Adrenal fatigue Part 2

       After physically addressing adrenal fatigue is a good time to take a look a the stress in one's life. Are all the demands we place upon ourselves really necessary? Are we taking on more than we really need to physically, mentally, and emotionally? Simplifying is essential whenever possible. Adrenal fatigue leaves people completely overwhelmed, but as the adrenals recover it is a good time to reassess, set priorities, and see if there are extra loads we are carrying, especially emotionally, that we can set down, to relieve ongoing stress.
       Re-balancing the body with Acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas, nutrition, homeopathics, or nutritional supplements, with the help of a qualified practitioner, can help people deal more effectively with stress. People find that stressful situations aren't are difficult to deal with, and no longer slam them into adrenal fatigue.  
       In our hectic, modern world we are exposed to more stimuli than ever before. With our modern communication systems we are connected to more people than ever before, on a daily basis. The demands on our time, attention, and emotions are monumental. Some people are much more susceptible than others to over-load. It brings to mind walking into one of the new sports bars, that have a dozen big screen TVs in one room, all blaring out a different game. Some people thrive on that kind of stimulation. It is too much for others to handle.  

      There is an old Native American prayer: " Great Spirit, give me the strength to change what I can, the patience to accept what I can't change, and the wisdom to know the difference."  Getting some Holistic support for adrenal fatigue, getting one's energy back, clearing the head from the fog of exhaustion,  makes it a whole lot easier to figure out the difference.

                                                                           Health & Happiness,
                                                                                       Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                                                         534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR 97520
                                                                                         For Appointments Call:   541-646-0134  

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal Fatigue

      Adrenal Fatigue is the result of stress. When the body is under physical, mental or emotional stress the adrenals kick in, again and again, until the stress is relieved. But in our busy world there are times that the stress never ceases. One more thing comes along to deal with, that is just over the top, and the adrenals essentially say, "That's it! I'm done! You do what ever the heck you want. I am on vacation!" When that happens, it is hard to get out of bed in the morning. People are exhausted as soon as they wake up. Exercise makes them more tired. Life in general can seem to be too much of an effort. Simple tasks like brushing teeth, getting dressed, making something to eat, can feel like monumental tasks. It feels like one's inner core is missing, like there is no support from the inside out, or the rug was pulled out from under the feet. When the body is physically stressed it results in emotional stress as well, so adrenal fatigue and depression usually go hand in hand.
      The good news is, there are herbal and nutritional supplements to turn things around. Find a qualified Holistic practitioner to prescribe what is needed. What one person needs might be completely different from another. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas, nutritional supplements, and diet are excellent tools to overcome adrenal fatigue.
                                   
                                                              Health & Happiness,
                                                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                                                  534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR 97520
                                                                                  For Appointments Call:  541-646-0134

      

Cold & Flu Herbal Remedies

                                                           

     Cold & Flu Herbal Remedies
flier from talk at YMCA  

                                 1.   Kill Virus  and

                                             A. Stop Nasal Discharge
                                             B.    Kill Bacteria > Colored Phlegm
                                             C.    In Sinuses or Chest make appointment with Acupuncturist 
                                2.    Prevent > Build Immune System

 TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)  Remedies in Pill Form.  

Plum Flower Brand (GMP Rated : highest international standard for herbs)

                          Available at the many Health Food Stores

For adult dose follow directions on bottles.

Take every 3-4 hours as needed.

For Colds/Flu take either Gan Mao Ling or Yin Chiao to kill virus

Kills Viruses

Gan Mao Ling

kills viruses

For initial stage, through out illness, 

and 1-2 days after symptoms subside.

Quickly alleviates symptoms if taken soon enough.

Take every 3-4 hours, during illness, 

and 3 times per day for 1-2 days 

after symptoms are gone.

OR

                                              Yin Chiao

kills viruses

For colds or flu with heat signs 

                   such as more fever than chills, sore throat, 

red face, cheeks, tongue, or lips, irritability, 

yellow or colored mucous. 

Take every 3-4 hours, during illness.

 3 times per day for 1-2 days 

after symptoms are gone.

Combine with one of the above 

Formulas if needed:

Add to viral formula if needed

                                           Bi Yan Pian

for colds, flu or allergies with

clear or white nasal discharge or 

post nasal drip

Take every 3-4 hours

Chuan Xin Lian

herbal antibiotic, kills bacteria

colored mucous or phlegm 

Take every 3-4 hours as needed 

during illness and 3 times per day 

for 1 day after symptoms are gone.

