Author: Erin Wood

Eat more of these foods to reduce pain, fight infection, and prevent chronic diseases.  Here is the list, with a few side-notes from me.  The link is below:

1. Kelp – seaweed is used in Chinese Medicine to dissolve cysts, tumors, & goiters.

2. Turmeric – http://methowvalleyherbs.blogspot.com/2012/01/turmeric-medicine-cabinet-in-curry-bowl.html . I would add Ginger to this list, too.

3. Wild Salmon – you can also take an omega 3 or EPA/DHA supplement.

4. Shiitake – mushrooms have anti-cancer properties, try Reishi or Maitake as well.

5. Green Tea – delish!  Twig tea is good, too.

6. Papaya – has digestive enzymes, so does pineapple.

7. Blueberries – along with pomegranate and other small colorful berries.

8. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – or other cold-pressed oils like flax or evening primrose.

9. Broccoli – and cabbage, dark leafy greens, cauliflower.

10. Sweet Potato – or yams, just bake them!

http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-anti-inflammatory-foods.htm

Dampness represents a condition existing within the body that is a reflection of dampness as it occurs in nature. Dampness can be due to a problem arising from the inability of the digestive system to transport and transport fluids, or from the body being overwhelmed by external damp from the environment, (damp weather, damp living conditions, damp-producing foods).  It can also arise from as a response to an illness, or from the overuse of medication that promotes dampness, such as certain antibiotics.  Dampness can show up in your body as edema, swelling, loose stools, a sticky tongue coating, nausea, and a foggy feeling in the head.  Phlegm is seen as a thicker, stickier, condensed form of dampness.  We can see phlegm when we have a bad cold with a productive cough.

Foods to resolve dampness include:

Foods that are useful to resolve damp combining with heat:

Foods that are useful to resolve phlegm in general:

Foods that are useful to resolve phlegm with heat:

Foods that are useful to resolve phlegm with cold:

Foods especially useful to resolve damp heat in the Bladder

• Cranberry: this is best taken in tablet form as the juices often contain sugar.
• Barley: barley water can be made by pouring 1 quart (4 cups) of water over 30 grams of barley grains. Simmer until the liquid has reduced to half. Add lemon juice, strain, and drink at least four cups per day.

Foods especially useful for phlegm congesting the Lungs

Phlegm in General

• Thyme: this makes a useful herbal bath to help resolve phlegm and reduce coughing (especially at night). Simply take a handful of fresh garden thyme, crush slightly between your hands and steep 4 cups of water that has just boiled while you run a warm bath. Close all the windows and doors, add the thyme water into the bath and take a bath for at least 20 minutes.  You can also make thyme tea with lemon and honey for a cough.

Phlegm cold

• Ginger tea: grate some fresh ginger (about the size of your thumb nail) into a cup, steep in boiling water for five minutes, add a little brown sugar or honey to taste, drink warm.
• Onion: a simple cough mixture, safe to use in pregnancy, can be made by chopping up one onion and covering this with 1 tablespoon honey. Leave overnight or for several hours before taking the juice 2 –3 teaspoons at a time, as needed.

Phlegm heat

• Grapefruit juice: two to three glasses per day
• Pear juice: two to three glasses per day.

Foods to avoid in cases of dampness

For those prone to dampness, limit or avoid the following:

• Dairy products: this includes milk, cheese, ice cream and all foods that contain high amounts of dairy.  Yogurt is perhaps the exception to the dairy food rule, as it has good bacteria that aid digestion.  Sheep and goat products, such as goat milk, goat yogurt, sheep or goat cheeses are regarded as less prone to causing dampness.
• Pork and rich, fatty meats
• Roasted peanuts, including peanut butter
• Concentrated fruit juices, especially orange and tomato juice
• Excess refined wheat products
• Bananas
• Sugar and sweeteners
• Deep, fried foods

In dampness and phlegm, it is important to nourish the Spleen, which means that the consumption of raw, cold and processed sugary or fatty foods need to be limited to aid the spleen’s essential digestive function.  The Spleen is similar to our digestive enzymes released in the digestive tract.

Original source: Debra Betts, L.Ac. in New Zealand    http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz

Springtime is coming and the trees are blooming.  Spring is the time of the WOOD element, which is associated with the color GREEN, the Liver, the tendons, and the eyes.  Spring sprouts, buds, and is a time of new beginnings.  The WOOD element likes to grow, expand, and spread out, so don’t constrain it, or else it’ll get irritable and angry.  So, what can you do to support your WOOD element and LIVER?  Some ideas include:

*exercise, whatever feels good and gets you moving

*don’t suppress your emotions, find CREATIVE outlets for anger, frustration, and depression

*start a new project, make a new plan

*give your LIVER a rest from chemicals, stimulants, alcohol, and fried foods

*eat lots of FRESH foods, especially GREENS

*eat whole foods like brown rice and lentils

*eat nuts like walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and almonds

*chew well and breathe during mealtimes (chew your drinks and drink your food)

*juice fruits and veggies

*drink herbal teas of nettles, dandelion, and mint

*take milk thistle or other LIVER detox formulas

*exfoliate your skin with a loofa or dry brush to release toxins

*adhere to a routine, eat at regular times and go to bed by 11pm to rest your LIVER

If you can find 3 or 4 things on this list that sound do-able, go for it, your LIVER will thank you!!!

During all this unpredictable weather and with viruses floating around, it is important to keep your immunity up.  Acupuncture can definitely help, either to prevent colds or help you get over them once they have settled in, but there is so much you can do at home, too.

Ways to prevent colds:

*Get plenty of rest, manage your stress.

*Drink fluids such as ginger tea, mint tea, chamomile, lemon water, or make a thyme tea with lemon and honey.

*Take your vitamins, like vitamin C & D.

*Eat less sugar and more whole foods, such as soups & stews, fish & veggies, yum!

*Take chinese herbs  (like astragalus), I have some formulas for sale in my office.

*Wear hats, gloves, and scarves.  Keep warm.
Signs of catching a cold:

*Sore or tickly throat

*Headache and body aches, especially neckache

*Runny nose, sniffles

*Cough

*Fatigue

Contact me if you have any questions or to schedule a treatment!