Lowering Blood Pressure

Lowering Blood Pressure

      High Blood Pressure can be a scary thing. There are many holistic ways to lower blood pressure but sometimes, whether taking medication for hyper tension, using natural methods, or just for situational flair ups, tools to lower hypertension can come in handy. 

      The first tool to reduce blood pressure quickly is to sterilize a sewing needle and prick the tops of the ears, squeezing just a few drops of blood out. If out and about where needling is not an option, just vigorously pinching the tops of the ears can help. It is an Acupoint for high blood pressure. 

      The second tool is soaking the feet in hot water. This is especially good at night, since hot water on the feet brings the energy flow down in the body, the direction it should be headed in the evening. High blood pressure can make it very difficult to sleep at night, so this is a soothing and effective ritual, that can help, until blood pressure is effectively reduced by other methods.
     Crossing the legs when sitting can raise blood pressure by 16 points.
     Not drinking enough water during the day, as opposed to other liquids, can be a contributing factor. Caffeinated drinks can also caouse an incease in figures.
      High blood pressure is always something to have checked by an M.D. and then keep an eye on. If it is high at the doctor's office, asking for it to be taken three times, in a row, can often rule out 'the white coat syndrome', as going to the doctor can be stressful. 
      A good diet, exercise,  Acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas and nutritional supplements can  do amazing things for blood pressure, but in the case of extremely high figures, have any structural problems ruled out by  an M.D. or specialist.   


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

Changing Other People's Diets

Changing Other People's Diets

      This weekend I was invited to speak at a workshop, which is always a rewarding experience. People come up with such wonderful questions. One woman inquired, after my talk, about changing the diet of a 92 year old parent, who had just come to live with her. "She drinks coffee, eats sugar, and white bread. What do I do?"  The woman looked rather shocked when I told her, " At 92, let her eat what she wants!"

     Trying to get to all the questions of the people who had come to speak to me on the break, I didn't get a chance to elaborate. Health is a choice. It needs to be a personal choice, made on a daily basis. For mentally competent adults, it doesn't work to have that choice made for you. Pressuring anyone into healthy choices, 'for their own good', just leads to unhealthy stress for everyone involved. Share information about the reasons behind healthy choices. But keep in mind, they are choices, and be respectful when people chose for themselves.   


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

      

         

Prevention of Colds and Flu

Prevention of Colds and Flu

     The best defense for Colds and Flu is a good offense. Jade Screen is an herbal formula for preventing colds and flu. It works by building up the immune system. Taken once a day, throughout cold and flu season, and increased to two or three times a day, when viruses are at their peak, or when living or working with someone with a cold or flu, it can help avoid illness. 
      There are many manufacturers of this ancient formula, but Plum Flower brand has the GMP rating, the Austrian equivalent of what the FDA professes to be. GMP is considered one of the highest international standards for herbs.

      At the first sign or symptom of illness stop the Jade Screen and take Gan Mao Ling, also, Plum Flower brand, to kill the virus. Continue taking six pills, for adults, every 3-4 hours until feeling well. 

     Both formulas are available at most major Health Food Stores.

                                        Health & Happiness,

                                             Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                   534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR  97520

                                                                For Appointments Call:   541-646-0134 

  

Insomnia and Water

      One of the many reasons for insomnia is not drinking enough water during the day. This can cause Yin Deficiency, or not enough moisture in the body. Like a car's radiator not getting enough water, it causes the body to overheat at night. This results in thirst, hot flashes, waking and feeling hot. 

      Heat rises; energy is supposed to be going down at night, not up to the head. If energy is going up at night, due to heat or for other reasons of imbalance in the body, it impairs sleep. 

      Other beverages, besides water don't count. Many people drink lots of beverages during the day and so aren't drinking the water they need. Again, like a radiator in a car, you have to put in the right kind of fluid. Alcohol can make the problem of YinDeficiency even worse, even just one glass of wine or beer per night. So drink plenty of water during the day, to help sleep well at night.  

