flows through your nasal cavity into the other nostril, it washes out mucus and allergens. Use this step-by-step guide to see how to do it.
The researchers have found that probiotic (friendly bacteria) not only help fighting with the food allergy they can help also with the allergic rhinitis. According to funding published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition a daily dose of probiotic bacteria may help manage allergic responses during pollen season. Check out our article about Top 10 Beneficial Probiotic Food to Add To Your Diet, and include the probiotics from food sources not supplements such as capsules, tablets, and powders.
Load up on anti-inflammatory foods like deeply pigmented fruits and veggies (leafy greens, orange vegetables and colourful berries are all good choices).Here you can find a list of potential foods and swap ideas would be useful as well as the recipes for each of the 8 high allergen/sensitivity groups.
While allergies can range from mild to severe, there are some supplements that can offer sufferers relief. High-powered antioxidants (found in apples, onions, tea and tomatoes) and vitamin C (found in oranges, kiwi, strawberries and broccoli) have been shown to minimize the body’s reaction to pollen.
Each time you walk into your home, you bring small pieces of the outside world with you. After being outdoors, your clothes, shoes, hair, and skin are covered with tiny particles from everywhere you’ve been. Taking a shower and changing your clothes will help wash away any allergens.
Your body releases a cascade of hormones in response to stress. Chronic stress weakens the immune system, and overworked or maladaptive immune system can trigger allergic reactions. Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, breath, work and exercise, on the other hand, can strengthen your immune system and keep allergies at bay.
For the best and safe treatment of allergies the use of acupuncture has been started in recent few years. The results show the acupuncture for allergies is the more effective method of treatment of all types of allergies as compared to any other method of treatment.
Unless you remove the source of your trouble, which are the allergens that are initiating your symptoms, you will never escape your allergies. By thoroughly cleaning your floors, furniture, and air ducts, you can get to the root of your allergy problem and eliminate allergens like dirt, dust, and pet dander.
If you think staying locked inside your house during allergy season is going to help decrease your symptoms, you might find yourself suffering more than normal. Dirty air ducts can actually make your allergies worse. See here what improving your indoor air quality and what you can do to decrease your allergy symptoms.
Many popular cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals that can damage our health and the environment. When we use cleaning products, we expose our bodies to chemicals. We may inhale those chemicals, absorb them through our skin, or make contact with mucous membranes. By that you can worst you allergy condition. You can choose safer alternatives that are just as effective!
“Whenever I light a candle in my home I send blessings and protection to those I love, to the world for peace and for my home to be filled with love. What rituals do you have and what rituals can you change?” ~ Michele Knight
As most of us should know by now, the power of ritual or the microcosm is an essential thing to change if we are wishing to change the larger ritual of our lives, the macrocosm of our particular universe.
As right thoughts lead to right speech, and right speech lead to right action, and they in turn lead to right destiny, we must take care over the little things; the hundreds of thousands of things we do throughout the day.
Sometimes changing seemingly inconsequential habits and rituals throughout our day can give us the strength to gently but determinedly steer our lives into the direction we want them to go.
Crafting your daily ritual can be a creative and important practice, and requires a balance that honours all cycles inherent in life. Just as we welcome the sun and honour the new and limitless potential a day can bring, we also honour the night and those shimmering moments when all is still and we can rest.
Taking great care to get this right, also honours love for ourselves and (without aiming to be too productive as this can actually dampen our qi and stress us out) can naturally make us more creative in the long run.
Our days generally begin when the sun rises, and if we rise with the sun we can hope to gain more energy and clarity as a perfect way to start our days. I like to try to start the day with the affirmation: I am enough. That way, I remind myself that just my existence is enough to accomplish for the day to come, which stops me from beating myself up about anything I don’t get done, meaning I usually end up doing so much more than I even intended to.
In Chinese medicine, the hours between 7 and 9 am are ruled by the stomach. Starting the day with a healthy breakfast is essential; something raw and lovingly prepared like a fruit salad with fresh mint and yogurt can make the difference to the whole day. (Although according to The Foundations of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia, it’s better to have a protein-rich diet in the morning)
Imbalance happens when we are too anxious or taking on others energy without letting ourselves enjoy life. Breathing meditation to our chakras, Kundalini yoga or some light qi gong will loosen up this area and help us be innocent and bouncy like a child.
This is usually the time when we are naturally at our most productive, although again we must avoid too much worry and keep our intentions for the day clear and positive so as not get stuck in negative patterns which might escalate as the day progresses. This is generally the time to move at warp speed if you are going to, but keep it playful and unattached to too rigid a goal.
Working meditation, in particular working on the land meditation will help balance this element in your body as it is ruled by Earth. This will help you be grounded, at peace and cleansed.
