BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and EXERCISES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about exercises written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to FOOD | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about food written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? FRUITS | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about fruits written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five NOVEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 2 posts published by breukelenacupuncture during November 2012 BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and EXERCISES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about exercises written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to FOOD | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about food written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? FRUITS | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about fruits written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five NOVEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 2 posts published by breukelenacupuncture during November 2012 FOOD | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about food written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. HEALTH | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about health written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is IMMUNITY | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold and Flu Season is a trying time for some people. You know who you are. Perhaps the ones that walk past the CVS and Rite-Aid stores and give a second glance to COMMENTS FOR BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Wei, Connie! Congratulations on this new endeavor. The blog is really nice looking. The outline --pictures, whole format. Like the calligraphy bridge too. BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season.

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the LIFESTYLE | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about lifestyle written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to

HEART HEALTH

Posts about heart health written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for

it’s health

SPICES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about spices written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season.

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the LIFESTYLE | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about lifestyle written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to

HEART HEALTH

Posts about heart health written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for

it’s health

SPICES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about spices written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? HEALTH | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about health written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the IMMUNITY | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE ADJUST BEDTIME – 30 min. earlier to bed, 30 min. later to rise. Diaphragmatic BREATHING – expand your abdomen when breathing IN. STRETCHING – keep the meridians open to allow for proper flow of warmth and circulation to all the tissues in our body. This COMMENTS FOR BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Wei, Connie! Congratulations on this new endeavor. The blog is really nice looking. The outline --pictures, whole format. Like the calligraphy bridge too. BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season.

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the LIFESTYLE | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about lifestyle written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to

HEART HEALTH

Posts about heart health written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for

it’s health

SPICES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about spices written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season.

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the LIFESTYLE | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about lifestyle written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to

HEART HEALTH

Posts about heart health written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for

it’s health

SPICES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about spices written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? HEALTH | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about health written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the IMMUNITY | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE ADJUST BEDTIME – 30 min. earlier to bed, 30 min. later to rise. Diaphragmatic BREATHING – expand your abdomen when breathing IN. STRETCHING – keep the meridians open to allow for proper flow of warmth and circulation to all the tissues in our body. This COMMENTS FOR BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Wei, Connie! Congratulations on this new endeavor. The blog is really nice looking. The outline --pictures, whole format. Like the calligraphy bridge too. BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and EXERCISES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about exercises written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to FOOD | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about food written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? FRUITS | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about fruits written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five NOVEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 2 posts published by breukelenacupuncture during November 2012 BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and EXERCISES | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about exercises written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to FOOD | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about food written by breukelenacupuncture. A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? FRUITS | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Posts about fruits written by breukelenacupuncture. For the past couple of decades, the humble oat.. .has received countless praise for it’s health benefits AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five NOVEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 2 posts published by breukelenacupuncture during November 2012 BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold and Flu Season is a trying time for some people. You know who you are. Perhaps the ones that walk past the CVS and Rite-Aid stores and give a second glance to ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and NO FLU SHOTS REQUIRED Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the 'peak' of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? Do we have an internal switch that turns the immune system during the this season? IMMUNITY | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE ADJUST BEDTIME – 30 min. earlier to bed, 30 min. later to rise. Diaphragmatic BREATHING – expand your abdomen when breathing IN. STRETCHING – keep the meridians open to allow for proper flow of warmth and circulation to all the tissues in our body. This

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season.

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five DECEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 1 post published by breukelenacupuncture during December 2012. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. NOVEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 2 posts published by breukelenacupuncture during November 2012 BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’. ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Posts about Lifestyle Advice written by breukelenacupuncture. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season.

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild 'cold'. You wake up. Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat - scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a mild

cough. Your head -

SKIN & BEAUTY

Posts about Skin & Beauty written by breukelenacupuncture. I cannot believe it’s going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to COLD & FLU | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak.. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five DECEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 1 post published by breukelenacupuncture during December 2012. Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. NOVEMBER | 2012 | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE 2 posts published by breukelenacupuncture during November 2012 BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Cold and Flu Season is a trying time for some people. You know who you are. Perhaps the ones that walk past the CVS and Rite-Aid stores and give a second glance to ABOUT | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE Connie Lynn Ma is a practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She received her master’s degree at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. She has a successful history in treating a wide variety of conditions, with a special focus in treating mental-emotional and nervous disorders, digestive disorders, gynecological disorders, as well as a particular interest and NO FLU SHOTS REQUIRED Cold & Flu Season: a continuation. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the 'peak' of this season. It is when our immune system becomes vulnerable, so to speak. But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? Do we have an internal switch that turns the immune system during the this season?

FOOD THERAPY

Part I. 1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the water. 3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the IMMUNITY | BREUKELENACUPUNCTURE ADJUST BEDTIME – 30 min. earlier to bed, 30 min. later to rise. Diaphragmatic BREATHING – expand your abdomen when breathing IN. STRETCHING – keep the meridians open to allow for proper flow of warmth and circulation to all the tissues in our body. This AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU I cannot believe it's going to be November. Tomorrow! So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time. Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season (according to Five

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VITAMIN M(ISO) REMEDY 02 _Wednesday_ Jan 2013 Posted by breukelenacupuncture

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A familiar scenario that I find with many patients of mine, especially when it comes to the changing of the weather and temperatures, is the onset of a mild ‘cold’.

You wake up.

Your nose- a bit stuffy or runny. Your throat – scratchy and ticklish, possibly accompanied with a

mild cough.

Your head – pounding or achy. Your body – a bit run down or chilled (sensitive to cold drafts or

breezes).

