The Teahouse

Detoxify and Tonify Your Liver

2008-04-09T19:18:00-08:00

Feel Calmer

According to the 5 Element Theory, Spring is the season of the ‘Wood” energy, and the energetics of ‘Wood’ directly affect your Liver. Since the Liver affects the nerves, if your Liver isn’t balanced you’ll be more prone to irritability and anger in Spring than during the rest of the year.

Tonify and Detoxify
Because the tendency towards irritability and unexpected anger are directly related to Liver imbalance, if you tonify and balance the Liver, you should feel calmer and less frustrated. ("Anger management” techniques are always useful, but if you detoxify your Liver, you’ll have to rely on them less often.)

When your Liver is out of balance you’re more prone to irritability and anger.

How do you know if your Liver is “toxic” — assume that it is! With the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides all around us — in the air, water, food, and other products we use, you should assume your Liver is somewhat toxic, and start doing some simple things to detoxify it.

Spring is Stirring

2008-03-27T02:54:01-08:00

The Sap Is Rising
As Spring arrives the “sap” begins to rise, and so must the question: “What do I need to do to prepare myself to process the surge of energy that Spring floods through my body?”

The Liver is the primary organ of the body affected during Spring, so it’s important to make sure it’s strong and balanced. The primary organ system affected during winter was the Kidneys, so now is the right time to help them replenish the energy that was expended throughout the winter.

Oriental Medicine at BIOM combines very effective medical herb formulas, acupuncture, acupressure, and Chi Kung techniques for replenishing the energy of the Kidneys, strengthening and balancing the Liver so that it’s ready to spring into action as the Water season turns to Wood, and the Kidneys pass the baton to the Liver.

Valentine’s Day: A Matter of the Heart (and Kidneys)

2008-02-14T22:43:00-08:00

As I mentioned in A Mid-Winter Checkup, your kidneys are probably pretty pooped by now, leaving you feeling low in energy. Look at the Five Element Cycle of Regulation illustration on this page and you’ll notice that the ‘Water’ element, embodied in your Kidneys, regulates the ‘Fire’ element, which is embodied in your Heart.

So if your Kidneys are low in energy they won’t be able to adequately support the Heart, and as a result, the Heart function can get a bit out of alignment.

What to Look Out For
If you’re already predisposed to heart problems, you may be experiencing things like a little bit of extra pressure in the chest, or maybe some mild heart irregularities in the rhythm and beat, usually not to the extent of interfering with breathing; but for people who have compromised heart energy, these symptoms may be more severe at this point in the winter.

Mid-season is the time to start rebuilding the strength of that season’s organ.

A Way to Good Health
A ‘rule of thumb’ for good health is this: toward the middle and end of each season, focus on rebuilding the strength of the organ that is the focal point for that season. Right now, in mid-winter, it’s your Kidneys. And because each organ system has a companion organ that it regulates, (at mid-winter it’s your heart), it’s a good idea to pay some attention to the companion too so that it will be in tune and ready to go when it’s season to perform comes; (for the Heart, that’s summer).

A Mid-Winter Checkup

2008-02-10T22:42:00-08:00

Be Careful
Since the kidneys are much more vulnerable right now, if get too chilly, you’re more susceptible to injuries to the lower back, hips, legs and feet. If you’re prone to sciatica, this is the time of year when it will flare up more readily. With the Water energy waning, the strength of the kidneys and the parts of your body most dependent on them can benefit by the support provided by acupuncture, Chinese medical herbs, Chi Kung exercises, and proper diet and nutrition.

Rough Sailing Ahead

Acupuncture and Chinese medical herbs can help rebuild your strength.

The Water element energies of Winter will remain with us until we get closer to the Vernal Equinox towards the end of March, when the Wood element and the Liver will move to center stage. But, in these ecologically tumultuous times, it’s become evident that the Liver energy has already started to flow in, roiling the waters. It’s like the changing of the tides, where one tide has been high and is starting to flow out, (Water element energy), the next season’s energy, or ‘tide,’ is prematurely flowing causing unexpected and unplanned for pressure in your body and mind.

This early and strong flow of Wood/Liver-Gallbladder energy this year, is indicated by the premature and vigorous growth in our gardens, as well as the onset of health problems affecting the skin, eyes, and nerves. So if you find yourself unexpectedly irritable, or easily frustrated, this changing of the seasonal energy is a possible reason why.

