Moxa: The Acupuncturist’s Power Tool

Have you ever walked past an acupuncturist’s office and detected the scent of incense? Or a burning herb? If you think something’s burning, it is!

Herbal applications come in many shapes and sizes in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ranging from topical application to internal teas. Moxibustion , an herbal preparation made from Mugwort is applied either directly onto the skin or held above acupoints. Moxa ‘s powerful effects include enhancing blood flow, relieving pain and nourishing soft tissue. Moxa strengthens the body’s vitality and strongly stimulates it’s healing capacity.

In fact, studies have documented moxa’s biochemical effects on the body to include increased production of both red and white blood cells and improvements in blood and lymph circulation.

Using moxa on acupoint Stomach 36 on the leg is a centuries-old Chinese medical treatment to boost immunity and enhance longevity.

Because of moxa’s portability, affordability and powerful results, it’s the primary healing tool for an organization called Moxafrica (moxafrica.org). Volunteers with this nonprofit treat people suffering from tuberculosis in several African countries. These treatments have helped people significantly improve their health and lifestyles by boosting strength, relieving joint pain and restoring appetite.
Check out this video from MoxAfrica:

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Heritage Acupuncture serves the Durham Chapel Hill RTP area and offers acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and Asian skin care services. Janet Lee, L.Ac., specializes in orthopedics and internal medicine.

Roll Up A Healthy Flax Wrap

As part of our commitment to your health, the Heritage Acupuncture blog will be featuring healthy recipes. This is designed to give you ideas about eating more veggies, reducing simple carbs and incorporating super foods, antioxidants and therapeutic principals into your diet. Sound complicated?

The good news is that healthy cuisine is actually fun, approachable and delicious! This tasty dish comes to us via the amazing Denise Vanderwoude of Chapel Hill, NC. It’s been adapted from William Davis’ Wheat Belly, which offers an array of delicious gluten-free cuisine.

Why are flax seeds healthy? They’re good sources of fiber, antioxidants and chock full of such nutrients as copper, manganese and magnesium. If you’re trying to reduce wheat or just carbs in general but still love the convenience of a sandwich, this flaxseed wrap is for you.

Flaxseed Wrap Ingredients:
3 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika
Pinch of sea salt or celery salt
1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted (plus more for greasing pan)
1 Tbsp water
1 large egg

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Stir in coconut oil. Beat in the egg and water. Grease a microwave-safe glass pie pan with coconut oil. Pour in the batter and spread evenly over the bottom. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes and let cool. Flip the wrap over and fill with ingredients of your choice (vegetable pate, hummus, scrambled eggs and salsa, etc.). Optional: For a sweeter wrap, swap out the onion and paprika for cinnamon. Spread with almond butter, honey and banana or the filling of your choice.

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Heritage Acupuncture serves the Durham Chapel Hill RTP area and offers acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and Asian skin care services. Janet Lee, L.Ac., specializes in orthopedics and internal medicine.

The Homegrown Gourmet: Savory Red Lentil Cakes

Hi Everyone:

I am always looking for healthy breakfast options, and this is a great one. Courtesy of the Homegrown Gourmet, this is a light and tasty gluten-free, lentil-based breakfast pancake. Feel free to add more veggies, cilantro or scallions. I hope you enjoy it!

The Homegrown Gourmet: Savory Red Lentil Cakes with Coconut Curry Vegetab…: Ok, so I DID promise to post the unusual (perfectly normal IMHO…unusual in theirs) dinner that I prevailed upon my mother and husband to c…

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Heritage Acupuncture serves the Durham Chapel Hill RTP area and offers acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and Asian skin care services. Janet Lee, L.Ac., specializes in orthopedics and internal medicine.

Acupuncture relieves fatigue in breast cancer sufferers

Acupuncture relieves fatigue in breast cancer sufferers

It’s Official! Yoga Boosts Mental Health!

The benefits of yoga for physical health are well-known. But yoga is also a powerful ally to keep your spirits up — and an important component of any treatment for mental health.

