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.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

There are many reasons for hot flashes and night sweats but the first thing to look at is how much water is being consumed during the day, since quite often a major contributing factor is dehydration. Beverages other than water don't count. The body is mostly water and unless we replenish our supply on a regular basis, it is like running a car without enough coolant in the radiator. It causes over heating. A good rule of thumb is to try to consume at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water through out the day, or more, depending on activity level.  
                   
                                                            Health & Happiness,
                                                                    Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

Why Organic, Part 2  GMO

GMO food, (Genetically Modified Organisms) is another reason to 'Go Organic'. Altering the size, taste, and looks make produce more marketable. Making crops pest and disease resistant make them more profitable. But how do GMO companies get the DNA from one species into another? What actually penetrates cells, and is used to piggy-back the chosen genes? Viruses and bacteria! What long term effects will this have on the health of animals and humans who ingest it? How many people want to sit down to a dinner of viruses and bacteria?

Since these corporations were able to by- pass FDA regulation, by stating that they were just growing food, no different from growing other food, they also by-passed the tests for public safety. And yet, they were able to get patents on their products, on the basis that it was different than anything created before. What is frightening about these patents is the law suits by the GMO corporations against farmers who had seeds blow into their fields from surrounding GMO fields, or even off the trucks carrying GMO seed. These small independent farmers are being strong armed into using GMO products or go out of business. If these practices are permitted to continue, it is conceivable that the global food market could be patented, and monopolized by a few companies. 

Modified not to reproduce more seeds from GMO produce, farmers must repurchase seeds each growing season, instead of producing their own seeds from their own crops. And if their seeds fail? Historically, when there is a lack of diversification, crops can be annihilated by nature, such as the potato famine of Ireland, where a nation relied too heavily on one type of crop to feed its population. If GMO companies succeed in cornering the world food market, what potential global disaster are we setting ourselves up for? Under the circumstances, going organic is more important than ever.

                                               Health & Happiness

                                                         Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

Food As Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) every natural substance, animal, vegetable, or mineral, is an herb with some medicinal property. Food is therefore used as medicine, with various properties and functions. 

Watermelon is the coolest food there is, and can actually help lower body temperature when people get over heated. The coolest part is the white section. A lovely occasional summer treat is to chop up watermelon and make juice, by blending it in a blender. Cooled in the refrigerator it is a delightful summer drink, though too much sugar for regular consumption. 

Watermelon, and watermelon juice, are also good remedies for urinary tract infections with burning pain. (This remedy is for discomfort, to be used with, as opposed to an alternative to, treating the infection) For medicinal purposes, juice can be frozen to use at times of the year when watermelon is not available. Watermelon is a food to avoid when the weather is cool or cold.

Another Chinese herb to counter-balance heat is mint. Mint 'ice tea' is a cool and refreshing, caffeine-free, summer drink. My favorite is Numi brand, Morrocan Mint sun tea, as the flavor is more robust than other mint teas. Place 4 tea bags in a large seal-able glass container and let sit in the sun a few hours on a hot day. Refrigerate and enjoy.   

                                                                 Health & Happiness,

                                                                       Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

Pink Salad

Pink Salad

This is one of my favorite recipes, and one that I give most of my patients. It is good as a base for a wide assortment of recipes.  More colors and textures of vegetable mean more vitamins and minerals, just what our bodies need to heal quickly, and obtain optimal health. The vegetables can be minced or shredded. If shredded, it won't last as long in the refrigerator, as minced. It is called Pink Salad thanks to my little niece, who hated vegetables with a passion, but, at the time, loved anything pink. I shredded all the vegetables in a food processor. The beets turned the other vegetable pink. She loved it! The next time she came to visit she actually ask for pink salad.

1 Carrot

1 Celery stalk        Good for Blood Pressure

   Beet   (a piece)      Beets thin Bile > aid Liver & Gallbladder, break 
                                                             down fats

   Pea Pods handful

   Daikon   piece   aids in digesting fats

Broccoli Stalk, cabbage, or any other vegetable if desired

          Chopped small and mix together with any other vegetables desired

Can Add:

          Nuts or Seeds

          Fresh or Dried Fruit

Can mix with good mayonnaises, curry, ginger powder,

dash of pure Maple Syrup, or dried Stevia (the green kind) 
          to make:

                   Chicken, Turkey, Fish or Tofu Salad

Can sprinkle over Spelt Tortilla spread with Humus, add mixed greens

 and roll up for wrap.

Or use over mixed greens for salad.

                                         Health & Happiness,

                                             Nancy Burton, L.Ac.