Jade Screen

Prevents Colds & Flu

to prevent colds and flu

Take once per day during cold and flu season.

If in contact with people with cold and flu, 

increase to 2 times per day.

  If member of household, co-worker, 

 or school mates, have cold or flu, 

take 3 times per day.

Can be taken all year round to boost immune system.   

Liquid formulas are available from Licensed Acupuncturists 

for children or adults

If phlegm invades sinuses, ears, throat or lungs, make appointment for treatment 
       & herbal formulas to expel phlegm, reduce recovery time and feel better faster.

For impaired immune system: chronic colds, flu, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, 

      chronic fatigue, chronic health issues, digestive problems, make appointment, 

         to regain health and strengthen immune system. 

*    Dairy Creates Mucous & Phlegm 

*    Sugar Impairs Immune System 

Health & Happiness,

           Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                              534 Washington St. Ashland, OR   97520

                                                                           For Appointment Call:   541-646-0134     

Acupuncture

                                          

                                                       Acupuncture

     Acupuncture is one of the many tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There is evidence that it is 5,000 years old. The oldest needles discovered were made of stone. Today needles are made of disposable surgical steel, and are tiny, the size of a stiff hair.Most people don't feel them being inserted, or feel a temporary sensation of pressure, or electricity. The majority find Acupuncture deeply relaxing and enjoyable. 

     Since the 1950's we have known that people have electricity running through their bodies. The Acupuncture channels, or meridians are where this energy runs. It was Dr. Volz, in 1952 who mapped the flow of electricity in the body, and proved that it ran just where the Chinese had always said it was. When there is blockage in these channels of energy, there is pain. Think of streams or rivers that have been damned up, with all the pressure behind the damn. Acupuncture relieves the pressure in the body and enables the energy, or Qi, to move the blood, so the blood can nourish and heal as it should. 

    There a Acupuncture points and point prescriptions to treat just about everything. There are points to increase the white blood cell count, decrease phlegm, warm or cool the body, to treat headaches, sinus pressure, sore throat, nausea, all types of pain, and countless other physical manifestations. There are even points for emotional re-balancing to treat grief, anxiety, stress, anger, irritability, over thinking and over worrying, and fear.

     For people who are needle-phobic a Licensed Acupuncturist has many more tools than just Acupuncture, including Acupressure, Chinese Herbal Formulas, and Tui Na, the Chinese Medicinal Massage, Qi Gong, and Chinese dietary therapy, to name a few.                     Licensed Acupuncturists treat patients for just about everything that an M.D. does.

                                                                  Health & Happiness,

                                                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                                               534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR 97520

                                                                                                 For Appointments Call :  541-646-0134

                               

                   

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants                                                            

      Aluminum is another heavy metal to be avoided. There are studies that show aluminum to be linked with Alzheimer's. Aluminum cook ware should be replaced by glass, stainless steel or caste iron. Another major source of aluminum toxicity is antiperspirants. It is the aluminum that stops sweating. 
      Especially for women who shave under their arms, applying aluminum, to an area so close to major lymph nodes is a way to circulate heavy metals more completely throughout the body.      
      Natural deodorants are a healthier choice than antiperspirants. If body odor is a problem, cleaning up the diet by eating free range or organic meats, organic vegetables, and avoiding processed and fast foods, could solve the issue. If not, than it is an indication that the drainage systems, the lymph, spleen, kidneys, or liver need some Holistic support. Seek a qualified Holistic practitioner to help.
      Healthy choices today means healthy tomorrows.

                                                              Health & Happiness,
                                                                      Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                                          534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR 97520
                                                                          For Appointments Call:  541-646-0134  

     