Maybe it’s the cold, maybe it’s the flu. Irregardless, it’s predetermined that you’re coming down with something. Perhaps the first inclination is the pull out the multi-vitamins from your medicine cabinet. Or load up on Vitamin C. Both these supplements are good ways to build your immunity for preventative-care, but what if you’re already infected? It’s time to focus on eliminating the cold or flu-virus from your body before it has time to settle and

nestle in.

The most simple and effective way to help your body naturally eliminate the virus from the EARLY onset is to simultaneously use an effective ‘sweating’ method (Ru Fa) while gently boosting your immune system. Many times, taking foods and vitamins to ‘boost’ your body includes strengthening the virus itself. The Traditional Chinese Medicine is to create harmony and balance in your body, while effectively pushing the virus out of your body. A traditional Chinese remedy would involve combining specially processed and fermented soybeans and scallion whites. The following recipe is a modern adaption of the classic Chinese Herbal Formula known as ‘Cong Chi Tang’ 葱豉湯  known as ‘Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction.

Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbs. Miso Paste (preferably made with soybeans only) 3-4 Stalks of Scallions, white portion, Chopped fine 1-1/2 – 2 Cups of Filtered Water

INSTRUCTIONS

_Part I_

1) Place Water and Miso Paste in a stockpot. 2) Stir together until Miso is incorporated and dissolved into the

water.

3) Turn on the stove to Medium and bring Miso mixture to a mild simmer (small bubbles form on the edges) 4) Chop Scallion stalks, keeping the white portion and discarding the

green portion.

5) Turn the heat off the stove. 6) Toss in the chopped white scallion stalks into Miso soup. 7) Place lid over stockpot immediately. Leave for 1-2 minutes. 8) Pour Miso Soup & Scallions into a soup bowl. ** Optional – if you find you are low on energy, and hungry, feel free to add some cooked white rice or millet to the soup)

_Part II_

9) Bring soup over to the couch, and cover yourself with blankets, and your feet with socks. 10) Drink the Miso Scallion Soup quickly, but without burning your

mouth!

11) Wait about 5 – 10 minutes until you notice a very light ‘sweat’ or clamminess to your skin. 12) Toss off the blankets, hat, socks, etc. and quickly go to a warm room and dry yourself off. 14) Change into DRY clothes. Then wait 5 minutes to ensure you are no

longer sweating.

15) Get into bed and cover yourself completely under the covers. Get some much needed sleep. If you have performed this ritual correctly at the VERY BEGINNING of your cold/flu, you will wake up refreshed and back to your normal

self.

Your body and immune system will have effective fought off and overcome the invading virus. No headaches, no runny or stuffy nose, no scratchy or sore throat.

EXTRA:

The Miso soup itself is a very easily digestible source of all the amino acids and proteins that you need. The processing of the fermented soybean (Dan Dou Chi 淡豆豉) paste gives the Miso the ability to promote fluid circulation to promote and enable your body to bring sweat to the surface of your skin. The aromatic properties of the scallions whites (Cong Bai 蔥白), further allows your body to generate a healthy but light sweat without over-draining or dehydrating your body. The recipe does not call for the traditional tofu or seaweed accoutrements that are commonly found in classic Miso soup. While these two ingredients can be a healthy addition to the soup, for therapeutic reasons, they are left out of this ingredient. The very cold nature of tofu and seaweed would slightly hinder the type of sweating that we need to push a pathogen out of the body. In this way, we preserve the medicinal properties and therapeutic value of this

food remedy.

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NO FLU SHOTS REQUIRED 04 _Tuesday_ Dec 2012 Posted by breukelenacupuncture in Cold & Flu Season

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Cold & Flu Season: a continuation…. Some would say that fall-autumn season would be the ‘peak’ of this season. It is when our immune system becomes _vulnerable_, so to

speak.

But does this vulnerability come just during this particular season? Do we have an internal switch that turns the immune system during the

this season?

There are several theories from a Western biomedical point of view as to why these particular months of Oct – Dec would make our bodies more prone to upper respiratory viral infections. Let me introduce a

few:

1) Don’t Stand So CLOSE TO ME:  The weather gets colder during the fall to winter months.  Animals prepare for hibernation.  And in some ways, so do humans.  Of course, to be more practical, we humans tend to stay indoors more often.  Whether this means staying within the home or office, taking the subways and buses more often, or partaking in more indoor activities and sports. Let us not forget that fall is when the children are back in school, and stay indoors with a host of other children.  Needless to say, hygiene is not a priority for most children. So the equation seems to go like this… INCREASE IN INDOOR ACTIVITY + CLOSED QUARTERS = CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHER PEOPLE & THEIR SNEEZES, COUGHS, ETC. ** + INCREASE IN LIKELIHOOD OF EXPOSURE TO GERMS/VIRUSES/BACTERIA ** Some of these people have children who are constantly swapping germs between each other and to their parents* 2) DRY, Parched AIR = Your URT’s Worse Enemy: The cold, crisp air of fall and winter can be refreshing, and overwhelming to our delicate sinuses and the thin mucous membranes that line our respiratory tract.  Then mix in the immense amount of indoor heating, and you will find that there is a full-on assault of hot and cold dry air constantly keeping your skin, nose, throat, esophagus, and lungs

cracked and dry.

