October 9, 2023 Yang Water Dog Month

 

In the Chinese calendar, October 9, 2023, is the first day of Yang Water Dog Month. The Chinese calendar assigns one of the twelve animals, five elements, and the polarity of yin or yang to each year, month, day, and hour. The Yang Water Dog month extends till November 7, 2023.

The Yang Water Dog refers to the 39th hexagram described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is Water over Mountain.  The Yang Water Dog represents "Obstruction ". It is an image of weakness and stagnation, with an undertone of dampness and heat. 

The Yang Water Dog hexagram:

From the body and health perspective, the Yang Water Dog hexagram continues to shift away from summer's energetic high nature. The environmental influences are moving to a more subtle activity state. Last month a weakness in the Wei or Defensive Qi developed and continues this month. This is the Qi that acts as a barrier to environmental pathogenic influences.

The Yang Water Dog introduces different pathogenic influences. This month there is a combination of Damp Heat along with metabolic sluggishness.  Both conditions are characterized by an underlying presence of dampness and stagnation. Residual dryness from the previous month impacts the Lungs first and then cascades inward to other regions: Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach, Spleen, Bladder, and nervous system. The dominant pathological influences began with heat and inflammation in the previous months and the body now over-responds with dampness, mucous, and phlegm. 

The Water trigram originates in the Water element and is related to damp conditions. During the Yand Water Dog month, the Water trigram affects the yang aspects of the body, weakening the defensive Qi or Wei Qi, stagnating the lymphatic system, and destabilizing the endocrine system. 

The Mountain trigram originates in the Earth element. It is related to damp heat conditions and affects the yin aspects of the body, leading to inhibited blood flow, and preventing proper removal of turbid fluids from the body. 

Each season consists of various energetic states, often in conflict. These conditions will be reflected in nature and, more importantly, our bodies. As mentioned before, the Yang Water Dog represents a generalized pattern of dampness that affects various organs, tissues, and body regions. Each of these patterns has its own set of signs and symptoms.

Common problems during the Yang Water Dog Month are: 

Upper Jiao (above the diaphragm)

Headache, dizziness, epistaxis, Acute hemoptysis, blurred vision, tinnitus, deafness, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, shoulder pain, elbow and arm pain, acute mastitis, upper back pain, facial paralysis, swelling of face, cough and asthma, sore throat, cardiac pain, palpitation

Middle Jiao (between the diaphragm and umbilicus)

Acute gastric pain, acute abdominal pain, borborygmus

Lower Jiao (below the umbilicus)

Pain and weakness of the lumbar and leg (sciatica), hemorrhoids, acute lumbar pain, swelling and pain of the knee joint, paralysis or weakness of the lower extremities, diarrhea, dysuria, edema, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, spermatorrhea, impotence, lumbar pain

Internal organ damp heat patterns are aggravated by:

• excess consumption of alcohol, spicy, and sweet foods, rich foods, creamy sauces and foods, dairy foods, fried foods, greasy foods
• long-term emotional upset or anger
• exterior dampness invading the body
• long-term physical, mental, or emotional stress

Many of the signs and symptoms of dampness from excess exposure to damp heat and externally damp cold environmental conditions will fatigue the body. Fortunately, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have great treatment options for all the above conditions.

The key to the Yang Water Dog Month is to prevent excessive damp accumulations in the body and avoid foods inappropriate for the Fall season. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are very effective in treating these patterns. schedule a consultation

I recommend patients schedule a personal consultation to determine the correct foods for them as most diet programs miss the mark. Michelle offers a free 20-minute Ayurvedic Health Consultation to help with identifying those foods that will prevent dampness, mucous, and phlegm from accumulating, specifically for you.

If you are in need of remedies from our herbal compounding pharmacy, or any condition, please reach out to us. In most cases, we can schedule a telemedicine visit for you.

Our special this month: 10% Discount on our herbal Antiviral formula, our in-house Chinese herbal formula to address the many signs and symptoms associated fall and winter common cold, flu and viral infections. This formula comes in a 200-capsule bottle and helps with influenza, acute tonsillitis, acute upper tract infection, early-stage acute bronchitis, and acute conjunctivitis. It is suitable for a low-grade fever, chills, headache, body aches, sneezing, coughing, red eyes, thirst, and sore throat. 

