Acupuncture For Digestive Health

03/29/2022

Have you ever had gray ice cream? It’s delicious and packed full of nutrients. I gave myself a post workout treat of keto (sugar free) black sesame custard! Black sesame icecream is very popular in various parts of Asia. The version I made is high in fiber, protein and healthy omega three fatty acids. I followed the recipe link below except to make it dairy free I substituted all the cream for coconut cream and the sugar with powdered erythritol. Erythritol is a natural sweetener that comes from fermented fruits and vegetables, does not raise blood sugar and passes from the small intestine directly to the bloodstream as the body metabolizes it. It does not cause rumbling in the colon like other sugar alcohols since it does not break down in the colon it is bypassed. Black sesame seeds are great for the gut, they help with motility if your bowels are sluggish and in Chinese medicine black sesame helps nourish the kidney’s jing. You may think of jing like a person’s stamina, sexual libido and overall vitality. A perfect boost after a hard workout!

04/14/2020

Cutting back on sugar is a great way to boost your immune system! Did you know that fresh strawberries are full of antioxidants and lower on the glycemic level. They are keto friendly. I made this delicious strawberry shortcake layered in a vintage Strawberry Shortcake (the doll) glass jar and it tastes as yummy as it looks and is sugar free! I made mine dairy free by using coconut milk whipped cream. This only took 5 minutes! What are you waiting for? Recipe link in comments below.

04/02/2020

A big part of keeping our immune systems strong along with keeping inflammation down from foods we eat and getting at least 8-9 hours of sleep at night is taking care of our mental health. With all the upsetting news coming at us from all directions it is easy to feel the stress and anxiety that it causes the collective community and our selves. Everything seems so uncertain in our near future so it can be hard to stay mindfully in the present moment. I want to share some acupressure points to help ease some stress and anxiety. Our minds and guts are intricately related so easing stress can really help with the digestive process. Along with some meditative breathing practices why not try out some of these acupressure points you can do just about anywhere. Do them as often as you'd like. Just apply pressure to the points with your thumb in a little circular motion.

Now is the time to give gratitude for what we do have and stay positive the best we can. Taking time to feel all your feelings is good too along with a good cry for a release. We are in this together.

*The acupressure points for calming the mind*:

Yin Tang also known as the third eye point: rub with your thumb the space between your eyebrows and slightly above. Apply pressure for 5-10 minutes. Relaxing point, calms the spirit. Attunes one to hearing their inner voice of wisdom.

Heart 7- Shen Men, in English, Spirit Gate. Located on the wrist crease in the space below your pinky and ring finger on the side of the tendon that is closest to the thumb (radial side of tendon). Feel the depression on the side of the tendon and give pressure. Good for insomnia, heart palpitations, nervousness, irritability, anxiety. Great calming point.

Pericardium 6- Neiguan, in English, Inner Gate. Located Two cun above the transverse crease of the wrist between the tendons of the m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis. You can flex your wrist to see these two major tendons in your forearm. To find this point starting from the wrist, measure down with three fingers. Where your third finger touches the middle of your wrist is the acupoint. Take your thumb and apply firm pressure to this point until you feel some mild discomfort. Only apply enough pressure to interrupt the normal blood flow but not too much that it causes pain. Hold this pressure point and gently knead your thumb in a tight circular motion for about 2 minutes. Do this to both wrists and you will feel your anxiety descend immediately. This point is also good for nausea!

Kidney 1- Yongquan, in English, Gushing Spring. If you are ever feeling scattered as if your thoughts are all over the place use this point. Feeling dizzy or have a headache, this is a great point that brings energy downward in the body and is very grounding. It is also very relaxing and a good one to do before going to bed to get a good night’s rest. In a sitting position, cross one leg over your opposite leg and rest your foot on your knee. Start with your thumb between your 2nd and 3rd toes and draw a straight line down until you are about a 1/3 of the way down the foot. Push firmly on the center of your foot. Hold this pressure point and knead for at least 2 minutes and repeat on the other foot.

03/23/2020

Please shelter in place. Our current government needs to declare every state do this so we are united in mitigating the spread of infection. Do not wait til the numbers jump higher. Prevention is key!

03/21/2020

Now that my office is temporarily closed and I am spending more time at home I am noticing the wild spring edibles that are growing in my yard such as dandelion, wild onion, violets and purple dead nettle. Turns out I have lots and lots of purple dead nettle and it is highly nutritious and has medicinal properties as well. You probably have seen it around too and just not known what it is. There is another plant called the henbit that looks similar to it but it is edible as well. Before eating anything wild make sure you look up how to properly identify it first.

"This plant is renowned for its medicinal benefits, as it’s considered to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. It’s also a diuretic, an astringent and diaphoretic.