                                                  Health & Happiness, 

                                                               Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                                     534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR  97520

                                                                                     For Appointments Call:   541-646-0134 

Inflammation and Sugar

Inflammation & Sugar

      Sugar consumption can have a huge impact on aches, pains and inflammation in the body.  White sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, agave, high frutose corn syrup, frutose, corn sugar, cane juice, raw sugar, turbinado, are all difficupt to digest. (Agave, the same plant used to make tequila, was an excellent sweetener until it got popular. Now they use a different, more abundant part of the plant but it has to be much more highly processed.) Looking at live blood after consumption of sweets show the white blood cells digesting the sugar, just like any foreign entity, or pathogen, that has made its way into the blood stream. When white blood cells are called in to rush to a sight and handle any pathogen, including sugar, it activates a histamine reaction, or inflammation. This is a protective reaction which slows down the pathogens so they are not as widely distributed throughout the body, before the white blood cells can rush to the sight to do their job.  

      Initially, this histamine reaction to the sugar can happen the day after consuming sweets but the body remembers ingesting foods that hurt it. After an initial reaction the results can become instantaneous, since molecules from food go directly into the blood stream from the veins under the tongue, the closest veins to the surface in the body. With reactions that can happen any time from immediately to the next day, it is often difficult to determine just what is causing the reaction. More so because sugar has become so intrenched in so many people's daily routine, with sweets for breakfast, or sweetened coffee, or drinks through out the day, processed or fast foods, gum and mints, candy, and desserts. Even Health Food items, like alternative milks, granola and organic spaghetti sauce, often contain cane juice, raw sugar or cane sugar in some form. Read the list of ingredients of what ever you buy. Even small amounts, but accumulated throughout the day can cause problems.                              

      So if aches and pains are a problem, get off the sugar, on a daily basis, with exceptions for the occasional treat,  and see how you feel.

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

                                                                  

Computers and Insomnia

Computers and Insomnia

 If insomnia is an issue it is advisable to look at computer use before bed.  Electromagnetic energy from computers can interfere with the energy in our own bodies making it difficult to sleep. 

In the late 1950's Dr. Volls proved that humans are electrical beings and the electricity runs through our bodies just where the Chinese have been saying it did for thousands of years, through the Acupuncture channels. 

At night the body's energy is supposed to be going down. But if something creates stress on the body, mental, physical, or emotional, it can disrupt the energy of the Liver Channel, which is responsible for circulating all the energy ( or Qi, pronounced Chi) in the body. The result is the energy going up, to the head at night, the Yin part of the day when the energy is supposed to be going down, causing the mind to go and go, instead of shutting down to allow sleep. 
      
Needless to say, staying off the computer, for those sensitive to this energy, is the best solution. If that is not an option, there are pendants and devices available that can block some of the electromagnetic energy. Watching TV before bed can have the same effect. So if insomnia is a problem, turn off the computer, and TV, and try reading or listening to music to calm the mind, and the energy, for a good night's sleep.      

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

                                 

Ear Congestion or Blockage

 Ear congestion, pain or blockage is usually a result of phlegm. The sooner this issue is addressed the better, since phlegm can be difficult to resolve. Not addressing this issue soon enough can result in pain and in extreme cases ruptured ear drums. Addition pain is often noted with change of elevation, so traveling over mountain passes, or in airplanes can be a problem.
      
Drinking green tea in the morning, ginger tea, anytime, fresh lemon juice in food, tea, water, eating beets and daikon all help reduce phlegm. Completely avoid dairy, since it produces mucous and phlegm, as do oily, greasy, fatty, or sweet foods. Minimize eggs. And, of course, get into see your Acupuncturist for herbal formulas and Acupuncture to dispel phlegm.

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

Tips for Overcoming Depression

'Tis the season, a time of year when many succumb to depression. Dark days, more time inside, absence of loved ones missed during the holiday season, another year gone by. So many reasons that this is the best of times and the worst of times for so many.

      

Here are some tips to help people overcome the blues:

      
No matter how cold and dark, get outside and walk or exercise in some way. Even              through cloud cover, there is beneficial light that comes through.