Viruses are opportunistic…they just need a nice, warm, moist environment with a constant supply of nourishment to allow them to thrive and wreak havoc in our bodies. As long as our skin and mucous membranes remain intact and moist, the virus remains uninvited and outside our bodies. Cracked, dry, and inflamed tissues are the open invitation that a virus needs to enter into our body cells and our bloodstream. 3) Here Comes the SUN…: The decrease in the amount of sunlight during the colder months of fall/winter will indeed cause certain things to wilt, go into dormancy, or die.  But this phenomenon may have the opposite effect when it comes to viruses. The UV radiation and ozone that come from constant sunlight is able to damage and destroy viruses over time.  This is one of the rare times where UV radiation and ozone is put in a more favorable light. 4) VITAMIN A, B, C…..D:  Vitamin D has been the vitamin that has been touted as one of the most important ones that our bodies need, and that most of us lack. Vitamin D is indeed the ‘sunshine’ vitamin that our body produces from our body cholesterol upon exposure to sunlight. It is one of the vitamins that supports and boosts our immune system.  When our bodies are most lacking Vitamin D (during the colder, less sunny months of fall & winter), is also when viruses have a chance to overwhelm our immune system with a hostile takeover. And how does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) see Cold & Flu Season? _THE CONCEPT KNOWN AS ‘COLD AND FLU SEASON’ IN NOT EXISTENT IN

TCM._

TCM believes that the foundation of a healthy body is to have the internal body match and react appropriately to any and all external environmental changes. External changes include weather/climate, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture changes.  External changes could also be emotional and mental/psychological.  External pressures, stresses, trauma, etc. are included as things that occur outside of the body, but that can have a direct or indirect impact on the internal body. When our internal bodies are not able to healthily and easy make adaptations to our constant changing external terrain and environment, our Yin and Yang balance is thrown off.  This concept of Yin-Yang balance came be loosely associated with the concept of

‘homeostasis’.

When our Yin and Yang are not balanced, it causes our bodies to be weaker and more vulnerable to invaders such as viruses.  In this case, the invader comes in the form of_ ‘WIND’_. Wind is something we think of as weather and climate-related.  In Chinese Medicine, Wind is more of a concept and a way to explain what happens within our body when our bodies undergo an unbalanced state of

health.

The characteristics of ‘Wind’ are used to explain our cold and flu symptoms that we experience.

_WIND IS…_

_CHANGING_ (chills and fevers, either simultaneously or alternating) _UNSTABLE_ (symptoms that come and go, get worse then better and worse

again)

_MOVING & WANDERING_ (aches and pains in the head, neck, back, limbs) _CHAOTIC_ (a mix of seemingly unrelated symptoms that cause our bodies to go into flux….fever with an aversion to cold drafts, a feeling of chilliness that doesn’t get better with covering up, sweating and clamminess of the skin even while staying still, and coughing and wheezing when there is seemingly no physical obstruction or congestion in our URT, and extreme dips in our energy levels) How does Chinese Medicine treat a cold/flu or Wind invasion? To bring the body back into balance. _YIN AND YANG MUST BE BALANCED.  _ The organs, fluids, blood, and energetics of the body must be

harmonized.

_HOMEOSTASIS MUST BE RESTORED._ When the body is balanced and healthy, a virus cannot thrive or survive in our body. Wind must be thrust outwards, outside of the body. When the wind is eliminated from our internal bodies, the body’s internal terrain can be calm, serene, and peaceful. SOME USEFUL TIPS to keep our bodies in balance, and well-protected from external assaults: SCARF – cover up most vulnerable area of your body especially the

neck/nape/throat

NO BARE FEET!_  _Wear socks/slippers indoors.  Reflexology shows that our entire body and organs are reflected at the bottom of our feet.  Keep your ‘body’ warm by keeping your feet warm, to allow for healthy blood circulation. NO WET HAIR –The most heat conserving part of our body (the head) warm, dry and covered especially when outdoors. NETI POT – Keep sinuses clear MASSAGE AND ACUPRESSURE – to maintain proper circulation, and drainage of lymphatic fluids (our lymphatics are a vital part of our immune system to destroy foreign pathogens in our body fluids and eliminate them from our body) DRY BRUSHING – clear out and move lymphatic fluids & toxins HOT FOOT BATHS – in the PM ADJUST BEDTIME – 30 min. earlier to bed, 30 min. later to rise DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING – expand your abdomen when breathing IN STRETCHING – keep the meridians open to allow for proper flow of warmth and circulation to all the tissues in our body.  This is particularly important to do first thing in the morning. THE OAT…UPGRADED (TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE-STYLE) 20 _Tuesday_ Nov 2012 Posted by breukelenacupuncture in Cold & Flu Season

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For the past couple of decades, the humble oat….. ….has received countless praise for it’s health benefits to help: * Reduce Cholesterol * Decrease and stabilize High Blood Pressure * Control weight gain * Soothe skin inflammation and allergies (topically mostly) The Western medical world has been able to uncover all these uses for the seemingly plain ‘oat’ as the main ingredient in foods and skin

care products.

What I would like to do is present the ‘oat’ in another light…by customizing it’s versatility and amplifying it’s health benefits further from using nature of the oat and blending it with ingredients using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal and dietary theories. My last entry highlighted the ‘mushroom’ as the perfect food to help boost the immune system during these colder fall/winter months. This time, we will focus on a recipe that will match oats with a number of other healthy spices/herbs and fruits to further support our immune system by harmonizing the vital organs and meridians that support our immunity (LUNGS – STOMACH-SPLEEN/PANCREAS-KIDNEYS)

OATS:

(SWEET/SLIGHTLY WARM) and enters the (STOMACH/SPLEEN-PANCREAS) Oats are one of the few grains that are very effective at drying dampness without being too drying or too ‘heating’.  Dampness is the excess, unhealthy fluid accumulation in the body that can manifest as edema/swelling, bloating, mucus or phlegm production, cloudy urination, or sticky stools.  The primary organ system responsible for transforming all fluids in the body is the SPLEEN/PANCREAS. This organ system maintains healthy transformation, digestion, and absorption of food and drinks.  But the SPLEEN/PANCREAS is also very susceptible to becoming weakened by a consistently irregular eating schedule, over-thinking and worrying, and consuming heavy, oily, calorie-dense foods on a regular basis.  The oat is able to both reduce the excessive dampness that has already accumulated in the body while simultaneously working on the root issue of strengthening a weakened SPLEEN/PANCREAS.

