Preparing for the Winter Season

Western Medicine Causes for Winter Ailments

From a western medicine perspective, bacterial and viral infections are the main cause of winter ailments. Lack of sunlight and low temperatures in the cold seasons provide an ideal setting for viral and bacterial infections, which can give rise to colds, coughs, sore throats, flu and other winter illnesses. Furthermore the body’s immunity also tends to get weakened during the colder season and therefore it is more susceptible to attacks from various viruses and bacteria. These infections are also highly contagious and can be passed on easily from one person to another by simple actions like coughing or sneezing. This is one of the main reasons why common colds and coughs spread so easily. People who suffer from various allergies also have a difficult time during the winter months. These allergies also tend to last longer because most people prefer staying indoors when the temperatures are lower. Winter ailments can affect people of all age groups but tend to affect older individuals sooner than others because of their lowered immunity. Even pregnant women and individuals who suffer from immune system disorders are more prone to winter ailments because of a weakened immunity. People who have unhealthy eating habits and follow a sedentary lifestyle are also more at risk from different types of winter ailments. Poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity can directly impact a person’s immunity and raise the risk of succumbing to winter diseases. Therefore it is very important to follow a healthy balanced diet that can provide the body with all the essential nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy. Regular exercise can also help a great deal to increase your general fitness levels, boost your immune and help prevent not just infections, but minimize allergic reactions as well. Winter ailments like chilblain can also be avoided with the help of a good diet and regular exercise.

Chinese Medicine Model of Winter Disease

In Chinese medicine, each one of the seasons necessitates we modify our lifestyle and diet. Each season is characterized by a primary significant pathogenic factor. The winter months provide a stronger opportunity for the Cold pathogenic factor to affect our bodies. Cold affects the body by stagnating Qi, Blood and Body Fluids. Cold transforms active energy in the various organs and their associative acupuncture meridians and channels and converts the activated energy to potential or stagnant energy. Potential energy in the body is energy that is waiting to be activated. Chinese medical theory recognizes that activated energy in the body is required to maintain good health, increase longevity, boost immunity and minimize disease symptoms. Unfortunately, the Cold pathogenic factor of the winter season deactivates the body’s energy by stagnating it. An important precept of Chinese medicine is when all the body’s subtle energies are moving harmoniously then health will be manifested. Conversely, when these energies are stagnant then the disease process and accompanying symptoms will be manifested.

If you suspect that you’re experiencing a Cold Invasion, here are a few of the typical symptoms: chilliness, cold and weak knees, cold limbs, fatigue, low back pain, swelling or edema in the lower body, reduced appetite, desire for warm places, food and drinks, lack of thirst, loose stools, abundant clear urine, white tongue coating, pale complexion, blue tinged lips, fingers, toes or extremities.

Combating the Cold pathogenic factor can be accomplished in two major ways: diet and exercise.

In winter the selection of whole foods is sparse compared to the abundant choices we have during the summer. However, the foods that are readily available are perfectly suited for winter. Some excellent food choices for the winter season are shown below.

Spices/Herbs: basil, bay leaves, black pepper, capers, cardamom, cayenne, chives, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, dill seed, fennel seed, garlic, ginger, mustard seed, nutmeg, pine kernel, rosemary, spearmint, anise, fenugreek

Foods: cherry, chestnut, chicken, dates, goat, lamb, leek, lychee, longan, mussel, mustard leaf, mutton, onion, peach, scallion, shrimp, squash, sweet rice, trout, turnip, vinegar, walnut, lobster, venison

The exercises that you would normally engage in during the other seasons can be done in the winter. However, more emphasis should be placed on strengthening exercises rather than cardiovascular exercises. Winter is the Yin time of year. This is the time of year that is more consolidating and less active. It is a time for rebuilding and nourishing the body’s energy, instead of expending energy. In nature, this is a quieter, less active time and should be reflected in our lives, as well.

Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are great ways to boost your immune system as well as treating winter diseases and disorders, without the side affects typical of western drug therapies.

Caution! Do not self medicate. To determine the correct herbal combinations for your specific conditions (bronchitis, influenza, respiratory infections, ear infections, etc) obtain an herbal consultation with an Oriental Medical practitioner to get an accurate diagnosis and proper course of treatment recommendation. 