      
Exercise.  It releases endorphins, which helps alleviate depression.

      
Full spectrum lights. GE's Reveal lights are full spectrum, come in regular light bulbs and florescent sizes, and are no more expensive than regular lights bulbs.  

      
Eat well. This means a type of protein highly beneficial to your blood type (Eat Right For Your Type, by Peter D'Adamo) and a wide variety of many colors and textures of vegetables.  If your body is not getting the nutrients it needs, your body, mind and spirit will all be depressed.

      
Avoid or minimize sugar and junk food. These provide a temporary high and then a bigger crash, often felt the day after indulging. 

      
Novelty. Try to go places and do a things that are a bit out of the ordinary for you. Boredom is a close colleague of depression.  

      
Plan ahead. Having something to look forward to is a good way to raise the spirit.

      
Go see a Licensed Acupuncturist for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal formulas, and get some immediate relief. Subsequent appointments can re-balance the body to treat the underlying physiological reasons for the depression, and help prevent reoccurance.   

                               Health & Happiness,

                                              Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                      534 Washington St.   Ashland, OR   97520

                                                                   For Appointments Call:   541-646-0134  

Cranberry Relish

Cranberry Relish

    Made with fresh cranberries and nuts, this is my healthier version of one of our holiday,  family favorites.

1-2 pints fresh organic cranberries

3/4 cup walnuts

1/2 cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pure organic vanilla extract

juice of 1 orange

pure, grade B, organic maple syrup, to taste, about 1 cup

  

Cover bottom of sauce pan with water. Place cranberries, and walnuts, in sauce pan. Cook until soft. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add maple syrup to taste. Cool. Can make ahead of time and refrigerate.   Enjoy!

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

Ginger, Coconut Yams

Ginger, Coconut Yams

     Coconut milk is considered to be a 'damp' food in TCM, one that has a lot of oil, or fat, or causes fat in the body. Damp foods also cause phlegm. Ginger dries dampness and phlegm, clears the lungs and aids digestion. Coconut and ginger are therefore a good combination, for flavor, and for health. 

     When I skim the coconut fat from the top of the can, to mix and refrigerate for Coconut Cream, (turns into the same consistency as whipped cream, to be used as an alternative) this is one way I use the left over coconut milk.  

 1 - 2       yams or sweet potatoes, sliced

 1 can    organic coconut milk, (Thai Kitchen is a good brand)

 1 Tablespoon dried, shredded organic coconut, for each yam or sweet potato

          for a stronger coconut flavor, toast coconut in dry frying pan

1 Tablespoon minced ginger for each yam or sweet potato

Steam yams and ginger. When soft mash. Add just enough coconut milk for the consistency of mashed potatoes. Sprinkle top with dried coconut. Can make ahead and warm up before serving in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Enjoy!

                                                            Health & Happiness,        
                                                                  Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

                                                                           534 Washington St.  Ashland, OR   97520

                                                                           For Appointments Call:  541-646-0134  

'Candied' Yams

'Candied' Yams

      A healthier version of a holiday favorite, this can be made with sweet potatoes or yams.  In TCM they say yellow vegetables, like sweet potatoes, or yams, tonify (strengthen) the energetic function of the Spleen, which has to do with digestion. A little bit of sweet, like naturally sweet vegetables or fruits, benefit the Spleen, too much sweet impairs it. This recipe would be too much except for an occasional 'Feast Day' food.      

Yams or Sweet Potatoes

Brown Rice Syrup 

Organic, Grade B Pure Maple Syrup

Grape Seed Oil

Peal and chop yams, into bite sized pieces. Steam, bake or boil until soft. Place in baking dish, lightly coated with Grape seed oil.  Drizzle with brown rice syrup, then maple syrup. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts. Can make a day ahead of time and toast in oven, At 350 degrees, to warm, before serving, about 15 minutes.   Enjoy!