APPLES:

(SWEET-SOUR/COOL) and enters the (STOMACH/SPLEEN-PANCREAS) Apples are a very good fruit to add into many recipes.  There are many health benefits of apple consumption (‘an apple a day….) including controlling hypoglycemia/low blood sugar and also helping to keep the teeth an gums healthy.  They deter harmful bacterial overgrowth in the mouth and also nourish the healthy bacteria in your gastrointestinal system.  We like to add apples to this oatmeal recipe for some other reasons from a Chinese Medicine viewpoint. First of all, the recipe above is specifically formulated to strengthen the immune system during the fall/winter season.  Since apple season begins and peaks the fall time, the apples that are eaten in the season when they thrive will contain an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  The energy that allows the apples to flourish and thrive are transferred into our bodies when we consume them.  Apples are also very effective at replenishing the SPLEEN/PANCREAS and regulating blood sugar, while also nourishing the LUNGS (the organ of the fall season). By keeping the LUNGS nourished and moistened, we are indirectly building up our immunity by keeping our upper respiratory tract functioning optimally.  Lastly, apples contain a significant amount of pectin (the component that turns into a gelatinous and jelly-like substance when introduced to heat). Pectin is very effective at scouring the gastric system and absorbing excess toxins (radiation, lead, mercury, mucus) and cholesterol in the

gut.

PERSIMMON:

(SWEET-ASTRINGENT-VERY COLD) and enters the (LUNGS/COLON/STOMACH) The persimmon is not the most commonly eaten fruit, but it is a popular fruit during the fall and winter season (especially those who enjoy the classic persimmon pudding for Thanksgiving meals).  In Chinese Medicine, the persimmon is considered a very ‘cold-natured’ fruit.  So this may beg the question….why would we want to consume a very cold fruit during the very cold seasons of fall and winter?  It would perhaps make more sense to fill our diets with ‘warming’ foods when it is cold outside.  Yes.  It is more often that we would consume more warming foods and drinks during this time because it will make us feel warmer. But the foundation for achieving health in Chinese Medicine…is that we want to achieve balance between our Yin and Yang.  Yin is not something that can be defined exactly but only by comparing and representing it with more tangible things. When you visualize something that is Yin, you can picture night time. It is dense, calming, still, cool, moist. When you visualize something that is Yang, you picture daytime.  It is warm, active, awakening, bright, dry. During the transition from summer to fall, and then from fall to winter the first thing we notice is that we feel colder.  We feel colder because the temperature outside is colder than our inherent core temperature.  But from a Chinese Medicine viewpoint we also feel colder because this seasonal transition is when our Yang goes inwards, and our Yin comes outwards to the surface.  What does that mean? That now our Yin is not rooted deep insider our body, we need to make sure we fill that lack of Yin internally.  We need to nourish our Yin internally to balance our Yang. Persimmons are very effective at nourishing our Yin.  It is not only cold in nature, it also generates fluids to moistens our organs.  And persimmons are also ‘astringing’, and can hold and keep fluids inside.  ‘Astringing’ is a property that pulls inwards, and the persimmon is the fruit that can increase Yin while holding it inwards and deep inside our bodies.  During a season when we tend to overconsume too many ‘warming’ or Yang foods or beverages, the persimmon will counteract any excess heat building up our body particularly in our LUNGS/COLON (the two organs of fall season, our

Metal element).

PEARS:

(SWEET-SLIGHTLY SOUR-COOL) and enters the (LUNGS/STOMACH) Pears are abundant in the fall/winter season.  It is yet another food that is not warming, but ‘cool’.  But the cooling nature of pears

is very subtle.

It works particularly on cooling the LUNGS. The function and health of the LUNGS depends on it’s ability to remain a delicate moisture-content.  This moisture is what allows the tissues of the LUNGS to be able to properly allow the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with the environment.  The moist mucous membrane and lining of the LUNGS and upper respiratory tract keep out invading bacteria and viruses.  Pears are able to cool and moisten the LUNGS during the dry windy season of fall and dry cold air of

winter.

TANGERINE PEEL:

(ACRID/DRYING-BITTER-WARM) and enters the (LUNGS/STOMACH) The tangerine peel (aka ‘Chen Pi) is a classic Chinese Medicinal herb used to address many disorders, all of which involve dampness. As we touched on before, dampness is a pathogenic unhealthy accumulation of fluid in the body. The aromatic, warm properties of the tangerine peel is able to penetrate through dampness.  Imagine having severe sinus congestion and not being able to smell much.  But when you put something very aromatic near your nose such as mint, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lemon, or orange oil, you are somewhat able to smell through the congested fluids in your nose. This very aromatic quality of the tangerine peel is able to penetrate through dampness is both the respiratory tract and digestive tract. Once clearance of the excess fluids from the LUNGS or STOMACH is achieved, the function of these organs can be restored.

ALMONDS:

(SWEET-NEUTRAL) and enters the (LUNGS/COLON) Almonds have unique affinity to the Metal element in our body, including our Metal organs (LUNG/COLON).  There are a variety of almonds that are used in Chinese Medicine (aka ‘Xing Ren’ and ‘Tao Ren’), which are not actually true almonds, but the kernel within the peach or apricot seed.  It resembles an almond in taste and appearance but the properties of these ‘almonds/apricot/peach kernels’ have stronger medicinal effects. But let us not discount the value of the almond that we encounter

daily.

