The medicinal use of honey has been a thing for over a millennia. Manuka honey from New Zealand and western Australia are especially potent and have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and have been used to heal wounds and infections (including MRSA). In fact, in 2007 the FDA approved the use of Manuka honey in several ointments, gels and dressings used to treat wounds, burns, traumatic injuries, surgical wounds, diabetic ulcerations and antibiotic-resistant infections and more.
Manuka honey’s medicinal talents go beyond topical wound healing. Research is showing promising results with a wide range of health issues including urinary and digestion issues, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, skin ailments, cancer and side effects of chemo…
Exciting research from UCLA showed that Manuka honey alone can slow growth and even shrink tumors in estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. It has phytoestrogenic properties and can bind the estrogen receptors, which helps explains how it is able to help specifically in ER+ breast cancer.
Manuka honey gives the immune system a boost in several ways and one is by supporting macrophages. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that defend us by eating up foreign invaders like microbes and cancer cells, when they are functioning properly. Manuka honey helps them to balance their production of substances involved in inflammation (inflammatory cytokines), can stimulate them to increase their microbe- and debris-eating (phagocytic) activity, and helps make the environment inhospitable to bacteria.
I stock two types of manuka honey and several manuka products in the office. If you have any further questions about how to use manuka honey, let me know next time you come in!
Here’s the actual UCLA research about Manuka honey:
Vitamin D is well-known for helping the body fight illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer. It can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses and decrease the risk of autoimmunity. To know how much you should take, get your levels tested next time your doctor does bloodwork. Many lab ranges say that above 30 ng/mL falls within the “normal” range but I highly recommend blood levels of 80-100 ng/mL as ideal for optimal health, based on the vitamin D research of many doctors I follow who have been studying the immune system.
The best way to get vitamin D may be through UV rays of the sun, but that only works if you are out in it, ideally with your torso exposed to its rays. Needless to say, we in Vermont don’t see much of the sun during our long winters and many of us spend most of our time indoors even in the warmer months. So, supplementation is crucial.
5000-10,000 IUs is the recommended dose for vitamin D when trying to increase blood levels. Some people need to take even more to get their levels to where they want it, so testing is vital because we are aiming for 60-90 ng/mL and we don’t want the levels to be too high – over 100 or 120 ng/mL.
I carry several forms of supplemental vitamin D – capsules, gummies or liquid. We want to use D3, which can come by itself or along with A and K in ADK. I like to have both D3 and ADK on hand because I am trying to get at least 10,000 IUs in per day but we don’t need extra A and K, so I take 5000 IUs in the ADK blend and then take another 5000 IUs of just D3.
As for testing of vitamin D, when I had my levels tested in the spring, after taking 2-3000 IUs all winter, my levels were very low – 28 ng/mL. I increased my dose to 10,000 most days and by mid summer I was up to 53 – nearly doubled! I’m still working on it – I am aiming for at least 80 ng/mL. I like to keep a few different types of vitamin D on hand, just to mix it up. Currently I take the ADK in the morning, I put the liquid vitamin D in my smoothie or straight onto my tongue, and I have some caps at the office as well. I’m going to try the zero sugar gummies next.
I am putting together an immune bundle that includes vitamin D – additions or substitutions for different forms are available. I will be stocking ADK as well as the ones in the picture. My vitamin D collection will change or grow as I explore different brands as I’d like to stock dosages of 5000 and 10,000 IU (so you don’t have to take 5 caps of 1000 IU).
Chicken soup is known as a comfort food and traditional recipe the world over. While it’s difficult to narrow down the location of the roots of this ubiquitous medicine, it is widely believed that chicken soup as we know it today has its earliest origins in ancient China and Egypt.
In ancient China, soup made from poultry and medicinal herbs was a common remedy for various ailments. Chicken, known for its nourishing properties, was often used as a base, and herbs were added to enhance specific health benefits. This practice influenced the development of many traditional Chinese medicine recipes that still exist today.
The earliest recorded use of chicken soup as a remedy for colds and respiratory issues dates back to ancient Egypt. The famous Jewish philosopher and physician Maimonides, who lived in the 12th century, praised chicken soup as a remedy for colds and asthma. He likely drew inspiration from earlier Egyptian practices that involved consuming hot chicken broth to treat symptoms of respiratory illness.1
Chicken soup also has deep roots in Middle Eastern cuisine, where it was commonly made with spices, vegetables, and grains like rice or barley. The Middle East has a long history of using food as medicine, and chicken soup was often regarded as a fortifying meal, particularly for the sick and elderly.
Today, chicken soup recipes can be found in cultures worldwide, each with its own twist, influenced by local ingredients and culinary traditions. Whether it’s sopa de pollo in Latin America, sinigang na manok in the Philippines, or canja de galinha in Portugal, the common thread is its reputation as a healing, comforting dish.
Why It’s Often Recommended for Colds and Respiratory Infections
The ingredients of chicken soup—chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices—all have health benefits on their own, and work synergistically when brought together in a dish like soup. In addition, soup is hydrating and comforting when we are not feeling well; warm liquids improve the flow of mucus and are soothing to irritated tissues. Steam from a hot bowl can help open nasal passages and ease sore throats.