Purple dead-nettle is known for reducing allergy symptoms, in fact, its antifungal and antibacterial compounds are currently being studied in an attempt to explain the reason behind its medicinal abilities linked to allergies.

It can also protect allergy sufferers from secondary infections of the throat and bronchi.

The leaves of the purple dead-nettle plant can be placed on wounds or cuts to stop bleeding, and its vitamin C and flavonoids work together to help boost the immune system and fight infection."

Check out the article for more information, and how to prepare it and be sure to leave some for the bees!
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/purple-dead-nettle/

Purple dead nettle is a surprisingly abundant herb which could be growing near you. Here are some compelling reasons why you should go out and find it now.

03/17/2020

This cold and flu season it is important to get plenty of rest. Boost your immune system with vitamin zzzzz

Your chance of coming down with a cold is affected by how much sleep you get. Learn how many hours of shut-eye you need to stay sniffle-free.

10/26/2019

Want to avoid getting sick this flu season? Check the humidity level in your home, office and classrooms. Read this article and get informed.

Harvard Researcher Says This Inexpensive Action Will Lower Hospital Infection Rates And Protect Us For The Flu Season

01/23/2019

Thank you to the talented Erin Fowler of Scraps of Lace photography for my new business portrait. Can't wait to share my new brochure for Acupuncture For Digestive Health with all of you soon.

Lesha Jacyszyn is a Chinese herbalism & acupuncture specialist. She manages Acupuncture for Digestive Health, helping patients find the root causes of their dis-ease for lasting healing. It was fascinating getting to photograph her & learn more about her practice & how she supports our community. I highly recommend her services!

11/19/2018

If you have a G.I. disorder such as IBS, Crohns, U.C., chronic constipation or diarrhea, acid reflux, SIBO or leaky gut tune in THIS WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21 to BIZ radio 1350 AM from 4:00pm-4:30pm to hear how Acupuncture for Digestive Health can help you! I will be interviewed "front porch style" by Matt Mittan so pull up a chair and pour yourself some tea and listen in and we'll have a neighborly chat. You can also watch live stream at https://ashevillechannel.com/the-best/matt-mittan-show/

Matt Mittan Show - Biz Radio 1350 AM Mon - Fri 4 PM to 6 PM Live Video Stream Biz Radio is committed to informing, connecting and highlighting entrepreneurs from all across our Community! Make a visual connection to local biz leaders.

04/25/2018

What is the unhealthy ingredient in this deconstructed burger? This dish is all organic made of spring mixed greens, grass fed beef, cherry tomatoes, uncured sugar free bacon, avocado, paleo chipotle lime mayo, and brown mustard. Answer in the comments.

04/06/2018

Have seasonal allergies in spring? Check this out.

01/30/2018

Chinese New Year is coming! Stay tuned for an upcoming special to celebrate year of the dog! https://chinesenewyear2018.com/

Discover the traditions and taboos, dishes and drinks that are part of China's most important holiday, the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival.

12/26/2017

Post holidays special! Rest, rejuvenate, reboot! The holidays can be a stressful time of the year, so many activities, running around and maybe straying from your diet, with indulging in one too many sweets or alcoholic beverages. How about some time out just for you to relax and feel better through self care. Now through January 4th treat yourself to a tui na massage for only $50 for one hour, regularly $65. Tui na is a form of Chinese therapeutic massage which includes, kneading, pressing, shaking and passive stretches to gently break up adhesions in the fascia and increases blood and lymph circulation. Different than swedish massage it feels a bit more invigorating yet feels great and relieves tension, soreness and increases range of motion. Depending on your condition I may add a combination of acupuncture, cupping and gua sha to enhance the massage and overall treatment. Call to book an appointment open Sundays through Thursdays 10am-6pm (828) 676-8628

11/16/2017

With autumn upon us and all things pumpkin, I'd thought I share a tasty way to roast your seeds if you are ever making a recipe with fresh pumpkin instead of canned. If you haven't made my pumpkin curry soup yet go ahead and keep those seeds then try this. Pumpkin seeds have a lot of healthful benefits; full of dietary fiber, I eat the shells too, vitamin E, zinc, magnesium and iron. However the high fiber content if eaten in excess can cause gas and diarrhea in some folks. Stick to one oz. as a serving, chew thoroughly and eat with plenty of fluids to avoid any possible side effects. Pumpkin seeds are a great way to boost omega 3 fatty acid intake and even help kill off parasites and fungus in the gut. I am big promoter of eating healthy fats to my patients. One such fat I sing the praises of is organic pasture raised ghee. I found seasoned buffalo ghee at my local TJ's and had to try it out. This ghee has added benefits from the spices included in it such as turmeric, a great anti inflammatory, as well as black mustard seed, fennel seed, cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, all warming herbs that aid in digestion and prevent gas. Ghee is suitable for people with lactose intolerance because the sugar lactose is removed during the clarification process as well as the protein casein which acts like the glue of milk that is hard for many to digest. I added smoked sea salt and some South African Smoke seasoning to give these seeds a bang of umami flavor. Your kitchen will smell like a stroll through the woods on a brisk autumn day. Now that you know how great pumpkin seeds are for you, let's get roasting!