The almonds that we consume are also able to benefit the LUNGS by moistening the lung tissue via their oil content.  On the other end,

we have the COLON.

The COLON is the metal counterpart organ to the LUNG.  They are inherently connected through their functionality in the body.  The LUNGS ascend and descend (inhalation and exhalation), and push the diaphragm downwards.  This descension of the diaphragm will push the organs below it downwards, which effectively stimulates and massages the COLON/intestines. This is how the LUNGS and COLON are able to work together.  The LUNGS ascend to push out waste material (carbon dioxide), and descend to bring down healthy air and a descending motion to activate and regulate the COLON/INTESTINES. The oil content of the almond also will lubricate and moisten the COLON to facilitate the bowel function of elimination. Almonds contain a significant amount of phytic acid.  This component of the almond acts as an antioxidant that is beneficial in protecting the almond from oxidative stress.  But when it comes benefiting our bodies, it is best to reduce the amount of phytic acid we consume. When phytic acid enters into our digestive tract, it quickly binds to vital minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, chromium, and

manganese.

**Soaking and sprouting almonds will help reduce the phytic acid content of the almonds and increase it’s nutritional benefits.**

STAR ANISE:

(ACRID/WARM) and enters the (LUNGS) Star Anise (aka ‘Da Hui Xiang’) is widely used in many Chinese and Asian foods.  While it is not commonly used in many Chinese herbal medicines, it is very powerful in what it can do to help strengthen the body and build immunity.  It has an affinity for the LUNGS, and also can warm the metabolic  ‘fire’ and strengthen your

digestion.

The star anise has a particular chemical constituent that makes it highly anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral.  In fact, the western medical and pharmaceutical world took notice of this particular chemical in star anise and extracted it to create ‘Tamiflu (TM)’ (the most common anti-viral medication used in the

medical community).

CINNAMON:

(ACRID/DRYING-SWEET-HOT) and enters the (LUNGS/STOMACH/SPLEEN/KIDNEYS) Cinnamon is a warmng, delicious spice to add to oatmeal, and to many other foods for that matter. In Chinese Medicine, Cinnamon has two particular purposes. The twigs/stems of the Cinnamon tree (aka ‘Gui Zhi’), is classically used for colds/flus particularly when the cold/flu is of a ‘colder’ nature and the persons’ body is a bit weaker.  It is used in conjunction with other Chinese herbs to bring about a good ‘productive’ sweat to help a person get over their illness quicker.  The cinnamon twig can also help relieve achy joints by increasing blood circulation. On the other hand, the bark of cinnamon (aka ‘Rou Gui’) is used to help treat more ‘internal’ health issues that involve coldness in the digestive tract and respiratory tract.  It is also said to help return the ‘Yang’ back to it’s sources.  What that means is that it is able to root and stabilize the Yang of the body to return back to the part of the body where it belongs (the KIDNEYS).  When Yang is not rooted in the KIDNEYS, it floats outwards to the body and cannot effectively control and circulate warmth throughout the body. **Use Cinnamon in small amounts, as this unassuming spice is much warmer than most other spices and can be overused and create too much ‘heat’ in the body.**

HONEY:

(SWEET-NEUTRAL but COOLING) and enters the (LUNGS/COLON/STOMACH) Honey is able to lubricate the LUNGS and other organs and tissues of the body.  By providing healthy lubrication to the organs and providing a nutritious energy/calorie/Qi source, it can boost your digestion.  The pollen, vitamins and minerals within raw unprocessed honey also helps to boost your immune system.  Honey also is able to neutralize toxicity, and destroy bacteria and viruses that may enter your body and create disease or illness.

COCONUT OIL:

(SWEET-COOL)

Coconut Oil has recently been redeemed. There was a time when coconut oil, and other saturated fat sources, were deemed as ‘dangerous’ and unhealthy for the body and your heart.  It became the targeted food ingredient that would cause and aggravate heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. This was true, but only of ‘hydrogenated’ coconut oil. This hydrogenation process was used to alter the fat chains of coconut oil, which would  prolong the shelf-life of the food product that it was added to.  But now we have found that the saturated fats in coconut oil has special healthy benefits. Unprocessed, cold-pressed Coconut oil contains a significant amount of healthy medium-chain fatty acids (known as Lauric Acid), which convert to monolaurin.  Monolaurin is highly anti-viral and anti-inflammatory.  I will share more information on this healthy food oil in my future post. COLD & FLU SEASON. HOW I WOULD LIKE TO AVOID YOU, LIKE THE PLAGUE…. 02 _Friday_ Nov 2012 Posted by breukelenacupuncture in Cold & Flu Season

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Cold and Flu Season is a trying time for some people.  You know who

you are.

Perhaps the ones that walk past the CVS and Rite-Aid stores and give a second glance to the ‘GET YOUR FLU SHOT TODAY’ signs posted

outside.

Or perhaps you’re one of the many people who stock up on Zicam, Echinacea, and Vitamin C supplements.  You like your arsenal to be well stocked and prepared. And I completely understand the concern.  Prevention and preparedness are key.  Having something as debilitating as the flu can really set you back, and fall/autumn time is when things start picking up at

work.

And when you need to be there to help your kids now that they’re back from summer camp/vacation, and bring back all and every type of

germ imaginable.

Then there are the subways and elevators….cramped, crowded conditions.  Germs thrive on that. UV radiation levels decrease which allow viruses and bacteria to thrive.  Not to mention that less sun may deplete our Vitamin D production in our skin and bodies, which we now correlate to being vital to support and maintain our immune systems. With that being said, I’d like to discuss another, alternative approach to flu-season preparations.