This is the perfect time to sit outside with friends or family and soak up the sun, eating your largest meal when the fires of your body and the joy of the heart are at their height. This is also the time when, if experiencing a weakness in heart energy might suffer from heart palpitations if we are working ourselves over our limit and not taking enough breaks.
Having eaten a hearty (pun intended) lunch, this is when the body has optimal time for healthy bowel movements. It’s also a good time to have a nutritional snack to get your vitamins. Having achieved your most productive part of the day, now is the time to do some creative but relaxing activities as well as some socializing. Our bodies will be slowing down and more sleepy at this time. You might even want to take a quick siesta, depending on how hot the country you live in is, and split the day into two making you feel like you’re getting so much more out of your day than you already are!
Either the time for building up to your second wind or possibly a time for some reflection and study of your deeper fears. The bladder and imbalance and disharmony in the bladder can lead to fears, something to be examined through dream interpretation and Jungian analysis. Writing down your fears and any sensitivity’s during this time will apparently help them pass out in your urine. If you are balanced in your water element this will be a time for conserving your energy and relaxing, or beginning to get the last of those tasks tied up.
Another water element, this is the time to get your energy back up, laugh, sing and dance around but with a deeper understanding and freer way about yourself as you prepare for the night and your evening meal. This is the time of courage and self awareness, as excitement and the days obstacles are all but faced.
The time to eat your evening meal, enjoy others company, chant, do an evening meditation and engage in loving and healthy sexual intimacy! The time before bed is when we honour the divine feminine with the protector of the heart; the Pericardium. This is when we deliver gratitude and open ourselves to receptivity, praying for loved ones and radiating in perhaps our most potent spike of energy since the day began.
Fire ceremony, song and chakra meditation are best at these times, and it is the time when we turn inwards and wholly accept every part of ourselves and other; not trying to progress, not trying to succeed, but just resting in our essence and under a carpet of stars.
As we get further into the night, the festivities are winding down or perhaps our bed is calling, we are ruled by the Thorax, Abdomen and Pelvis. The Thorax controls intake, the Abdomen transformation, and the Pelvis eliminations. This is the most potent time for transforming blockages and receiving insight and a great inner knowing.
Though perhaps we will be sleeping, the Gallbladder time is worth making notes of our dreams as it can be disharmonized if ruled by anger, as is the time of the liver, between 1-3am. If you wake up between either of these states it may mean you are avoiding a suppressed anger that needs to be addressed.
The Metal time of the Lung is when our minds (ironically considering we are generally asleep) is at its sharpest and most productive. Waking up at 3am and working until 5am can be an incredibly productive time; when we are nurtured by our dreams yet the rest of the world is asleep, it truly is the witching hour. If you try it yourself you will probably find that you will feel sharply awake and have a great clarity for creative or difficult projects that require maximum mind power.
And finally, the Large Intestine between 5-7am. This time before the sun rises can be an optimal time to rise, when our dreams are still close to the surface and we are at our most reflective. This is also the best time to wake and drink a glass or two of warm water with lemon juice to clean out the system before you break your fast and begin any rituals for the day ahead.
Reference:
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I am not the type of person who runs to the doctor every time I feel a little ache or pain. After all, aches and pains are a part of life.
Instead, I prefer to think I have a little more control over my own body, like when trying these pain relief stretches I can do without leaving my chair.
So when I saw this exclusive method for providing minor pain relief using my ears, I was obviously skeptical, but also curious.
I can’t always do stretches in the middle of my office, and I know that the doctor can’t always help with minor soreness — but something as simple as putting a clothespin on my ear? Well, it sounds crazy, but it has to be worth a shot!
While this method should never take the place of medical advice, I will definitely be giving this ear reflexology method a try — whether with a clothespin or just my fingertips.
Did this ear reflexology idea work for you? Let us know in the comments.
The upper-most portion of the ear is directly connected to your back and shoulders. Applying a clothespin for about a minute should go a long way to reduce built-up tension. Try this several times a day to lessen that back and shoulder pain.
The next spot down on the ear is the one that is connected to the body’s organs. Obviously, if you have severe internal pain, you should be seeing a doctor. But for minor internal tenderness or discomfort, use a clothespin or your fingers on this spot. It may just give you the internal relief you are looking for.
The upper-middle part of the ear is the part that is most closely associated with pain and stiffness in the joints. Applying pressure with a clothespin or your fingers can offer some much needed relief. Chronic problems should necessitate a trip to the doctor, but why not try this simple method first?
The lower-middle part of the ear is the one that is connected to the sinuses and throat. When seeking relief from a cold or sinus infection, applying pressure to this spot can aid in the reducing of tension. A clothespin can go a long way to cutting down on pesky throat soreness.
Just above the lobe of the ear is a place most commonly associated with digestion. Using a clothespin to apply pressure can help relieve digestive issues and minor stomach problems. And if you are a person who often feels digestive discomfort, you can use this method in advance to try to be preventative.
