It’s been wild ride these past few years – punctuated by the powerful yang energy of the year of the Tiger 2022.
We are now sliding into the mellow yin energy of the water Rabbit, or as they say in Vietnam, the Year of the Cat. Since I spent some years in Vietnam, I got in tune with the Cat replacing the Rabbit or Hare, which is the animal all other Asian countries are celebrating.
While the Rabbit has the qualities of gentleness and fluidity, I think of the agile, able Hare as more representative of this zodiac animal. Yet the Cat embodies those qualities plus a curiosity & otherworldliness that brings the cat to another plane.
The Tiger energy is ushering in the magical and potentially miraculous Cat energy.
This year is a great opportunity to tune in spiritually, pay attention to and trust your gut, meditate, sit and do nothing, take catnaps. Clarity & simplicity are themes.
Listening is the main theme. This year is about tuning in to ourselves. Be self-assured like a cat. Be your true self. What makes your heart sing? What brings joy and meaning to your life? Only you know – tune in to find some hints.
And the Year of the Cat is also about tuning in with each other; it’s about what we all have in common. Be like a rabbit! Be gentle and kind, enjoy your community, frolic!
Listen to yourself.
Listen to each other.
Listen to nature.
This year is for Catma – the antithesis of Dogma.
Nutrition suggestions for the Year of the Cat
Take time to have relaxing meals, sitting down without work. Enjoy your meal as a sort of casual meditation.
Chew. Digestion starts in the mouth. Relax and chew your food well before swallowing.
Eat real food. Read ingredients on food labels.
Beware of the Dogma – it’s the year of Catma!
Stay curious. Keep your mind open, your heart full and trust your instincts. Take rests.
Year of the Cat is from 21 January 2023 to 10 February 2024, when the Year of the Dragon begins.
Live your truth and let the magic begin.
I feel lucky to be on the incredible path of East Asian medicine, natural healing and nutrition. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from each and every patient. Thank you for all of your support over the years.
Wishing you and yours the best of luck, fertility and health in 2023.
I was at my local Walgreens checking out the nasal sprays and I was pleasantly surprised to see the Xlear nasal spray I mentioned in my recent newsletter Cold Season Medicine Cabinet. Xlear Nasal Spray is a strong natural antimicrobial with grapefruit seed extract – great for occasional use for exposure or for sinusitis.
Always check the ingredients because sometimes it can be surprising what is in a product that looks all natural. Here’s the ingredients for Xlear. (more…)
I’m thinking of you, hoping you are enjoying this glorious fall.
I want to share with you my favorite combination of natural remedies that I like to have on hand for the cold and flu season. Early treatment boosts your body’s ability to fight the pathogenic invasion (virus), so symptoms resolve more quickly.
Here are my Recommendations for the Cold Season Medicine Cabinet:
Vitamin D3 – prophylactically to increase your vitamin D stores. In the summer we get vitamin D from the sun… bye bye sun, hello Vermont winter. Now’s the time to start.
Zinc – key to reducing viral replication.
Vitamin C – another key nutrient to boosting immunity to help your body fight off colds, flues, coronaviruses Vitamin C is essential to virtually all systems in the body including heart, eyes, brain, bones, ligaments, skin and tissues.
Cinnamon Twig Formula (Gui Zhi Tang) – best formula for early onset of colds for many people. It boosts the body’s natural defenses against invading pathogens, especially again cold wind. If you tend to be averse to cold wind, it is likely that this is the formula for your pattern. If you find it is easy to catch a cold after being exposed to cold, try this, it is pretty yummy with honey or mixed into your oatmeal. This it the main formula I recommend for people tending toward this pattern to have in the medicine cabinet.
I have Cinnamon Twig Formula in my office in powders or pills, and it is available as a box of single serving packets (plenty for the whole extended family to have some) from TCM brand from FullScript.
Herbal Cold Care Tea (previously known as Gypsy Cold Care) is available at my office or at City Market or other stores. Yarrow, elderflower, hyssop and mint are the main herbs that help boost the respiratory immune response. I like it with a small spoonful of honey.
Honey is great medicine; it is anti-microbial and wonderful for an irritated throat. Buy raw local honey for best results.
Quercetin – supports immune system and respiratory function. Quercetin has been shown to offer strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with anti-hypertensive, anti-coagulant and anti-hyperglycemic properties.
As an early treatment, 250 mg 2x daily. Vit C helps the body absorb Quercetin more effectively.
NAC – has anti-oxidant and detoxifying effects, supports immune function and promotes lung and sinus health.
Xlear Nasal Spray – strong natural antimicrobial with grapefruit seed extract – great for occasional use for exposure or for sinusitis.
Gargling with anti-microbial mouthwash is another helpful way to deal with exposure. There are many options for what to gargle. Check out what I wrote about Gargling and think about what works best for you. I prefer my mouthwash to be free of artificial ingredients dyes, and have been using Listerine Naturals, but it has been recently discontinued. Let me know what natural mouthwash you like.
