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In Chinese Medicine Late Summer is an unrecognized “season” approximately the last month of summer. It is the transition period between the expansive growth phases of spring & summer and the inward, cooler fall and winter seasons.In Chinese terms it’s a transition from yang (outward) into yin (inward).

The Earth Element, represented by the spleen-pancreas rules this season; it is generally thought of as the center of the 5 elements. How to stay Healthy? Choose foods that are harmonizing such as millet, corn, carrots, cabbage, garbanzo beans, soybeans, squash, potatoes, string beans, yams, rice, peas, filberts, apricots and cantaloupe. Food should be prepared simply with minimal seasonings. Rom the point of view of Chinese Medicine dampness (think diet), excessive worry, living in a damp environment (such as a damp basement or simply our usual rainy climate), harm the digestive system. Try to avoid damp forming foods such as sugars, dairy products,fats such as lard & butter, food that is highly refined or chemically treated, late night eating and overeating. These foods are bad for the Spleen/Pancreas (digestive system) and many chronic illnesses such as Cancer,AIDS,Chronic Fatigue and Rheumatoid Arthritis involve dampness from an Oriental Medicine Perspective.

Try to avoid excess worry, get proper exercise and relaxation (such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong or a relaxation tape). Who can digest well when they’re worrying all the time?

By building the Earth Element now we can build the Metal Element (think Lungs) whose season is the Fall. the fall has always been known as the harvest season, a time to store things up for the winter.It’s a time to pull inward form the open, perhaps scattered (busy) patterns of the warmer months. Diet should include; sourdough bread, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, grapefruit, yogurt, vinegar  and note that small amounts are usually enough. the Metal Element is also affected by dryness (physically the Lungs need moisture). Foods such as apple,pear, tempeh, spinach, barley, milet, honey, rice syrup,crab and oyster can help. Finally, unresolved grief (sadness) can weaken the Lung. An example would be the phrase “All choked up”. Try to look within to identify unresolved sorrows and transform them by being mindful of them. I’ve found that breathing deeply & slowly from the belly button or Hara as the Japanese call it can not only calm & center a person but also increases lung capacity. In short, remember the three free therapies: good diet, proper exercise and relaxation/mediation. Lastly an Acupuncture Treatment and Chinese Herbs can help balance the body and calm  the mind and keep us healthy!

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There’s a lot of hype around soy these days. We see it everywhere in natural food stores and the media. We’re constantly told

it’s a good source of protein and especially good for women. Unfortunately, this hype ignores the fact that soy has been used

mainly as a feed for livestock for years and that commercial soy is sprayed with pesticides. Soy is very hard to digest, maybe

that’s why the gas afterwards! Frankly, I only eat organic fermented soy like Tempeh, Tamari and Miso. These forms are more

digestible and can be used by the body.  Avoid commercial non-organic soy, who knows what it could be sprayed with and

it could also be GMO (genetically modified) Soy which is bad for you & the planet. Read more here

It’s  Fourth of July and it looks like Portland is finally getting some warm summer like weather!! In Oriental Medicine, Summer is the time of

the Fire Element. All the Elements have an Chinese Organ that is associated with it and for the Fire Element it’s the Heart. In the tradition of

Oriental Medicine, the Heart is not only the physical organ but also our mental/emotional center, reflected by the saying ” Have a Heart” or

“He had his Heart broken”. Dean Ornish MD a Heart specialist has developed from his experience a similar awareness ” I think the mind is

where heart disease begins for many people”.  So according to Oriental Medicine the Heart not only pumps blood but also controls our spirit,

sleep, memory and houses the mind.

General symptoms of a Heart-Mind Imbalance include: scattered & confused mind, excess or no laughter (joy is the emotion of the fire element),

depression, loss of memory, poor circulation, weak spirit.  We know Hear disease is one of the largest health problems in America.How do we

calm the Mind? with meditation, tai qi, going against the grain of our go, go

society and just be!!

