FERTILE WISDOM

The Myth of The Dangers of Taking Chinese Herbs

I saw a new client today who has tried so many pharmaceutical medicines to help her various complaints ranging from sinus congestion to fibromyalgia pain, but all to no avail.  Based on her overall constitution, her seemingly mish mosh of symptoms made sense in Oriental Medicine pattern diagnosis.  I suggested herbs because she fit several patterns and based on my experience i know she would start seeing results with her body better than with just acupuncture alone.  She was hesitant because her MDs put the fear of God into her about herbs.  This is unfortunate because she's not going to try something that can potentially help her tremendously in her body''s balance.

People fear what they don't know.  So i understand when MDs steer away from OKing herbs because they are not educated in it for the most part, and you can't recommend something that you know nothing about.  I also understand that people (who are not properly trained) have misused herbs for the wrong reasons, as with ephedra for weight loss when it is a brilliant herb for short term asthma use.

The media also likes to blow out of proportion the stories of "herbs gone wrong" that occur mostly out of untrained usage of these herbs.  They never report when these herbs work amazingly without side effects, which happens more often than not. 

People are more willing to try a pharmaceutical that has the funding for "scientific studies" that prove one thing or another.  When you talk to scientists, they will tell you that you can pretty much create studies to prove one thing or another.  Studies can be severely flawed and some can be stellar. 

The fact is, we don't know the long term effects of taking pharmaceuticals.  Look at the pain meds and fen fen that they had to pull off the shelves after it started killing people.  And if it's not killing people, we don't know the effects of chronic use of meds even though their initial symptom has disappeared. 

Chinese herbs have been used for over 5000 years...tested on people! What has survived in the materia medica today is a result of successful results on people over thousands of years.  Things don't survive if they don't work. 

Bottom line is, there is no harm in taking these natural substances when it is administered by a trained Oriental Medicine practitioner.  Especially if these practitioners are mindful of the sources of their herbs as well.  There are many quality herb companies that test their products for heavy metals and toxins.  However, not all do.  So it's wise to ask your acupuncturist. 

If you're willng to put steroids in your body to help your sinuses and horse urine for hormonal disorders, how harmful can roots and twigs (from tested sources and trained professionals) be?  Think about it.

Erectile Dysfunction and Acupuncture by Brian Keenan

      The subject of erectile dysfunction (ED) is often unmentionable for many men because it is perceived as embarrassing and the discussion can be a challenge to the male self esteem. Additionally, the inability to perform sexually is frustrating and can lead to resentment and complications in a relationship.

      There are several types of ED, these include the inability to obtain or sustain an erection, a painful sustained erection, or premature ejaculation.  The causes can be physiological, psychological or both. Physiological causes can be a nervous system malfunction or blood vessels that are not relaxed enough for proper blood flow. Drugs for hypertension, depression (MAO inhibitors), or diabetes may contribute as well. Psychological causes affecting arousal can be related to stress, depression, and anxiety.     

      Traditional Chinese medicine can be an effective treatment for ED. Using acupuncture and Chinese herbs, the condition can be treated holistically, addressing the physical, mental and environmental aspects. Treatments focus on restoring the imbalance of energy in areas of the body that may be blocked or weakened. As with most conditions treated with Chinese medicine, each individual has their own unique set of symptoms and therefore will be treated accordingly.

      There may be a concern for some men to consider acupuncture because of needles in the local area. While there may be one or two (non-painful) local points used in the treatment, the majority of the points would be in the extremities of the body or the lower back. Keep in mind that most acupuncture needles are the width of a human hair and do not create the sensation one gets from an injection or blood draw.

       Talking about and taking action to treat ED can help facilitate a happier and healthier sexual relationship for you and your partner. Leaving it an unmentionable topic or relying on blue pills may only leave you with the blues in the long run.