I have a new office and herbal assistant that I’m excited to introduce you to, Shawndra. I’m excited because we have so much in common, including her passion for holistic nutrition. I studied nutrition and acupuncture in Seattle at Bastyr University in the 90’s and she just completed her masters in nutrition at National in Portland Oregan, which is kinda like Bastyr’s sister school.
You’ll find Shawndra in the clinic on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, assisting Kelly with the needs of the practice, and you may see her name on some of the nutrition articles in the newsletter. Shawndra will have some available to see clients for holistic nutritional support here at the office one morning a week, or remotely other days.
Enhance Your Wellness Journey with Holistic Nutrition Support
We’re excited to introduce Shawndra Meader, a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with a master’s degree from the National University of Natural Medicine, who specializes in holistic nutrition.
Shawndra brings a compassionate approach and a deep understanding of the connection between nutrition and overall health. She offers personalized coaching to help you address chronic physical or mental health challenges. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, mood disorders, or complex medical conditions, Shawndra provides tailored guidance to support both body and mind.
If you’d like to learn more about how holistic nutrition can benefit you, she’s available to schedule a free discovery session, where you can explore personalized strategies to promote healing and vitality. Check out her website at Epiphany Wellness.
We’re thrilled to have Shawndra as part of our team, and we invite you to explore the benefits of integrating nutrition support into your wellness journey.
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day (AHM Day) has been celebrated every October 24th since its conception in 2002. Established by a group of leading acupuncture and Chinese medicine organizations in North America, its purpose is to raise awareness about the awesomeness of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
I’d like to introduce you to a new topical product that is available in my office. My clients are loving it.
This topical liniment was inspired by a 500 year old Chinese herbal liniment, Zheng Gu Shui. It’s main purpose is to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. It is used for sports injuries, joint pain, spinal pain, muscle and ligament pain, bruising, sprains, broken bones, cuts and insect bites, skin conditions, infections, etc.
Zheng Gu Shui is a well-known Chinese liniment but I’ve not been confident in the ingredients, especially with the bright red color. I’m not into applying Red #40 onto my skin or yours. I was so excited when a colleague told me about Evil Bone Water. I was like, “What? Are you calling herbal decoctions Evil?” It turns out that an acupuncturist in Georgia (the state) makes a Zheng Gu Shui that I can stand behind.
3.4 oz bottle $40
Ingredients:
Zhang Nao Natural Camphor
Bo He Nao Menthol
San Qi Pseudoginseng
Ji Gu Xiang
Gui Pi Cinnamon Bark
E Zhu Rhizoma curcumae
Bai Zhi Angelica dahurica
Qian Jin Ba Philippine Flemingia Root
Hu Zhang Japanese Knotweed Root
190 Everclear
Instructions:
Spray on or rub into apply to area of pain and allow to dry daily 1-3x.
I just got back from the Advanced Week-long Retreat with Joe Dispenza in Nashville. It was nothing less than awesome. There were 1900 people at event, representing 62 countries. The energy was next level, it really was an incredible experience.
Themes were: Love, heart, brain, pineal gland, coherence, endless possibilities, the unknown. This is energy. Feel it!
Lots of meditation (someone estimated 35 hours worth). Sitting, walking, connecting to the heart, balancing the energy centers, getting mystical. 1900 people all deep breathing in sync was wild – inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale – sounded like an army (marching for peace).
Lots of science (about 25 hours worth). Quantum physics, neurobiology, anatomy, biophysics, electro-dynamics, chemistry and all that good stuff with a twist.
Lots of research. Lots of data. Lots of Qi. Lots of healing. oh yeah and lots of dancing!
Check this out: Source, the documentary is being offered for free viewing this weekend Sept 27-29. Joe Dispenza and a team of researchers, including the ones that were on stage last week, put together this documentary. I’m quite sure you will find it interesting. It’s only 52 minutes. Sourcethefilm.org
Source is now 2 years old and there has been even more compelling scientific inquiry into quantum field that was talked about on stage last week. Amazing things happen when you put your mind and a motivated research team to it!
Once or twice a decade I need a fix of quantum mechanics and I like to see what’s out there in the literature. Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself had been on my shelf for a few years and it was finally time to read it and I’m glad I did.
Many of you have heard me talk about this book, and recommend it. It’s basically quantum physics applied through meditation where you create the future that you want. It’s pretty cool stuff.
I first heard of Joe Dispenza ten years ago when an angel-friend gave me a copy of You Are the Placebo. I love his work and I’m not alone. Close to half of the people I mention him to have heard of him. He has written 4 books so far. I’m currently reading Becoming Supernatural, Joe Dispenza’s most recent book.
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself is a great place to start. It starts with the science of the quantum field and then gets into how to apply it to our lives. What emotions and thoughts are not serving us and can we do without? What do we want our future to look like? Let’s make it happen with the help of the quantum field.
I’m currently on my way to a week-long Advanced Retreat with Joe Dispenza in Nashville Tennessee, so I’m doing it!
