Healthy lungs are those that experience exertion, deep breaths helping to circulate body fluids and nutrients along with the breath itself.
What acupuncture point is that? Pericardium 6 for a Calm Mind, Happy Tummy & Deep Breaths
Safety of Herbs in Pregnancy
At Vitalize, we love working with pregnant mamas. The conditions that arise during pregnancy are unique and the treatment options can sometimes feel limited. There is always the extra step of asking how this will impact the growing babe. It is best to assume that anything you ingest will pass to the baby, and this includes herbs and supplements. This certainly does not mean that you have to stop all your herbs and supplements when you get the BFP (big fat positive!). And it also doesn’t mean we can’t treat your nausea, fatigue, sinus congestion, swelling, heartburn, insomnia, etc. with herbs. Our practitioners are informed about herbal safety and can guide you.
Do you have Blood Stagnation? What to look for.
Coconut: From Nut to Oil
Do you know where your coconut oil comes from? You should. In a day and age where chemicals are readily found in our food system, and more and more labs are creating genetically modified foods, it’s important to be informed, and understand what you’re eating. Coconut oil is one of those foods that can vary greatly in processing, so know what you’re really buying and putting in your body. After all, your body is a temple!
What is NAET & how does it work?
Seasonal Allergies: Tips and Tricks
Allergy season in the NW has officially started. If you are feeling the symptoms here are a few tips to get you through...
1) Before bed wash your face and hair: Allergens, like pollen that are blowing around outside stick to our hair, clothes, and face. Before bed, wash out these allergens so that your body's immune system isn't stuck fighting them all night long.
Year of the FIRE ROOSTER
I remember the first time I learned about the Chinese zodiac and the 12 animals that represent a 12 year cycle. I had gone to a small Chinese restaurant, sat down with my parents and noticed a bit of information about each of the 12 animals on my paper placemat. This stuck in my head and returned to me when I began learning more about them once I entered acupuncture school.
For the record, we didn't really learn much about these 12 animals as we studied acupuncture and Chinese medicine. However, we did learn a lot about '5 element theory', which is the basis for much of the knowledge and prediction made through the Chinese zodiac.
Lighten Up, Weight Management and Detox
There’s nothing better than the holidays: enjoying libations, goodies and rich meals together with friends and family. However, add-in the hustle and bustle of the season, stresses and responsibilities and before long, we are getting bogged down. Did you know that the average weight gain per season is 7 to 10 pounds? With that added weight comes stored toxins and increased oxidative stress which can set you up for future disease. But don’t despair! You can enjoy the fun and festivities and mitigate some of this damage by incorporating just a few affordable and easy-to-implement tricks. You will set yourself up to be your best healthiest self for the start of the new year.
The stress-infertility connection
Natural Remedies for Colds & Flus
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about cold & flu prevention, but lets face it, sometimes we get sick. If you are like me and have a child in preschool, maybe it happens more often then you want to admit. Here are some tips for bouncing back fast and fortified.
· Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant found in many foods, especially brightly colored fruits and vegetables. It can greatly speed recovery from colds or flus. In terms of supplementation, avoid synthetic ascorbic acid if possible in favor of mixed flavonoids or acerola powder. (Vitamins are consistently better in their complex packages, rather than as an isolate.)
Preparing the Immune System for Fall
Lets start by clarifying one thing - the body does not have an immune system, the body is an immune system, many parts working together for continued health. There are a lot of variables to consider – the lymphatic system, which is rich with white blood cells, the skin and mucous membranes, the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature. So, like with most things, Chinese medicine uses a “whole systems” approach to treatment. You can use this approach yourself, by first thinking about what you can do for the health of your whole system:
Free and Easy Wanderer
Xiao Yao San is a classical Chinese Herbal formula commonly used for a variety of issues cause by stagnation in the body, particularly in the liver. When the liver stagnates we might experience irritability or a short temper, tension in our neck and shoulders, digestive upset which could include constipation or diarrhea, depressed mood, and an overall feeling of being 'stuck'. We might feel stuck in life, with a partner, in our career, etc. Its an overall lack of motivation to move forward, even if we already made the decision of what to do, though indecisiveness can also occur when the liver is stagnant.