Vitality Natural Wellness

05/05/2022

Start of Summer Lì Xià 立夏
May 5, 2022

The Start of Summer or Lì Xià (Chinese: 立夏 ) is the seventh of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms and marks the beginning of summer. Yang-energy is at its fullest. The hexagram that represents this time of year is Qian Gua (乾卦) – six solid-Yang lines. The three phenology associated with this period are: (1) Grasshoppers chirping (蝼蝈鸣 lóu guō míng ), (2) Earthworms burrow out (蚯蚓出 Qiūyǐn chū), and Summer gourds flourish ( 王瓜生 Wáng guāshēng)

Here are some useful health cultivation tips for Lì Xià (Start of Summer):

1. Dress appropriately for the warmer weather as the temperature starts to climb. Avoid too much exertion during the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak. Drink plenty of fluids like water and herbal teas, like mint and chrysanthemum. To increase vitality and balance out the strain hot weather can put on the heart, be sure to get plenty of rest. Take naps and consider taking up some gentler activities such as painting/calligraphy, fishing, or gardening.

2. Summer is associated with the fire phase and therefore the heart. During this time of year, the flaring up of heart fire may present significant health problems like insomnia, red eyes, and irritability. Avoid emotional extremes and do your best to maintain a calm and balanced state of mind. Contemplative Qigong practices and meditations are good ways to achieve a sense of tranquility. Moderate exercise can also be extraordinarily beneficial. Try out different options and find the practices that work best for you.

3. Eating more sour foods during this time of year can nourish the heart by building fluid and blood. Also consider consuming more bitter foods during the summer as they can help to clear internal heat. Seasonal fruits and vegetables such as summer berries, tomatoes, pea greens, cucumbers, and radishes are effective in providing some welcome relief from the warming weather.

04/25/2022

We don't treat pets in our office, but I find this picture to be an amazing guide for taking care of your little or not so little dogs :)

And if you are surprised by seeing honey, yes!

Honey and pollen can help with allergies exactly like they help in humans!

03/05/2022

Awakening of Insects Jīng Zhé 惊蛰

March 5, 2022

Awakening of Insects, also known as Jīng Zhé (Chinese: 惊蛰), is the 3rd of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. During this time of year, the weather begins to grow warmer with increased rainfall. According to Chinese tradition, the warming weather creates thunderstorms that rouse insects from the winter slumber. Each solar term is divided into three pentads consisting of 5 (occasionally 6) days, with each pentad named for corresponding cycles of nature. The pentads for this period are as follows: (1) The peaches begin to blossom (桃始华 táo shǐ huá), (2) Orioles sing clearly (仓庚鸣 cāng gēng míng), and (3) Eagles are transformed into doves (鹰化为鸠 yīng huà wéi jiū).
Here are some useful health cultivation tips for Awakening of Insects:
1. During this time of year, people traditionally consume pears. Pears, especially asian pears, clear away heat and enrich yin. Moreover, the Chinese word for "pear" (梨, lí), sounds like the word "plow" (犁, lí), suggesting a favorable harvest season in the year to come.
2. Dress appropriately for the sometimes wide fluctuations in temperature during this time of year and begin to do a little more gentle exercise. We want to protect Yang Qi, as there can be wide fluctuations in temperatures from day to day. As Yang Qi continues to grow in the natural environment, now is the time to start doing slightly more gentle exercise. In the second chapter of the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine, entitled "The Art of Life Through the Four Seasons", we are advised during spring to wear loose-fitting clothing, do stretching exercises to loosen up the muscles and tendons, and develop equanimity.
3. Warming foods are beneficial during this time of year, in particular alliums such as leeks, chives, and scallions.
4. The seasonal allergies that arise during this time of year can be very difficult for many people. A series of acupuncture treatments starting now can help mediate immune sensitivity and reduce those annoying symptoms of seasonal allergies.
5. Avoid unnecessary stress and strain during Awakening of Insects. Spring is associated with the wood phase, and thus is related to anger.

Pay attention to your emotions and don't let yourself entangled into too much anger no matter the subject.

01/21/2022

So important to know your rights and also what actually works for you and your body! Do your homework and don't let yourself bullied into unnecessary procedures!

Your cervix is not a crystal ball, & cervical checks prior to labor are useless.

If you’re treated like the woman in this quote PLEASE find a new provider. Please.

Unless you are about to be induced, there is no reason to check your dilation prior to labor (and there’s no real reason when you’re in labor as well, but that’s another story).

You could not be dilated at all one minute, and have your baby an hour later. Or you could progress from 1 to 5 centimeters in an hour, and then your labor could “stall”. No two births are the same.

Cervical checks can’t predict the future, but here’s what they CAN DO…

🔆 Introduce bacteria into your body, increasing your likelihood of infection

🔆 Make you feel inadequate

🔆 Decrease your confidence in your body

🔆 Increase the likelihood that your provider will suggest interventions

🔆 Increase the likelihood that you will agree to interventions because you’re feeling pressured.

01/06/2022

Health cultivation tips for Minor Cold:

1. In terms of dietary health, foods that are warming both in terms of temperature and energetics are most appropriate to the season. As such, this is a great time to eat Chinese delicacies like hotpot, stew and warm porridge. Chili is a fantastic American food to serve at this time of year. Soup is always healthy, and hearty soups and stews are ideal for keeping the body warm at this time of year.

2. Avoid cold foods and beverages. This is especially important for those with internal cold as well as yang deficiency.

3. For those with arthritic joints that are aggravated by severe cold weather, small amounts of medicinal wine/spirit consumed periodically may be beneficial.

