Ear Seeds

Auriculotherapy is the stimulation of specific points on the ear, which is a microsystem for the entire body. Ear Seeds are small pellets affixed to acupressure points on the ear with self-adhesive tape. The continuous mild pressure the exert is amplified by stimulating the pellet with a few seconds of fingertip massage every few hours.

What to expect during an application of ear seeds: Ears should be wiped with alcohol and then let dry.

An adhesive will be placed on the desired acupressure point. You can press down on the ear seed with the pad of your finger for a few seconds, every few hours

Ear seeds are designed to stay in place for 2-4 days, even with showering and daily activity.

If your ear seeds are still on after a week, remove and wait 12-24 hours to reapply. When removing, tilt your head sideways so the pellet can fall away from the ear and toward the ground.

Why the ear?

The ear is covered in a network of ear endings that form a map of the entire body. The stimulation of these points is called Auriculotherapy. Ear seeds are a simple, non-invasive tool used to stimulate those points, sending messages promoting homeostasis to the brain.

Cinnamon

Could you use a little spice in your life? Do you recognize this herb as Canela or Cinnamon? Either way.. you’re right! In Chinese Pinyin, it’s known as Gui Zhi. The best part of learning Traditional Chinese Medicine is the similarities shared across cultures with a history thousands of years old.
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As an herbalist, I like to suggest everyday uses for powerhouse herbs and Cinnamon is one of them. It can be steeped alone in a warming tea or ground cinnamon can be added to your morning coffee for its health benefits.
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In biomedical terms, cinnamon is anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic (stabilizes blood sugar), anti-microbial, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering, and a cardiovascular-disease-lowering compound. Cinnamon has also been reported to have activities against neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
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The aroma is beneficial and can be accessed by boiling the herb or as an essential oil. It’s used as an herb of prosperity and protection.
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Just one of the amazing herbs of our pharmacopeia. How can this herb spice things up for you?

Avocado

3 medicinal facts about one of my favorite fruits 😍

🥑 More potassium than a banana which helps regulate blood pressure

🥑 Rich in copper which helps red blood cell formation
Reminder: red blood cells carry oxygen through your body

🥑 Helps treat constipation because of the fiber content

Persimmon

Fuyu Persimmons.

On top of their antioxidant and vitamin power, (immune boosting) persimmons are cool in nature making them great for nourishing and moistening the lungs and transforming phlegm.

Persimmons are also rich in fiber which helps regulate blood sugar.

Fun fact: Persimmons are not a fruit I grew up with. At some point, I tried what I now know to be an unripe Hachiya Persimmon, and my whole mouth puckered and felt hairy inside 🙅🏻‍♀️🙅🏻‍♀️. I’ve heard they’re delicious when ripe (you’d be able to see through it in the sun) but I’m busy loving on Fuyu persimmons, pictured here.

On top of their antioxidant and vitamin power, (immune boosting) persimmons are cool in nature making them great for nourishing and moistening the lungs and transforming phlegm.

💎 Persimmons are also rich in fiber which helps regulate blood sugar.

😋 These are now one of my favorite foods of Fall. I’d describe them as a mix between an apple and pear.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate. The peel is in the Chinese Medicine Pharmacopeia (Shi Liu Pi) and is used to treat gastrointestinal issues and to stop bleeding. Although it's temperature is neutral, pomegranates clears heat.

Red foods like this typically are good for the heart because of the high antioxidants, polyphenols and tannins.

Regular consumption of pomegranate juice has been found to be effective against diabetes, lymphoma, and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Their leaves and flowers are used to treat burns. They are also a worldwide and ancient symbol for fertility, life, death, reincarnation, prosperity, eternal life and marriage. ✨

Winter Well Being

Settling into the longer nights and cooler weather of winter brings a feeling of hibernation. This is naturally a time for storing our energy and staying home more than usual.

Ideally, we should be sleeping longer restful hours, and eating warmer foods. Although turning the page of the calendar will not catapult us into a new reality, a new calendar page holds so much promise.

Considering the changes we’ve made and the changes to come, how can we be an even better friend to ourselves?

I’ve put together this Winter Medicinals Checklist to support your health in rhythm with the season.

Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that each season is associated with organ function. Winter is associated with function of the Kidney and Urinary Bladder.

Symptoms of suboptimal function may include dry skin, low back stiffness, ear ringing, infertility, general anxiety, lack of willpower, and fear ... to name a few.

These symptoms are also telling us we’re overdue for some health support ~ Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and a re-evaluation of our habits can help.

Schedule Your Appointment!

What is Moxibustion?

What is moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called "moxa" are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences.

Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemesia argyi or A.vlugaris), but it can be made of other substances as well.

What exactly does the practitioner do?

In the U.S., practitioners generally hold a burning moxa stick close to, but not touching, the surface of the skin.

In this method, the moxa material is compressed into a stick or pole, looking not unlike an oversized cigar that can be lit and allowed to smolder, producing a unique form of very penetrating heat.

The smoldering moxa stick is held over specific areas, often, though not always, corresponding to certain acupuncture points. The glowing end of the moxa stick is held about an inch or two above the surface of the skin until the area reddens and becomes warm.

What can I expect to feel?

It is not uncommon for patients receiving moxibustion to report a sudden flooding of warmth that quickly radiates along a specific pathway, usually corresponding with the channel that is being treated. This is a good result, as it indicates the arrival of the Qi and circulation has been stimulated.

When is moxibustion used?

Moxibustion is used for:

• Pain due to injury or arthritis, especially in "cold" patterns where the pain naturally feels better with the application of heat

• Digestive problems and irregular elimination

• Gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late-term pregnancy

• Protection against cold and flu strains

Practitioners often do both acupuncture and moxibustion in the same clinic session when appropriate to the diagnosis and treatment strategy. These therapies increase each other's effectiveness when used together.

Unlike acupuncture, which is almost always done by a trained practitioner in a clinic setting, moxibustion can be used at home. It is possible for practitioners to train their patients to use moxa on themselves to strengthen the effect of the clinical sessions between appointments.

What does it smell like?

There is a small inconvenience associated with moxibustion: the smoke and odor. Although there are smokeless varieties of moxa, the preferred true moxa (made from mugwort) does produce a lot of smoke when burned. Most clinics are equipped with proper ventilation and air purification system, so this is not a big problem.