Inflammation verses Edema

Inflammation is a histamine response in the body, a defense mechanism. The swelling causes the circulation of blood to slow, in case of injury, to prevent excessive internal bleeding, which is evident as bruising when close to the surface of the skin. Inflammation also to slows down the distribution of toxins, by the blood stream, through out the body. An example of this is swelling caused by a bee sting, bug bite, or abdominal bloating in the case of food allergies. 

Edema is swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid under the skin. 

For swelling on the surface of the body, pressing the skin can determine whether it is inflammation or edema. Edema has a tendency to leave a depression with pressure, as opposed to inflammation which leaves no depression. Edema is often evident by marks left by the top of socks on the legs. 

While chronic swelling should be medically checked, occasional swelling can be dealt with at home. Bromelain is a digestive enzyme, available in Health Food Stores. Enzymatic Therapies is a good brand. Used with meals, it just digests food. One to two pills, 500 - 1,000 mg, between meals (an hour before or after) is incredible for inflammation and swelling. If stools become loose reduce or discontinue dosage, as it is an indication that the inflammation is resolved and so the food is being overly digested.

 Bromelain should not be used for head trauma, until concussion, or internal bleeding is ruled out. For other types of inflammation it is often more effective than other anti-inflammatory medication, and is now being used by plastic surgeons to quickly reduce swelling and speed recovery in their patients. 

Cucumber is good for edema, if eaten without salad dressing or other condiments. One whole cumber, sliced up and eaten through out the day is a good remedy for mild edema.  

                                                                                       Health and Happiness'

                                                                                                    Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

Quick and Easy Breakfasts

A soft boiled, organic egg, or a poached, or over easy egg with spelt or Ezekiel toast with a vegetable smoothie, is a great quick and easy breakfast. Though how many grains or grain products consumed depends on how physically active a person is, and eggs shouldn't be consumed daily, since they are a damp food (causing fat and phlegm in the body) , this is a more traditional, healthy breakfast, when eaten with vegetables.

A vegetable smoothie, with an egg, or an egg over easy or lightly poached, over stir fried vegetables is a lovely breakfast. After placing the cooked egg on the vegetables, when the yolk is cracked it is like a Hollandaise sauce.   

The reason for the lightly cooked egg, as opposed to hard boiled or well cooked, is to preserve the live enzymes in the protein. These enzymes help tone the muscles, helping people to stay firm, avoid the bags under the arms, and retain their structural alignment, since it is the strength of the muscles, ligaments and tendons that keep the bones in place. Rare red meat, sushi, seared tuna, lightly cooked eggs are good ways to ingest the type of protein needed. All good options for breakfast, as well as any other meal.

                                                                             Health and Happiness,
                                                                                       Nancy Burton, L.Ac. 

Vegetable Smoothie

This is a quick and easy way to consume a wide variety of organic vegetables, and one that even people who don't normally like vegetables usually enjoy. It is best to drink at room temperature, and good to drink with warm food or hot tea, since raw food is considered cold and damp in Traditional Chinese Medicine. How much raw food can be eaten depends upon a person's digestive system and the time of year. People naturally want more warming foods when it is cold outside, and more cooling and raw foods when it is hot. 

This is a nice combination of vegetables, though many combinations can be used.

1 Carrot                          a great source of vitamin A 

1 Celery stalk                 good for blood pressure

Beet                                a very small  beet or a piece of a larger beet.     

                                             beets thin the bile, which supports the gallbladder to break 

                                                    down fats and phlegm.

1/3 large Cucumber         good for edema 

Parsley a handful             good for detoxification

1/4  Lemon                       breaks down fats 

1/2 Apple

Place in a strong blender. Cover with warm water. Blend until smooth. If too thick add more water.

This is great for breakfast, with a good protein food, (as opposed to a protein powder or supplement), or as a high energy snack. This makes enough for breakfast, for my husband and I, and enough for us to take, in a glass jar, to work. I use an insulated, soft, lunch box, so I am not dependent on a refrigerator.  Enjoy!

                                                                                   Health and Happiness,

                                                                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac. 

Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of the Day

It is called breakfast because it is literally a time of breaking a fast of  8-14 hours. Fasting at night is essential to let the digestive system work, and catch up, without giving it additional food to process.What the body wants, after not eating for this extended period, is nutrients, good fuel. Just like a car that runs well on the right gas, but poorly when given gas of inferior quality, or gas with sand or dirt in it, the body needs the proper fuel to run efficiently.The right breakfast can increase energy through out the day. 

What the body needs for breakfast is organic or free range protein, and organic vegetables. Protein provides energy, mental acuity, repairs tissues, and can cut down on cravings for sweets. A wide range of many different colors and textures of vegetables means a wider range of vitamins and minerals. It is easy to get stuck on the same old thing, but more variety provides more nutrients.Vitamins and minerals are needed for every bodily function, and for every organ and tissue.  

"Vegetables for Breakfast?" is the typical reaction from patients. "You don't care for omelets?" my usual response. An omelet or egg scramble, is a traditional American breakfast. Increasing the number of vegetables, without cheese, makes it a healthier, and tastier version. Most countries don't have the concept of breakfast foods that we do. I recommend people get over the idea of the conventional breakfast. While some people, occasional have breakfast for dinner, a healthier choice is to have dinner for breakfast. How many people would have their typical breakfast for dinner and consider it an acceptable meal? Dinner leftovers are a quick and easy solution, or leftovers added to organic broth for a quick and easy soup. Put through a blender, with a few added seasonings, this can be turned into a delicious cream soup. 

The typical American breakfast of starches and sugar, whether cereal, muffins, toast with jam, pastries,or just too much sugar in the form of fruit smoothies, are all high on the glycemic index and low on nutrients.This often causes an initial peak of energy followed by a crash in the afternoon, or sooner, depending on how much starch and sugar was consumed. This is asking the body and brain to run without fuel. Eating the right foods, good protein, and a variety of vegetables, preferably 6-10 different types through out the day, can make people feel, and look, younger, which also makes them feel more like exercising. Diet and exercise truly are the key to the Fountain of Youth and health.

                                              Health and Happiness,

                                                      Nancy Burton, L.Ac. 

         

Dehydration

This time of year dehydration can be a real problem.  Drinking water, as opposed to other beverages is more important than ever. If dehydration does occur, it can cause headache, nausea, hot flashes, or a feverish feeling. An almost instantaneous solution is coconut water. Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes. Though not a replacement for water, or something to consume on a regular basis, it is a great summer time tool.

                                                                Health and 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.