Archive for the ‘Chinese Herbs’ Category

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Eczema: How Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Can Help

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Eczema – also sometimes referred to as dermatitis – is a common skin condition marked by an itchy red rash that can appear in skin folds around the knees, elbows or neck. Children commonly suffer from eczema, but studies have also shown the condition to be widespread in adults – with recent studies showing that up to 30% of the population suffers from eczema at some point in their lives.

The causes of eczema are not fully understood, but researchers and scientists believe that the condition is probably the result of a number of factors including genetics and the patient’s environment. Eczema is usually mild and causes itching and irritation, but in more severe forms, it can lead to pain and discomfort, can disrupt sleep and can limit daily activities. Traditional treatments for eczema include creams, ointments or corticosteroids and doctors often recommend that patients avoid soap, detergents or materials that could increase irritation.

Looking at eczema from a traditional Chinese Medicine perspective is a wholly different approach. While allergies and environment may be factors, Chinese Medicine also explores the role of the body’s overall health and balance (both physical and emotional). Ailments and illnesses occur when this balance is disturbed and skin conditions, rashes and irritations can be external symptoms of other health factors and problems like emotional stress, diet and fatigue.

So, to treat eczema, Chinese Medicine takes a more whole body / whole patient approach. I talk with my patients to learn more about their health and habits. Is there an underlying health problem or illness? A change in work or stress levels? An alteration in diet?  Using this information I then develop a customized treatment regimen of herbs, acupuncture and even diet for each patient. Using this personalized approach to restoring overall balance, I have had success decreasing patients’ eczema, itching and irritation.

This approach has worked for others, as well, and more and more patients are turning to Chinese Medicine to help treat the underlying cause of their eczema. In fact, a study published in 2011 showed that acupuncture treatment helped reduce itch intensity for patients suffering from eczema.

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Healthy New Year – Resolutions for Better Health in 2013

Friday, January 18th, 2013

It’s here. 2013. Hopefully you rang it in with joy and good health, but if you are like many Americans, you have resolved to eat better and be better when it comes to your health this year.

Easier said than done, right?

If you are still on track and haven’t broken that New Year’s Resolution just yet, good for you. If you’ve faltered a bit, here are 5 top tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) that may help you stay the course.

1. Move more

Stagnation is not good – especially when it’s your body. To really take control of your health and keep your blood and endorphins flowing, you’ve got to get up and move. It could be as simple as getting outside for a 20 minute walk. The key is moving. Your body is an instrument – the most important (and only one!) you’ve got – you’ve got to keep it tuned up and in shape to get the most out of it.

2. Stress less

This one seems obvious, but it’s often the hardest to accomplish. We all have stress in our lives, but it seriously impacts your qi and the body’s ability to clear toxins and ward off illness. Take 10 minutes to slow down and listen to your breathing. Seriously think about cutting out those activities or people that bring you nothing but stress. Your body will thank you.

3. Eat and Drink When You are Hungry and Thirsty

I know, this one sounds plainly obvious, but think about how the vast majority of people eat or drink today. It tends to be about quantity, not quality and about schedules, not listening to your body’s needs. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes moderation in eating and drinking (TCM says to eat until you feel 70% full) and advises that people consume food and beverages when the body needs it.

4. Think About “Hot” and “Cold” Foods

Again, TCM is all about balance, so if you are someone who tends to feel or be cold, think about adding more “warm” foods and spices into your diet – both food temperature and also characteristics (curries, chili peppers, etc.) On the other end of the spectrum, if you are often hot or live in a warmer climate, TCM dictates that “cool” foods will help balance your diet. You might want to add more mint, cucumbers, or celery to your meals.

5. Eat locally and seasonally

TCM emphasizes balance and the body’s relationship with its surroundings. By eating fruits, vegetables and even meats that were locally grown or harvested, you are connecting your body and your health with your environment. You also eat more healthily by selecting produce that is in season. There’s a reason certain fruits and vegetables are ripe and ready for eating in certain months, whether it’s peaches in the summer or root vegetables in the fall and winter – your body is attuned to that harvesting cycle and will thank you for it.

 

These are just a few of my own tips and resolutions for 2013. What are some of yours? Let me know in the comments or Tweet me at @empiricalpoint.

 

And here’s to a happy and healthy 2013!

