Spring is in the air! While most of us can excitedly embrace the changing seasons, for many, the winter thaw brings about much strife as pollens and blossoms burst into the air. I can sympathize with them as I suffered from seasonal allergies for many years – to the point where my symptoms became almost year-round allergies rather than “seasonal.” Why do some people have seasonal allergies, while others remain unaffected? Why do allergies worsen or improve when people move to new cities? How can symptoms improve? Chinese medicine has the answer after the jump.

Unique Treatment

Individual constitution can lay the foundation for health, immunity and our unique ability to exist with (or react to) our environment. Imbalances in this delicate system can occur as a result of genetic history, diet, lifestyle, chronic illness, emotional upset or environmental pollutants. Whatever the etiology of imbalance, it is important to find the root of the cause. In Chinese medicine with respect to the treatment of allergies, we often look to the energetic meridians of Spleen, Lung, Liver or Kidneys. Often, a combination of imbalances may exist and more than one meridian will need to be treated, and often utilizing both a dispersing and/or nourishing treatment principle.

Which Are You?

Appropriate diagnosis can be determined through symptom presentation, pulse and tongue evaluation. Below are some general characteristics of potential allergy etiology – which are you? Keep in mind that it would be best to verify any inquiries with an experienced practitioner, and these are meant to be general informative guidelines.

Liver Fire/Liver Wind

• Sudden dry, itchy, red eyes (that may or may not tear-up)
• Feeling irritable, anger or emotional constraint
• Thick, yellow nasal discharge
• Flushed Face
• Headache at the top of the head

Spleen Deficiency

• Copious and Nasal Mucous (may be thick or runny)
• Digestive complaints such as nausea, loose stool or bloating after meals
• Fatigue, low energy
• Foggy-headedness, or dull sinus headache
• Pale complexion

Kidney-Lung Disharmony

• Difficulty taking a deep breath, or asthma associated with allergies
• Cough
• Low Back Weakness
• Feelings of sadness or on-edge, fearful
• Clear nasal discharge, easy to expectorate

What You Can Do

The pivot of health and feeling your best begins with diet, exercise and sleep – almost all schools of medicine will agree on that fact, and TCM is no different. When that is not enough, medication, herbal formulas, acupuncture and other modalities are there to support your body back into balance. To best support your system, the following are general dietary/lifestyle guidelines for different constitutional types.

• Liver Constitution - Avoid greasy, fried foods. Indulge in fresh citrus fruits, vegetables, lean proteins. Yoga, brisk walking, or jogging are good choices, and getting plenty of rest at night.
• Spleen Constitution – Avoid raw, uncooked foods and too much bread. Enjoy yams, soups, stews, lightly steamed vegetables, whole grains and all protein. Brisk or leisurely walking, and sleeping long hours at night with perhaps a short nap during the daytime.
• Lung/Kidney Constitution - Avoid foods that are too drying (dehydrated foods, overly roasted or baked foods). Enjoy hearty meats, lentils, all vegetables and fruits. Gentle yoga and pilates are good choices to strengthen the core. Sleep plenty, especially in the winter and during seasonal transitions.

Individual herbal formulas are also a great way to support your system, along with the Xanthium formula to get you feeling better fast. Seasonal allergies don’t have to be a curse, and they don’t have to be expected! You can feel better, year after year.

Other Possibilities

We can’t exist in bubbles, and Chinese medicine is a great way to supplement your system so you can enjoy the environment you live in without discomfort. Sometimes, structural problems such as a deviated septum exist, which can lead to chronic inflammation of the sinus cavity resulting in improper drainage. The relief that acupuncture and herbs can offer for this may be minimal (although some patients have had enough reduction in inflammation to reduce their symptoms dramatically). In cases of severe structural deformity, it may be wise to utilize a combination of both western and eastern therapies.

In Mandarin, “Happy New Year!”     |    Or in Cantonese, “Gung Hei Faat Choi!”

February 3, 2011 was the official start to the fifteen-days of celebration for the Chinese New Year – one of the most important holidays in Chinese tradition. Based on a lunar calendar,  the actual date of Chinese New Year changes every year (unlike the static January 1st date in the Western calendar).  This lunar month we move from the uproaring year of the Tiger to the year of the sophisticated Metal Rabbit. More on what’s in store for 2011 after the jump…

Rabbit Archetype

You are a Rabbit according to the Chinese Zodiac if you were born:

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Rabbit personality types are cautious and sensitive, while well-mannered and gracious with an heir of sophistication. Their attention to detail and organizational skills make them great researchers, politicians, decorators, purveyors of antiques, historians or scholars. They are sentimental and introspective, and do not thrive in competitive environments as they can easily be brought to tears by their extreme sensitivity to their environments. Rabbits make great partners in romance or other areas of life, but they depend on their solitude for survival. This time alone allows for the introspection they need to intuitively ground themselves and find strength.