The lowest place on the ear — the lobe — is the spot that is connected with two of the most important parts of the body: the head and the heart. Applying pressure to the ear lobe can work to promote heart health and to relieve unwanted pressure in the head. This method can be quite effective in eliminating pressure headaches.
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This ear reflexology is so easy to do and can make a large difference in your day!
Will you be giving any of these a try? Let us know which ones in the comments.
Please SHARE this vital pain relief method with friends and family.
The upper-most portion of the ear is directly connected to your back and shoulders. Applying a clothespin for about a minute should go a long way to reduce built-up tension. Try this several times a day to lessen that back and shoulder pain.
The next spot down on the ear is the one that is connected to the body’s organs. Obviously, if you have severe internal pain, you should be seeing a doctor. But for minor internal tenderness or discomfort, use a clothespin or your fingers on this spot. It may just give you the internal relief you are looking for.
The upper-middle part of the ear is the part that is most closely associated with pain and stiffness in the joints. Applying pressure with a clothespin or your fingers can offer some much needed relief. Chronic problems should necessitate a trip to the doctor, but why not try this simple method first?
The lower-middle part of the ear is the one that is connected to the sinuses and throat. When seeking relief from a cold or sinus infection, applying pressure to this spot can aid in the reducing of tension. A clothespin can go a long way to cutting down on pesky throat soreness.
Just above the lobe of the ear is a place most commonly associated with digestion. Using a clothespin to apply pressure can help relieve digestive issues and minor stomach problems. And if you are a person who often feels digestive discomfort, you can use this method in advance to try to be preventative.
The lowest place on the ear — the lobe — is the spot that is connected with two of the most important parts of the body: the head and the heart. Applying pressure to the ear lobe can work to promote heart health and to relieve unwanted pressure in the head. This method can be quite effective in eliminating pressure headaches.
Back and shoulders
Organs
Joints
Sinuses and throat
Digestive area
Head and heart
This ear reflexology is so easy to do and can make a large difference in your day!
Will you be giving any of these a try? Let us know which ones in the comments.
Please SHARE this vital pain relief method with friends and family.
In the search for a safe and effective treatment for the Ebola virus, researchers from Texas have discovered a novel compound found in a natural Chinese herb that they say works better than any experimental pharmaceutical or vaccine at blocking the virus from interacting with cells, thus preventing it from taking hold and infecting the body.
Dr. Robert Davey, a scientist from the Department of Immunology and Virology at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and his colleagues say that tetrandrine, which is derived from the Stephania tetrandra plant, also known as the stephania root or han fang ji, blocks a key pathway through which the Ebola virus would otherwise make its way into various cell compartments.
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Recognizing that a critical first step to stopping Ebola infection is to prevent the virus from entering or interacting with cellular factors, Dr. Davey and his team decided to take a closer look at various substances that might accomplish this. From previous research, the scientists found that calcium signaling in cells controls many of the processes in the cell that enable Ebola infection.
Through their latest research, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Science, Dr. Davey and his teamed identified two-pore channels, or TPCs, that are the key calcium sensor involved in Ebola virus infection. In order for the virus to gain a hold inside the body, these TPCs have to be turned on, which implies that infection can be avoided by keeping these TPCs in the off position.
After looking at various drugs and other substances that turn this key calcium sensor either on or off, the team determined that tetrandrine worked best at keeping TPCs in the off position, effectively preventing Ebola virus from moving any further through the cell. And best of all is the fact that tetrandrine doesn’t appear to cause any harmful side effects.
“When we tested in mice, the drugs stopped virus replication and saved most of them from disease,” explained Davey about the findings. “We are very excited about the progress made in this study and the momentum it provides as scientists across the world vigorously search for effective vaccines and treatments against Ebola virus.”
Amazingly, tetrandrine demonstrated an ability to stop the Ebola virus before it even had a chance to interact with certain cellular factors. This means that the virus becomes incapable of binding to cell surface proteins, which would otherwise act as the transport mechanisms for Ebola to gain entry into various cell compartments.
And like many other natural remedies, the function of tetrandrine in acting as a type of firewall against Ebola infection appears to be unique to this particular virus. By taking tetrandrine, in other words, it does not appear that other necessary substances will be blocked from being transported into the cells, which would probably be the case with isolated Ebola pharmaceuticals.
“Tetrandrine, the most potent small molecule that we tested, inhibited infection of human macrophages, the primary target of Ebola virus in vivo, and also showed therapeutic efficacy in mice,” wrote the authors in the study’s abstract.