 

 

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The Concept of Qi in Chinese Medicine

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

chinese qiThe Daoist philosophical approach is a close relationship between humankind and nature. Concepts of qi can be noted by Daoist writers such as Lao Zi, Zhuang Zi and Lao-Zhuang. Qi was used to explain the workings of the entire universe. As a microcosm of the universe, the concept of qi made its way into medical writings.

Qi became known as the vital substance of living beings. Medical theorists postulated that just as qi was seen to drive wind through the sky, collect in mountains and course from the river to the sea, qi must certainly follow these same principles within the body. This becomes the basis of anatomy and physiology in Chinese medicine. It is known to practitioners of acupuncture Chinese medicine as the jing luo  经络.

When qi was adopted as a construct of physiology in Chinese medical theory, differentiating the many processes of qi in the body then followed. Very sophisticated and complex mechanisms to explain the processes of human life took shape. By the time the seminal text, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” was compiled (450-200 B.C.), close to 300 different categories of qi were expanded and developed to describe everything from the skin’s pores opening and closing to proper digestion and elimination.

The two most basic categories of qi are yin qi and yang qi. The yin qi is the nourishment that comes from the assimilation of food and drink via the digestion. The yang qi in its most yang form is known as Wei qi. This “defensive qi” circulates outside the jing luo as serves as a defensive mechanism against external pathogens that try to enter the body. This is very similar to the Western concept of having a strong immune system.

In addition to the basic broad categories of qi, all the internal organs have their own distinctive qi. Each organ’s unique qi is seen to control specific physiological, sensory and emotional processes

As you can see, qi is scalable and defines both health and pathological developments in the body. The practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine uses questioning, palpation, observation and other sensory input to access a patient’s concerns. These concerns are then translated into proper and improper qi mechanisms within the body. The skilled practitioner then works to resolve the named imbalance, insufficiency or excess situation through the use of qigong, dietary therapy, massage, herbs or acupuncture.

This understanding and harnessing of qi – the vital substance of all living things – is the core element and foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the basis for how I work with all of my patients. To learn more about qi, you can visit:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arthur-rosenfeld/what-is-qi_b_743986.html

http://taoism.about.com/od/qi/a/Qi.htm

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2004/sep/09lo.html

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History of Acupuncture

Friday, October 12th, 2012
historical acupuncture text

acupuncture and Chinese medicine has an interesting and long history

So, you are thinking about trying acupuncture to help improve and maintain your health? Or, perhaps you are a long-time devotee of the approach to balancing your energy and improving your well-being? No?  Maybe you are a skeptic?

No matter what your relationship with or thoughts about acupuncture are, I think you may agree that its origins and history are fascinating. I’m often asked by my patients, friends and colleagues and collaborators in the “Western medicine” field about the history of acupuncture. Here is a brief overview.

Most researchers and historians agree that Chinese medicine and acupuncture predate recorded history. In fact, sharpened stones and bones that date from about 6000 BCE have been interpreted as instruments for acupuncture treatment and the philosophy that shapes and drives current acupuncture theory is at least 2,000 years old.

The pivotal texts that reframe and reshape Chinese medicine and acupuncture from a supernatural medicine to cohesive somatic preventative practice were compiled during the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) and the early Han period (206 BCE–220 CE). These are known as the “Huang Di Nei Jing” or “The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine.” They have a very conversational style and are written as a series of questions that are posed by the Yellow Emperor to a learned physician named Qi-Bo. They emphasize Daoist philosophy, including yin-yang theory and nature’s five element doctrine. The first book is commonly known as the “Su Wen,” or “Fundamental Questions” and covers the theoretical foundation of Chinese Medicine and its diagnostic methods. The second book is named “Ling Shu,” or “Spiritual Axis/Pivot” and is essentially a detailed acupuncture manual. These texts were revolutionary for the time due to their systemized content. The “Huang Di Nei Jing” departs from the commonly held societal shamanistic beliefs that disease was caused by demonic influences. These “conversations” between the Yellow Emperor and Qi-Bo revolutionized Chinese medicine and laid the foundation of a complete holistic medical system, emphasizing the premise that disease develops due to natural causes of diet, lifestyle, emotions, environment, and age.

