According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 39 million U.S. adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. And for those with severe cases, it can lead to heart, kidney, and metabolic health complications. Despite trying the common solution of a CPAP machine and recommended lifestyle changes, many find their breathing issues persist, impacting not only their sleep but their overall well-being. continue reading
Only a few people know about the powerful health benefits of common Holiday Spices. When these spices are consumed on a regular basis they can significantly impact the health of the cardiovascular system or the blood vessels and the heart. This includes helping to rid the arteries of plaque build up; thus helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Cinnamon is one of the scents of Christmas. It has been a holiday favorite starting in Medieval times when it was used as a food preservative because of its antibacterial properties. It was also used as a medicinal in the Roman Empire to aid digestion. It has been used in Classical Chinese Medicine for at least 2000 years. It is used to treat cold & flus, painful obstructions, arthritis (in the upper body), edema, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Today it is also used to treat myocardial infarction, angina pectoralis, and cardiac insufficiency. Try sprinkling cinnamon on your coffee and tea. It also pairs well with squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. This will allow you to enjoy the analgesic, circulatory, diuretic, and natural antibiotic benefits of this delicious spice.
Cloves have been associated with the winter holidays since the late medieval era. It was tradition to pierce the skin of an orange with many cloves, creating a Pomander. People hung these around and wore them to prevent the transmission of disease. It was also believed that they brought health and wealth. This is a festive aromatic craft for the whole family.
Research has shown that cloves lower bad cholesterol while protecting good cholesterol. This lowers the risk of atherosclerosis, plaque deposits in vessels, and improves overall cardiovascular health. Cloves can also be used topically to stop toothaches.
It is easy to add more cloves into your diet with clove tea, and adding it to curries and chutneys. If you need some recipes to try with cloves added, send me an email or give me a call. I would love to share some holiday deliciousness.
Star anise arrived in Europe in the 1700s via the Silk Road. It was initially added to desserts, jams, and jellies. The Chinese use it as a tea and in preparing broth and other dishes. It has many wellness benefits, including treating hernia, scrotal prolapse, and low back pain. It is full of antioxidants, making it Heart-Healthy. It is easy to add star anise to your diet by making tea or adding a couple of stars to your soup or stew.
If you need recipes to incorporate these herbs into your diet, contact me. I can also provide nutritional counseling.
AcuMed is serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Lakewood Ranch
“Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . .” Is a favorite song for many people around the holidays. However, it is not the “most wonderful time” for people in their first year of grief. It is a year filled with firsts that no one wants to celebrate. The first time you laugh again. The first time you watch your loved ones favorite movie or TV show without them. Then there are the first holidays. Yes, holidays is plural because each holiday brings its own grief triggers and responses.
As an acupuncturist, I understand that each season is linked with a natural element,
organ, and emotion. Right now, we are in late Autumn, and the element is Metal, the organ is the Lung, and the emotion is Grief.
Metal Governs organization, communication and protecting boundaries. It also
represents an opportunity to finish up projects and reap the “harvest” of all the hard
work done during the active seasons.
The Lung is associated with the act of “letting go.” It is susceptible to wind and cold.
Grief is the emotion that is directly tied to the Lung. Did you feel like you could not breathe in deep grief? This emotion embodies “letting go” and grieving changes around us. Grief often feels like a negative emotion; It cleanses us of behaviors, beliefs, and rituals that were vital to our lives with our loved ones that passed on.
Autumn is a healing time to make your journey through grief rather than letting it stay buried inside.
In the days leading up to the winter solstice the days become shorter and the weather cooler. We can strengthen ourselves to face the holiday cheer with warm, spiced teas, pungent vegetables, and soups with delicious herbs that calm the spirit and warm the soul. Ask me for a list of teas and herbs!
We begin to hunker down into routine and structure and begin to let go of the past months, and breathe in the new times to arrive. Square breathing can reset your autonomic nervous system, allowing the body to relax.
Planning ahead for parties, gatherings, and surprise visits is crucial to surviving the first holiday season without our loved ones. Declining an invitation is allowed, attending a party is allowed, and canceling at the last minute because a sudden moment of grief washes over you is allowed.
Something that can help with all of the questions is making a card to bring with you that fields the questions for you. These questions can feel intrusive as people ask:
How are you doing?
How did your loved one die?
How are the other family members?
Why are you still grieving?
Friends, acquaintances, and strangers ask these questions, which can make coping with gatherings and parties near impossible. Printing cards ahead of time that say the amount of information you wish to share can allow you to politely let people know your boundaries.
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can help you find balance and tranquility during your journey through grief. There are modalities that are excellent to help harmonize emotions and dull the sharp pains of grief: Japanese Acupuncture, Five Element Acupuncture, and Korean Acupuncture (to name a few).
As both a widow and an Acupuncture Physician in the greater Sarasota Area, I want to help you walk the path from grief to joy. Make your appointment today. Now serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Lakewood Ranch.
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive years. While this transition is entirely normal, it often comes with a range of challenging symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. For many women, these symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has long been the standard treatment for managing menopausal symptoms, but it is not without risks and side effects. As a result, many women are turning to alternative therapies, including acupuncture, to alleviate their symptoms. continue reading