Be Prepared
The fact that the seasonal shift is taking place so early in many locales, is a warning to start taking preventative measures like acupuncture, Chinese medical herbs, Chi Kung exercises, and proper diet and nutrition to be prepared for the strong effects on your body and mind that Spring energy brings.
Related Articles

A Mid-Winter Checkup
What You Need to Know About Winter
Staying Healthy in Winter
Winter Photos

Staying Healthy In Winter

2007-12-11T19:07:00-08:00

Length 07:32, Size 8.7 MB

The Water Element
Every season is associated with one of the Five Elements, and for Winter, the element is Water—the energetic force that governs the health and functionality of your Kidneys and Urinary Bladder.

According to Taoist 5 Element Theory, the Kidneys play a key role in the health of the entire lower part of your body. This includes balancing and processing fluids, as well as, strong joints, healthy sexual function, and more.

Pictures of Health

Protect Yourself Against Cold
To avoid getting sick, keep your wrists, ankles, and especially the back of your neck from being exposed to the cold. When you’re outside, be sensitive to how you feel and make sure your extremities don’t get too cold—especially your fingers and toes.

When your Kidneys are working well, the proper amount of heat is generated in your body, and normal precautions like “bundling up” in the winter will prevent cold from entering and getting trapped in your body. When your Kidneys are out of balance, you’ll notice a persistent feeling of cold in your lower back and extremities. If this is the case, you need to strengthen them. Otherwise you’ll be more vulnerable to pathogens and illness.

Did You Know ...
Women living in cold mountainous climates wrap woolen sashes around their waists—with older women wearing more layers, and younger women fewer. Padding around the waist maintains the warmth your Kidneys and internal organs need to function healthily and supports your back when lifting heavy objects.

Taking Care of Your Kidneys
There are several ways to build and maintain the health of your kidneys.

Chi Kung. Take 30 seconds to a minute—a few times during the day—and briskly rub your hands together to generate warmth in your palms. Then place your warm palms on your lower back, and feel the warmth from your palms penetrate into your kidneys. Then, gently massage your back. This simple exercise is an enjoyable way to invigorate your kidneys.

Chinese Herbs. Traditional Chinese herbal combinations provide an excellent way to strengthen your kidneys.

Acupuncture & Acupressure. These time-tested methods for improving the flow of chi (health-maintaining energy) in your body works to nurture your kidneys.

Diet and Nutrition. This basic approach to health is a simple way to nourish your kidneys.

Did You Know ...
Vegetables are smart! While the air is cold or freezing, Winter vegetables send their chi (life force) down into their roots where it’s protected underground. Our ancestors were smart too, because they understood the life-sustaining value of these roots ... and we should too.

Winter Food Tips
Ancient wisdom tells us that “for everything there is a season ...”. With this in mind, here are some diet and nutrition tips for the Winter season:

Eat root vegetables like carrots, onions, potatoes, beets, and (unsweetened) Winter squash. Miso soup is a nourishing Winter soup that provides a healthy way to get the moderate amount of salt you need.
Eat foods that are high in calcium to strengthen your kidneys. aduki beans would be a particularly good addition to your Winter diet. Black beans, black “woodear” mushrooms, and black “cloudear” mushrooms will also add robustness to your Kidney energy.

Winter Health Tips
Here are some things to be aware of as you become more conscious about how to stay healthy in Winter:

Moderate the amount of salty food you eat.
Stay away from diuretic foods, like celery.
Remember that caffeine is particularly hard on the kidneys. (Consider drinking tea or decaffeinated coffee.)

An In-Sight ...
Notice if you find yourself craving salty foods during the Winter. If you do, your kidneys are probably weak and need some strengthening.

Winter Remedies
During those time when your immunity is low, and you feel cold- or flu-like symptoms, it’s time to take preventive action by enjoying one of these nourishing, natural home brews.

Scallion Broth
This simple broth will help you sweat lightly, and is an excellent remedy for preventing and getting rid of colds:

Take one scallion, and chop it up.
Boil in water for 5 to 10 minutes. (Keep the lid on the pot to prevent vapor from escaping.)
Flavor with tamari.
Sip it slowly, bundle up, then lie down, or go to sleep.

Ginger Tea
If scallion broth doesn’t suit your culinary fancy, try ginger tea:

Put a couple of slices of fresh ginger in one and one-half cups of water.
Boil for 5 to 10 minutes. (Time it based on how strong you like your ginger tea.)
Keep the lid on the pot to prevent vapor from escaping.
Add a little honey and lemon.
Sip it slowly, bundle up, then lie down, or go to sleep.