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

  

                                  

Pear & Ginger Vegetable Smoothie

Pear & Ginger Vegetable Smoothie

      

This is a variation of the vegetable smoothie recipe that appeared earier in the blog. The addition of ginger makes it more appropriate for colder weather. Ginger warms the whole body, expelling phlegm and aiding digestion. It therefore helps counteract the raw food in the smoothie, which is considered cold, in Chinese nutritional therapy. 

1 pear

3 slices of raw ginger, chopped

1 carrot

1 celery stalk

piece of a beet

handful of parsley

Place is strong blender. Cover vegetables and fruit with warm water.  Blend.  Enjoy!

Very Moist Chocolate Raspberry Cake

This is a dairy free chocolate cake.

2 medium beets  ( though the cake doesn’t taste like beets, the result is rich and moist)

2 cups white spelt flour

1 ½  cups palm sugar

½ cup unsweetened organic cocoa powder

1 1/2  teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

2 eggs

¼ cup warm water

¼ cup grape seed oil

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom of two 9” round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease paper and sides of pans with grape seed oil. Chop and cook beets until soft and puree. Set aside 1 ¼ cups for cake. Mix dry ingredients together. Mix in eggs, water, oil, vanilla and 1 ¼ cup beets. Bake until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes.  Let cool on wire rack for 20 minutes.

Spread center of layers with raspberry glaze. Pour on top and down sides. Or, slice each layer in two, horizontally. Spread each layer and top with raspberry glaze. 

Raspberry Glaze

1 lb fresh or frozen raspberries

1 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon cocoa powder

3 tablespoons arrowroot powder

1/8 cup water

Optional, can add palm sugar or additional maple syrup for sweeter sauce.  

  Mix arrow root powder and water until powder is dissolved. Set aside. Mix remaining ingredients in sauce pan. Simmer until liquefied. Bring to boil. Stir in arrow root mixture. Stir constantly until sauce starts to thicken. (it will coat a spoon). Let cool before spreading on cake.

Chinese Tea Eggs

            A high protein snack in China, for taking on hikes, offered in tea houses, by street vendors, and made at home. After boiling, shells are cracked for a marbled effect, then simmered and steeped in black tea, soy sauce and spices. One of my favorites!

            Eggs have gotten a bad rap in the US.The studies about how bad they are for health  came out about the same time corporations were trying to convince people that cereal, from a box, was a healthy breakfast. Eggs are one of nature’s wonder foods, easy to digest, a great source of protein, vitamin D, and good fats. Eggs supply the kind of fats that promotes the HDLs (good fats) as opposed to the LDLs (bad fats). Though not to be eaten every day, as they are a damp food (foods that contain or create oils or fat in the body), they are a wise choice to include in a healthy diet, as long as they are organic”.

6-8 Organic Eggs, hard boiled

2 Black Tea Bags

2 teaspoons Palm Sugar

½  cup Tamari Soy Sauce, or Braggs Amino Acid

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

Sat Anise  4 pieces

2 Tablespoons Five Spice Mix (available in most Health Food and and grocery stores)

Mirin  dash ( a rice cooking wine available in Asian section of grocery stores)

Boil eggs 10 minutes. Pour out water. Let eggs cool. Crack shells with back of knife or spoon, cracking shell of entire egg. This needs to be done with enough force that the shell and membrane underneath are cracked, for a marbled effect.  Fill pan with enough water to cover eggs. Add all ingredients, mix, then add eggs. Simmer for 1 hour, then let cool and steep in mixture overnight, in refrigerator. Enjoy!

                                                                                 

                                                                                 Health & Happiness,

                                                                                                Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

Quick & Easy Vegetable Stew

    Vegetable stew, or soup, is a great thing to make when there are a lot of vegetables that need using. Any vegetables can be used. Served with a fresh salad and it is a lovely meal. 

1 onion, chopped

1 scallion, if desired, chopped

1 yellow summer squash, chopped

1 handful of okra, if desired   (Okra  is great for the mucosal lining of the digestive  system)                     

1 zucchini, chopped                                                   

1 handful of green beans

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

1-2 cans of organic Great Northern Beans  (or any beans)

1 box Imagine Chicken Broth    (Imagine brand is the only one I have found without Cane Juice in it)

1 14.5 oz can of organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes

1 Tablespoon of olive or grape seed oil       (my 2 favorite cooking oils)

In large cooking pot, cook onions and scallions in oil, until soft. Add rest of ingredients and simmer until vegetables are soft. 