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Beyond Ozempic and Wegovy: A Holistic Approach to Weight Management

Introduction

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has introduced medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, claiming to provide a convenient solution to weight loss. These drugs have gained popularity due to their promising results, but recent news has highlighted serious side effects associated with their usage. It's crucial to understand that losing weight is not just about taking a pill or an injection; it's a complex journey that involves lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, and holistic wellness approaches. In this article, we explore the potential side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy and discuss alternative methods for managing weight, such as Chinese herbal medicine and Ayurvedic nutrition.

The Side Effects of Ozempic and Wegovy

Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by reducing appetite and helping the body burn more calories. While these drugs have shown promising results for weight loss, they come with a range of side effects that patients should be aware of:

1. Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are common side effects associated with these medications. These symptoms can be debilitating and affect the patient's quality of life.

2. Pancreatitis: There have been reports of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) associated with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

3. Thyroid C-Cell Tumors: Animal studies have suggested an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, although the clinical significance of this finding in humans remains unclear.

4. Hypoglycemia: These drugs can lower blood sugar levels, leading to episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.

5. Cardiovascular Effects: Some studies have raised concerns about the potential cardiovascular risks associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, though more research is needed to fully understand these effects.

The Holistic Approach to Weight Management

While Ozempic and Wegovy may offer some benefits for weight loss, it's important to remember that weight management is a multifaceted journey that goes beyond pharmaceutical solutions. Holistic approaches take into account the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a person's well-being. Two traditional systems of medicine, Chinese herbal medicine and Ayurveda, offer alternative approaches to weight management:

Chinese Herbal Medicine:

Chinese herbal medicine focuses on restoring balance within the body through the use of various herbs and natural remedies.

Customized herbal formulations are often prescribed based on an individual's constitution and specific imbalances.

Chinese herbal medicine can address underlying issues such as poor digestion, hormonal imbalances, and emotional factors contributing to weight gain.

Ayurvedic Nutrition:

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, emphasizes personalized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.

Ayurvedic practitioners assess an individual's dosha (body type) to create a tailored diet plan.

Emphasis is placed on consuming whole, unprocessed foods, mindful eating, and practicing yoga and meditation to address not only physical but also emotional aspects of weight management.

Conclusion

The recent news about the serious side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy serves as a reminder that weight loss is a complex journey that cannot be solved by medication alone. Patients should be cautious when considering pharmaceutical options and be aware of potential risks.

Alternative approaches such as Chinese herbal medicine and Ayurvedic nutrition offer holistic solutions that address the root causes of weight problems and promote overall well-being. These approaches prioritize individualized care, lifestyle changes, and a deeper understanding of one's body and mind.

Ultimately, the path to sustainable weight management involves a combination of healthy eating, regular physical activity, stress management, and, when needed, guidance from experienced holistic practitioners who can help individuals achieve their weight goals in a safe and balanced manner.

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Fall Illness Prevention

 

Fall is in full swing. From a review of our patients, there is a definite uptick in the number of cases of COVID-19, seasonal allergies, the common cold, and the flu. 

For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating bacterial and viral infections. TCM herbal remedies are used to combat the flu and even more recent viral epidemics. Chinese herbal decoctions can be integrated with Western modalities and even in conjunction with pharmaceuticals. Due to the complexity of the herb’s organic structures, viruses, and bacteria are not able to mutate against them as easily as they can with pharmaceuticals. TCM herbs can be tailored to each person’s conditions whether dealing with a cold, ear infection, or respiratory virus, shortening the duration of sickness and decreasing the severity of symptoms. We recommend taking a maintenance daily dose to boost the immune system prior to the presentation of symptoms. 

This time of year I generally encourage patients to stock up on our herbal antiviral formula to keep themselves and their families safe from these seasonal viruses. We compound this formulation in-house with the strongest herbal ingredients unavailable over the counter. It's available in a 200-capsule bottle. 

Our family has been taking this formula for the last 3 years with great success at staying sick-free. One of the great features of this product is that it will not wreak havoc with your gastrointestinal tract like traditional prescription medications. It's even safe for kids. For out-of-town folks, we can ship it to you. Just drop us an email at mtryling@gmail.com or call us at 817-835-0885.

Meridian Harmonics Acupuncture and Herbal Compounding Pharmacy

Clinic hours: Tue - Fri 8:00 - 12:00, 1:30 - 6:30

Closed: Sat, Sun, Mon

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