Food.

Do I now have your attention? Dietary therapy is one of the many ways to properly build your immune system up for this season.  You can balance and strengthen your body by eating certain foods that will provide vital nutrients and energy to boost your immune system. During the fall/autumn harvest, you’ll notice that your local food selections have changed from the summery leafy greens and watery fruits of summer, to the now heartier, starchy and nutrient dense foods of fall/autumn/winter.  Yes, you will still have your broccoli and your squashes, but note, they taste…different.  Sweeter, richer flavor, and with a dense and drier texture.  This is no coincidence.  Nature has provided you with foods that are properly suited to warm and nourish your body to last you through the long, cold winter weather. These foods that are abundant and that thrive in cold harsh weather are full of nutrients that will keep your body just as resilient and

strong.

I will have a series of Autumn/Fall and Cold/Flu Season recipes I’d like to share with you over the next few weeks.  Including a summary of each ingredient and how they work synergistically with your body to prepare it for the climactic changes and build up your immune system to fend off any potential cold or flu viruses. Remember, the key here is prophylactic treatment.  Nip things in the bud before they bloom. As I’ve mentioned before in my earlier lost, the element of fall/autumn is METAL and the organs are the LUNG and COLON.  The winter season is also correlated to an element.  WATER.  The organs of winter are the KIDNEY and BLADDER. *This overlying Chinese Medicine concept will be relevant in my discussions of each recipe below.  So keep it tucked in the back of

your mind*

IMMUNITY-BUILDING CHINESE MUSHROOM SOUP This recipe above is a take on most classic mushroom soups made in many Chinese households to enjoy at the beginning of the meal. The ingredients above work together to strengthen the main organs and meridian systems that will strengthen what we know as the ‘immune system’ in Western biomedical terms.  The organs that we need to focus on strengthening are the:

_LUNGS_

_STOMACH/SPLEEN_

_KIDNEYS_

Let’s explore how each ingredient boosts the function and vitality of each Organ and Meridian System: _MUSHROOMS_: An excellent source of protein and amino acids, as well as an adaptogen (meaning it increase our body’s ability to adapt to and deal with the daily stresses of life from environmental stress and substances, to internal mental and emotional stresses). From a Chinese Medicine standpoint, they are able to tonify our Qi/energy, increase circulation, strengthen all our organs, and reduce the amount of phlegm/mucus/excess pathogenic fluids in our bodies. These fungi are also very adept at calming the mind.  For when our stress levels rise, the defense capabilities of our immune system are overworked and compromised. And perhaps some of you have heard, but mushrooms are back.  In fact, if you peruse down the produce aisle in your local supermarket, you will find that the shelf space is no longer dedicated to the button, portabella, or crimini anymore. You will find a nice variety of mushrooms, some with exotic/foreign sounding names. Shiitake mushrooms have become one of the forefront mushrooms that have been utilized and as substitutes for other mushroom recipes.  They are also found in supplement and tincture form for their anti-carcinogenic and immune-boosting properties. They’re even utilized as vital active ingredients in skincare products for their anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.  Dr. Andrew Weil is an avid proponent for this, and other asian fungi varieties (maitake & reishi most notably): _DR. ANDREW WEIL MEGA-MUSHROOM SKIN CARE LINE (IN COLLABORATION WITH

ORIGINS)_

http://www.origins.com/products/3873/Skincare/Star-Collection/Dr-Andrew-Weil-for-Origins/index.tmpl _GOJI BERRIES_: aka’ Wolfberries’ or ‘Gou Qi Zi’ 枸杞子 or

Lycii Fructus.

The goji berry plant is used extensively in Chinese Herbal Medicine, as this traits of this plant make it suitable for strengthening the Qi and Blood and Yin, as well as benefiting any conditions where a person is feeling depleted or deficient.  The bark of the goji plant (‘Di Gu Pi’ 地骨皮 or Lycii Cortex)  is used for clearing signs of inflammation and heat in the body (and classically for treating menopausal conditions, chronic dry coughs, and externally to relieve

itching).

Goji berries are known to benefit the Blood and mostly known to be beneficial  for the Liver and eyes (vision). These sweet berries also contain a significant amount of Vitamin C.  The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C helps support the immune cells that destroy and attack foreign bacteria/viruses/fungi. These berries are also beneficial to the KIDNEYS, and strengthen both the blood and Yin of the KIDNEYS (Kidney Blood and Yin are primary vital substances that provide nutrients and strength to the other organs in the body). _CHINESE MOUNTAIN YAM_:  Also known as ‘Shan Yao’ 山藥  or

Dioscoreae Rhizoma.

This particular root vegetable has the texture and taste that is in between a Yukon Potato and a Daikon Radish.  Starchy, but a bit crunchier and lighter than the potato as you know it.   Shan Yao is a classical herbal plant used in several formulas to strengthen and tonify the LUNGS-SPLEEN-KIDNEY.  This is a mild herbal plant that can strengthen your digestion (providing vital nutrients for your SPLEEN/PANCREAS to metabolize for energy), stabilize and strengthen the integrity of your respiratory tract (mucilage, and it’s affiinity for your LUNGS), and KIDNEY (astringing properties that allow it to hold onto valuable substances via the filtration system through the Renal tubules). _CHINESE RED DATES_: aka ‘Jujube’ ‘Da Zao’ 大棗 or Jujube

Fructus.

