Feeling jolly this holiday season!

Holiday season is upon us. Our calendars are filling up with holiday dinners and parties, where many of us will gorge on a bountiful of food and drinks.

The tips below will keep you feeling jolly through this time of year.

·         Drink too much? Counteract the effects by drinking a large amount of green tea as soon as possible. Researchers have found that antioxidants (called catechins) found in green tea inhibit absorption of alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to less of an inflammatory response and faster elimination.

·         Stuffed from eating too much? Oolong tea helps settle an upset stomach, improves digestion, and prevents acid reflux.

·         Feeling under the weather?

o   Senna tea is a natural laxative, preventing constipation and relieves the discomfort caused by food that builds up in the colon.

o   Apply pressure to the following acupressure point: In the middle of your inner wrist, two-and-one-half finger widths below the wrist crease. As you press down on the point, take a deep breath and release your breath slowly. This point relieves stomachaches, indigestion, nausea, and anxiety.

o   Apply White Flower oil to your belly and rub your stomach clockwise for about 2 minutes. This helps with constipation and stomachaches.

Finally, eat mindfully. Enjoy and savor every single bite; take in the moment; and be thankful for the experience!

Points of Wellness wishes everyone a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for each and every one of you!

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD

This time of the year we have a tendency to over indulge, especially when it comes to food. Along with the desserts, appetizers, fried food, and so on, many of us experience heartburn or acid reflux. The medical term for acid reflux is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, can offer an effective and natural treatment for acid reflux.

Your acupuncturist will place thin needles into various parts of your body to regulate the flow of Qi (energy) to restore organs, such as the spleen, liver, heart, stomach and kidneys, to their normal function.

During the busy holiday season, if you cannot get in for a treatment here are some points you can use to help yourself.

• PC 6 (inner gate) is located on the palm side of you wrist, about 2 thumb widths above the wrist crease and in the center of the arm. Use the thumb of the opposite hand to apply firm pressure on the point; inhale and exhale deeply for a few minutes while applying pressure.

• ST 36 (three mile) is located on the lateral (outside) side of the lower leg, four fingers width from below the lower border of the kneecap and one finger width off the shin bone on the outside. Apply firm pressure for about a minute.

Regarding herbal remedies, your TCM practitioner will need to diagnose the cause of your reflux. For example, acid reflux may be caused by a TCM condition known as stomach fire, which indicates that excessive heat is flowing into your stomach and irritating it. Another cause for acid reflux could be an imbalance in the liver. One function of the liver, according to TCM, is to control the proper flow of Qi throughout the body. Qi flows through specific pathways, known as meridians, to ensure that all organs of the body are functioning properly. If the liver is not functioning at maximum potential, medical problems can develop in the body.

A number of factors may contribute to acid reflux:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Consumption of certain types of foods (such as spicy foods)

Lifestyle changes can cure or greatly reduce symptoms:

• Eat smaller meals throughout the day
• Do not eat right before bedtime
• A glass of warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning
• Saltine crackers first thing in the morning
• 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz. of water
• If you feel you ate something that caused your stomach to be upset, then try chewing on a piece of ginger or drink ginger tea to help your stomach feel better.
• Most of all, reduce the stress in your life

For long term and lasting results, I would encourage you to talk to a Chinese Medicine practitioner for specifics on your reflux symptoms.

I would like to wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

 

I love myself!

As humans, we are social beings. We are meant to connect to others, and we have a desire to be loved, to feel significant. We want someone to love us, even though we do not show ourselves love. They say actions speak louder than words. Do your actions say, “I love myself?”

Loving yourself starts with treating yourself well, inside and out. If your actions do not show love towards yourself, then start by feeding yourself nourishing and fortifying foods, such as vegetables, fish, lean meats, nuts, and legumes!

When grocery shopping, only buy foods that are found around the perimeter of the grocery store, from a Farmers Market, or through a local co-op. Focus on foods that have high nutritional value and do not require a label, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Avoid foods that have been processed with chemicals. Read all labels, and if you cannot pronounce an ingredient, then do not purchase the item. Try to stay to 5 ingredients or less if you are buying processed foods.

Additionally, keep in mind, that the following are all sugars: cane sugar, maple syrup, corn sweetener, corn syrup, honey, molasses, brown rice syrup, crystallized or evaporated cane juice, fruit juice concentrates, maltodextrin (or dextrin), dextrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose. It is best to avoid sugars as much as possible; thus, try to buy one-ingredient foods, like kale and broccoli.

In my own practice, I see many patients who are starving their bodies of good nutrients by eating a lot of frozen meals and fast foods on a regular basis. When it came to food, author Michael Pollan said, "the longer shelf life the shorter your life". In other words, buy foods that will expire.

For many people, knowing what to eat gets very complicated. Here are some simple rules that are good to live by:

• Change your eating habits slowly – find out what works for your life.
• Buy food staples that you know you will eat.
• Choose natural foods whenever possible. When fresh food isn’t possible, then frozen fruits and vegetables are the next best choice.
• Buy organic meats and wild caught seafood.
• Eat according to the seasons. Hint: Usually, the produce that is on sale is what is in season.
• And, most importantly, eat when you are hungry and not before. In addition, stop eating before you are full.

Another way to determine what foods to eat is to find out what nutrients your body is missing or lacking. A traditional Chinese Practitioner can determine what is deficient or excess in your body. S/he can also help you balance your body’s inner system. And, in doing so, your body will be better at telling you what it needs to live healthy.

With all of these rules and suggestions in mind, remember, the best way to balance your body and to show yourself how much you love yourself is to not practice extremes. Balance is the key to being balanced! You can still eat all foods that you enjoy. Deprivation will only cause cravings. However, with everything and anything, including fruits and vegetables, remember moderation is the one rule you need to practice!