This is about 6 servings. When cooking I always try to make extra for quick meals later in the week. This also makes a fast breakfast, or is good taken for lunch. I use a glass bowl with a plastic lid, put it in a thermal, soft lunch box and eat it at room temperature. Extra is also good for freezing for quick meals on down the line. 

Keep in mind, though this dish has lots of vegetables, they are cooked enough to destroy many of the nutrients, and live enzymes. It is best to eat with either a salad, or throw some additional vegetables in at the end of  cooking or when heating up. When vegetables are still crunchy and colorful they still have the nutrients and live enzymes needed for health and energy.    Enjoy!

                                  

                                                     Health & Happiness,

                                                                      Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

  

Acupuncture Points Everyone Should Know

     "Would you like some help?"  I ask the woman who came wheezing up the stairs from the beach croaking "I can't breath, I can't breath". She and her adult son nodded, terrified, as she desperately gasp for breath. 

     I explained I was a Licensed Acupuncturist and that I could use Tui Na, the Chinese medicinal massage, to help her breathing. Despite the situation, they didn't want to call 911. "Why don't you go and get your car, so you can take your mother to the hospital?" I suggested to her son, "I'll see what I can do." 

     As she stood on the sidewalk, I started massaging Lung 1, the first point on the lung channel, which can resolve respiratory distress, faster than an inhaler, even faster than most people can find their inhaler. By this time the poor woman was hyper ventilating, so I added some calming ear points. 

     As her breathing improved she told me that she had smoked for years and had finally quit.  Unless they are organic, there are chemicals in cigarettes that ventilate the lungs. The purpose is to make the tobacco and additional chemicals even more addictive. As a result, many people develop emphysema after they quit smoking, and are no longer ingesting the drugs on a regular basis. 

     Wind had blown smoke in her face, from a bonfire they passed on the beach, near the foot of the stairs. It had triggered her reaction. By the time her son arrived with the car, she was fine.       

     The Lung Channel starts on the chest and runs down the inside of both arms, to the thumb. Lung 1, the point that assists breathing so quickly, is below the clavicle (collar bone), beside the space that is between the 1st and 2nd rib, towards the arm. Points are bilateral (on both sides of the body). Usually, Lung 1 is the most tender point in that area, so not too difficult to find.  

     Teaching patients with asthma, or other respiratory problems this point, while working on resolving the issues that cause the problem, has prevented many emergency room visits. 

                                                                              Health & Happiness,

                                                                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac.        

Preventative Health Tips

Women used to brush their hair 100 times every day, to keep their hair soft and shiny. Brushing the hair distributed natural oils through out the hair, and scalp, to act as a natural conditioner. But it turns out that there was an additional health benefit. 

Scalp Acupuncture is a specialty of its own within TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). There are points on the scalp that are used, with miraculous results for stroke, paralysis, aphasia (the inability to remember words), vision, tremors, vertigo, balance, hearing, to name a few. So stimulating the scalp, on a regular basis, is a wonderful method of health maintenance. Brushing the hair 100 times each morning is a great way to wake up and start the day.

                                                             Health and Happiness,

                                                                      Nancy Burton, L.Ac.      

Natural Cleaning Tips

The best way to clean blood stains is Hydrogen Peroxide. Either soak or squirt on the area and watch it bubble away the blood. It is also good for many other kinds of organic stains. 'Oxy'  cleaning products usually  incorporate Hydrogen Peroxide as one of their ingredients. For laundry, carpets, upholstery try on a small area first to make sure it is colorfast, and it can then be used in place of chemical stain removers. 

The fewer chemicals we expose ourselves to the better for our health, either ingesting through our foods, skin, or through our lungs, as happens with chemical cleaners.   

                                                               Health and Happiness,

                                                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac.