Water Is The Chinese Element Of Winter

As many of you already know, in TCM, different elements are connected to each season. Water is the element of winter. And, as we in Chicago know very well - winter is here! Winter is the season of stillness and rest (think hibernation), during which energy is condensed, conserved, and stored. Similarly, water is a highly concentrated element that contains great potential power awaiting release.

Some fast facts about the Chinese element of water.

* Water is yin in character, its energy is downward.
* Water is associated with the planet Mercury, the moon, the north, and cold, darkness, night and the color black.
* In Chinese Medicine, the element of Water governs the kidneys, ears and bones.
* The negative emotion associated with Water is fear.
* The positive emotion is calmness.
* Water energy is depleted by the 'heat' of stress and excess emotions.
* The way to conserve the potential energy of Water is to stay still and be calm.

In Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy. However, an over-abundance of the element can cause difficulty in choosing a direction and sticking to it. In the same way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land.

To read about a healthy winter diet click here

To read more about Winter and the water element click here

Great Chinese Medicine Article on The Huffington Post

The very mainstream and widely read blog recently published "Calming The Shen: A Chinese Medicine Approach To A Good Night's Sleep" by Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald. Here is an excerpt from the article.

"An approach that can also aid in the quest for a good night's sleep is that of Chinese Medicine. This ancient healing system has offered relief to the sleep challenged for thousands of years. While new to many, Chinese Medicine is mainstream in China, and it is used today for a wide range of conditions by an estimated one-fourth of the world's population.

The Chinese Medicine Approach to Sleep

Insomnia comes in various forms, such as trouble falling sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and having dream-disturbed sleep. When a Chinese Medicine practitioner is gathering information to put together a treatment plan, the pattern of the sleep disturbance as well as health and lifestyle issues will be taken into consideration.

A Chinese Medicine practitioner might use the term "calm the shen" when describing a treatment principle. "Shen" is best translated as the spirit of the person in a nonreligious sense. When evaluating Shen, the Chinese Medicine practitioner is looking for the emotional state and presence (or lack) of radiance, calm, and balance. Often with sleep disturbances, the patient will be experiencing patterns of stress, anxiety, or agitation. Chinese Medicine would call this "disturbed shen."

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points of the body to reduce pain, to promote relaxation, and to treat various health concerns. Insomnia and sleep disorders are common reasons why people visit an acupuncturist.

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) lists insomnia as a condition for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown. Continuous research is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for sleep issues. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a review of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture treatment for insomnia. After looking at 46 randomized trials, the conclusion was that acupuncture appears to be effective in the treatment of insomnia, and larger, rigorously designed trials are warranted.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

There are many traditional Chinese herbal formulas to help regulate the sleep pattern. A formula is chosen for each person based on their symptoms, constitution, and medical history. It is best to have a licensed medical practitioner select the proper formula. Some herbs that are used in these formulas include Suan Zao Ren (Sour Date Seed), Bai Zi Ren (Arborvitae Seed), Fu Shen (Poria Paradicis), and Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra Fruit)."

To read the entire article click here

Nourish Your Qi With Acupuncture This Winter

Acufinder.com has good articles for every season this one is written By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM

Recharge Your Battery this Winter with Acupuncture

If you feel tired and drained, you are not alone. "Lack of energy" is one of the top five complaints that doctors hear in their offices. According to Oriental medicine, the cold months of winter are the perfect time to recharge your battery and generate vital energy – Qi - in order to live, look, and feel your best.

The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on health, replenish energy and conserve strength.

Winter is ruled by the Water element, which is associated with the Kidneys, Bladder and Adrenal Glands. The Kidneys are considered the source of all energy or “Qi” within the body. They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully.

During the winter months, it is important to nurture and nourish our Kidney Qi; it is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, reflection, conservation and storage.

The Nei Ching, an ancient Chinese classic, advises people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own Yang Qi for the task of warming in the face of cold.

Eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and to keep us nourished. Sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments in winter serve to nurture and nourish kidney Qi which can greatly enhance the body's ability to thrive in times of stress, aid in healing, prevent illness and increase vitality.

Here are some dietary suggestions that can lead to an increase in vitality and radiant health

Water - The Kidneys are associated with the Water element. Drink ample water, at room temperature, throughout the day.

Kidney Shaped Foods - Black beans and kidney beans are excellent examples of kidney shaped foods that nourish and benefit Kidney Qi.

Blue and Black Foods - The colors blue and black correspond to the Water element of the Kidneys and are thought to strengthen the Water element. Include blueberries, blackberries, mulberry and black beans in your diet.

Seeds - Flax, pumpkin, sunflower and black sesame seeds relate to fertility and growth which is governed by Kidney Qi.