Loving Your Heart by Mary Sabo

Heart disease is the #1 killer of both women and men in the U.S.as well as the leading cause of disability. The most common cause of heart disease is coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood.  Over time, coronary artery disease can lead to a heart attack.  It is essential to recognize that this leading cause of death is PREVENTABLE!  As with any disease, in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), heart disease is simply the result of the body being out of balance, usually for quite a while.  Western medicine is now recognizing that this condition is a result of long term inflammation and accumulation in the blood vessels.  In other words, while a heart attack can happen overnight, heart disease happens over years in a body that is out of balance.  While Western medicine's technology and drugs can often mend and support a body already with heart disease, there is very little done to intercept or reverse it other than lifestyle recommendations.  Through techniques used in TCM (acupuncture, herbs, massage, nutrition, etc.), the body can be rebalanced and encouraged to heal at any point of the heart disease process.  In addition, the mind/body support provided by TCM often allows lifestyle changes to be easier to incorporate and follow long-term.  In celebration of this month of love and hearts, try and incorporate some of the foods that support the heart into your diet:

Green vegetables - broccoli, asparagus, spinach

Orange fruits and veggies - carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, papaya

Red fruits and veggies - tomatoes, red bell peppers, red grapes, beets, pomegranate

Beans - black beans and kidney beans

Berries - hawthorn berries, blueberries, cherries, longan berries (a type of lychee)

Fish - salmon, tuna and sardines

Whole grains - oatmeal, brown rice

Dark chocolate and red wine (in moderation)

Soy - tofu, soy milk

Nuts and seeds - walnuts, almonds, flax seeds (ground), pumpkin seeds

Tea - green and black

In TCM, the heart not only regulates blood circulation, but also contributes to the control of consciousness, sleep, spirit, and memory, making it an even more important organ to pamper.  Finally, joy is the emotion of the heart system, so make sure to include plenty of activities in your day that bring you joy and laughter!

Tips on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by Mary Sabo

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a seasonal depression that affects over 10% of individuals in the Northern U.S.

  Symptoms are similar to clinical depression (such as changes in appetite and sleep habits, a feeling of being down, decreased energy, weight gain or loss, and lack of interest in social activities), but only occur during the winter months.  In the Western medical system SAD may occur due to a shift in serotonin and melatonin levels from decreased sun exposure in the winter.  In Chinese medicine, however, this seasonal depression is often due to a stagnation and depletion of the energy.  It is natural in the Chinese system to feel more introspective and quiet in the cold months.  Winter is the time of the Kidney system, the deepest source of energy in the body.  It is natural during these months to want to conserve energy and replenish our stores for use in the upcoming warm months.  However, when these symptoms become severe or affect ones ability to go through daily activities, treatment should be sought. 

Try the following to alleviate symptoms of SAD:

·         Exercise - recommended in both Eastern and Western medical systems to keep the energy high and flowing properly.

·         Sunlight - when the sun is out, bundle up and go for a brisk walk or sit out and absorb the sunlight; open the blinds and allow as much natural light as possible into your home and workplace.

·         An artificial light source ("sun lamps") - exposure should be around 30-60 minutes daily.

·         Vitamin D supplementation - a vitamin we make naturally when exposed to the sun.

·         Socialize - staying connected and feeling part of a community can alleviate symptoms of depression.  Socialize with friends and family you enjoy being around.

·         Plan a trip - if possible, take a trip to a warm sunny location during the winter.

Chinese medicine can effectively treat SAD using herbs, acupuncture, and specific dietary and exercise recommendations based on your unique experience and body constitution.  If the above suggestions are not helpful in alleviating your symptoms, contact your acupuncturist to begin a healing program that will work for you. 

PMS is Not as "Normal" as you Think

 

It always amazes me when I see a new female client and I ask about her cycle and if she has raging pms symptoms, she will invariably reply "I have the normal pms symptoms". Then I think, what's "normal" about extreme and crazy mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness, cramps and bloating? PMS is commonly accepted in the west as a normal part of a woman's monthly cycle. But to a Traditional Chinese practitioner, it is something that should be and can be harmonized. With acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy, we can see results between 1-3 cycles. Everyone varies, of course. But if your raging emotions get less intense to non-existent each month, and you simply get a period without all the hoopla, imagine how much better life could be. 

Who has Time for Allergies?

Allergy and hay fever season is here and who has time for it? Luckily there are things you can do to eliminate the discomfort associated with allergies and make life more enjoyable.