“The next step in the process is to test both safety and effectiveness of the interaction of the drug with Ebola virus in non-human primates,” added Dr. Davey.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.newswise.com
http://www.sci-news.com
http://www.sciencemag.org http://www.naturalnews.com/049242_Ebola_cure_traditional_Chinese_medicine_herbal.html#ixzz3WXGLjWKt
It is so easy to think that Japanese Acupuncture is just for sprains and pains. People get this mistaken impression because they only talk to other people who have suffered from these conditions and been treated with acupuncture.
The reality is that Japanese Acupuncture is a very versatile form of gentle, natural healing and the range of health conditions that it assists with are very diverse in nature, duration and severity.
When looking through my case histories, I can cite many diverse cases where I have been able to assist through Japanese Acupuncture:
The work of my former student/assistant from Chile, Sylvia, now a very competent practitioner, brings the versatility of acupuncture into further light. Sylvia offered free Japanese Acupuncture to victims of the 2010 Chilean Earthquake and was able to help them with acupuncture treatments for health conditions such as panic attacks, sleeping disorders, anxiety, muscle aches and pains, headaches and stomach disorders. Sylvia was delighted with the very positive physical and emotional response from the men, women and children she treated. She expressed deep gratitude for being able to use the healing power of Japanese Acupuncture for treating fellow Chileans who had suffered such devastation. She felt that as a practitioner she was privileged to have access to the inherent logic of the Japanese Acupuncture approach and the thousands of years of clinical practice that underpins this natural therapy.
Japanese Acupuncture can redress many health conditions because of its versatility. It’s gentle approach makes it very suitable for treating children as well as adults. We encourage you to contact us to see how we can improve your health and well-being through Japanese Acupuncture.
Qigong is an ancient Chinese system of exercise and meditation that makes the mind and spirit tranquil, improves performance in sports, and cultivates health, well-being, and long life. Thus, there are three major kinds of qigong: spiritual, sports, and healing. It is a spiritual discipline, inspired by ancient Chinese shamans, Taoists, and Buddhists, all of who sought harmony and peace in the solitude of nature.
Evidence demonstrates that qigong may be an effect adjunct in the treatment of many illnesses including cancer and heart disease. Learn about the remarkable 12 benefits of qigong, here:
1. Well-being and improved health. Qigong emphasizes the whole body, whole system health. While it is true that qigong will often cure specific ills, this is not the primary reason for practice. It is not only a matter of adding years to your life, but life to your years.
2. Clear and tranquil mind. When the mind is at peace, the whole universe seems at peace. World peace begins with you; it is your responsibility to find a peaceful heart and mind. Then you can heal and transform others just through your presence. If you have a tranquil mind, you will make better decisions and have the skill to know when act and when to be still.
3. Deeper, more restorative sleep. Qigong will help you find the deep relaxation and mental quiet necessary for sleep.
4. Increased energy, including sexual vitality and fertility. Qigong people have more energy; it can reverse energy and restore youthfulness.
5. Comfortable warmth. Qigong is great for cold hands and feet. Circulation improves, and the body generates more internal warmth when it is cold.
6. Clear skin. The skin, like the intestines, is an organ of elimination. According to Chinese medicine, as your qigong improves, your body eliminates toxins, and the skin becomes clear.
7. Happy attitude. There is an old Tibetan saying, “You can tell a Yogi by his or her laugh.” Correct and moderate qigong practice usually creates an optimistic and joyous disposition.
8. More efficient metabolism. Digestion improves, and hair and nails grow more quickly.
9. Greater physiological control. This means that aspects of the body that were imbalanced or out of control begin to normalize, for example, breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, hormone levels, and states of chronic inflammation or depletion.
10. Bright eyes. The qigong master’s eyes are said to glow in the dark, like a cat’s. The eyes also appear bright because the spirit and soul are luminous and the heart is open.
11. Intuition and creativity. Intuition and creativity generate each other and come from the same source, an awakened brain and being, an ability to think with the gut, to feel with the mind.
12. Spiritual effects. Advancement in qigong is often accompanied by a variety of spiritual experiences. For example, synchronicity, meaningful coincidences, become more common. When the qi is abundant, clear, and flowing, the senses perceive and are permeated by a sweetness.
Lyme disease is a complicated infection, tough to diagnose and even harder to treat if doctors miss an early diagnosis, which is all too often the case. Lyme disease treatment is tricky because the most popular blood tests used in most doctors’ offices to detect the disease miss about 55 percent of Lyme cases. If and when a patient finally is diagnosed, it’s sometimes by a clinical evaluation of the symptoms, ones that often mimic other ailments like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Complicating matters even further, the hodge-podge collection of symptoms often waxes and wanes and moves from one bodily system to another, making it even harder for doctors to effectively diagnose and treat. Headaches, migrating pain, bowel problems, uncharacteristic mood swings, panic attacks, and sleep disorders are just a few of the symptoms commonly reported in Lyme patients.
