What are the benefits of Acupuncture

What are the benefits of Acupuncture

 June 1st, 2012 

Acupuncture originates from China and has been practiced there for thousands of years.  Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient’s skin at specific points on the body – the needles are inserted to various depths. Needles are inserted into these points with appropriate combinations it is said that the energy flow can be brought back into proper balance. There are 350 acupuncture points in the body.This will help balance the  yin and yan of the life force known as gi or chi. Acupuncture remains controversial among Western medical doctors and scientists.

Acupuncture is sometimes a better alternative to surgery as it is less invasive for people suffering from back pain. While it will not correct any physical problems like disk herniation or fractures, it can help relieve discomfort and pain for a time. Those suffering from painful ailments like sciatica and osteoarthritis have found relief through acupuncture treatments also.

Many people find acupuncture to be more relaxing and a better way to treat their condition as opposed to medications and chemicals. Acupuncture on certain areas of the body can help melt away stress and relieve other related conditions like headaches and nervousness. Acupuncture is a less expensive way of quitting smoking compared to most others methods and has about the same success rate. It helps relieve the anxiety and discomfort caused by nicotine withdrawal. 

 What does Acupuncture  help treat?

Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders

• Sinusitis
• Sore Throat
• Hay Fever
• Earache
• Nerve Deafness
• Ringing in the Ears
• Dizziness
• Poor Eyesight

Circulatory Disorders

• High Blood Pressure
• Angina Pectoris
• Arteriosclerosis
• Anemia

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Spastic colon
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Food Allergies
• Ulcers
• Gastritis
• Abdominal Bloating
• Hemorrhoids

Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation
• Endometriosis
• Menopause
• Fibroids
• Chronic Bladder Infection
• Complications in Pregnancy
• Morning Sickness
• Kidney Stones
• Impotence
• Infertility in Men and Women
• Sexual Dysfunction

Immune Disorders

• Candida
• Chronic Fatigue
• HIV and AIDS
• Epstein Barr Virus
• Allergies
• Lupus
• MS
• Hepatitis

Addiction

• Smoking Cessation
• Drugs
• Alcohol

Emotional and Psychological Disorders

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Stress

Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders

• Arthritis
• Neuralgia
• Sciatica
• Back Pain
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Stiff Neck
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Headaches and Migraines
• Stroke
• Cerebral Palsy
• Polio
• Sprains
• Muscle Spasms
• Shingles

Respiratory Disorders

• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Bronchitis
• Colds and Flus

Acupuncture Also Treats

• Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects
• Diabetes
• Dermatological Disorders
• Weight Control

Resource

Medical News Today:  What Is Acupuncture? What Are The Benefits Of Acupuncture?

Livestrong  : What Are The Benefits Of Acupuncture?

The Healing Art of Qigong

Qigong

 May 31st, 2012 

Qigong (also spelled Ch’i Kung) is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi). Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind. In the past, qigong was also called nei gong (inner work) and dao yin (guiding energy).

Healing Qigong (sometimes translated “Medical Qigong”) is the preventive and self-healing aspect of Chinese medicine. We are all exposed to stress. Qigong teaches us how to control our reactions to stress so that life events do not cause such symptoms as high blood pressure, frustration, or anxiety.

1. Sports Qigong (Wu Gong). In sports and martial arts, qigong is the key to strength, stamina, coordination, speed, flexibility, balance, and resistance to injury. Qigong exercises can improve performance in any sport, improving the golf drive, tackling ability in football, accuracy in tennis, and stamina in swimming.
2. Spiritual Qigong (Fo Gong, Tao Gong). As a spiritual discipline, qigong leads to self-awareness, tranquillity, and harmony with nature. The spiritual aspect of qigong evolved from Taoism and Buddhism.
3. Both China and the U.S. have hosted conferences for academic exchange of qigong research. Qigong has been shown to improve posture and respiration, induce the relaxation response, cause favorable changes in blood chemistry, and improve self-awareness and concentration. Research suggests that Qigong may be beneficial for Asthma, Arthritis, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Pain, and a wide variety of common ailments. External Qi Healing is effective for the same range of illnesses as acupuncture.

BENEFITS OF SELF-HEALING QIGONG

Experimental evidence suggests the following healing effects of qigong exercises and meditations.