You know the symptoms; a runny nose, itchy eyes, excessive sneezing. "These allergic reactions are the immune system's hyper responses to pollens, molds, and other environmental irritants, which interestingly, is actually the first step in healing," says Dr. Rick Brown, a chiropractic physician at Source Healing. "By producing histamines that fight the allergens at the root, your immune system releases cellular fluids, in the form of mucus, tears, etc."

Nevertheless, there are natural approaches you can take to lessen your body's reaction. Acupuncture can help modulate your body's hyper response to these infiltrating allergens. Dietary modifications like eliminating dairy from the diet can make a difference in the amount of mucus that is produced. Dr. Rick Brown recommends natural anti- inflammatories, found in omega 3 oils and raw organic sesame oil to reduce the swelling. Also using a nettie pot, a special pot designed to clear out your nasal passages, when used regularly, can aid in irrigating your sinus cavity.

So if you or someone you know is having a bad allergy attack this season, know that you don't have to buy over the counter medicine that suppresses what your body is naturally trying to fight. Acupuncture, chiropractic, dietary therapy along with other alternative remedies, can do a lot for the immune system.

Letting go to Change

Yet one of the most feared things in our life is change. But change happens anyways, whether it’s a move into a new home, change in jobs, breakups, new relationships, etc. During times of great change, if we are unaware, our bodies can take a hit because we physically resist with our own anxieties and fears. Back pain, neck and shoulder tension, insomnia heighten during these transitions.

This is where bodywork comes in. I treat many of my long-time clients during times of great change or transitions in their lives. They usually come in because of body pain that needs work. Ultimately, bodywork helps one let go to the unknown that change brings in because the body is flowing and less resistant.

Here’s an idea: get a tune-up being conscious of the fact that you are in an accelerated space of change in your life. It will make the transition much smoother as you let go of holding, tightness and control in your body. Letting go to these changes is what evolution is about. It's where you're intended to go. Learning from the transition brings on the wisdom.

How to Let Go while trying to Conceive

In a world where “let it go” has been overused, there is nothing more annoying than hearing it when you’re in the hot pursuit of conception. But there is wisdom to the term. What does it mean to Let Go? It means to live your life and make decisions based on the fact that you actually trust your body can heal and do what it’s biologically set up to do, no matter what you’ve been through. Above all, it means that in the greater scheme of things, you TRUST that there is a bigger picture for you that you may not be able to see. So how do you let go to? Well, you can make the focus about getting your body back in balance as opposed to just pregnancy. When your body is in balance, your life is in balance. When you make balance the focus, it’s an act of love towards your body, and what doesn’t respond well to that? Make it easier on yourself and let children be a by- product of you being harmonized with your body and the world around you.

Post Partum Anger

More post partum women are coming in with an uncontrollable anger and rage that they hold in their bodies for whatever reason, mostly unknown to them. You can point to whatever you want, hormones, depression, lack of sleep, lack of life as you knew it, all of the above. But whatever you do, rather than let it manifest as a physical symptom, like neck, shoulder and back pain, among many, it’s important to intend to heal and process it out of your body. Intending to heal it makes all the difference. What can you do? Talk about it with other women who’ve been through it, get bodywork done regularly, eat consciously, and exercise daily! Most women don’t acknowledge anger because of guilt that it may show a lack of gratitude for their bundle of joy. It’s also a taboo for women to show that things are less than perfect. But the fact is, it’s there, so acknowledge it, especially if your husband thinks your crazy, and then do something about it so you don’t have to keep on being miserable.

Health is your Greatest Asset

What is your greatest asset? It’s not your investments, toys, and retirement fund. Health is your greatest asset.  If you’re not feeling great, what good is anything? Is any amount of stress worth the poor health induced by chronic anxiety or pain? One might come in for fertility, migraines, or stress but the greatest gift is learning how to feel peace in your body no matter what. How do you feel peace in your body in the middle of chaos at work or in the world? Well it’s a learned thing like anything else. What it takes is consistency. Start with little things like eating consciously and working out or moving your body daily, and learning how to quiet your mind. Your body and its optimal health is worth everything. It’s worth learning something new for. Especially when you’re sick and tired of not feeling your best. It’s about time.