Throughout the history of China, acupuncture and herbal medicine continued to advance and develop into a nuanced medicine. The Tai Ping, Imperial Academy, was very instrumental to this process. The Imperial physicians were often the “cream of the crop” physicians and scholars in Chinese medicine. They created criteria for excellence in medicine by developing detailed models for disease transmission, treatment and prognosis. Depending on the historical period, often societal and social constructs made their way into the medicine. Confucianism and moves back to renewed interest in mysticism often show up in the recorded medicine of the time.

Chinese medicine and acupuncture in the modern era was again morphing in the 1950’s. Chairman Mao declared that Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine would be united and acupuncture became widely available in all hospitals. “Barefoot Doctors’ were also trained in a very elementary manner to employ the use of Chinese medicine and acupuncture so that some form of healthcare could be deployed to meet the challenges of the rural populations. At this point in history, only 2% of China’s population lived in cities.

Acupuncture made its way to the U.S. in the early 1970s. In 1971, New York Times reporter James Reston was treated with acupuncture during a visit to Beijing and wrote an article about how it helped treat post-operative pain. The following year, the first legal acupuncture center in the U.S. opened in Washington, D.C. and in 1973, the IRS allowed taxpayers to take acupuncture treatments as a medical expense deduction.

Now, nearly 40 years later, acupuncture has become more mainstream and is rapidly growing in use and acceptance. Building on its thousands of years of history and practice, acupuncture is continuing to impact patients’ health and overall well being.

 

Sources and more interesting information:

https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/The+History+of+Acupuncture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/5/662.full

 

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You’re Graduating? Congratulations! (You Must be Stressed)

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
acupuncture helps graduation stress

acupuncture for stress

A cap-and-gown and pomp-and-circumstance can bring great excitement and usher in a new, change-filled and amazing phase in a graduate’s life. It can also bring endless job interviews, the reality of student loans and a move into either an apartment with a monthly rental bill or your parent’s basement. In short, it can mean STRESS.

I see patients dealing with stress all the time. It is a real health challenge and it manifests itself in difficult and often painful ways – headaches, backaches, fatigue and even colds and flu. But, there are ways that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and, specifically, acupuncture can help  improve your health, reduce your stress and make this time more enjoyable.

Here’s a quick list of tips that may be helpful during this time of great change:

1.  Remember that stress is normal and OK. Stress is your body’s way of dealing with fears, worries and over-stimulation. Pretty much sums up graduation, right? While you may not be able to just “turn off” stress, you can help manage it and keep it and keep it bay by exercising, taking the right herbal remedies, eating well and, yes, acupuncture is being used to help maintain your health and reduce several types of stress.

2.  Get good sleep. Not enough sleep can be hazardous to your overall health, but it can also cause fitful and restless sleep and even contribute to bad dreams. In fact, this NPR segment looks at how graduation stress can prompt nightmares and what you can do to avoid them.

3.  Keep moving. Fatigue and depression can be warning signs of too much stress. To help combat these symptoms, it is important to stay in tune with your body and to keep active. Moving and getting your heart rate up can help your body alleviate both mental and physical stress. Think about it – who doesn’t feel better after a brisk walk or a good workout?

4.  Stay positive when job searching. This one is easier said than done, I know, but it’s important to remember that you are building a lifelong career. While this first job is important, it’s a stepping stone to several other positions and professional adventures that you’ll probably encounter throughout your lifetime. Even if your career path is a straight arrow in your mind right now, you’ll probably look back in several years at a more winding road. You’ll get there!

5.  Keep on a budget. Money is a big source of stress, whether it’s around graduation time or not (wish I could tell you this wasn’t a lifelong stress button!), so the better you are about building a budget and sticking to it, the less financial stress you’ll have. It can be hard to live within your means, but it’s definitely harder to face overdue bills and credit card debt.

So, as you don that cap and gown this graduation season, please remember your health and try to not to let stress weigh you down. You’re accomplishing something amazing and you, your family and your friends should be proud and enjoy the moment. (Your body will thank you).

 

 

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Ahhhh-choo! Acupuncture and Seasonal Allergies

Friday, April 20th, 2012

acupuncture helps seasonal allergies

chinese medicine helps seasonal allergies

Ahhh…daffodils, robins and budding trees. It’s spring! We must rejoice…right?