According to Chinese Medicine

The rabbit sign corresponds to the color green and the element of wood in Chinese medicine, both of which can be attributed to the liver/gallbladder meridians. Liver constitutions take pride in being direct and fair, while gallbladder constitutions are excellent judges in weighing out all sides to a story. The wood element is known for its strength in flexibility, and direct nature to grow forward in life. The wood element corresponds to springtime, of which we are soon approaching…it is bound to be a season for strong intuitive abilities.

The Coming Year

2011 is predicted to be a much calmer year than the previous year of the Tiger – as Rabbit years bring peace and tranquility – a much needed respite from a tumultuous 2010. The Rabbit mends fences, keeps the peace and focuses on inner harmony. Diplomacy reigns this year, with forgiveness for old quarrels at the top of the list for success. Ideal pursuits in a Rabbit year include taking up a hobby, enjoying the arts, learning something new or exploring your creative nature. Financial and work-related successes will come through cooperation this year, not from force as it did with the Tiger. This year is all about taking things slow and steady – persistence will prevail.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

For your individual horoscope based on your zodiac sign, check out this informative post on Hub Pages:

Chinese 2011 Horoscopes

Chicken soup is known in many cultures to help prevent and fight-off common colds and flu’s. The broth is deeply nourishing, while the pieces of chicken and vegetables are satisfying and filling. In Chinese medicine, chicken bone broth is said to deeply nourish the kidneys, and are often used in situations where the kidney energy can get tapped – such as: after childbirth, after IVF cycles, a chronic or long-term illness, or as a general health supplement in the winter (which is the season for kidney energy). The “kidney energy” in Chinese Medicine can be likened to adrenal, endocrine and immune function in Western Medicine. After the jump, check out my own recipe for nourishing Chicken Soup.

This soup is a variation on my mother’s recipe and my fiance’s mother’s recipe for home-made chicken soup (learned by observation, trial and error – perfected!). Best part is that once the stock is made, this soup takes less than 45 minutes to prepare – start to finish.

• 2 Split Chicken Breasts, bone-in and skin-on*
• 3 Medium Parsnips, peeled and sliced into circles or half-circles**
• 2 Medium Carrots, washed and sliced into circles or half-circles
• 4 Cloves Minced Garlic
• 1 Medium Yellow Onion, sliced
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 6-8 Shitake Mushrooms, sliced thin
• 1-inch Slice Fresh Ginger Root
• 2 Bay Leaves
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 6 Cups Broth (preferably home-made, vegetable or chicken)
• 1 Cup Pasta or Rice of your choice, cooked and drained (optional)

Prepare broth for soup. In a separate soup-pot, saute onions and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add the carrots and parsnips, cooking together for about a minute. Pour the broth over the vegetables and bring to a simmer, adding the ginger slice, salt, pepper and bay leaves. Once bubbling, place the chicken breasts in, skin-side down. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10 min. Turn the breasts around so the bone-side is now down for another 10 minutes.

Remove chicken breasts from the soup and place on a cutting board. Once slightly cooled, remove and discard the skin and bones. Loosely shred the chicken and return to the soup (chicken should be fully cooked). Remove the sliced ginger and bay leaf, and add the shitake mushrooms. Simmer together for 2 minutes and then serve over cooked pasta or on its own.

* I use two chicken breasts because I prefer the white meat in my chicken soup, and I am usually only cooking for 2 so a whole chicken is a little much for us. But a whole chicken can be used. I prefer to keep the skin and bones on so that the essential minerals, nutrients and fats of the chicken absorb into the broth – making it the immune booster it claims to be.

**The parsnips give a nice texture and sweetness to the soup that I think complements the shitake mushroom flavor incredibly well, plus it is a nice way to use a vegetable not commonly called for in other dishes. Celery can also be added or substituted for the parsnips, if preferred.

This month we have been focusing on  healthy solutions to keeping weight loss goals, a common resolution this time of year. We’ve discussed nutrition, given a nourishing recipe, and taken a moment to unveil myths surrounding soy (a popular low calorie, high protein food). One year ago we posted exciting information about the benefits of acupuncture in weight loss goals. In this post, we will bring it all together to provide an empowering program to successfully achieve your goals while maintaining peace of mind, body and soul. Read more and learn a potent acupuncture point and how you can utilize it for self-treatment at home.

