Tips for Autumn Health!
Autumn is finally here! It's the time of year for cozy socks, fuzzy sweaters, and the scents of cinnamon, apple, and pumpkin spice. On the flip side, it's the time of year when ragweed allergies are still hanging on while the cold and flu season makes it's first appearance. But fear not, there are a few simple things you can do to prepare yourself for the upcoming seasons to keep those pesky bugs at bay.
Acupuncture
This is the perfect time to get in for a acupuncture "immune boosting" treatment, which typically comes in 3 parts.
Cupping: In addition it's musculoskeletal benefits, cupping can be used to strengthen the immune system and clear out the respiratory tract. By placing cups on specific points on the upper back, we can stimulate the circulatory, lymphatic system, and immune systems. Additionally, cupping can be used to expel phlegm from the respiratory tract, as well as a way to purge the body of pathogenic factors.
Acupuncture: We select a handful of acupuncture points that strengthen the body's "defensive Qi", which protects us from the invasion of pathogenic factors like wind, cold, heat, dryness, and dampness. In Biomedical terms, it strengthens both specific and non-specific immunity. This means a quicker recovery from illness and the ability to fend off weaker strains of illness before we even feel ill.
Moxibustion: before removing the acupuncture needles, we light a stick of compacted Artemisia (Mugwort) that will burn like a large incense stick; this is called Moxa. Moxa is primarily used to warm and dry the meridians, which stimulates the body's defensive Qi and purges out wet and cold pathogens. Moxa also has great anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent therapy for chronic aches and pains that flare up in the cold months. In practice, we hover the moxa stick over selected acupuncture points and allow the heat and smoke to introduce its healing properties into the body.
What's even better? Until , we are offering this treatment at a special discount through Nov 2, 2018
Drink Herbs
Herbal medicine is a key component to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a great way to give your body regular doses of care. Herbal medicinals like Astragalus, Reishi, Atractylodes, and Schisandra are common herbs we use when creating immune tonifying formulas. We can examine your health history, tongue, and pulse, and use that information to design a formula specific for you and your immune system.
Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Increase specific and non-specific immunity
Activate B-Cells & macrophage cells
Strengthen survival of CD4 + CD25 T-Cells
Increase production and maturation of blood cells from bone marrow
Measurable rise in overall white blood cell count
Adaptogenic properties to strengthen stress response
Reishi (Ling Zhi)
Immuno-stimulant effect to boost humoral and cellular immune activity
Increase in monocytes, macrophages, and T-Lymphocytes
Increase production of cytokine, interleukin, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon
Significant anti tumor effect to inhibit tumor growth
Broad spectrum of antibacterial activities and inhibits growth of bacteria
Adaptogenic properties to strengthen stress response
White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu)
Increased non-specific immunity
Stimulates activity of macrophages and reticuloendothelial system
Increased white blood cell count: lymphocytes, and immunoglobulin G (IgG)
Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)
Increase non-specific immunity
Inhibits growth of many types of bacteria
Adaptogenic properties to strengthen stress response
Hats and Scarves!
If you've been in to the clinic recently, despite the fact it's still warmish out, you may have noticed that both Dr. Colby & Andrea have been sporting hats and scarves. This is because when the weather fluctuates (a Kentucky norm), it can confuse and weaken your Defensive Qi, making it susceptible to pathogenic "wind" invasion. Wind invasion, in this context, is how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) characterizes upper respiratory infections. In TCM, wind invades the body through the "Feng Min" (Wind Gate), which refers your upper back, neck, and most specifically, an acupuncture point located lateral to the second thoracic vertebrate (UB-12). Additionally, the top of the head is the location of another acupuncture point, known as "Bai Hui" (Hundred Convergences), which is the meeting point of all yang meridians. Essentially, this point is an important point for strengthening and lifting all forms of Qi in your body. So, when the weather is fluctuating and slowly turning colder, it's very important to keep The Wind Gate & Hundred Convergences warm and covered.
In Summary - wear hats and scarves, cover that Wind Gate!
Nutrition for Autumn
We'll finish up this blog with some easy and straightforward home nutrition tips!
Broths, soups, and stews: as you've probably surmised, a key factor for staying healthy in the autumn and winter is by keeping warm. This is the perfect time of year for warm broths, soups, and stews. They are hearty, warm, and nourishing.
Warm Foods: most meats (especially lamb), garlic, brown rice porridge, yams and root veggies, artichoke, onions, leeks, asparagus, pomegranate, persimmon, apricot, peach, cherry, raspberry, pumpkin and other squash/gourds, peppers, and most nuts/seeds.
Warm herbs and spices: Spice up your dishes with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, pepper, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, thyme, and saffron
The AcuBalance Hot Toddy: If you are of legal drinking age, a hot toddy is a great adult beverage for warming your body and your Qi. At AcuBalance, we recommend the following:
1-2oz Kentucky Straight Bourbon
4oz hot water
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 slice of fresh ginger
1 tbsp honey
Garnish with cinnamon stick
The bourbon activates "yang qi" to circulate throughout your body, lemon astringes essence, ginger warms the tummy, honey tonifies the Qi & has natural anti-microbial properties, and cinnamon harmonizes. It's a perfect mix!
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Well fam, that's about all for now. Keep checking our social media for updates, wellness tips, news bits, and events! See you soon!
Yours in health,
Andrea