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine red herbs like Salvia are said to go to the heart (as the color of the Fire Element is red) and in fact a

new herbal product Dan Shen Dripping Pills is under FDA testing for use and we can get this formula at East-West Acupuncture. Some ideas for foods to

include during the summer: eat more fruit, raw foods are most applicable now,

seeds like chia seed & jujube seeds, dill & basil and  whole grains (brown rice,

oats). Try to avoid stimulants and junk foods like: refined sugar, coffee, alcohol, very spicy or rich foods. Of course, get out and enjoy nature!!

Here is a Spring Dish that you’re sure to enjoy and
is healthy too!!

2 Tbs Red Beans, 2 Tbs Mung Beans,
3 Tbs Lotus Seeds, 2 Tbs Pearl Barley,
2 Tbs Wheat Berries, 3 Tbs White Basmati Rice,
2 Tbs Black Rice, 11/2 Tbs Logan Fruit,
11/2 Tbs Rice Wine, 1 Clove Garlic, 1/2 cup
Chopped Carrots, 1 Onion diced

Place red beans,.mung beans, lotus seeds,
pearl barley and wheat berries in a large pot
and cover with 2 inches of water. Soak
overnight.
Drain bean mixture and transfer to rice cooker. Add rice, logan fruit, rice wine and about 11/4 cups
water. Cook until liquid is fully absorbed into congee mixture. Lightly saute vegetables in oil.
When rice is cooked, transfer vegetables into
rice congee (serves 4-5)

Natural Treatment of Spring Allergies

After a rainy start, we are starting to get some sunny days and with
those days lots of pollen! Here’s some natural solutions to seasonal
allergies. First try a nasal wash, start with a quarter teaspoon of
organic or kosher sea salt and a cup of warm (not hot) pure(not
tap) water, stir it up and either use a neti pot or a clean eye dropper
to irrigate each nostril separately. Let the water run down thru the nostril down the throat. Use organic wild honey, it aids immunity to
allergies. Go very sparingly on dairy products as they can be
mucous forming. Probiotics are helpful, so are vitamin C and
Zinc. Yes, an Acupuncture Treatment can boost your bodies
immune function and Chinese Herbs can work wonders.
A common formula is Bi Yan Pain which contains Magnolia Flower
which is drying and goes to the nose. It can be very useful when
we have symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.We also have formulas

that build up the immune system (Jade Wind Screen) while helping with

allergy symptoms. Here at East-West Acupuncture we take the time to

figure out which herbal remedy is right for you.

It’s hard to believe but Spring is almost here! In Chinese Medicine Spring is associated with the Yang or active energy of life. Plants are sending shoots

out thru the ground.  Spring is associated with the Liver in Chinese Medicine.
Spring is when things turn green & the color
associated with the Liver is green. The Liver is also
associated with Anger and Frustration. Some Lifestyle tips would be to get out in Nature (Green) or do some gardening.  Diet wise, one should eat

lighter and eat less. Sweet & Pungent foods are expansive and are recommended this time of year. Chinese Medicine tends to frown on

Raw Foods but Spring is the best time of year to eat them, however use

moderation with these as they are cooling. The Liver can easily get stagnated

either physically (it’s a detox organ) or mentally (stagnant thoughts). So

it’s especially  good to avoid poor quality fats this time of year. It’s also

important to do some energy exercises like Qi Gong or Tai Chi.  Bitter

foods can be important for stuck people.  Bupleurum is a very important

herb for moving Qi and the formula Free & Easy Wander is a great formula

this time of year, however it’s always good to be seen by a practioner to

make sure it’s right for you. Here at East-West Acupuncture Clinic in Portland we are board certified in

Chinese Herbal Medicine and have a complete pharmacy available.

Healthy Eating involves reading labels and if you
are dinning out, asking where something came
from.
Interestingly, Ice Cream from a standpoint of
Chinese Medicine is cold and phlegm producing.
Generally, I tell patients to eat warm slightly cooked foods, especially in the winter and to avoid iced drinks as the digestive system needs warmth.
Here is the article:
http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/top-ten-foods-avoid/