These red dates are used in many culinary soups and drinks in Chinese and other Asian cultures.  Their function in food is both medicinal and taste purposes. When cooked with other herbs or food, they are known to reduce, moderate, and absorb toxins and chemicals that may be harmful to the body. But the primary function of this particular item in our soup is to nourish our digestive organs, the SPLEEN/PANCREAS and STOMACH.  In order for our bodies to properly absorb and utilize nutrients from the foods and drinks that we consume, we have to ensure that our digestive organs are functioning optimally.  The sweetness/sugars of these dates provide the Qi/energy that our body cells need for peak

performance.

They also nourish the Blood, especially of the Heart (the seeds in these dates are another Chinese herb that is used to calm the mind known as ‘Suan Zao Ren’ 酸棗仁).  And they can promote more restful sleep….and sleep is one of the least expensive and most optimal ways to boost and recharge our immune system. Last but not least…. _FRESH GINGER_: aka ‘Yellow Ginger’ or ‘Sheng Jiang’ 生薑 or ‘Zingiberis Rhizoma’. Fresh ginger is one of the most ubiquitous roots/herbs that are used in cooking and also in Chinese Herbal medicine.  It has many many qualities that make it an attractive and important addition in health-promoting food items including:

Anti-oxidant

Anti-inflammatory

Antiseptic/Antiviral/Antibacterial Anti-emetic (prevent nausea & vomiting) Carminative (for gas and bloating…yes) Diaphoretic (promote sweating)

Detoxifying

This particular root is useful in our preparation for it’s ability to warm and strengthen the digestive system, promote blood circulation in the body, and to enhance the immune system (anti-oxidant). Plus it’s really quite pleasant tasting. This is a nice soup to have in the beginning of a meal, or perhaps as a light dinner.  In any case, this particular recipe can be eaten any time of the day, and recommended to have 3-5 times during the week especially when you’re feeling a bit more run down and tired than

usual.

AUTUMN, MY FAVORITE SEASON…YOU COME AT LAST. AND YOU BROUGHT A HURRICANE ALONG WITH YOU TOO…. 31 _Wednesday_ Oct 2012 Posted by breukelenacupuncture in Cold & Flu Season

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Lifestyle Advice

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Skin & Beauty

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I cannot believe it’s going to be November.  Tomorrow!  So we all know that there are a host of events and things that we look forward to during this time.  Thanksgiving, the NYC Marathon season, Black Friday, holiday bonuses, and everything else in between. In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is: {The METAL season  (according to Five Elemental Theory)} {The season where the LUNGS and COLON are affected most} {The time to HARVEST our reapings of the year and allow them to nourish and sustain us for the winter and next year.} {The season to PRIORITIZE.  Take in, Let go.} What we did, what we learned, how we took care of ourselves and others, and what we took in from earlier on in the year will be reflected back to you during the fall/autumn season.  You will know how well you have done and what you have cultivated in your life by what you are able to reap in the fall.  The next step is to take what you’ve reaped, and store away the things that you want to keep for the winter and take into the new year. Now is the time to cultivate the strength of your Metal organs.  The Yin Organ, the LUNG, needs to be kept open and receptive.  Take the following tips as ones that will keep your LUNG from functioning

optimally:

1. Deep Diaphragmatic/Abdominal Breathing _WHY?_ This involves allowing your lungs to take in the most amount of air and perfuse it throughout your body to properly oxygenate your cells, tissues, organs and blood.

_HOW?_

1- Sit with your spine straight and shoulders up and back. 2- Take a deep breath in through your nose, and allow your abdomen to expand out during your inhalation. 3- Slowly breath out through your mouth, allow your abdomen to relax and contract back down. Many of us who are under stress learn to breath in and allow our chest to expand, rather than our abdomen.  But this type of shallow breathing restricts our diaphragm, not allowing proper circulation and oxygen flow in our body. The LUNGS work with our heart to maintain an even and steady rhythm for the rest of the body to sync with.  Regulating our breath and training our LUNGS to do this efficiently will help the rest of our organ systems to maintain homeostasis and balance in our body. Learn to practice this a few minutes a day.  I even find time to practice this while pretending to ‘nap’ on the subway.  Your body will learn itself, and quickly adapt and switch to this type of breathing over time. P.S. You can practice this lying down too. Not necessarily while you’re sitting up with perfect posture. 2. DRY BRUSHING/LYMPHATIC DRY MASSAGE _  WHY?_  Your skin is one of the largest organs of the body, and is the outer expression and extension of your LUNGS in Chinese Medicine.  Your skin is able to function properly when it is moist and intact, and able to properly excrete sweat and other toxins out of your pores properly.  One of the ways to keep your skin and the structures beneath that support proper skin health, is the keep your lymphatic system clear. Your lymphatic system is an integral part of your immune system (the system that tries to fight off and clean up foreign invaders, bacteria, viruses, etc). When the cooler weather settles down, we are less active, and our bodies constrict themselves which slows down proper circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids.  The more congested our lymphatic system is, the more likely that bacteria/viruses/etc. are able to settle in comfortably in our bodies without being destroyed and eliminated. Dry brushing is an easy indoor ritual that can be done weekly to keep the lymphatic system flowing and performing optimally.

_HOW? _

1- Buy a wooden handled body brush with relatively soft but firm

bristles.