Nuts - Walnuts and chestnuts have been found to be especially effective for increasing Kidney Qi.

Vegetables - Dark, leafy green vegetables are the best choice for Kidney Qi. Other Kidney Qi boosting veggies include asparagus, cucumbers and celery.

Best Banana Bread & it's Vegan!

Did you know that the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium? Potassium is an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Bananas also help protect against stomach ulcers and ease constipation. Plus they are a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Below is a delicious and healthy recipe from my good friend Hedy, try it out.

Best Banana Bread

2 cups spelt flour
1/2 cup Garbanzo bean flour
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup agave nectar
2 tbsp apple sauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp apple pie spice
5 ripe bananas (that means each loaf of banana bread you make will have an avg. of 2335 mg of potassium!)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry and liquid ingredients separately. Then combine. Fill loaf pan and Bake 60-65 minutes.

Is It Really A Life And Death Problem?

“If you treat every situation as a life and death matter, you’ll die a lot of times.”

Dean Smith

Acupuncturists Are Headed To Haiti

I am proud to report that Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) and Pathways to Wellness have come together to launch a relief response to the emergency in Haiti. On February 3rd Diana Fried, AWB Executive Director, and Julia Raneri, AWB Haiti Operations Manager and NADA registered trainer, will be going with a group of Doctors as the first team. They plan to organize a ground operation and get set up for more acupuncturists to come. These teams of acupuncturists will be able to help with much needed treatments for pain relief, trauma, exhaustion and acupuncture anesthesia. To learn more about this project click here.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE FOR HAITI EMERGENCY RELIEF EFFORT (100% of your donation will go to the Haiti program)

The Element of Wood and President Obama 1 Year Later

We just marked the 1 year anniversary of President Obama's Inauguration, so everyone has been reviewing his performance during this time. It seems fitting to share a post that was written by a fellow TCM blogger (Chinese Medicine Notes) in Israel when Obama won. The post is 1 year old - see if you think that it was accurate. Yael analyzes our President by using the theory of the five Chinese elements and describes his characteristics in terms of the wood element.

Barak Obama and The Wood Element

Congratulations America!

You have a new president, Barack Obama. I have to admit, I’m jealous. What charisma! Such promise! I think this is the first time when a political leader has spread so much joy around the world. I watched president Obama in Washington today, and I was thinking, that he is a wonderful example of the Wood element.

Hope, dreams and the man with the plan

President Obama has a plan- for the USA and for the rest of the world.
The fact that he has a plan is so Wood element- being the one in charge, knowing what needs to be done and plan the way to do it. This plan is not designed for war. When we think about the Wood element we sometimes think of the general in the army.
This is not the case. In this case, the plan is directed for a better world.

Barack Obama represents hope.

The fact that he is Afro-American and president is a song of Morrissey coming true.
But also a man who is charismatic, who I’m sure will not remain a man of words, but will also be a man of action. The Wood element gives hope, and president Obama gives hope for millions around the world. How blessed must he be, to be able to inspire so much hope around the world.

When I was a child, I heard a lot about how America is the place where dreams come true. I see now that those aren’t just empty words! Whether we talk about dreams as night or dreams as what you hope and wish for yourself, this is all the Wood element, mainly the Hun.

Wait, there’s one more thing

The ability to start and/or restart is very much the Wood element.
The economy, the fight in terrorism, Iraq- these are just examples of the things that need to be done, and the only way to start dealing with those problems is to start doing it. Doing that first step, taking action. That’s all Wood. President Obama says he’ll do all that. Call me naive, but I believe him.

The other 4 elements

As always, in each person we can see the 5 elements, and Obama is no different.
The Earth element is being expressed with the strong family he has and with the actual change he already made.
The Metal element was expressed in his speech, he talked about his father not being served in certain places 60 years ago, but he- his son- is now president. And as you know, the Metal element is represented, among other things, with the father’s role of giving a deep sense of meaning.
The Water element is being expressed along the way with a lot of ambition, persistence along the way.
The Fire element is being expressed with the wonderful verbal ability and the fact that you immediately love this man.

One man can make a difference

Every now and then you hear of someone who can change the world.
Everyone talks about these new days as historical. Not only because it’s the first black president in America (which is an amazingly wonderful and important thing), but because this is a man who already made a difference.

Barack in Hebrew means lightning ; sparkle, glint, gleam, shine.
President Obama has all those inside of him, and he is able to let it show on the out side. Millions around the world felt it too, otherwise, how can you explain the change that everyone around the world feel right now?

Over to you

So what do you think? President Obama is more Wood or is he more Earth?
Would love to read your thoughts in the comments!

To read more from Yael be sure to visit her blog Chinese Medicine Notes.