4. During this time of the year, consider an acupuncture or herbal medicine treatment focused on nourishing the kidneys and warming the spleen and stomach.

01/05/2022

Insights from Dr. Sonia F. Tan:

At 5:46pm today, Little Cold 小寒 Xiǎo Hán begins and the last month of the Metal Ox year begin. It’s also a Metal Ox month! In fact, all these last 12 months have been mini-repeats of the last 12 years. Therefore, expect this month to be a mini-repeat of this past year. However, avoid despairing! There is light. Recall what I mentioned in my 2021 annual outlook: “...The world is meant to go through a transition, work to restructure…” and my last month’s post “Clear out what no longer serves. Look within to what motivates you. Learn and nurture this in preparation for next year”. THIS is the last stage of transition in the 12 animal cycle - Shed and ask yourself, what do you want to refine and transform in yourself and your life? This month to continue to work through it, to prep for the new year - The Water Tiger - an action, moving, get-stuff-done phase in the 12 animal cycle. Dig deep, dig up, toss out and transform your own inner work that you wish to let go and become. Or perhaps there is work that the universe has ‘gifted’ you to walk through to grow? Do this now to prepare to launch at the start of the new year!

Balance Acupuncturists, this month is about supporting transition and change and bringing balance to the Earth channels.

Feng Shui tip - Time to clear out the clutter! Not only is this just good practice, this is the month to shed what is stagnant, to allow new Qi to flow. The new life begins with the Lunar start of February 2 and Solar start of February 4th. Clean the home, office and pay off debts. Avoid bringing that old energy into the new year. That is why the Chinese practice this ritual every year at this time, in order to start the new year with a clean state and allow the new higher vibration of the year to flow and be unobstructed. Happy cleansing!

Remember it’s best to know your unique Astrological birth chart and Feng Shui. To enhance your harmony of the Qi 氣 (气) in all things, become astute sensors.

May the Qi be with you! 🤞🏄‍♀️

01/05/2022

Something to consider before starting IVF process

Egg freezing is expensive, invasive and comes with low odds. But it is increasingly presented as an insurance policy

12/26/2021

Something to keep you warm these winter days
https://kamimcbride.com/warming-herbal-teas/?fbclid=IwAR3s3nrENJGExO9nWHCTydD95TDGenABDisDrPBYinAc-wsV2O0NGxsp7hI

These warming herbal teas will help you stay healthy this fall and winter by supporting your circulation, immunity, and digestion.

12/21/2021

Winter Solstice 冬至 Dōng Zhì
December 21, 2021

The Winter Solstice, or Dōng Zhì (Chinese: 冬至), the 22nd of 24 solar term of the year in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Dōng Zhì is also a major festival in China and much of east Asia. It is traditionally a time when family members come together to share a meal, often eating a dish of dumplings or rice balls symbolizing reunion and togetherness. This is the deepest day of the winter and marks the peak of Yin but also the birth of Yang energy, as days now begin to grow longer.

Here are some useful health cultivation tips for the Winter Solstice:

1. The winter solstice is a time for nourishment. Eating bone broth soups with healing herbs can help to strengthen and restore the body. Under traditional Chinese medical philosophy, the physical body best absorbs nutrients during the cold winter months.
2. Eat foods to help supplement the Spleen and Kidney, such as beef, lamb, and winter squash. Mildly acrid foods like fresh ginger, scallions and black pepper can also be beneficial during this time of year.
3. Get some sun, especially on your back. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, allowing the back to be exposed to sunlight, even inside a warm room with large windows, can warm and strengthen the Tai Yang (greater Yang) channel, and in general the Yang of the entire body.
4. Guard against the weakening of Yang Qi! Self-administered acupressure on acupoints Qi Hai REN-6, Guan Yuan REN-4, or Zu San Li ST36 may be beneficial. A warm foot bath several times a week will serve to strengthen the Kidneys and nurture the body’s Yang energy.

12/19/2021

With the full moon last night and the solstice coming up this is the perfect way to slow down and work on new beginnings 🙏

DAY 1 - The Synthesis of Ancient Wisdom and Science

12/12/2021

Do you know where your supplements are coming from?

Take a look at this and see if you are taking some of them or you have higher standards and use better supplements.

12/08/2021

Major Snow Dà Xuě 大雪

December 7, 2021

Major Snow or Dà Xuě (Chinese: 大雪) is the 21st of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms and the last term before the Winter Solstice. The third of 6 Winter Solar Terms, this period is marked by significant drops in temperature. Snowfall becomes heavier, lakes and rivers start to freeze, and rainfall is common in warmer climates.

Here are some useful health cultivation tips for Major Snow:

1. These chilly winter days are the perfect time to enjoy some rice congee. Porridge has been known to nourish the body during cold weather and increase one’s internal heat. Common toppings for rice congee include cilantro, Chinese chives, scallion, dried shrimp, ginger, orange peel, celery, and goji berry.

2. Needless to say, it is more important than ever to be on guard against the outbreak of respiratory illness during these colder months. Be sure to dress appropriately. Wearing a warm coat and a scarf to protect the neck and throat. It tends to be colder and colder during Major Snow, so be sure to drink plenty of water, but not too much, especially following exercise.

3. During this time of year when Yin energy in the environment is at its highest, it is important to get more sleep. Go to bed earlier. Sleep is one of the best Chinese medical prescriptions for nourishing the Kidney and strengthening the Qi.

4. Our body is made up of Yin (cold) and Yang (heat). Maintaining a balance between these two is important. During Major Snow, it is best to eat food with high calories to preserve the Yang in our body. Mutton and beef tend to have more fats and contain more energy. Mutton soup with radish is a popular Chinese specialty that would be perfect for nourishing Yang.