Bi Yan Pian – a Chinese herbal formula for sinus congestion, is good to have around if you are prone to sinus issues. Ask me to recommend one for you, I have several versions of the formula in stock.
Olbas Nasal Inhaler – is awesome to open the nasal passages using essential oils.
Gan Mao Ling Chinese herbal formula – used for sore throat, especially a strongly sore throat with redness, this Chinese herbal formula focuses on killing viruses in the throat. The throat connects to the ears and sinuses, so those areas can be affected as well. I do not recommend this formula to be taken preventatively, but only for treatment of a sore throat. If it is a mild sore throat, I would generally start with Cinnamon Twig formula. If it progresses, I would add Gan Mao Ling. This fall sore throat has been a common symptom, and if you are someone who feels like they nearly always get a sore throat when they get sick, this is a good one for the medicine cabinet.
Huo Xiong Zheng Qi Tang (aka Ease Digestion or Quiet Digestion). This formula is good for harmonizing the digestion and also gently releasing or venting the exterior. It appears that in some cases the main symptoms are digestive upset, such as loose stools, possibly along with a headache and fatigue. It is great to have on hand also for food poisoning or any Stomach bug.
While I don’t recommend taking too many supplements, I do recommend high quality ones which are more easily assimilated by your body and not just peed or pooped out. I’m partnering with FullScript to help provide top quality supplements, delivered directly to your home. Everything in the FullScript catalog is professional grade natural. Pick and choose what makes sense for you and your family and friends.
I am offering a 10% discount for my patients. Standard shipping is free for orders above $50 and there is a promotion for free delivery for the first 10 patient orders. You can see more recommendations in my Favorites section. (Catalog > Favorites > Cold Season Medicine Cabinet), or search the entire catalog.
Ask me about customized Chinese herbal formulas for your constitution.
Happy Chinese New Year. Today is the first day of the lunar new year – it’s the year of the Yang Water Tiger.
The Tiger is known for her power and courage, and is a natural leader who is careful and direct.
The Yang Tiger energy is especially active, forward-moving, and brings momentum that can help us accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves in the past couple of years. Hard work will pay off this year.
Working hard doesn’t mean working all the time. Make sure to balance work with relaxation, family time, exercise, hobbies, and self-care – when it is time to work be productive, put away the distractions and give it all of your attention. Like a tiger waiting for the right moment to pounce, relax until it is time for action, then give it your all.
This is the year for completing what we started, bringing our efforts to fruition. Think about what you want your life to look like in the coming years or decade – it is time to grow and move forward in our chosen direction.
Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Winter is the season of the water element; fear is the emotion associated with the water element and winter.
Manage fear and anxiety by connecting to the earth and bringing grounding qi into daily life. Flow beyond fear. Get outside and walk amongst trees, breathing deeply, leaving the ear buds at home. In the five element cycle, earth controls water.
Over activity, over use of stimulants, and lack of sleep depletes the kidney qi, which is associated with the water element. Move forward with gusto this yang tiger year, but also in a balanced way, including rest and sleep – and eating well. Rest and sleep are the best way to replenish the kidney qi. As we age, our kidney energy naturally declines. Take naps, ideally lying flat, to give the most energy back to your kidneys.
Foods that support the water element are bone broth, soups and stews, beef, chicken, eggs, seafood, and root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, shiitake mushrooms, berries and walnuts.
Spring is associated with the wood element, the liver, and the emotion of anger and frustration.
Avoid letting your energy stagnate this spring, or frustration can build and one may become irritable and argumentative. Bottling up anger can contribute to physical ailments that are due to qi stagnation such as body pain, headaches, digestive issues, or menstrual/menopausal irregularities.
Legend has it that the Jade Emperor staged a race across China to determine the order of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. The determined Ox was in the first position, but the sneaky, resourceful Rat hitched a ride on Ox’s back. Ox swam across the river and as they approached the other side, the Rat hopped off Ox’s back onto the bank winning first place, and leaving the Ox as number two.
2020 feels like a year that was hijacked, like the Rat hijacked the Ox. The 12th of February 2021 brings the energy of the Ox – the Ox is an Earth element animal and 2021 is a Metal year.
The Ox is known for being patient, stubborn, hard-working and deliberate, yet flexible. The image of the Ox slowly plowing the fields is representative of the Ox energy. We can deliberately make a clean slate for ourselves and start fresh.
This Metal Ox year we will want to find balanced between hard work and determination – and – rest and rejuvenation. We need to be flexible and go with the flow, while also being persistent and patient as we work towards our goals little by little. Build stamina but don’t burn yourself out.
Cooperation and communication are important this year. Pause, listen, observe. Pay attention. This includes listening to your own voice and intuition.