Metal Fillings

     Most people have heard of heavy metal toxicity. Lead is an example of a heavy metal that is now known to have an adverse effect on health. Mercury is no longer considered the benign substance that chemistry professors could pour on their desks, or through their fingers for demonstration. Mercury thermometers have been banned, since even the small amount of mercury they contain is considered hazardous waste, and breaking one is therefore dangerous. A very small amount of mercury in a lake makes all the fish within inedible. And mercury exposure to deep water fish has become a concern for public consumption. But the Dental Association still approves this hazardous waste for the use of filling teeth. 
      Admitting the toxic nature of mercury fillings could initiate an avalanche of lawsuits, something the Dental Association can't afford to do, so they maintain that mercury, though considered a hazardous or lethal substance, in other settings, is perfectly fine to put in people's mouths. Heat, from hot drinks or foods, increase the toxic effect, as does abrasion, from chewing. Most insurance companies will pay for metal fillings but not the more expensive, though less toxic composite ones.
     Removing metal fillings can dump even more toxins in the body, resulting in a temporary healing crisis, or chronic health issues, if not removed properly. There are Holistic dentists with specific training to safely remove metal fillings that limit exposure to their patients. 
     There are nutritional supplements that can be prescribed to detoxify mercury. Seaweed, with its natural source of iodine incorporated in the diet can be beneficial in heavy metal detox, though not enough on its own to deal with toxic overload. Even after fillings are removed, finding a qualified health care practitioner to help with the detoxification process is advisable. Toxins are stored in the fat cells, and until those fat cells are used and the toxins within are not released. Toxins can be stored from childhood, infancy, or as a fetus, from one's mother. Detoxification is therefore an ongoing process.
      Holistic Dentistry is an emerging field. So just say no to metal fillings, and find a good Holistic dentist.
                                              
                                                            Health & Happiness,
                                                                      Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                                                534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR 97520
                                                                                For Appointments Call:   541-646-0134    
                                                                           
     
  

Toxins

      We are exposed to so many toxins, in this day and age, more than the human body has ever had to deal with before. It is impossible to go anywhere in our world and find a toxin free environment. Even the air on Mt. Everest contains a combination of chlorine and pesticides. 

    Chemicals have an impact on every living thing. The combination of chlorine and pesticides are an example of the many combinations that are hormone disrupters. Studies started right after WWII, on chemical compounds, show that the combination of chlorine and pesticides in the air have lowered the sperm count of every species on the planet by fifty percent. When this information was presented to congress there wasn't much interest until the presenter added, "So this means each of you gentleman sitting here are literally half the man your father was. "  Staying as chemical free as possible is more important than ever.

    Using natural toiletries, cosmetics, cleaning products, as well as and not ingesting toxins in food, is a major step in staying as healthy as possible in a less than ideal environment.      There is no way to avoid toxins in our world today. what we can do is minimize our exposure and detoxify daily, with a wide variety of vegetables, three times a day. 

                                             Health & Happiness,

                                                     Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                         534 Washington St.   Ashland, OR   97520

                                                                       For Appointments call:   541-646-0134   

Puffy Eyes

      Puffy eyes are often the result of the lymph system's inability to handle an overload of toxins from chemicals in the diet, chemicals placed on the skin, from toiletries, or cosmetics, or inhaled or topically absorbed through cleaning products, or various other environmental toxins. The eyes, often reflex this overload first thing in the morning, after an night of inactivity. 

      One remedy, along with restricting toxic exposure, is walking. Swinging the arms and legs works the lymph nodes under the arms, and in the groin, supporting the lymph system in its job of moving toxins out of the body.The movement of the breasts is necessary to work the lymph nodes under the arms. Walking without a bra works best. This can be done in place, every morning, as a great way to start the day. 

                                                            Health & Happiness,

                                                                   Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                                        534 Washington St.   Ashland, OR 97520

                                                                        For Appointments call:   541-646-0134

Spelt Pancakes

1 egg

1 cup spelt flour (oldest form of wheat, more easily digestible) 

1 cup hazelnut milk

2 tablespoons  grape seed oil

3 teaspoons non aluminum baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

dash cinnamon

             

1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic blueberries, optional for blueberry pancakes

Mix dry ingredients well.  Add remaining ingredients beat until smooth. Grease frying pan with grape seed oil. Heat pan, medium heat, until a few drops of water dropped on pan sizzle. How high to set the burner depends on the type of frying pan you use. Medium high heat to start and then turning the heat down to low after, pouring in the batter, is appropriate for a caste iron pan.  Cook until bubbles form, all over top of pancake, and then flip. Cook until bottom is light brown.            

                                                                  Berry Syrup

1 pound berries, fresh or frozen
maple syrup organic, grade B 100% pure, to taste 1/4-1/2 cup, add more if needed
1/4-1/2 fresh lemon juice (depending how tart the berries are)
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
1 tablespoon thickener (chestnut flour, tapioca flour, arrow root, rice flour, or spelt flour)
1/8 cup water, cold or room temperature

Cover bottom of sauce pan with water. Place berries in sauce pan. Cook on low heat until berries are broken down and mixture is soupy. Add all ingredients except thickener. Mix thickener in water, until completely dissolved with no lumps. Bring berry mixture to boil. Add thickener/ water solution, stirring constantly until thick enough to coat spoon. Serve over pancakes or waffles.