Starvation and Restriction = Stress and Constipation

Literally. Rigidly eating a low-calorie diet can affect nutrient absorption and leave your body feeling starved for more – thus leading to a vicious cycle of binging on heavier foods to feel satisfied. My patients often note feeling guilty about not being able to stick to a rigid diet. Rigidity is synonymous with stagnation in Chinese Medicine, which is a primary pathological influence in many chief complaints (ie: constipation, affecting many women trying to lose weight). Relaxing and creating free flow will allow for greater movement of energy within the meridians of the body, leading to optimal physiological functioning and an overall sense of balance and ease. This will also make it easier to evoke long-lasting effects. So relax. Enjoy your food, eat real food and do not starve yourself.

The Cycle and the Place for Acupuncture Treatment

This idea of “free flow” is a nice one, but not always the easiest to accomplish in our busy lives. This is where acupuncture comes in. Subtly yet powerfully, acupuncture treatments work (at the very basic level) to unclog the meridians in the body so that optimal functioning can take place. The beauty of acupuncture is its ability to support your unique body, allowing for new movement and flow in areas where you maybe didn’t even know it wasn’t flowing. Coming from a place of balance and awareness makes it a lot easier to make healthier decisions.

Drop Stress, Drop the Weight

Cortisol is a pesky hormone that releases during times of stress, and over time causes an excessive ring of weight around the belly. The body cannot differentiate between mental and physical stress – so you can see this phenomenon among high stressed Manhattan professionals as well as starved children in under-fed countries. Since we are talking about weight-loss, we are talking about emotional/mental stress and the impact hormonally on the physique. Acupuncture has the unique advantage of regulating the hormone balance and reducing stress, thus reducing the effects of cortisol on the abdomen.

In The News

Acupuncture has shown in numerous studies to help increase metabolic activity and promote weight loss. These numbers increase when coupled with a healthy diet and exercise. The most motivating results occur over time, and with consistent and aggressive treatment – ranging anywhere from 1-4 times weekly.

• A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight than the control group.
• In a study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia in 1998, 95 percent of the participants receiving electro-stimulation on acupuncture points reported appetite suppression. The results showed that the acupuncture group was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the control group.

• Positive findings were noted between the relationship of acupuncture and weight loss in a review paper written in 2003 the clinical efficacy of auricular acupuncture in the International Journal of Obesity.

Point for Thought

ST 36: Located about 3 inches below the knee and on the outer edge of the Tibia bone – in the soft muscle belly of the Tibialis Anterior. This point is otherwise known as “Leg Three Mile,” which can give the body the ammunition it needs to go another 3 miles. Metaphorically, this is an important point in trying to accomplish any long-term goals. Literally, the point is very nourishing and moving to the Stomach meridian, helping to promote metabolic digestion, nutrient absorption and overall energy. To stimulate this point at home, simply rub with lotion or essential oil of citrus, peppermint or ylang ylang.

Tumeric Rhizome; Curcumae; Yu Jin

The active ingredient in Tumeric is cucumin, long known for its anti-inflammatory effects – an important factor in many modern ailments. More recently, the herb has been discovered to be useful in the treatment and prevention of various types of cancer (melanoma, breast and prostate have the most statistical research), Alzheimer’s, psoriasis, fat metabolism, depression and pain management. In Chinese medicine, Tumeric (Yu Jin) is often used in gynecological formulas for the treatment of painful periods, fibroids or endometriosis. Thanks to the modern spice cabinet, you can incorporate this herb into your diet without a prescription.

Tumeric Chicken

2 Organic Chicken Breasts, Sliced into 1-inch strips, and placed in a ziplock bag

Add to the bag:

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Tamari Sauce

1 Tbsp Agave Syrup

1 tsp Ground Tumeric

1 tsp Freshly Cracked Pepper

1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds

Salt to Taste

Mix the contents of the ziplock bag thoroughly and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Pour entire contents of the bag onto a heated skillet/frying pan and saute until chicken is cooked through.

Veggie Option:

For those eating a vegetarian diet, try the above recipe with cauliflower florets instead of chicken. The flavor is amazing, and the cauliflower will boost anti-cancer effects.

This year has been a tough one for allergy sufferers in NYC, as environmental allergens have been at an all time high. If you are suffering with chronic seasonal allergies, acupuncture and herbs have some wonderful solutions for your symptoms – without the nasty side effects. While many over-the-counter allergy medications can help people through the muck so they can get through their day, there are often side-effects of nasal dryness and low energy that have their own set of downsides. After the jump, see what Chinese medicine has to offer and what you can do at home to optimize your enjoyment this (and every) season.