Cardiovascular
lower resting heart rate; normalized EKG, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels

Respiratory
slower respiratory rate, improves gaseous exchange, significant benefits for asthma & bronchitis

Immune System
better targeting of antigens, significant anti-cancer effect

Circulation
improves microcirculation, prevents vascular spasms, very helpful for angina, migraine, and Reynaud’s Syndrome (cold hands & feet)

Brain
improves cerebral blood flow, less incidence of stroke; reduction in frequency and intensity of seizure disorders; slow, high amplitude brainwaves suggest relaxed and integrated state of consciousness

Musculoskeletal
improves posture, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility

Chronic Pain
significant pain reduction from all causes, including injury, surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia

Mental Health
decreases: stress response, Type A, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, depression. Improves memory and interpersonal sensitivity

Longevity
improves: blood pressure, vital capacity, cholesterol and hormone levels, kidney function, mental acuity, vision and hearing, skin elasticity, bone density, immune function, digestion, balance, flexibility, strength, libido. Destroys free radicals (major cause of tissue degeneration) by stimulating activity of superoxide dismutase

RESOURCE

The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing

Pineapple

Pineapple

 May 30th, 2012 

Pineapples taste great in a fresh fruit salad but there are also very good for your overall health.   At a mere 76 calories per cup, pineapple is a wholesome, low-calorie, high-fiber food, and is a good supply of several important vitamins.  One cup has more than 100% of your daily Vitamin C and is very high in manganese ( important for good skin and bones). Pineapple should be avoided by those with hyperuricemia, or gout.

• Aid digestion – helps breakdown protein,and is vital for maintenance of the health of the red blood cells, the nervous system and parts of the immune system.
• help heal wounds

• reduce inflammation
• treats bruises, sprains, strains by reducing swelling, tenderness, and pain
• blood thinner, prevents excessive blood platelet stickiness
• Protection your eyes against Macular Degeneration

Add fresh pineapple to your morning smoothie,  yogurt, any fruit and most vegetable salads. For example, try adding chunks of pineapple to your next coleslaw or carrot salad.

Mango and Pineapple Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups peeled, diced ripe mango
• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• 1/4 sprig chopped fresh mint

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, toss together mango, pineapple, cranberries, and coconut. Garnish with mint. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

REFERENCES

The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

Watermelon the energizing Summer treat

Watermelon the energizing Summer treat

 May 29th, 2012 

No other fruit says summer picnic time like the juicy crunchy, thirst quenching watermelon.

Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this great  thirst-quencher may also help  inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.

Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. They are able to oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to blood vessel walls, where it can lead to heart attack or stroke.  A cup of watermelon provides 21% of the daily value for vitamin C, and, through its carotenoids, 17% of the DV for vitamin A.

According to  ”The World’s healthiest Foods” Watermelon is also a very concentrated source of the carotenoid, lycopene. Lycopene has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties.  These cancers now include prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancers. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that in patients with colorectal adenomas, a type of polyp that is the precursor for most colorectal cancers, blood levels of lycopene were 35% lower compared to study subjects with no polyps.

Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Our food ranking system also qualified watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium. Because this food has a higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories), it delivers more nutrients per calorie—an outstanding health benefit!

Watermelon helps protect against Macular Degeneration by not only relaxing blood vessels, lowering high blood pressure, it helps to prevent erectile dysfunction.

Watermelon Summer Slushy

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
• 10 ice cubes
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup white sugar or Agave nectar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

 Add MIDORI alcohol for an adult drink

Directions

1. Place watermelon and ice into a blender. Pour in lime juice, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.

Watermelon 1.00 cup 152.00 grams 45.60 calories
Nutrient	Amount	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
vitamin C	12.31 mg	20.5	8.1	excellent
vitamin A	864.88 IU	17.3	6.8	very good
potassium	170.24 mg	4.9	1.9	good
magnesium	15.20 mg	3.8	1.5	good

Eat Your Dandelions !!!

Eat Your Dandelions !!!

 May 27th, 2012

Stop Don’t put the weed killer on your lawn!! That annoying weed is actually healthy to eat.