While antibiotics and other prescription meds are certainly helpful in treating the disease and the all-to-common tick-borne co-infections that often hitchhike into your body through a tick bite, experts in natural medicine say there’s also a place for holistic remedies in the treatment and management of Lyme disease, particularly in Lyme patients battling a chronic infection and its side effects. Antibiotics alone may not suffice because Lyme disease is caused by an intracellular spirochete bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. “Intracellular means that the spirochete gets into the cell and therefore is not always available to the antibiotics,” explains Isaac Eliaz, MD, coauthor of the journal report and founder of Amitabha Medical Clinic and Healing Center in Sebastopol, California. “The cell membrane inadvertently protects the bacteria and shields it from the antibiotics. The bacteria can also hide dormant in the nervous system, among other places, where antibiotic drugs can’t reach them.”
Dr. Eliaz and several other well-known experts in the field of natural medicine recently shared natural Lyme disease treatment options in the journal Alternative and Complimentary Therapies. The gist is that many natural treatments can help heal the body by knocking out the infection and reducing inflammation while also getting an injured immune system back on track. Visit the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society site to learn more about preventing and treating Lyme, and to search for doctors who diagnose based on a clinical evaluation, not just blood tests.
Acupuncture: While researchers admit more research is warranted, acupuncture appears to be a promising way to help reduce or eliminate pain brought on by Lyme disease.
Lyme-killing plants: According to the report, herbs like samento, banderol, andrographis, Japanese knotweed/resveratrol, smilax, cat’s claw, and Stephania all target Lyme and related tick-borne infections. Be sure to talk to a doctor knowledgeable in integrative medicine for more info on taking these herbs.
Have tea time: Green tea compounds, along with curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, are known to reduce oxidative stress and help aid in traditional antibiotic treatment.
Be tested for deficiencies: Zinc, B, and D vitamin deficiencies could slow down Lyme recovery, so be sure to ask your doctor to test for these, and improve your diet or supplement accordingly to bring your numbers up to healthy levels.
Probiotics: Probiotic foods may help replenish beneficial bacteria in the gut that are wiped out by antibiotic Lyme disease treatment. Organic yogurt, kefir, and even fermented vegetables are good sources of probiotics.
Exercise: Even small concentrations of oxygen can help destroy Lyme bacteria in the body. Although Lyme typically zaps people’s energy, intense exercise during and after treatment can help keep the disease at bay.
Inflammation annihilators: Dr. Eliaz recommends natural compounds that ease inflammation, such as curcumin, modified citrus pectin, and Tibetan Herbal Formula. First and foremost, a low-glycemic-index diet is a must because carbohydrates, including sugar, fuel the Lyme germs. This means ditching most processed foods and avoiding any added sugar. “Understanding the person, and actively supporting the person’s general health with emphasis on their immune system, circulation, reduced inflammation, and detoxification can be very helpful,” he adds, and notes that high dosages of vitamin C IV and personalized integrative care can make a big difference when treating Lyme disease.
Your tongue does more than just taste food and articulate words. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it is also a convenient diagnostic tool.
Before X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, ancient doctors had other methods to examine the internal health of their patients. Tongue diagnosis is one such practice still widely used today. For those who know how to read the tongue’s secrets, it can reveal signs of disease and imbalance that the patient may not share or even know.
In Chinese medicine, the tongue serves as a map of the internal organs. The tip of the tongue reflects organs that are higher in the chest: the lungs and heart. The middle of the tongue represents organs that are in the middle of the trunk: liver and gallbladder on the sides and the stomach in the center. The back of the tongue reflects organs deeper in the trunk, such as the intestines, bladder, and kidneys.
Abnormalities found on the tongue map can give an acupuncturist clues to where a patient’s imbalances are located, and how best they can be treated.
According to Eric Baker, a Chicago-based acupuncturist and professor at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, the concept of tongue diagnosis stem from a holographic perspective that permeates much of ancient Chinese culture.
“In a hologram every part of the picture is a reflection of the whole,” Baker said. “In Chinese medicine each part of the body is like a miniature of the whole body. In Western scientific culture you might call this self-similarity. It’s sort of a fractal way of looking at things.”
In addition to its holographic nature, the tongue is a unique organ because it exists in two realms. It’s not quite an internal organ, but it’s not quite an external one either. You have to open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue in order to get a good look at it.
Usually the signs on the tongue map are subtle, and can easily escape the untrained eye. But extreme cases can produce undeniable examples.
Baker mentions a past patient of his, a woman in her late 40s to early 50s with hepatitis C that could not be controlled with modern Western medicine. She complained of pain on her right side, where her liver is located. Remarkably, her tongue pointed to severe liver problems too. Baker saw a black spot on the right edge, exactly where the liver is located on the tongue map.