Immune Boost

Studies have shown acupuncture to not only have a stress-relieving effect on the body, but also boost the immune system. Allergy symptoms, especially adult-onset seasonal allergies, result from a delicate balance of external irritants and internal deficiencies. This is good news! Because the ragweed causing your sneezing fits probably isn’t going to disappear from the planet anytime soon, the stronger the immune system the less likely such an irritant will have its power over you.

Besides acupuncture, some other ways you can boost your immune system at home:

• Increase your daily Vitamin C intake to 1 gram/1,000mg per day for its immune boosting and histamine-lowering effects.
• Increase antioxidant rich foods, which will reduce existing toxicity and inflammation in the system. Such foods include: all berries (especially blueberries), pomegranates, plums, pineapple, kale, peppers, ginger, red beets, dried apricots, dried dates, prunes, nuts and seeds (especially dry-roasted peanuts), and parsley.
• Take a high-quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily to boost cellular nutrition
• Take Fish Oil high in DHA daily to clear inflammation and support health

Drain Phlegm

That ooey-gooey stuff running from your nose, clogging your thoughts and creating all that sinus pressure is phlegm. It is the bodies reaction to the inflammation its experiencing as a result of an allergen – believe it or not, it is trying to help. But with all that inflammation and now with all that phlegm, a vicious cycle is created which must be stopped. Lucky for us again (our health is in our power!), we can have great impact on reducing systemic phlegm and inflammation through some simple remedies:

• Herbal Supplement – tailored for individual constitutions, this is the best and fastest way to quelling inflammation and draining phlegm. Best of all, it will often improve energy and promote restful sleep so you actually feel better all around.
• Acupuncture – local acupuncture points can be life-changing for draining the sinuses, clearing congestion, reducing headache and improving energy. Combine this with your Chinese herbal formula and you’ll be in good shape.
• Avoid Dairy and Soy Dairy Products – they cause more phlegm! If you already have too much stuck in your head, avoid these products during the allergy seasons or when your symptoms are at their worst.
• Avoid Refined Sugar and Flour – for the same reasons as dairy products, plus refined flours and sugars also add a great deal of inflammation to the body – that other factor we are trying to get rid of.
• Drink plenty of water. Phlegm is not created from too much water in the system, but is often a result of the body fearing dehydration – so drink up!
• Netty Pot – a simple device used for centuries in India to effectively clean out the sinus cavities. It looks like a teapot, which is then filled with water and rinsed through the sinuses. Instructions and product information are available at local health stores or online.

Guard Yourself

Be mindful during allergy seasons of reducing exposure to anything that may trigger a potential reaction (even if it is not a typical “allergen” for you). If you anticipate suffering from allergies year to year, implement some of these tips and start a treatment plan before you feel the symptoms – it will set you up for the best season yet!

• Keep windows closed on days when allergy counts are particularly high
• Avoid using products with strong scents and harsh chemicals, which produce inflammation and can magnify allergic responses (cleaning products, shampoos, body washes, laundry soap, perfumes, cologne, air fresheners)
• Although they look great – keep fresh cut flowers out of the house during allergy seasons. If you need their calming effect, try the colorful fake ones and bring the fresh ones back once you are feeling better.

The Teachings

The four-day event was meant to be taken as a bulk-package, but previous obligations (and a sold-out audience) limited my engagement with His Holiness to the first two sessions. The purpose of his visit was to breakdown the meaning and teachings behind two important texts on how to develop and cultivate an awakened (or, enlightened) mind: The Commentary on Bodhicitta and A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. The purpose of my attending, was out of sheer curiosity.

The Dalai Lama made it clear that his lectures were not meant as religious dogma for acquisition of more followers, but rather as a forum for philosophical debate surrounding these ancient texts. His first point of the session was on the abundance of religions present in his current homeland of India, including the second highest population of Muslim followers. He glowed while recounting the countless children growing up there with such a variety of religious hymns, chants, and colorful celebrations. In a world of many faiths, he noted that effort must be made to cultivate mutual religious understanding to  ensure harmony and keep conflict at bay. An important factor is the sharing of respective spiritual knowledge in cultivating this understanding, and he advised that unless a clear path points you into the direction of a particular faith, it is best to remain in the religious tradition of your upbringing.

As a woman brought up with many different faiths and no particular belief system to follow (yet, spiritually rooted), this made sense. To hear with my own ears one of the most recognized worldly teachers and a man of the highest order of the entire Buddhist faith tell a room full of New Yorkers to embrace our individual differences and love one another for it, was a very humbling moment.

Compassion and the Five Elements

“Non-Violent Action stems from Non-Violent Emotion – this is the practice of Compassion.” Reminds me of when my mother taught me “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” and the profound truth that how we relate and interact with the world around us is a direct extension of who we are and what we wish to cultivate in this lifetime. We are the masters of our own destiny.