Well, most of us will happily greet this warming up and greening of our surroundings, however for the 35 million Americans that suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and dry or itchy eyes, the welcome is far more reluctant.

And, this year, it’s even worse. Our very mild winter and early warm temperatures mean an earlier bloom for many flowers, plants and trees, which – you guessed it – can mean earlier and increased amounts of pollen and more seasonal allergies. In fact, CBS 2 in Chicago just did an interesting segment on what this year’s early spring means for allergy sufferers – you can see it here.

So, what’s a spring-lover to do? Well, acupuncture could be the answer.

Acupuncture has been shown to be a safe and effective way to combat the symptoms of seasonal allergies. In 2004, a study published by Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that patients treated with acupuncture for six weeks and given a Chinese herbal medicine formula to take daily saw improvement in their allergy symptoms, higher energy levels and improved emotional well-being. The study was covered, along with tips about how acupuncture can be used to treat allergies in this Seattle Post-Intelligencer article.

In acupuncture, there are seven key pressure points that can help bring relief to seasonal allergy sufferers. By focusing on these points, an acupuncturist can help relieve and reduce symptoms like runny nose and sinus pain or headache. Six of these points are found on your face and the seventh is on your left foot. To get started, you can even stimulate these pressure points on your own – here’s a recent Huffington Post health blog post that tells you how.

Chinese herbal treatments can also help. I have worked with patients for years to not only treat the symptoms of their seasonal allergies – which in Traditional Chinese Medicine are sometimes referred to as the “branches” – but also to strengthen their overall systems throughout the year – or the “root”.

Herbs that can be used for seasonal allergies include butterbur, which is known in Chinese herbal medicine as ping hua feng dou cai and was featured in a recent paper in British Medical Journal. The study showed that butterbur, when taken four times daily, can be just as effective as antihistamine drugs in controlling hay fever symptoms, but without a drowsiness side effect. Other Chinese herbal medicinals used to treat seasonal allergies include Cocklebur Fruit, or cang er zi, and Angelica Root, also known as bai zhi.

Now, go enjoy this glorious weather!

 

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A Pain in the Neck? Why Acupuncture and TCM Could be the Answer…

Monday, April 2nd, 2012
acupuncture for neck pain

chinese medicine can alleviate neck pain

The vast majority of patients that come to see me are coming in for one reason – chronic pain.

Chronic pain is an increasingly common ailment or condition and most often patients are suffering from lower back pain, general joint or arthritis pain or neck pain. It’s estimated that 26% of Americans suffer from chronic pain, compared to 7% that have diabetes, 6% with heart disease and less than 2% diagnosed with cancer. For those living with chronic pain, neck pain is the third most common cause, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics.

There are many causes for neck pain. The Mayo Clinic has some great online resources and information about what can lead to neck pain, including muscle strains, worn joints, nerve compression, injuries and diseases.

Physicians and researchers have also been conducting studies to test the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic neck pain. The results have been compelling. A 2001 study showed that acupuncture was effective in relieving neck pain and improving range of motion. In a 2004 study, the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating chronic neck pain was evaluated in 153 patients. Nearly 70% of those patients had a successful outcome from acupuncture, reporting an improvement in pain of at least 50%.

In addition to acupuncture, people have been using Traditional Chinese Medicine – or TCM – and herbal remedies to successfully treat chronic neck pain for thousands of years. One of these remedies, Notopterygium Root, is also known as qiang huo in Chinese pinyin. Qiang huo has long been used in Chinese herbal formulas because it specifically “homes” to the upper spine and neck, opening the area and allowing for release of constraint and greater freedom of movement.

Qiang huo is also considered a foundational herb in the Chinese medicine specialty of Wai Ke. Wai Ke’s focus on external medicine also employs the use of kudzu, which is also known as ge gen. Ge gen is another popular choice in Chinese herbal medicine formulas because is provides directionality in a formula to the upper spine and neck area. Ge gen is very effective for neck pain and has been proven effective in a Yale study for relieving cluster headaches. Both qiang huo and ge gen are known to reduce inflammation and also work as analgesics to reduce neck pain.

