REST, RESTORE, REVITALIZE
In nature, winter is the season
where all living things slow down, conserve their energy and
prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.
Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental
principles of winter – rest, restoration and revitalization.
The Nei Ching, one of the earliest surviving medical
books on acupuncture, advises:
"During the winter months one should refrain from overusing
energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later
in winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and
subdued, as if keeping a happy secret."
Eating warm hearty soups, dressing warmly, and refraining from
cold and raw foods is also recommended.
Element: Water
Nature: Yin
Organs: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Ears and
Hair
Emotion: Fear and Depression
Flavor: Salty
Seasonal acupuncture treatments in winter serve to nurture
and nourish kidney Qi (the organ associated with winter) which
can greatly enhance the body's ability to thrive in times of
stress and aid in healing, preventing illness, and increase
vitality.
Call now for more information or to schedule your seasonal
tune-up
786-306-8009
De-stress this Winter with Acupuncture
While optimal health and well-being
in the winter season calls for rest, energy conservation and the
revitalization of body and spirit, your holiday activities may
have a different agenda. This year can be filled with a mad
scramble of visitors, family get-togethers and frantic shopping
trips. Compound the usual seasonal pressures with the constant
barrage of bad economic news and you may find this to be one of
the most stressful times of the year.
Stress, frustration and unresolved anger can cause a disruption
in the flow of qi or energy through the body. These energetic
imbalances can throw off the immune system or cause symptoms of
pain, sleep disturbances, mood changes, abnormal digestion,
headaches, and menstrual irregularities, and, over time, more
serious illnesses can develop. Acupuncture treatments can
correct these imbalances and directly effect the way you manage
stress.
Studies on Acupuncture and Stress
Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of
acupuncture in the treatment of stress.
A 2008 study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found
that acupuncture point alleviated preoperative anxiety in
children while a 2003 study conducted at Yale University showed
that ear acupuncture significantly lowered the stress level of
the mothers of children that were scheduled for surgery.
A German study published in Circulation found that
acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic
blood pressure. The extent of the blood pressure reductions by
acupuncture treatments was comparable to those seen with
antihypertensive medication or aggressive lifestyle changes,
including radical salt restrictions.
Another study from the University of New Mexico measured the
affects of acupuncture on 73 men and women with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers found the acupuncture
treatments to be as helpful as the standard treatment of
cognitive behavioral therapy.
Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off
balance, consider acupuncture therapy to regain peace of mind,
regulate your immune system and stay healthy.
Miso Soup with Scallions
Did you know that Miso Soup with Scallions is actually an
ancient herbal remedy for colds?
In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes about Miso Soup with
Scallions in a book called, Bei ji zhou hou fang or
Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One's Sleeve.
The soup is indicated for the onset of a cold when a person is
just beginning to feel a headache, stuffy nose and a slight
fever. So, the next time you feel a cold coming on, be sure to
have your miso!
Miso Soup (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
* 6 cups water
* 3-4 Tablespoons Aka Miso or red soy bean paste (usually sold
in the refrigerated section)
* 3-5 green onions stalks, chopped
Directions:
* Dissolve the miso in a little bit of boiling water (about 2
tsp.)
* Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the miso &
scallions.
* Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
* Remove from heat top with green onions and serve.
Variations: you can add various other ingredients to make a
more substantial soup, such as tofu, seaweed, fresh mushrooms,
cooked shrimp, snow pea sprouts, cooked rice noodles, or
paper-thin slices of fresh ginger.
New Location for Miami Holistic Center!
We have moved! Now located in the serene, magical
environment of
The Self Enrichment Center.
The
services offered are complementary to traditional western
medicine and personal development methodologies. They themselves
constitute proven treatments, originating within the
medical-health-spiritual framework of very ancient cultures. The
Self-Enrichment Center has been recognized as a valid
alternative option for heath and wellness. We are proud to
be associated with The Self Enrichment Center!
Come visit us at this new location on the corner of Sunset
(72nd street) and 63rd Avenue in South Miami. (New Addres
Above)
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In This Issue
- REST, RESTORE, REVITALIZE
- De-stress this Winter with Acupuncture
- Miso Soup with Scallions
- Stress Busting Foods
- New Location for Miami Holistic Center!
Stress Busting Foods
The foods that you eat play a crucial role in your
overall well-being as well as your ability to handle stress.
Over 1400 chemical changes occur as stress hormones, such as
cortisone, sap important nutrients such as B vitamins,
vitamin C and magnesium from the body.
Here are three foods that can replenish your supply of these
nutrients and enhance your ability to manage stress:
Cauliflower – Cauliflower and other cruciferous
vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale are chock
full of stress-relieving B vitamins. Cauliflower is also one
of the very best sources of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid helps turn carbohydrates and fats into
usable energy and improves your ability to respond to stress
by supporting your adrenal glands. Fatigue, listlessness,
numbness and tingling or burning pain in the feet are all
indications that you may need more vitamin B5 in your diet.
Salmon – Salmon is a healthy and delicious way to get
your dose of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B12
supports production of red blood cells, allows nerve cells
to develop properly and is essential to the synthesis of the
"happy" brain chemical serotonin.
Among the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a 2003 study
published in Diabetes & Metabolism found that a diet
rich in omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced the stress
response and kept the stress hormones cortisol and
epinephrine in check.
Blackberries – Blackberries are jam packed with
Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin C has shown to be
a powerful stress reducer that can lower blood pressure and
return cortisol levels to normal faster when taken during
periods of stress.
Magnesium and calcium act together to help regulate the
body's nerves and muscle tone. When there is too little
magnesium in your diet, nerve cells can become over
activated and can trigger muscle tension, muscle soreness,
muscle spasms, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.
Blackberries have more than double the amounts of vitamin C,
calcium and magnesium than their popular cousin, the
blueberry.
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