While compassion is a major foundational point in Buddhist Philosophy, the 5 Elements are the hub of Buddhist Science – a concept I am very familiar with as it is also a major player in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The law of the 5 elements reveal the cyclical nature of life, beginning and ending with what was translated as “Empty Space” (which can also be referred to as consciousness, and considered the 5th unseen element in Buddhist Science and Tibetan Medicine).

Empty Space (always present) –> gives rise to Energy (Wind) –> which gives rise to Heat (Fire) –> which melts to make Liquid (Water) –> that hardens to become Solid (Earth) –> and then Dissolves back into the Empty Space.

The above diagram (meant to be drawn in a connected circle) is the basic foundation for the macroscopic world. It is the law of how things work and came to be in many traditions, and therefore can be used as a model for healing and medical treatment. The theory states that if the nature of the world around us can be understood through the law of the 5 elements, then it is through them that it (and we) can also be mended. Resonating with my education and profession, I agreed whole-heartedly.

Tibetan Medicine

Similar to the principles of Chinese Medicine, I had the fortune of studying medicine of the Tibetan tradition first-hand in Lhasa, Tibet for a month of clinical rotation nearly ten years ago. A major difference in the TCM 5 Elemental Law is the inclusion on Metal and Wood, and the absence of Wind. Just as Western Science has their medical model of treatment, so does Buddhist Science and TCM. Treatment success and protocol can only be understood (and therefore validated) when properly evaluated through their respective models.  It is for this reason that I find traditional medicines so fascinating.

Tibetan Medicine has been passed down through the centuries by beautifully created Thangkas – detailed drawings of various aspects of physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment. Below is my favorite Thangka, explaining the process of human development, from embryo to birth.

Closing Statement

During my day with the Dalai Lama, I sat in the very last row of the very highest balcony in Radio City Music Hall – and I was captivated. How a man, seated cross-legged in a chair in the middle of a stage, speaking about religious texts I have never read, mostly in a language I cannot understand could captivate and fill such an expansive space as if it were an intimate gathering is incredible. Perhaps someday I will have the chance to see him again, perhaps to witness the rich religions cultures of India or visit is home-away-from-home in Dharm Sala…

As artist Jeremy Penn notes (contributor of the portrait at the top of this post), unlike Lama’s of the past, HH the Dalai Lama has the privilege to speak around the world, shrinking the gap between faith, politics and followers. I am thankful I had the opportunity to experience this privilege.

Depending on your location will depend on the availability (and price) of duck meat. Most specialty food stores will carry some form of packaged duck breasts, but beware that they can be pricey for the amount you get. New York is famous for its exportation of whole Long Island Ducks, which are large and last for several savory meals. It does have a slightly gamey taste and can get tough if over-cooked, although I find it quite delicious.  Its versatile flavor can be a perfect compliment to many meals.

According to traditional Chinese Dietary Medicine, Duck meat is neutral in temperature and is therefore suitable for many constitutional types. It heavily nourishes the yin of the body, and regulates water metabolism by simultaneously nourishing the lungs, spleen and kidneys. Such symptoms as edema, excessive thirst or profuse sweating may be reduced by adding some duck meat to the diet. As we enter the winter season, hearty meats like duck and lamb can deeply nourish, warm and rejuvenate the body.

Some of my favorite ways to eat duck:

Roasted

By far the easiest way is to buy a whole duck, cover it with garlic and spices, stuff it with potatoes and shallots and roast it in the oven for a couple of hours.  The skin will get nice and crispy and the meat perfectly tender. Serve it up with some fresh vegetables and you’ve got a gourmet meal.

Soup

Once the whole duck has been generously carved, a perfect way to utilize the nutrients left is to boil it up as soup.  Throw the entire carcass into a pot of boiling salt-water to make a delicious duck broth.  Add vegetables and spices of your choice.  The left-0ver meat should fall easily off the bone adding extra protein to a very nourishing and delicious soup.  Below is a duck stew that my colleague Grace and I made as a pre-Thanksgiving meal.  We used turnips, carrots, yams, potatoes, shallots and squash which made for a delightfully sweet broth.

Duck Broth

Duck pizza? I said the same when I first saw it on the menu at Pairings - a lovely wine bistro in Minnetonka, Minnesota.  But, let me tell you, this one is worth trying to re-create at home (or just stopping by if you are in the neighborhood).  Goat Cheese, roasted duck breast, tart cherries, butternut squash and piles of arugula adorned a thin-crust pizza dough toasted with an olive-oil glaze.  Amazing!