Meridian Harmonics

Pain Management Using Oriental Medicine

How does Acupuncture treat Pain?

In Chinese medicine, acupuncture meridian theory states that there are 14 primary channels of energy within the body. These channels or meridians are similar to a highway system. Qi, pronounced chee, (energy and information) is transmitted through the meridians so the body can perform specific tasks. When there is an interruption of the flow of energy or information in the meridian systems, one of the first signs can be discomfort or pain. Each of the meridians has internal and external branches or pathways. Acupuncture points lie on the external branches. The internal branches connect to other meridians or channels and to the internal organs. In this way acupuncture points can treat both pain and disharmony in the organs.

How does Tai Chi and Qi Gong help to relieve pain?

Chinese medicine is rooted in several major concepts and laws that govern the physical universe. One of these concepts is that Movement = Health and Non-movement (Stagnation) = Disease. To use this concept we need to understand that the body consists of meridians that transport Qi, blood vessels that transport Blood and tissues/organs that transport specific body fluids or food. These systems are designed to be dynamic or moving. When they cease to move efficiently or effectively, then the body will suffer. Longstanding lack of movement will, eventually, cause pain. To prevent or reduce pain, the ancient Chinese discovered that physical movement was one of the keys to health.

How does Chinese Herbal Medicine treat Pain?

They’re numerous pathogenic causes to pain. In western medicine most of these causes are rooted in nervous system disorders. Chinese Medicine, however, is not based on the nervous system. Therefore, pain can be caused by disharmonies with Qi, Blood, Body Fluids and environmental factors. Some examples of these disharmonies and just a few herbs to treat them are listed below.

Qi (Energy) Deficiency: Pain is worse with exertion; fatigue, weakness, swelling, distending pain; pain alleviated with pressure

Astragulus Root – augments Qi, strengthens blood; for numbness in limbs and painful obstructions

Licorice root – replenishes Qi, reduces toxicity, relieves spasms & pain

Qi (Energy) Stagnation: Achy pain, especially in the rib cage; anxiety, irritability, depression; pain aggravated with pressure

Tangerine Peel – regulates Qi, normalizes Spleen and Stomach functioning

Bupleurum – soothes Liver for pain in abdomen, chest and rib cage

Blood Deficiency: Heart palpitations, restless, irritable, fatigue, depression, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, inability to concentrate, poor memory, muscle weakness, spasms, numbness, irritability; pain alleviated by pressure

Angelica Root – nourishes and invigorates blood to stop pain; especially beneficial for all female disorders

White Peony root – nourishes blood, soothes Liver, stops pain

Blood Stagnation: Heart palpitations, cold extremities (hands, feet, legs, arms), sharp stabbing pain, insomnia, dark or purplish coloration, restless; pain aggravated by pressure

Turmeric – aids with pain due to stagnation of blood

Lovage Root – invigorates blood, moves Qi, stops pain

Heat: Pain is aggravated by heat; red coloration with possible swelling

Phellodendrum bark – clears heat & inflammation, reduces swelling

Gypsum – strongly clears heat and inflammation to stop pain

Cold (Yang Deficiency or Cold Climate): Pain is aggravated by cold; pale, blue or purplish coloration with possible swelling

Peppers – contain Capsaicin (extremely hot): best for pain aggravated by cold 

Aconite – dispels cold to stop pain

Damp: Pain is aggravated by damp, humid conditions; swelling or edema

Ginger – aids in resolving damp/phlegm accumulations in joints; also helpful with nausea and vomiting due to damp/phlegm/food

Atractylodes – resolves dampness to stop pain, especially in knee and foot joints

Dry (Yin Deficiency or Dry Climate): Aggravated by dryness, low grade fever, irritability, irritability, dry mouth and throat, dry skin, thirst, restless, low back pain, bone pain, constipation due to dry stools

Foxglove Root – nourishes Blood to stop pain, relieves dryness

Scrophularia root – clears heat nourishes Yin, purges heat, relieves toxity to stop pain

Food Stagnation: Stagnation of food in the gastrointestinal track can cause pain in the chest, abdomen, rib cage, back and intestines.