My quantum field itch has not been fully satisfied, so The Field by Lynne McTaggart on audible is on deck for my trip home. I started this one and found it very interesting and now I can’t wait to pick it up again.
Small natural health care clinic in need of assistance with admin, herbs & social media.
Monday Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons.
6-9 hours per week with room for growth.
$20 per hour depending upon experience, ability and adaptability.
Facility with Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, WordPress & Social Media required.
Writing skills and basic bookkeeping are essential.
If you enjoy keeping spaces organized, are a creative problem solver who loves herbs and have the willingness and capacity to work as an effective team member:
Assist with daily admin needs of small healthcare practice
Assist with bookkeeping and receiving insurance payments
Keep office clean and free of clutter
Water plants, tend to goldfish
Assist with blog posts & newsletters and posting on the website, Instagram, Facebook
Write product descriptions for our in office product guide
Make website updates and corrections as needed
Assist with making Chinese herbal formulas
Assist with herbal garden
Assist with ordering herbs
Required Skills:
Writing skills: be able to write or edit blogs and product guides (with content provided)
Number skills: be able to do basic bookkeeping with attention to detail
Retail, merchandising experience a plus
Ability to keep on task and focus on details
Willingness and capacity to work as an effective team member
Facility with Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, WordPress, Facebook, Instagram
A successful administrative assistant anticipates needs, monitors schedules and office environment, is well-organized and creative, and takes initiative as well as direction. This job has the potential for growth.
Yang naturally sprouts upward in the spring and that upward flow can get blocked creating stagnation. Help it flow smoothly by moving your body, being outside in nature and getting your creative juices flowing.
Wood is the element related to spring and which is the beginning of the new cycle of life when yang emerges. This is the year of the yang wood dragon and the dragon’s natural is inherently earth. So wood and earth are themes this season, specifically yang wood and yang earth.
Acupuncture is awesome this time of year to balance the wood and earth energies. Read on to learn about three wood – earth Chinese herbal formulas.
Yang Earth & Yang Wood
When wood energy is constrained (aka Liver Qi stagnation) it can build up and eventually over act on the earth element.
Earth is connected to the digestive system, which can be affected by emotion – notably stress/anger/frustration, which corresponds to wood element stasis. If earth is weak to start with, it will be more susceptible to attack by wood.
Keeping emotions inside also leads to constraint of wood energy, which can build up inside until it bursts. So don’t do that!
Three Wood-Earth Formulas
The wood-earth combination puts me in mind of a well-known modern Chinese herbal formula called Free and Easy Wanderer. Just like it sounds like, the formula keeps things moving smoothly. It’s based on the next classical formula.
Free and Easy Wanderer
Chai Hu – Bupleurum
Dang Gui – Angelica Sinensis
Bai Shao – White Peony Root
Bai Zhu – White Atractylodes
Fu Ling – Poria
Zhi Gan Cao – Honey Fried Licorice
Gan Jiang – Dried Ginger
Bo He – Mint
For the pattern of Wood overacting on Earth, or in TCM terms Liver Qi stagnation and Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness and blood deficiency.
Minor Bupleurum is a classical wood – earth formula. It is even more focused than Free & Easy Wanderer on wood and earth. It has both Bupleurum and Scutellaria to treat the wood element, ie course the Liver Qi (Shaoyang). It also has several herbs for the earth element (Taiyin) – Ginseng or Codonospsis, licorice, dates, ginger.
Minor Bupleurum
Chai Hu – Bupleurum
Huang Qin – Scutellaria
Ban Xia – Pinellia
Ren Shen – Ginseng
Sheng Jiang – Fresh Ginger
Da Zao – Dates
Gan Cao – Licorice
Excess wood constraint and xu wood constraint
Wood constraint (liver qi stagnation) can come from chronic stress which is ubiquitous in our modern world, and is commonly seen in the clinic. Qi stagnation often presents as physical pain or emotion unease or irritability. People with wood constraint may notice that they need to exercise a lot to feel better, since exercising moves the qi and blood.
Wood constraint can come from taxation – this would be a deficient wood constraint pattern and would imply/indicate blood deficiency. It may come with cold.
Wu Mei Wan is a classical wood – earth formula for a deficiency wood pattern with major stagnation in the earth. In this pattern the yang cannot descend normally and instead shoots upward as in headaches, vomiting, insomnia with digestive symptoms and cold hands and feet.
The main ingredient is a prepared sour dried plum (Wu Mei) which gives moist nourishment to the liver blood (wood) so that the holding can relax and function returns to normal.
Nutrition and Lifestyle recommendations for Spring
Regular movement/exercise – 30 min 3-4 x weekly – don’t over do it – include strength training
Sour is the flavor and green is the color of wood. Eat sour foods. Eat greens.
Protect neck from cold and wind. Don’t take off your jacket to early this spring.
Spend time in nature. Green is the color of wood. Hiking, walking, forest bathing.
Earth grounding. Meditations on mother earth.
Let it go exercise – imagine a tube to the center of the earth. Drop excess thoughts and stuff down the tube to recycle back to the earth.
This is part three of the Magical Mystery Soar 2024 series.