“I tell students to go in with an open mind but you also want to be critical. You don’t want to believe just anything it says in the textbook. But then you get cases like this that are so perfect,” Baker said. “Here’s a lady with a liver problem and she has the exact indication you would expect—a black spot showing deeper damage to the liver from uncontrolled infection. This is Chinese medicine doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.”
Color, Coat, Cracks, and Quivers
Stick out your tongue in front of an acupuncturist and its color will be the first thing they notice.
A healthy tongue is a pinkish red—a sign of good circulation. If the circulation is restricted—in cases of menstrual pain, for example—the tongue will be more purple. A pale tongue is a sign of a lack of blood, such as anemia. If a tongue goes too red it may indicate a fever or high blood pressure. If a tongue is extra red in a particular area of the tongue map this demonstrates internal heat in the corresponding organ. For example, a red tongue tip could be a sign of infection in the lungs or what Chinese medicine calls “heart fire,” a condition characterized by anxiety and insomnia.
Another tongue characteristic to consider is the coat. Look at your tongue in the mirror and you may notice that it wears a film on its surface. This is called the “tongue coat,” or “tongue fur.” You can try brushing the coat off with a toothbrush but it will soon sprout a new one. A thin white coat is considered healthy—a sign of good digestion. A thick, greasy, or yellow coat may reveal signs of imbalance.
“If someone has a lot of phlegm with nasal congestion or a cough, when you look at the tongue coat in these people, it’s thicker and heavier. Or it may start to get sticky, showing that there are these excess obstructive fluids collecting in the body,” Baker said.
A tongue examination requires good lighting and a clean tongue. For example, you won’t get an accurate reading immediately after someone eats a handful of Skittles or a grape flavored popsicle. Coffee is notorious for yellowing the tongue coat. Other foods and drugs can also temporarily obscure the tongue’s true colors.
Besides color and coat, the tongue also holds other clues to consider, like cracks, swelling, patches, and movement. A scalloped tongue (one with ridges on the outside edge) indicates fluid retention. These ridges develop because the tongue swells and presses against the teeth.
Some people also have a quivering tongue— try as they might, it just won’t sit still. This is a sign of what Chinese medicine calls internal wind.
“If you have a disease like MS or Parkinson’s where there are tremors, you’ll see that the tongue body itself will quiver and tremor. That’s an indication that there are neurological things going on and a lack of proper motor control,” Baker said. “Sometimes you may even see that preemptively in certain things. A tongue quiver may appear before a stroke for example, where there can be neurological damage afterwards. You can see a quivering in the aftermath of some more serious diseases, but you might see it in certain situations as a predictor.”
To learn more about what Spleen Qi Deficiency is and the different treatment strategies for this diagnosis, please refer to my previous article titled, “What is Spleen Qi Deficiency?”
The main symptoms of Spleen Qi Deficiency are fatigue (especially after eating), low appetite, loose stools, slight abdominal distension after eating, a desire to lie down (especially after eating), pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, and a tendency towards obesity. There are different variations of Spleen Qi Deficiency. The main ones are: (1) Spleen Yang Deficiency, (2) Spleen Qi Sinking, (3) Spleen Not Controlling Blood, (4) Spleen Deficiency with Dampness. The symptoms for each of these patterns includes a few, some or all of the symptoms of Spleen Qi Deficiency in addition to:
(1) Spleen Yang Deficiency: feeling cold, cold limbs, edema
(2) Spleen Qi Sinking: depression, a bearing-down sensation in the abdomen, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, anus or bladder, hemorrhoids
(3) Spleen Not Controlling Blood: blood spots under the skin, blood in the urine or stools not related to an infection or ulcer, tendency to bruise easily, excessive uterine bleeding
(4) Spleen Deficiency with Dampness: obesity, excess body fat, edema, oily skin, fungal infections, thick tongue coating, excessive mucus production or phlegm, heavy feeling of the body, slow or foggy thinking, lack of taste or thirst, nausea, excessive vaginal discharge, mucus in the stool, tumors, cysts
Based on the variation of Spleen Qi Deficiency, a patient may want to include foods that not only tonify the Spleen, but also deal with the underlying symptoms of their particular variation. The different variations are included in the foods lists below.
There is another way to look at Spleen Qi Deficient patients and that is to break them into groups based on weight and blood sugar regulation. Because Spleen Qi Deficiency is so closely related to diabetes, two groups that automatically emerge are Type I and Type II diabetics. We might also include a third group, the Pre-diabetics (Type II), or people on a trajectory to developing Type II diabetes. The most common symptoms belonging to each group are as follows:
(1) Type I Diabetes (juvenile onset, insulin-dependent diabetes): pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, if at all, excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, normal or underweight, extreme hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, neuropathy, viral infection leading to acute diabetic episode
(2) Type II Diabetes (adult-onset): cells may be resistant to insulin, pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, weight loss, but overall overweight or obese, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, frequent infections, areas of darkened skin, neuropathy, constipation, high fat and meat diet
(3) Pre-Diabetes (Type II): Any of the above symptoms for Type II Diabetes in addition to hypoglycemia or other blood sugar abnormalities listed below.