Pinellia rhizome – dries damp accumulations, lowers adverse Qi to stop nausea, vomiting and pain

Hawthorn fruit – dissipates clumps, reduces food stagnation for abdominal distention, pain, chest pain

Caution! Do not self medicate. To determine the correct herbal combinations for your specific type of pain, obtain an herbal consultation with an Oriental Medical practitioner to get an accurate diagnosis and proper course of treatment recommendation.

Power Foods to Increase Your Energy

If you're wondering why you're tired after a full night's sleep the answer might be on your plate. Nutritional deficiencies can make you feel under the weather. And eating too much of the wrong things can have the same effect. So if you haven't been functioning at 100 percent, try these foods to give your well-being a big boost. 

Eat this to boost energy Feel like every day is a labor to just get through? You may not be getting enough iron. Add in the fact that you lose the mineral when you menstruate, and you may feel groggy and fuzzy-headed even if you don't have a full-blown deficiency.

The remedy: Eat more red meats, fish, and poultry—the best animal-based sources of iron. (Liver contains one of the highest amounts, too, but steer clear if you're pregnant, since its high vitamin A content may be dangerous to a developing baby.) Don't eat meat? Go for soybeans, lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals. Iron isn't as easily absorbed by your body in those forms, but adding vitamin C will help, so enjoy a glass of orange juice with those cornflakes.

If you tend to have heavy periods, you're probably losing more iron than the average woman, so be extra sure you're eating plenty of iron-rich foods.

Eat this to feel calm You know that caffeine can put you on edge. But here's another source of jitters: too many refined carbs—foods high in white flour (cookies, sugary cereals, white bread, etc.) and stripped of nutrients and fiber that normally keep your blood sugar stable.

A big dose of refined carbs causes your blood sugar level to soar and an excessive amount of insulin to be secreted by the pancreas. You may be antsy as a result: think toe-tapping and/or an inability to focus. Then, the extra insulin will make your blood sugar plummet, Levine explains, leaving you feeling sluggish.

To help prevent those drastic spikes and drops in blood sugar, Levine says, your meals and snacks should be based around lean protein, healthy fats, and unrefined carbohydrates. That means loading up on brown rice, whole-grain bread and pasta, whole oats, and, of course, fruits, veggies, and legumes.

Eat this to get sharp So you misplaced your car keys. Again. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12—both brain-boosting nutrients—could be to blame.

"Omega-3s are loaded with DHA, a type of fatty acid that helps promote well-functioning synapses," says Dr. Joseph Quinn, associate professor of neurology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

Translation: It keeps neurons in your brain firing more effectively. A lack of B12, meanwhile, has been linked with confusion, numbness, and fatigue. Up to 15 percent of Americans could be low on B12, according to the NIH, in part because some people may have trouble absorbing the nutrient.

Get your brain back on track by including more fatty, omega-3-rich fish like mackerel, trout, herring, tuna, and salmon. To get more B12, try fortified breakfast cereal (many have 100 percent of the recommended daily value), liver, cooked clams, yogurt, cheese, whole eggs, and ham, as well as fish like salmon and trout. If you're upping your intake of these foods and still feel disoriented, ask your doctor if you should consider having your B12 level tested.

Eat this to beat bloating Yes, veggies and legumes are great for you. But certain ones—like beans, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower—can produce lots of gas, leaving you with major bloat. (Complex sugars may be the culprit - difficult to digest for some folks.) Carbonated drinks can also increase bloating, both because they're bubbly and because their artificial sweeteners can be hard for your body to break down.

If your belly's feeling swollen, try halving the amount of bloat-boosting veggies you normally eat for a week to see if that helps. Don't cut them out completely, though, because they provide crucial nutrients.

Avoid soda and seltzer, but keep drinking flat water, which helps relieve constipation—another cause of bloating. Taking probiotic supplements may help, too; talk to your doctor about which one might be right for you.

Eat this to curb cramps Cramps could mean you're low on electrolytes like potassium or magnesium. Potassium works with sodium to keep muscle contractions in check, so if you sweat it out, you may also have to deal with some pain in your calves or feet.

Your food Rx: While bananas are the most famous source of potassium, you actually get twice as much of the mineral from a medium-size baked potato. Prunes and orange juice have lots of it, too. As for magnesium, go for almonds and most other nuts, greens like spinach, and bran flakes and other unrefined grains. Consuming calcium also helps; get it from low-fat milk, tofu, and dark, leafy greens like collards. Dehydration can cause cramps, too, so don't forget to keep chugging H2O.