Herbal remedies that many people may be familiar with are menthol and camphor – if you’ve ever used Ben Gay or IcyHot, you’ve used these key ingredients. Well, they can also be used on their own as an herbal remedy and are rubbed into the skin to increase blood flow and produce a warm or cool feeling that soothes muscles and eases aches.

So, while having chronic neck pain can be…well, a pain in the neck, acupuncture can make a significant difference and traditional Chinese medicine offers a wide range of herbal treatments that can reduce inflammation and pain. A licensed acupuncturist or practitioner of TCM can help develop a plan that is customized for you and eases that ache.

 

 

 

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Empirical Point Acupuncture Named “Philadelphia’s Best in Acupuncture” by Insight Magazine

Friday, February 24th, 2012
Philadelphia's best acupuncturist

Empirical Point Acupuncture voted best in Philly

Here at Empirical Point Acupuncture, we are fortunate to get inquiries from patients, researchers, physicians and reporters on a fairly regular basis. We love that people want to know more about acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and we are proud to be a resource, engaging in conversation and providing our thoughts and educational information on health topics ranging from how to treat achy knees to healthy eating and from stress relief to how to finally quit smoking.

So, when Insight Magazine called and told us they were reviewing several local acupuncture practices, we were happy to give them a tour and offer a treatment session.

Great news – in the magazine’s most recent issue, Empirical Point Acupuncture was named “Philadelphia’s Best in Acupuncture” and we are honored. Here are a few excerpts from the article, which you can read here:

Feeling taken care of is an understatement after a visit at Empirical Point, as Sherman is gracious and calming—not only caring for my pain points in acupuncture, but for my well-being in general.

Her comprehensive approach to learning about new clients includes an in depth questionnaire which helps provide important details into how Sherman will heal each client. I thoroughly enjoyed our in-depth consultation, allowing me to express my points of discomfort. Sharon wanted to help loosen my stress knots and relieve knee pain I had been having, in just one session.

Ultimately, Empirical Point offers excellent results in just one hour-long session in peaceful surroundings. It doesn’t hurt that, after visiting Sharon’s Chestnut Hill location, I learned that Empirical Point is one of the cleanest, more comforting acupuncture locations in Philadelphia.

We want to thank Insight Magazine for this designation, but remain most dedicated to being the “best” in our patients’ eyes. So, we’ll celebrate this award for a bit, but will continue to focus our 2012 efforts on helping you achieve your long-term health goals.

Thanks – YOU are the best!

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Healing, Health and Self-Responsibility

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
self-responsibility and healing

self-responsibility and health

Look around. You may have noticed that our lives are faster and more hectic than ever before. The pace of everyday life has accelerated and we want quick results. This is true in our professional lives (how many emails did you have to answer today?), our personal lives (instant status updates on Facebook, anyone?) and even when it comes to our health. While chronic conditions like pain, arthritis, inflammation and even obesity can take years for our body to develop and affect us, we often want to fix them instantly with a pill or even a surgery.

Chinese Medicine is built upon a wholly different approach and philosophy. Your health is a long-term investment, one that you make in yourself and are personally responsible for every day. It is achievable when you invest in it, open yourself up to it and make it a priority in your life. Healing your body and maintaining your health is a result of putting long-term effort into balancing your body, your mind and your energy. Exercise. Healthy eating, relaxation techniques to calm your nerves. It’s all about self-cultivation and pursuing activities that engender your spirit and pique your passions.

So, it all starts with the individual. Simply put, maintaining your health is a matter of self-responsibility.

I’ve recently read some great articles and blog posts that talk about this and how it ties in to some of today’s hot topics – the health care debate, the economics of health care treatments, Americans’ increasingly sedentary lifestyle. I think it’s very telling that more Americans change their car’s oil on a regular basis than go in for regular medical or dental check ups and that it’s become entirely normal for someone to spend 4 hours a night watching TV but to get less than 15 minutes of physical activity a day.

The good news is that if your health has not been optimal, YOU can make changes and empower yourself towards better health. Like many other things, health is achieved by working at it, one day and one small effort at a time. Also like many other things, being healthy (or unhealthy, for that matter) isn’t something that happens instantly – it takes time. For this reason, it’s very important to be patient and to be strongly committed to your goal.