2- Hop into the shower and turn the water on, don’t allow the water to touch your skin yet.  Allow the water to create a slight steam in the shower, and while it’s doing that….begin brushing. 3- Start from the feet/ankles and move up towards the torso.  Same with the arms. Start from your hands and brush towards your torso. Then brush from below the waist upwards towards your heart. Brush in small circular motions, Just lightly enough not to damage the skin, but with enough pressure to allow the fluids to dislodge from the tissues of your body and into your lymphatic vessels.  I liken the pressure to the amount you would use to brush your teeth. 4- Step under the shower and rinse off skin with warm water. You want to be taking all the lymphatic fluids from below your waist and bring it up towards your heart so that the unwanted, excess waste fluids can be recirculated back to the heart and eliminated out of your body (usually through urination). I often like to include an herbal body powder exfoliant along during the process.  Here are two to try: _Shankara Deep Cleanse Treatment _http://www.shankara.com/catalog/deep-cleanse-treatment _STARFLOWER CHAMOMILE BODY BUFF_ http://www.starflower.com/Chamomile-Body-Buff_p_173.html Or perhaps apply a thin layer of massage oil with a few drops essential oils (such as lemongrass or rosemary) added over the skin before brushing. Or if you prefer, I would personally recommend the following to add to a massage carrier oil, such as Grapeseed Oil (for more sensitive, oilier skin types), Jojoba Oil (for all skin types), or Sweet Almond Oil (for drier skin types): _IN FIORE LYMPHE RELEASE_ http://www.beautyhabit.com/infiore_lymphe.html 4. ACUPUNCTURE/ACUPRESSURE/CUPPING/GUA SHA THERAPY: _  WHY?_  These are the main modalities used in Chinese Medicine to keep the Qi (energy flow) of the body in proper check.  All these therapies are used by Acupuncturists to bring fresh blood, fluids, and nutrients to your organs and tissues.  Each therapeutic modality above is able to reach different systems, organs, and tissues at a

different level.

_Acupuncture_ and needles are able to reach deepest into the body and trigger very specific reactions within each organ meridian and system. _Acupressure_ can achieve some of the effects as Acupuncture can, but for only a shorter period of time.  Acupressure must be administered frequently/daily to maintain effects. _Cupping_ therapy involves the usage of the vacuum-sealing effect of using ceramic, glass, or plastic cups and adhering them onto the surface of the skin.  The suction that is created within these cups (either using fire to remove oxygen and create negative pressure within the cups, or using a suction device to remove the oxygen from the cups) will pull out built-up toxins and fluids from deep within the muscle to the surface.  The acidic waste material that is pulled out is allowed to flow back into the blood and lymphatic system to be flushed out from the body.  Note that cupping will leave slightly red and bruise-like marks on the skin.  The more chronic and severe your condition, the darker these marks will be.  Take this as a gauge to how many more sessions you will need to clear your body of these toxins.  This type of therapy is recommended 1x/week. Many times, this type of therapy will bring immediate relief to any muscle tension and pains in the body, as cupping therapy is often a good way to administer myofascial release of your muscles. _Gua Sha_, also known as scraping therapy, utilizes a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the surface of the skin to release any toxins or congested fluids and blood out of the tissues and circulate it out of the body. This is the least invasive and reaches the outermost parts

of the body.

_   HOW?_ Your properly trained Chinese Medicine practitioner will know which therapy to utilize for your particular needs and condition. 5. Neti Pot Sinus Cleaning _Why? _There are many cavernous sinuses situated behind your nose, eyes, and cheeks.  If anyone has ever taken a look inside these sinus cavities while playing around with a model skeleton in Biology class will know how complex and small these structures are.  These cavities are perfect hiding and nestling spots for bacteria (the bad type!), viruses, fungi, and other debris that we breathe in.  And these structures reach back into our heads and in very close proximity to a very important organ.  Our brain. I don’t believe I need to go into much detail about the importance of that particular structure. And what connection does our nose and our sinuses have to our LUNGS? Structurally the nose is very much connected to our LUNGS via our throat, esophagus, and trachea (windpipe).  Chinese Medicine connects the health of your LUNGS with your nose as it sees the nose as an extension and trajectory of your LUNGS and the other associated Metal organ your COLON/Large Intestine. In fact, the COLON/Large Intestine is the Yang organ paired with your LUNG yin organ.  The Large Intestine meridian runs right alongside and into your nose. See for yourself on the diagram provided below of the LARGE INTESTINE meridian pathway (make your way up to LI20): Often times, we don’t notice our sinuses until we have an infection or sinus headache.  But what we need to know is that our sinuses need to be cleaned out if our bodies are not naturally able to do so

thoroughly.

Especially those of us who live anywhere in the big city where pollutant particles constantly challenge and compromise the integrity of the mucous membranes that line our respiratory tract. The inflammatory reaction of the mucous membranes of your nasal and sinus cavities can cause breaches and breaks in these membranes and lead to more serious bacterial infections. As more mucous is produced in response to this inflammatory reaction,  the mucus settles, dries and hardens into the crevices of your sinuses and create a perfect sticky trap for other bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pollutants to lodge

themselves into.

The neti pot method is a relatively mild way of gradually cleaning out the debris in your sinuses.  Some have found the idea a bit uncomfortable.   But done properly and with attention and care, it can bring about much relief.  And mostly bring about some real, long-term health benefits for you. Those who suffer from puffy eyes/dark eye circles, sinus headaches, and any constant uncomfortable sensation in the throat will find that these symptoms can be alleviated using the neti pot technique. _  HOW? _Luckily for you (and me) there are many many online resources on how to use a Neti Pot, and reap its’ benefits. But here are a few things to consider: 1- Use distilled and non-chlorinated warm water (Non-chlorinated is important. Chlorine can be easily absorbed into your body via the capillaries in your nose and it makes the experience much more uncomfortable.  Ever inhale in chlorinated swimming pool water through your nose? Ouch. Yes, now you know what I’m talking about). 2- Provide an alkaline additive to your distilled water.  Pure sea salt (nothing Iodized please) will do the trick.  Most bacterial agents are highly averse to alkalinity.  And the point is to make the the harmful bacteria as uncomfortable as possible so that they will dislodge and be eliminated easily with this saline solution.

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