Pancakes are what I consider a feast day food, not something to be eaten on a regular basis. Eating a breakfast with this much grain, even in the form of spelt flour, can cause fatigue after eating, or a slump of energy in the afternoon. To counteract negative effects, we have pancakes on days we plan to be very physically active, which gives a chance to utilize the grains and burn them off. We also include a good source of organic protein, usually turkey breakfast sausages or scrambled eggs, and also have a vegetable smoothie, to help digest the grains, and for energy providing nutrients. (recipe in previous post)   Enjoy! 

                                                                       Health & Happiness,
                                                                                                Nancy Burton, L.Ac.                 

Up Coming Event

Talk:  How to Stay Heathly Through Cold & Flu Season

Speaker: Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

Location:  Ashland, OR     YMCA

Date: Thursday, September 27
Time: 7:00

Cost : Free for Members

               $2 for Non-Members

                          Hope to see you there.

                                                 

Jet Lag

    Jet lag is more than just the effects of changing time zones. Part of the physical impact of air travel is the huge amount of radiation people are subjected to while in flight. Detoxifying from the radiation helps reduce recovery time. 

     A wide range of vegetables, three times a day, is the best daily detox program. There are also homeopathics specifically for radiation, there is miso.  

    After World War II studies were conducted on the effects radiation had on the population of Hiroshima. In areas where people had died of radation poisioning there were monks who didn't even get sick. They were living on a diet of brown rice, seaweed, and miso, all of which are very detoxifying, but it was discovered that miso specifically detoxifies the body of radiation. 

    Miso is a fermented bean paste, has a lovely salty taste, and comes in white, yellow or red. White is mild and a bit sweet, yellow is medium, and red the strongest tasting. The paste is mixed slowly with small amounts of water or broth and then added to sauces, salad dressings, or soups. It is the active cultures in the paste that contain the medicinal properties, so the dried miso soups don't have the same benefits. Boiling kills the medical properties, therefore miso should be added at the end of cooking.
     So, before and after a plane ride, grab a bowl of miso soup, with a nice salad, with lots of vegetables, and feel better faster.

                                  Health & Happiness,

                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                 534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR 97520   

                                                 For Appointment Call:   541-646-0134 

Tinnitus

         Tinnitus, in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is most commonly caused by Kidney Deficiency, or a decline in the energetic function of the kidney channel. The kidney energy, in TCM, has to do with the ears, many aspects of growth and development as children mature, and signs of aging as people get older. 

         Damage from long term over-exposure to loud noises can also cause tinnitus. If there is structural damage chances are TCM won't help, but for many, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal formulas can be a solution to a very annoying problem.

                                                                 Health & Happiness,

                                                                            Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                                                    

                                                                              534 Washington St. Ashland, OR, 97520

                                                                                 For Appointment call:   541-646-0134    

                                                                                      

Chinese Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry

 

     

Type O is the oldest, and most prevalent blood type and for the most part, they need red meat. Not a great quantity, and always free range or organic, but at least several times a week can be beneficial to health. If red meat causes digestive problems it means either the person has type A blood,  a type that doesn't have the stomach acid to digest red meat, or they have digestive problems that should be addressed. Of course, this is a rule of thumb. It is good to bear in mind that we are all biochemically individual and ultimately have to make our own decisions about what goes into our bodies. Ancestry is also a factor. That said, most type O's feel better eating red meat on a regular basis. It provides energy, focus, reduces sweet cravings and depression. 
      

The studies showing that red meat is harmful to health were conducted without taking blood types into consideration. Since type A is the second most prevalent blood type, and does not have the stomach acid to digest red meat, it is little wonder that studies indicated that red meat was harmful to a significant segment of the population. Red meat is can be beneficial to type O and type B. 
      

This a delicious recipe, using a combination of seasonings commonly used in China.

1 lb red meat, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into bite sized pieces

    

Marinade:

               1/8 cup Tamari ( a wheat free soy sauce) or Braggs Amino Acid 

               1/4 cup water

               1/4 teaspoon dry ginger

               1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

               1/8 teaspoon dried stevia (the green kind) or  1/4 teaspoon palm sugar

               1/4 teaspoon five spice mix

               1 teaspoon Mirin ( rice wine)

                         Mix together and soak meat while chopping vegetables

Vegetables: chopped to bite sized pieces

                green beans, handful

                broccoli,  one stalk

                carrot, one

                red pepper, 1/2

                onion, 1/2 

                garlic, 3 cloves, chopped fine

                sea salt

                grape seed oil

                1/2 cup chicken broth

                1 teaspoon arrow root powder, or thickener.  Do not use corn starch. *

                1/8 cup cold or room temperature water 

         

Optional:  small can sliced water chestnuts, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, mushrooms.