Yoga for Anxiety and Depression – Harvard Health Publications

Gluten Intolerance: Is It A Fad?

Click on the link below to read a very informative article about Gluten Intolerance. Many patients ask me if this is a real problem. I believe it is, and this article provides a very thorough explanation:

Gluten Intolerance: Is It A Fad?

Nourished to the Bone with Marrow Soup

Warming and nourishing soup is considered a health food in Chinese medical nutrition. When you add bones and bone marrow to your soup broth, the health factor increases exponentially. This is because bone and marrow relate to the kidney in Chinese medicine terms, and the kidneys influence growth, reproduction and longevity.

The kidneys represent the foundation of life itself in Chinese medicine. One inherits essential qi — known as “jing” — from parents. Lifestyle and environment are important factors in preserving jing. Aside from marrow, other foods that augment our essential qi include royal jelly, fish eggs, sesame seeds, almonds and microalgae.

The nutritional value of jing-strengthening bone marrow gets high marks from a Western nutritional point of view as well. As the soup simmers, vitamins, minerals, collagen and proteins from the ingredients infuse throughout the pot. This means you get more bang with your buck as a small amount of marrow enriches the entire dish. Bone marrow soup nourishes not only your hair and nails, but also all the body’s connective tissue — including cartilage, ligaments, tendons and even bone.

The key to extracting the important marrow and minerals from bone is a long cooking time. Adding a splash of vinegar helps draw minerals from the bone into the broth. Here’s a basic recipe that you can tailor to your taste:

Basic Bone Broth Recipe

Depending upon your preference, take the carcass of a chicken or purchase the marrow bones of beef or lamb.Femur bones work well, as do knuckle bones and ox tail. Stick to organic meats with no added hormones or antibiotics. Trim the fat and most of the meat from the bones. If possible use kitchen scissors to break the bones into 2-3 inch pieces. This creates more surface area for the bone marrow to contact the water.

Place the bones in a pot (crockpots also work well) and cover with water. Add a couple tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice per quart of water to assure minerals extract from the bones. According to taste, you may add garlic, shallots, onions, ginger, celery, carrot, parsley or other herbs. Other tasty additions include whole peppercorns and goji berries.

Gradually bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. For chicken, cook for 12 to 24 hours; for beef or lamb, 24 to 72 hours. If you’re using a crockpot, cook for at least 24 hours on low.

Feel free to add other vegetables in the last 1 to 2 hours of cooking for taste and nutritional value. When cooking is complete, remove the bones and veggies and strain the broth through a colander. You may strain a second time through a fine sieve or cheese cloth for a clear broth. Allow the broth to cool at room temperature and skim off the fat that rises to the top.

The broth will keep for about five days in the fridge or for months in the freezer. Enjoy it as a hot snack, soup or stew base or the water portion of rice or any cooked grain.

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Heritage Acupuncture serves the Durham Chapel Hill RTP area and offers acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and Asian skin care services. Janet Lee, L.Ac., specializes in orthopedics and internal medicine.

Juicy, healthy persimmons

Looking for a seasonal winter fruit? Persimmons, in season from October through February, have a solid place at the table of Chinese dietary therapy.

Known as “shi zi,” this brilliant orange fruit has been used traditionally to clear heat, supplement fluids and nourish the lungs. Thirst-quenching persimmons benefit the complexion, especially for those with hyperpigmentation.

The jelly-like pulp of the persimmon fruit also is considered helpful to maintain arterial health by reducing clots and lowering blood pressure. As they’re a cold-natured fruit, persimmons are best for those who run warm.

In Western nutrition terms, the fiber-rich persimmon contains a healthy dose of Vitamins A, C and B6, along with manganese and potassium.

Although there are many varieties, fuyu persimmons are the most plentiful on the market. To enjoy the winter persimmon bounty, peel, slice and remove any remaining seeds before eating.

Photo credit: Kanko by Flickr

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Heritage Acupuncture serves the Durham Chapel Hill RTP area and offers acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and Asian skin care services. Janet Lee, L.Ac., specializes in orthopedics and internal medicine.