Plant your seeds (intentions), work the soil a little each week, be patient, and see what grows and is ready for harvest by the end of the year. Be choosy about what you sow, so as to keep it manageable.
Plant some seeds for your own self-care. If your goal is to improve your health, exercise routine or diet, take it slow and make it sustainable.
Any time of year can be a great time do a Nourishing Winter Cleanse to nourish your gut, immune system, blood stream and whole body while eating only the cleanest fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats, fish and bone broth. These healthful eating tips can be useful even if you are not up for a full cleanse.
By eating deeply nourishing foods, and not eating foods that cause inflammation and toxic build-up, we can nourish our muscular-skeletal, gastro-intestinal and blood systems, reduce systemic inflammation and bolster our immune system. The immune system starts in the gut. A healthy gut lining means fewer toxins are getting through your gut lining into your blood stream where they can wreak havoc in your joints, arteries, brain, everything!
A healthy gut can process the food you eat efficiently, assimilating the nutrients our body needs and transforming them into the Qi and blood which is the basis for our defensive Qi, aka immune system.
The Spleen is one of the main organs of digestion according to Chinese medicine, and is responsible for transformation and transportation of food. The Spleen likes warmth. Too much raw and cold food is too cooling for the Spleen, especially up here in Vermont in the winter! The Nourishing Winter Cleanse is exactly the opposite of a raw food cleanse. So, a cleanse doesn’t necessarily mean juice fast or raw food diet. (more…)
October 24, 2020 has been officially declared Acupuncture Medicine Day in the State of Vermont. You can view actual the proclamation here. Acupuncture Medicine Day has a website.
State of Vermont
Executive Department
A Proclamation
WHEREAS, acupuncture medicine has a long and rich history as components of a comprehensive traditional medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease, and improve well-being; and
WHEREAS, practitioners of acupuncture medicine are dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism and maintain these standards through education, credentialing, and a personal commitment; and
WHEREAS, millions of Americans seek the services of acupuncturists each year; and
WHEREAS, it is vital that those in need of medical services understand the full realm of available modalities and seek competent and professional care.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Philip B. Scott, Governor, hereby proclaim October 24, 2020 as
ACUPUNCTURE MEDICINE DAY
in Vermont and I encourage all Vermonters to learn more about the potential benefits of acupuncture medicine.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont on this 17th day of September, A.D. 2020.
A lot of people are experiencing stress and anxiety about the Corona virus and its effects on the world. Are you finding yourself worrying, or perhaps having trouble sleeping?
In Chinese medicine it is clear that anxiety and worry effect our digestive system. Overthinking damages the Spleen, and, conversely, a weak Spleen leads to propensity for overthinking. The Spleen represents the Earth element and the digestive system.
Eat well to strengthen your Earth energy, your digestion and ultimately your immune system. Foods that benefit the Spleen include hearty stews, roasted root vegetables, and meat. The Spleen likes warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and fennel. Minimize intake of grains, carbohydrates and sugars.
Reigning in your thoughts can also help your digestion and your immune system. Preoccupation with what-ifs, obsessing over COVID stats, excess worry, rumination, and excess thinking, even studying or working, are not ideal for our health. Guide your own thoughts as best as you can.
One of my teacher’s teachers put it well, “In life you think or don’t think. If you choose to think, make a decision/take action. If you can’t make decision, don’t think about it. Sometimes it is better to not think.”
Put down the phone. Put down the media. Keep media in its place, which means not letting it take over your thinking!
I encourage you to focus inward. Of course we want to connect with our community and not be completely isolated. But don’t just focus outward. Bringing your energy inward is good for your immune system because the exterior of our body is where our defensive Qi is, but it comes from having strong Qi grounded in the deeper interior.
Be kind to yourselves and don’t over-do it at work. Use this time as a precious opportunity (assuming everyone is healthy) to follow your heart. Give yourself permission to do an activity that allows you to rest and/or brings you joy.
Joy is the emotion of the Heart and the element of Fire. Fire can burn an extra Wood (Liver) energy that may be accumulating in the form of frustration, irritability or anger. Following your heart can help balance these emotions so joy can end up on top. Exercise helps, too, when the Wood/Liver energy is predominating.
Bring back something that you used to do that feels good. Prioritize some me-time each day:
meditate, biking, play some music, read a book that’s on your shelf, gardening, exercise, take a NAP, play chess, scrap-booking, learn HTML?!, work on that project…
It took me a month, but I re-upped my online guitar lessons and started learning Hey Joe on my electric guitar last weekend (see, before I even finished this newsletter, go me!). I intend to make time for playing every day for the next month. What about you? What non-urgent thing have you been putting off doing for yourself?
Put down your phone. Focus inward. Follow your heart. Joy is medicine.
some years in Vietnam, I got in tune with the Cat replacing the Rabbit or Hare, which is the animal all other Asian countries are celebrating.
magic begin.