Sauté onion and green beans in frying pan or wok. Sprinkle with sea salt. Cook until onions are soft and starting to brown. Remove onions and green beans from pan. Drain meat, reserving liquid. Add meat to hot pan and cook until medium rare. *  Remove meat from pan. In separate bowl mix water and arrow root until arrow root is completely dissolved. Set aside. Add remaining vegetables, to hot pan, and sprinkle with sea salt*, pour in chicken broth, and cover with lid. Simmer on medium heat until vegetables are cooked, but still crispy and colorful, about 5  minutes. Stir arrow root mixture into liquid at bottom of pan of vegetables. Bring liquid to boil, and boil until it is a thick sauce. Add meat, stirring to coat in sauce. Can serve as is or over rice, rice noodles, or other whole grains.                     

Enjoy!

*Corn, even in corn starch causes insulin insensitivity in all blood types except A.

*Protein that is rare, without all the enzymes cooked to death, tonifies muscles and rebuilds      tissues. Other sources of rare protein include over easy or soft boiled eggs, and sushi.

                                                 Health & Happiness,

                                                           Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                             534 Washington St. Ashland, OR 97520

                                                                           (for appointments call 541-646-0134)                

                

  

Coconut Fish Soup

Japanese Sweet Potato

1 can organic coconut milk

3/4 lb white fish, cooked and cubed

1 32 fl oz box chicken broth  

1 carrot sliced

1celery stalk, sliced

1 large tomato, cubed

1 small handful fresh cilantro, minced 

1/2 yellow onion, minced

1/2 red pepper , cubed

1 garlic clove, minced

1 shallot clove, minced

1 Japanese sweet potato  

                 ( if unable to find Japanese sweet potato,  use other types of sweet potato )

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon Herbs De Provence

1 tablespoon Mirin

1 tablespoon Braggs or Tarmari

Pour broth and coconut milk in large sauce pan. Sauté vegetables and add to broth and coconut milk.  Add all other ingredients, except fish. Cook until vegetables are soft, an hour or so. Add cooked fish.  Serve with a salad, that has 6 or more vegetables.   Enjoy!

                                               Health & Happiness, 
                                                         Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                              534 Washington St. Ashland, OR  97520
                                                                            (for appointments call:  541-646-0134)
  

Adrenal Fatigue

      

      Adrenal Fatigue is when a person is exhausted 1st thing in the morning, even after being able to sleep the night before, and exercise makes them more tired. It results from over taxing the adrenals. The adrenals kick in when people are under physical, mental or emotional stress. 

       Pain, inflammation, lack of nutrients, due to diet or inability to assimilate food, low thyroid function, are a few of the physical causes of Adrenal Fatigue. Drinking coffee, eating sugar, eating wheat and for most blood types, corn are other contributing factors. 

       Caffeine in coffee, or many teas, triggers the flight or fight syndrome, where the adrenaline gets pumping to combat, or flee from, a threatening situation. Running, biking, or other forms of extreme physical activity, expel the adrenaline from the body. But most people aren't running marathons after drinking coffee, they just sit, forcing the body to reabsorb the adrenaline, which is hard on the body and the adrenals. Even decaffeinated coffee or tea still has quite a bit of caffeine in it, more than the body needs to deal with on a regular basis.

       Sugar and other foods high on the glycemic index (foods that are quickly converted to sugar/glucose in the body) cause peaks and crashes in energy all day long. The typical quick fix is to grab a soda, sugary snack, or 'energy' drink, or one with caffeine, which just temporarily peaks the energy again and sets people up for a bigger crash. 

      Wheat and corn cause insulin insensitivity, also resulting in peaks and crashes of energy throughout the day. Blood type A can usually handle corn better than other blood types. 

       Emotional and mental stress compound the problem. Like the little boy that cried wolf, asking the adrenals to kick in and kick in, without breaks, for every little thing, and those poor adrenals finally say, " That's it! You are on your own. I'm on vacation!"

        Luckily, by working on diet, food assimilation, health problems, and life style, with a licensed health care practioner, usually Adrenal Fatigue can be improved in just a few weeks. I typically see improvement the first week. The good news is, the majority of people don't have to live with Adrenal Fatigue.  

                                            Health & Happiness,

                                                      Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
                                                              534 Washington, St. Ashalnd, OR 97520

                                                                             (for appoinment call:  541-646-0134)