Chinese Medicine approaches the cause of disease more broadly than traditional Western medicine, outlining five root causes:

  • Emotional factors
  • Dietary factors
  • Environmental causes – exposure to excessive coldness, heat, wind, damp, dryness, and environmental toxicities
  • Lack of movement, or exercise
  • Our inherited genetics

In Chinese medicine, these five factors are seen as the cause of interruptions to the body’s normal physiology. The body will work to quell and block damaging habits and activities, but if it’s trying to do so on a daily basis, it often will compensate – this can result in symptoms like heartburn, chronic constipation or diarrhea. Your body is trying to tell you that it is stressed and working hard to compensate for another illness or problem. Today, many people will take an over-the-counter medication to counter these symptoms, but that is only a temporary fix. Chinese medicine asserts that you should “listen” to what your body is telling you and work to fix the root cause, not just the uncomfortable or undesirable symptom.

To do that, we look for stagnations or obstructions in the flow of humors or vital energy – these obstructions can create blockages and over time will manifest as disease. And it’s not just a physical phenomenon. Emotional issues like stress, if unresolved at the source, can also affect your body and its systems. If dealing with them is pushed to the bottom of your “to do” list, your body will work to compensate in some other way and these type of issues can take a negative toll on your health.

So, what do you do? How should we practice self-responsibility and take ownership of our health?

I am suggesting that we all work to create mindfulness toward better health. Take a moment to see – really see – the everyday factors that could be affecting your health. Factors like stress, anger, frustration or junk foods and a sedentary lifestyle. What is negative in your life and how might it be affecting your health? What can you do to change it?

You can change it.

In fact, even small changes like a 10 minute walk or an apple instead of chips can be hugely beneficial for your body. Also, an overall healthier outlook or attitude can have an impact. You can reach your health goals if you take tiny steps forward…and keep taking them.

All this being said, I do want to be clear that there are health conditions that can strike anyone and are devastating in their anonymity. What it does mean is that there is a whole spectrum of entirely preventable conditions that by staying in tune with your body, treating it with respect and care, YOU can combat. You are your own best champion for health and balance.

And, in the end, don’t you (and your body) deserve that?

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‘Tis the Season…for Eating! How to Survive the Holidays without Gaining those 5 Pesky Pounds

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
acupuncture can help holiday weight gain

Chinese medicine can help holiday weight gain

We all love a good pumpkin pie, sugar cookie or sip of egg nog, but our heart and our waistline are often what suffer this time of year. Too much of many good things cause Americans to gain an average of 3-5 pounds over the holidays (and prompt countless New Year’s resolutions and new gym memberships in January). But, there are ways you can help your body this season and not pack on any holiday baggage:

1. Don’t overdo it – I know, I know, this is obvious, but it’s also much harder than it sounds. Between the holiday parties and family gatherings there tends to be many more goodies, sweets and rich, fatty foods around than normal. So, if you are going to a party, try to eat a light, healthy dinner at home first (like a salad and soup or snack on some fruit or veggies) so that you’ll be less tempted to chow down once you get there. Here are some great eating tips and even healthy recipes to help.

2. Plan time for exercise – with holiday schedules often a blur, it’s difficult to carve out time to get to the gym or that spinning class. But, keeping your body moving is not only important for your muscles, it’s a great stress reliever for your mind and spirit, too. If you can’t make it to the gym, take a walk, get outside and finish up the last of that fall raking, or even do 15 minutes of extra vacuuming or dusting (those holiday guests will be impressed!). The little things add up and will help. Here are some holiday exercise tips and ideas on how to sneak in some cardio.

3. Plan time for rest – while this might sound like it contradicts #2, rest and relaxation are an important part of your body’s rhythm and overall health, too. If you are well-rested, you are far more likely to ward off colds and flu and will be more motivated to exercise than if you are tired or feeling “blah.” The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has some great tips for healthy sleep here.

4. Look eastward – that’s right, to Oriental Medicine. There are several herbs like green tea and shan za and foods like mung beans, yi yi ren (coix) and winter melon that can help your metabolism function smoothly and keep your digestive system at peak performance. Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to help with weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. A licensed practitioner can customize a program that fits your needs, diet and lifestyle.

5. Relax – remember that one of the biggest joys of the holiday season is spending time with family and friends. By letting yourself relax and simply enjoy this time of year, you will help yourself stay centered, calm and healthy.

 

Cheers!

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