Feb 02, 2018
Allergy season starts early in the Valley of the Sun, thanks to the warmer weather and early blooming of nature’s beautiful plants. Spring is often a joyful time of year, as we are able to enjoy the outdoors through hiking, sports, festivals and more. It’s a time that brings people together, particularly in Phoenix. Some people, however, struggle to enjoy these activities because of what nature can bring – seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies are a hypersensitive immune response to substances generally considered harmless, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. Symptoms often include coughing, sneezing, congestion, itchiness, irritation of the eyes, and shortness of breath. In both Western and Eastern (Chinese) Medicine, seasonal allergies are generally an inflammatory condition, resulting from a weakened immune system....
Jan 26, 2018
Huang qi (Radix Astragali Membranaceus) is more commonly known as astragalus root. In Western Medicine, it is known to boost a weakened immune system. If you are susceptible to colds, allergies, or the flu, huang qi could be a good herb to take as a preventative medicine to strengthen the immune system. In Chinese Medicine, huang qi enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. One of the main indications of this herb is to boost the wei qi, often compared to the immune system in Western Medicine. Sweating is a common symptom of a weakened immune system, and huang qi is good for securing the wei qi and stopping spontaneous sweating. Inflammation occurs when the body is under attack from foreign substances and creates a histamine response in the body. As a result, congestion and...
Nov 21, 2017
Cupping seems to be the buzz word of the Olympics this year. What are those strange looking marks on the athletes? And what is this thing called cupping? Michael Phelps has shown distinct circular marks on his skin from cupping therapy. Cupping is an ancient remedy that is used in present day to treat a variety of conditions including: musculoskeletal pain, asthma, bronchitis, common cold, scar tissue and digestive conditions to name a few. The process of cupping involves placing glass cups on the skin after swabbing the inside with a flame, creating suction to the skin. An alternative method of cupping is done with plastic cups that use a pump to create the suction. Once there is a strong stimulation to the skin...
Nov 20, 2017
The Heart…… a vital organ of the body, one we cannot live without, yet we often take it for granted. Below are some fun facts about the heart to learn just how amazing it is, along with some statistics on the rise of heart disease in this nation. According to some heart facts posted by Dr. Christopher Magovern on ABC News, the heart pumps 1-7 gallons of blood per minute and as much as 2,000 gallons per day. It is approximately the size of a fist and beats 60-80 bpm in adults and 70-190bpm in newborns. The heart pumps 6 quarts of blood throughout the body suppling tissues with oxygen and nutrients and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes. The American Heart Association states that there are 1 in 3...
Nov 01, 2017
People often say they have a hard time meditating because of all the interrupted thoughts going through their minds. Soon into the meditation, one will begin criticizing themselves for not being able to accomplish the simple task of clearing the mind. Shortly after, agitation sets in because they cannot reach the state of relaxation. At this point, you may have more frustration than you did before you sat down to meditate. Does this sound all too familiar? The sense of agitation arises from the noise in the mind. Suddenly, you realize the excessive chatter that develops in the mind on a daily basis. Meditation is highly effective in quieting the mind…… And you are probably thinking; how can I even attempt to meditate after experiencing...
The universe tends to send us all kinds of messages and always at the right time! I received a message today by walking into a doctor’s office and overhearing a conversation. An older woman sitting in the corner of the waiting room was telling the gentleman next to her about a family member that sought out a natural medicine doctor. She said “He went to see a natural doctor, one of those Chinese Medicine doctors and was prescribed some herbs. The herbs worked and made him better! I wish they (western medical physicians) would suggest things like that instead of giving you the option of taking a drug!……..Those Chinese Medicine doctors really know what they are doing!” I was so pleased to hear this...