Dandelion greens are increasingly showing up in natural food stores and farmers markets, but most people can find them growing in their own  yard. Like most wild growing plants, dandelion greens offer more nutrients than other commercially grown greens. Considered a pesky lawn weed by many, dandelion has been used for hundreds of years in China, Europe, and other counties for medicinal purposes.

How convenient  for you and your wallet. A nutrient  filled green that  is also a weed and grows in excess all over the world.

Th best time to pick  will vary, depending on location.  Regions with four distinct seasons, the window of opportunity for collecting the best dandelion greens will likely occur over a couple of weeks in April or May.  Avoid areas where exhaust fumes or chemical herbicides may have polluted air or soil. The smallest leaves are most tender and suitable for use in salads. Larger leaves will be tougher but good for steaming or chopping and adding to soups and stews. Greens will stay fresh longer if you dig up the plant’s root and keep it wrapped in moist paper towels until ready to use. Always wash the greens thoroughly under running water. Like spinach, cooked dandelion greens freeze well.

Dandelion greens are high in vitamins A, B complex, C and D, and minerals including iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc. The University of Maine says that 3 1/2 oz. of boiled greens contain about 33 calories, .06 g of fat and 2 g of protein.

Health Benefits

Antiviral	The roots possess strong antiviral properties.
Blood Sugar	May help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Digestion – General	The root acts as an appetite stimulant, helps promote digestion and gastrointestinal health, encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, and alleviates flatulence.
Gallbladder	Cleansing and healing to the gallbladder. Typically, the roots or juice from the leaves are used for this.
Heart	May help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
Kidneys	The leaves support kidney function and act as a diuretic.
Liver	The roots promote liver detoxification.
Menstruation/PMS	Alleviates the bloating associated with PMS.

Dandelion leaves may be used to treat conditions affecting the liver, kidneys and gallbladder characterized by fluid retention, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If your goal is detoxification and cleansing, dandelion greens should be used in your smoothies!   Dandelions  help cleanse the liver and so many detox recipes call for them.

Liver Cleansing Juice Drink

2 apples (organic, cored) 5 carrots (organic) 1 lemon (organic)

12 cup dandelion greens (recipe specified a small handful) 1 oz beet (fresh)

Dandelion root is reported by the NIH to be beneficial to liver health. The agency states that people with hepatitis B showed much improvement in their liver function after taking an herbal mixture that included dandelion root. The one drawback to the study, they claim, is that dandelion root was included with other herbs, so the particular effect of dandelion root on the liver is not completely known. UMMC also claims that dandelion root is beneficial to liver health. Some research suggests that it may play a role in improving immune system function and promoting gastrointestinal health.

 Fried Dandelion Flowers

Fried dandelion flowers taste similar to a  mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• dandelion blossoms with green base and stems removed (leave enough of the base on to hold the flower together)
• 1 cup milk
• salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup flour
• vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Soak the dandelion flowers in a bowl of cool salt water to remove any bugs or debris. After they’ve soaked for around 1/2 hour, take them out of the water and gently blot the excess moisture away.
2. Heat enough oil to fry the dandelions you have.
3. While the oil is heating, make a batter using the milk, salt, egg and flour. Dip each flower into the batter, and toss it into the oil once it’s popping hot. Fry until they’re lightly browned.
4. Use a paper towel to gently blot away excess grease, and serve immediately.

Spring Harvest Salad    From Food Network

12 lb beets (fresh) 2 cups broccoli (fresh, spears) 4 cups dandelion greens (torn young dandelion greens washed and dried) 2 green onions (finely chopped) 1 clove clove garlic (minced) 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped) 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped) 2 tbsps peanuts (chopped boiled green, optional)

3 tbsps olive oil 2 tsps red wine vinegar 2 tsps balsamic vinegar 2 tsps honey 18 tsp salt 18 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)

1	In a medium saucepan, cook the beets in 1 quart boiling water until just tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain; allow to cool, then peel and dice. Set aside.
2	Rinse the saucepan and bring a second quart of water to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli spears and cook until tender and bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain and place in a bowl of ice water to chill. When chilled, drain and set aside.
3	In a large bowl, combine the beets, broccoli, dandelion greens, green onions, garlic, parsley, cilantro and, if desired, the peanuts.
4	In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegars, honey, and salt and pepper. Pour this vinaigrette over the vegetables and gently toss to lightly coat all ingredients. Serve immediately.