Scallion broth is the more effective of the two remedies, but if for some reason it doesn’t appeal to you, ginger tea is a good alternative

Get Help If You Need It
If you experience any kidney-related symptoms—lower back pain, earaches, knee problems—or other symptoms that don’t clear up quickly, call BIOM for an appointment. It’s best to alleviate your symptoms while addressing the root problem—before it becomes more advanced.

Late Summer Haiku

2007-09-04T16:47:01-08:00
A fall breeze leaves blowing across the gravel ~ lao xian Enjoying sitting between clumps of bamboo. ~ ronin

Yin and Yang: Your Health and Your Life

2007-04-10T00:23:00-08:00

Your Health
This idea of balance is represented by the Yin-Yang symbol, shown on this page.

Think of the circle as representing your life and its circumstances. Let the white side represent health, and the dark side, illness. The components of Oriental Medicine work to keep your energy (chi) strong, as represented by the wide portion of the white side of the symbol; but if your energy (chi) weakens, illness— represented by the wide portion of the dark side—begins to appear. As you rebuild your energy (chi), illness dissipates and health reappears.

This is the change that needs to be balanced throughout your life, and is represented in the Yin-Yang symbol by the dots, which tell us: In health is the potential for disease, and in disease is the potential for health.

Your Life
By practicing exercises such as Chi Kung and Tai Chi you can become adept at spotting yin and yang in operation—in your body, in your mind, and in the behavior of those around you. This power of observation enables you to predict the outcome of events and gives you the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments along the way to maintain your health and well-being.

Winter to Spring: Everything Old Is New Again

2007-03-19T21:58:00-08:00

Length 6 min.; Size 7.0 MB

Pictures of Health

As the dark, cold days of Winter wane, the Water energy of the season drains downward, bringing us back in contact with the Earth energy.

Healthwise, this is a time to start rebuilding the strength of your kidneys, which are somewhat depleted from their Winter work, and preparing for the slow surge into the Wood energy of Spring; a time when the health and vitality of your liver and gallbladder will become the focus of your body’s attention.

Just as certain Chinese medical herbs improve with age, so too do practitioners of Oriental medicine.

Earth Energy
‘Earth’ energy, as described by the Five Element Theory of Oriental Medicine, is a predominant environmental force five times a year: during the transitional time between seasons, when you start to feel one season changing into the next, and in late Summer.

In a practical sense, these are important times to focus on strengthening, or just paying attention to, your digestive system; its overall health, and the vitality of its individual organs. This means doing what needs to be done to improve your diet and nutrition, and finding out what type of Chi Kung (energy-building exercises) would benefit your specific situation.

Related Links
Staying Healthy in Spring
Spring Health Tips (1)
Spring Health Tips (2)
The Way Through

Benjamin Franklin and Oriental Medicine

2007-02-08T23:46:00-08:00
Did you know there’s a connection between Oriental Medicine and one of America’s Founding Fathers? You may have heard the old saying: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: This health advice from Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century still applies today in the 21st. This is the same wisdom practiced and prescribed by doctors of Oriental Medicine for thousands of years. In a practical sense, preventing disease is primarily a matter of having a strong immune system, and cultivating and maintaining a strong immune system is a primary focus and specialty of Oriental Medicine. And remember: It’s always better - and easier - to correct imbalances in your health, through small incremental changes, before they become more serious problems.

Oriental Medicine - Past and Present

2007-02-07T23:01:01-08:00

Let me tell you a short story about what happened back then to bring the power of Oriental Medicine into view for the whole world:

Ping Pong Diplomacy
As a result of Ping Pong diplomacy in the 1970’s, when ping pong players from the United States and the People’s Republic of China met in a cultural exchange that paved the way for a visit to Beijing by Nixon, a well-know journalist for the New York Times named James Reston followed along to report on this historic event.

As fate would have it, Reston found himself in a dangerous health situation, needing to have his appendix removed. His need to be ‘opened up’ surgically caused an opening in health care options for people in western countries on par with the diplomatic opening he was in China to report on.

And while acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have been practiced in North America ever since the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants, very few non-Chinese had any knowledge of, let alone experience with, these traditional healing techniques.

So after Reston recovered from his operation he wrote a report describing his experience of being treated in a Chinese hospital by a medical team made up of western-trained Chinese MDs and a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine.

And because of the health emergency experienced by an internationally known journalist from the New Times, the world found out that Oriental Medicine is a safe, effective, time-tested, health care system that can yield amazing results.