Blood sugar levels for normal patients, pre-diabetics and diabetics are listed below:
(1) Normal:
(2) Pre-diabetics:
(3) Diabetics:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine a lot of foods classified as Spleen tonics are actually considered high sugar/high glycemic foods, which are not recommended for most diabetics. These foods are only appropriate in cases where the patient is normal or under-weight (such as with Type I diabetics), and only when their blood sugar is very low and needs to be brought up quickly. Because it is more common to see overweight, Spleen Deficient Type II diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, I have mostly included low glycemic index (low-GI) foods, or foods that raise blood sugar the least on the general food charts. For a more complete listing of low glycemic foods and how to determine the glycemic load of meals, please see: www.glycemicindex.com
I have also included a generalized list of foods categorized by their glycemic index. Glycemic index refers to the glycemic impact of a single food on the blood sugar. When various foods are combined in a single meal though, the “glycemic load” of all the foods combined will determine how strongly the entire meal raises the blood sugar. Glycemic load is a combination of a food’s glycemic index and the serving size of that particular food. To help off-set high glycemic foods they can be combined with low-glycemic foods to create an overall lower glycemic load.
As a general rule, whenever eating a carbohydrate food, such as sugar, grains, fruit or starchy vegetables (like potatoes, carrots, or root vegetables), combine it with fat, fiber and/or protein in order to reduce the glycemic impact. Fat, fiber and protein take a longer time for the body to digest and thus slow down how quickly the meal will raise a person’s blood sugar. This creates a more gradual release of insulin over time, which can stabilize blood sugar, mood, energy, and food cravings. For best digestion, try to avoid combining too many different foods in one meal though.
Another general rule for overweight, Spleen deficient patients is to avoid or limit foods that promote dampness or mucus: dairy products, meat, eggs, tofu, and other soy products, excessive amounts of oil, nuts, or seeds, pineapple, salt, and concentrated sweeteners. Please take this suggestion into consideration when reading through the following food charts.
• Sugar and excessive intake of grains, fruit, juice or soda should be avoided!
• When eating grains, choose whole, soaked, sprouted, and/or fermented grains. This makes them easier to digest and less irritating to the GI tract. Whole grains have more fiber than refined grains and flours, which will slow down their digestion and lower their glycemic impact.
• Green and non-starchy vegetables are considered carbohydrates, but their fiber and water content negate most of their glycemic impact. Hence, green and non-starchy vegetables can be eaten in abundance and lower the impact of other high glycemic foods.
• Beans and legumes, while considered high in protein, also have relatively high carbohydrate content, making them unsuitable in large amounts. Small amounts may offset other high glycemic foods though.
• Fats and proteins like those found in oils, nuts, seeds, meat and full-fat dairy, have very little glycemic impact and can be eaten in moderation. The type and quality of the fat/protein is very important though – choose organic, cold-pressed, soaked, sprouted, unrefined, high Omega-3, and unsaturated fats as much as possible. These should come mostly from: olives, avocados, almonds, walnuts, sunflower, hemp, flax, and sesame, just to name a few. Coconut oil, despite being a saturated fat, has many healing qualities and thus can be eaten in abundance. Organic lean meat, wild-caught, low heavy-metal containing fish and organic eggs are also fine in moderation. Other saturated fats should be limited or avoided, such as from fatty meats and dairy products.
*A lot of people worry about dietary fat in terms of calories and weight loss. But this type of thinking has recently changed. Although fats have more calories per gram than carbohydrates and proteins, healthy unsaturated fats, such as the ones listed above, leave a person feeling more satiated and less likely to overeat. Calories from excessive saturated fat, sugar and grain consumption are more likely to contribute to weight gain than healthy fats.
• High glycemic fruits should be avoided in general. These include bananas, melons, oranges, grapes and stone fruits. Low glycemic fruits tend to be less sweet and have higher fiber content, such as apples, pears, berries, grapefruit and lemons/limes. These can be eaten freely, but patients should aim to only eat 1-2 servings of these fruits per day. Green and non-starchy vegetables should make up the other 4-6 servings per day. Dried fruit is generally considered high glycemic because it lacks water and the drying process concentrates the naturally occurring sugars. Fruit juice is also considered high glycemic because the fruit’s fiber has been extracted, leaving a higher concentration of sugar.