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with Chinese Medicine

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression, is a debilitating problem that interferes with the quality of life of thousands of patients, especially during the fall, winter and early spring. It is considered to be a seasonal disruption of mood that typically occurs during the winter months, SAD symptoms usually begin in September when days begin to shorten and last until March when the days begin to lengthen again. Individuals with SAD feel depressed, slow down, overeat, and crave carbohydrates in the winter. In the summer, these same individuals feel elated, active and energetic. Both adults and children can be affected. In individuals intolerant to heat, SAD symptoms may occur in summer.

This syndrome seems to be a worldwide phenomenon and occurs cross culturally, especially in countries far from the equator. Symptoms that reappear regularly with the seasonal changes include: lethargy, difficulty concentrating, depression, negative thoughts, elevated cravings for carbohydrates with corresponding overeating and weight gain, hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness), tiredness in the morning, diminished libido, and decreased social interaction. Patients typically become more anxious by the end of the summer as they anticipate the coming months, during which less sunlight is present and their symptoms return.

Patients may have other mental problems as well, such as substance abuse disorders, personality disorders and anxiety disorders, which, further exacerbate the degree of the SAD patient's symptoms. SAD is regarded as "a variant of bipolar disorder characterized by cyclic manic, depressive or mixed mood states that are somehow triggered by external clues to changing seasons, including principally, increased or decreased day length. Individuals with SAD tend to become depressed during the autumn months and manic during the springtime." This is a complicated disorder that can accompany many severe illnesses such as cardiovascular and endocrine disease, and for which a patient should seek qualified professional help.

Seasonal affective disorder does, however, respond well to treatment with Oriental medicine. I prefer to use acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle modifications to address the problem. While there are a core group of symptoms that patients share, each patient has their own medical history and clinical manifestations, along with mental or physical illnesses. Treating the root pattern allows for individualized treatment with corresponding best results obtained.

So how does one determine the underlying pattern(s) responsible for the symptoms of SAD? Personally, I choose to use the Pulse Matrix pulse diagnosis system to determine the primary pathological conditions and treatment strategies. This allows for extremely detailed and customized strategies for each patient. There are some general guidelines that can help structure the treatments:

* Keep your treatments simple by addressing the root of the disorder instead of treating symptoms.
* Begin treatment at any time; however, the summer is ideal. By doing so, there is a good chance your doctor can break up the cyclic pattern of symptoms so that they are reduced or even eliminated before the problematic seasons arrive.
* Seek treatment 1-2 times a week, depending upon which interval works best for you and in light of the degree of your symptoms.

Advice for Seasonal Affective Disorder

* With seasonal affective disorder, one may crave carbohydrates in the form of starches and sweets. If needed, consume breads, pastas and pastries made of whole grains instead of white flour. Add more protein to the diet such as nuts, lean meat, fish and small amounts of fat from cheeses or other sources; some fresh fruit; and plenty of cooked leafy vegetables, whole grains and baked vegetables such as yams or baked potatoes.

* Exercise regularly by walking vigorously 20 minutes, 5-7 days per week, in the morning or when there is the most sunlight.
* Work with lots of light by the windows to allow exposure to natural light.
* Avoid overeating or gaining weight. Both will make you more tired and more sensitive and depressed.
* Try to go to bed earlier and get up earlier when there are more daylight hours. Avoid naps during the day, which can interfere with sleep in the evening.
* Think positive, happy thoughts. Try not to worry or be fearful. Enjoy the warmth of family, friends or any activity that brings "fire" to your life. Encourage the cultivation of joy in your life.

Breathing. We take if for granted because we don't think about breathing. Begin intentional breathing, especially during exercise (walking, jogging, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, etc.). Whatever you do intentionally begin to do some deep abdominal breathing. You'll be amazed at how energizing it is. The affects will begin to dispel many of the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in no time at all! Of course, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help dispel SAD even quicker. Enjoy the season. Even though it's a bit gloomy, don't let SAD ruin your days and your life. Happy Winter! Looking forward to Spring!

Meridian Harmonics