Smoky roasted pumpkin seeds
Ingredients:
* 1-2 tbs Seasoned Buffalo Ghee from Trader Joe's melted
* Smoked sea salt or regular sea salt to taste
* A few twists from the grinder of Trader Joe's South African smoke seasoning blend
*Pumpkin seeds scooped out of a fresh pumpkin.

Prepare seeds. Wash off seeds in colander or sieve to remove stringy flesh. Shake out excess water. Spread out pumpkin seeds on a cookie sheet(s) into a single layer. Let air dry for a few hours or overnight.

When ready to roast:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted ghee, smoked salt and South African smoke seasoning. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 20-30 minutes or until golden brown; check on them and stir every 10 minutes. Ovens vary so just check on them and add time as necessary until they are golden brown and crunchy.

Get creative with your seeds. You can use olive oil or coconut oil to toss the seeds in. Try curry or garlic powder. Like it simple, just olive oil and salt is fine. I once made chocolate and chipotle pumpkin seeds. The sky is the limit.

11/02/2017

Take a virtual tour of Acupuncture for Digestive Health, part of the WellSpring wellness center.

10/31/2017

After an extended summer, autumn has finally arrived in Asheville. With cooler temperatures, what better way to eat in season than a warming and nourishing savory Thai pumpkin curry soup. I bought a small/medium sized sugar pumpkin (the kind used for pies) the other day and decided to whip this recipe up. I didn't measure anything as I just make dishes to taste so feel free to make make adjustments as you wish. Amounts are approximate. Remember to save those seeds as I will share a recipe for roasting pumpkin seeds next!
Healthy benefits of this soup include loads of vitamin A from pumpkin. Pumpkin is nourishing to the spleen organ in Chinese medicine, most people with digestive issues could stand to tonify their spleen Qi. There is healthy fat from the coconut milk= medium chain fatty acids. Garlic and onion have antibacterial properties. There are warming spices in the curry paste. Lemongrass also helps boost immunity. Pumpkin is also full of fiber and helps with constipation. Time to warm your belly. Makes approx. 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 sugar pumpkin
I can full fat organic coconut milk
1/2 of an onion chopped
1-2 cloves garlic minced
1 tbs of coconut oil
1 tbs thai red curry paste (or to taste, use less or more depending on heat preference) Don't use too little because a lot of the flavor comes from this
salt to taste
a few leaves of fresh basil
a squeeze of lime juice
Cilantro for garnish

First cut pumpkin in half, scoop out seeds and set those aside for later roasting
Place pumpkin halves cut side down on baking sheet and place in preheated oven at 375 degrees.
Roast until a knife pierces the flesh easily when inserted aprox. 30-40 mins.
Meanwhile melt one tablespoon of coconut oil over medium low heat in a soup pot.
Chop half an onion and saute over medium low heat in the pot, stirring regularly. Saute until translucent. Maybe 10 mins or so.
Add minced garlic and stir frequently one minute.
Add can of coconut milk.
Add curry paste and stir until paste has dissolved into the milk evenly.
Turn off heat and take pot off burner until the pumpkin is ready.
When pumpkin is ready scoop out flesh from the skin and put it in the pot. Discard or compost skin.
Add about a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Put 3-4 basil leaves in pot along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Put contents of pot into blender. Practice blender safety. If soup is still hot it will need to vent a little bit of steam as to not explode out the top. Use a pot holder to cover and hold a partially opened lid. Puree the soup until it is smooth. Return contents to pot. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro. Enjoy.

08/14/2017

I am participating in this free screening test and you can too. This trusted company is currently looking for participants for their research study of the microbiome. This is an exciting opportunity to aid the field of research and learn about what microbes in your gut may be contributing to your digestive disorder. If you have Crohn's, I.B.S., ulcerative colitis, gas, bloating, etc I urge you to look over this information and consider ordering the kit. Whatever cost is not covered by your insurance the rest is covered by Ubiome.

SmartGut™ is the first sequencing-based clinical microbiome screening test. The test detects beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms associated with specific infections, lifestyle choices, and gut conditions including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

06/22/2017

So what's her story? Learn why I chose the path of Chinese medicine and how it completely transformed my life. Growing up with I.B.S. I used to live in fear of leaving my house, due to the constant pain, nausea, bloating and frequent trips to the bathroom. Now, I have my life back free from anxiety and discomfort. Check out the video to found out how.

Acupuncture