Grains
Vegetables
Beans and Legumes
Fats, nuts and seeds
Fruit (in moderation)
Meat
Herbs and supplements
Foods that are generally good for diabetics (in addition to all of the above Spleen Tonifying foods)
Foods for weight loss
Foods for lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients
Foods for normal/underweight patients with low blood sugar, or in combination with low glycemic foods
Foods for poor appetite
Foods that Promote Digestion
Foods that tonify Yang (warming function)
Foods that warm the body
*Note: there is a difference between yang tonic foods and foods that warm the body. Yang tonic are usually warm or hot in nature, just like foods that warm the body, but they have a nourishing component as well. Foods that warm the body tend to do so because they are hot and spicy in nature, but may not offer as much nourishment as a tonic food.
Foods that move qi upward (for sinking qi symptoms)
Foods to stop bleeding from qi deficiency
Foods for draining dampness (promote urination)
High-GI foods (70 or higher): white rice, white bread, pretzels, white bagels, white baked potatoes, boiled potatoes, crackers, sugar-sweetened beverages, corn flakes, puffed rice, bran flakes, instant oatmeal, short-grain white rice, rice pasta, macaroni and cheese from mix, pumpkin, pretzels, rice cakes, popcorn, saltine crackers, melons and pineapple
Medium-GI foods (56-69): bananas, grapes, spaghetti, ice cream, raisins, corn on the cob, whole wheat, rye and pita bread, quick oats, brown, wild or basmati rice, couscous
Low-GI foods (55 and under): oatmeal (rolled or steel-cut), oat bran, muesli, peanuts, peas, raw carrots, kidney beans, hummus, skim milk, most fruits (except those listed above and watermelon), 100% stone-ground whole wheat or pumpernickel bread, whole grain pasta, converted rice, barley, bulgar, sweet potato, yam, lima/butter beans, legumes and lentils
Foods that are more nutritious when cooked
Foods that are more nutritious when eaten raw
*Adding a little oil or fat to cooked veggies and salads can help the body to better absorb the fat-soluble vitamins they contain, such as A, E, D and K. Try adding small amounts of olive oil, coconut oil, other plant oils, butter, milk or cream to dressings and sauces.
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It's not surprising to me that there are some misconceptions about pediatric acupuncture floating around. Some of the common ones are that pediatric acupuncture is hard and kids don't like it, but the most damaging misconception is that it's unsafe! Some acupuncturists even believe that if you needle babies or kids under age 7 you might permanently damage their acupuncture meridians.
Seriously, the idea that you would hurt babies and children with acupuncture was shocking to me (and all the babies I've treated - witness super happy baby getting acupuncture)! Interestingly, I traced it back to social media but beyond that I couldn't find the real source.
My first pediatric professor, Lucy Hu, L.Ac., MD, was a pediatrician in China. She fearlessly needles babies and children of all ages because she knows that acupuncture can help when Western medicine isn't enough. She's has a 30 year history of successfully treating babies and children that doctors had given up on. Here's a picture of me and Lucy:
I own just about every pediatric text available so I did some research looking for such a reference and I couldn't find one anywhere (but if you know which ancient text this comes from please let me know - I'd love to see it)!
Let's take a moment to travel back in time to 100 AD when the Nei Jing (Inner Classics) was written. Let's imagine what acupuncture was like back then...
Thousands of years ago acupuncture would have been unsafe and painful to the delicate skin and immature immune systems of babies and young children.
Modern acupuncture is safe and effective. We now have 46 gauge dark blue Seirin needles that are so fine they're about the size of a strand of hair! Today's pediatric needles are sterile, disposable and virtually painless! It's a totally different story today.
While pediatric tuina was mentioned in the Nei Jing in 100 AD, it wasn't until 1031 AD that the first pediatric textbook was written which outlined a different pathophysiology for children compared to adults. It really wasn't until the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century that special herbal formulas and acupuncture protocols were introduced for children. Two texts outlined pediatric acupuncture protocols, A Collection of Pediatric Cases (You Ke Lei Cui) and Essentials for the Care & Protection of Infants (Bao Ying Cuo Yao) written in 1534 and 1556 respectively. In the 20th century there was a veritable explosion of pediatric acupuncture texts published and pediatric departments established in hospitals all over China. In 1934, pediatrics was officially recognized as a TCM specialty. Modern Chinese hospitals blend both Eastern and Western medicine and it's a common practice to treat a child with IV antibiotics as well as acupuncture and herbs. I can also tell you from my 10 years experience working with kids that acupuncture won't hurt a baby or child or damage their meridians in any way. But don't take my word for it.
That fact of the matter is acupuncture is just one of MANY modalities we can use today to treat kids, and we shouldn't let misconceptions stop us from using it on children. Children enjoy the same self-healing benefits as adults and they also experience relaxation and a sense of well-being after treatment. I know I don't have to convince you that pediatric acupuncture is safe and effective, but if you see someone who's clearly misinformed about modern pediatric acupuncture feel free to point them to this blog article. Warmly, Robin
