夏季养生七不宜，不可不知

“夏不坐木，冬不坐石”，时下正是盛夏时分，酷暑难挡，人们为求得一丝凉爽，往往忽视了防病保健，而诱发各种不适感，甚至导致病痛发生。因此，消暑也要讲科学，切不可掉以轻心。
不宜坐木
俗话说：“夏不坐木，冬不坐石”。世间一切万物都是盛久必衰，衰久必盛。天气最炎热的时候，也正是阴气初生的时候。故不能过于贪凉快，而应当让机体出汗降温。另外，夏天气温高，湿度大，木头，尤其是久置露天里的木料，椅凳等，露打雨淋，含水分较多，太阳一晒，温度升高，会向外散发出湿热，使人易患皮肤病、风湿和关节炎等。
不宜多吃冷食
在炎热的夏季，如果胃肠受到大量冷食的刺激，会加快蠕动，缩短食物在小肠里的停留时间，影响人体对食物营养的吸收。同时，由于夏季气温高，体内热量不易散发，胃肠内的温度也较高，如果骤然受冷刺激可导致胃肠痉挛，引起腹痛。
不宜“快速冷却”
炎夏，人们外出归来为尽快消汗除热，往往喜欢冲冷水浴来“快速冷却”，但由于人在阳光下吸收了大量的热量，如此“快速冷却”，使全身毛孔迅速闭合，使热量不能散发出而滞留体内，引起高热，还会因脑部毛细血管迅速收缩而引起供血不足，使人头晕目眩，重者还可引起休克；而且此时人体抵抗力降低，感冒就会“乘凉而入”。因此，最好的方法是先将身上的汗擦干或待汗发散干之后再冲洗。同样的道理，夏天出汗多，有人一下子喝进很多水，会增加心脏负担，使血液浓度下降，甚至可出现心慌、气短、出虚汗等现象，渴极了应先喝少量的水，停一会儿再喝。
不宜夜晚露宿
盛夏时节，身上的汗腺不断向外分泌汗液，以散发体内的热量，睡着后，机体处于放松状态，抵抗力暂时下降。此时如果正值夜晚，气温下降，再遇冷风袭来，露水加身，容易导致头痛、腹痛、关节不适，并引起消化不良和腹泻。夜晚露宿还易被蚊虫叮咬，可能染上疾病，如大脑炎等病。
不宜缺少午睡
夏季昼长夜短，气温高，人的新陈 代谢旺盛，消耗量也大，容易疲劳。加上夜间炎热，睡不安稳，导致睡眠不足。因此，中午睡上一两个小时，对健康大有裨益。可使身体各系统得到休息，也是防止中暑的一项好措施。
空调不宜开得太大
空调能给人带来舒适的环境。但如室内外温差太大，使人对室内外温度变化难以适应而容易“伤风”“感冒”，而且如室内外温差太大，不注意室内通风换气，会使室内空气混浊，致使各种病原微生物孳生。若人的机体抵抗力降低时，就容易患病。因此，夏天使用空调温差不易太大，最好在摄氏5－8度之间，最大不能超过10度。
不宜戴过深或过浅的太阳镜
太阳镜能避免紫外线对眼睛的损伤，但如镜片颜色过深，会因视物不清而影响视力；如镜片颜色过浅，紫外线仍可透过镜片损伤眼睛。因此，夏季选择太阳镜应允许15％－30％之间的可见光线穿过灰色或绿色的镜片，不但可抵御紫外线，而且视物清晰度最佳，透视外界物体颜色变化也最小。

Top 3 Chinese diet foods for Summer Solstice 夏至养生食谱 Rational Health Care Tips for Summer

In Summer Solstice, due to strong heat absorption by ground and air convection, thunder showers that come and go quickly occur a lot between noon and dusk. Because rainfalls during this period are limited to a low range, people usually call them "raining within one field."
A famous poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Liu Yuxi(刘禹锡）, described this kind of weather in one of his poems  "the eastern sky is sunny while the western is rainy; it is thought to be rainy but the sun is still in the sky." 
 After summer solstice, most areas enter into midsummer and hot whether comes frequently sometimes reaching about 40°. As the saying is "First Yin occurs at summer solstice"（夏至一阴生）, that is to say, in this solar term, Yin grows although it is hot, and makes people weak and vulnerable to disease processes. Therefore in this solar term, rational health care is very important. Ji Kang (Chinese: 嵇康; 223–262) wrote in Health Care Theory: "It is more important to do prana yama and meditation as if it is full of ice and snow in heart; scorching heat can be reduced by my peaceful mood. Never regard the heat as heat or it will generate more heat. "That tells people to adjust their breath and practice Qigong to make a peaceful and easy mood, imaging there is ice and snow in the heart that you will never feel hot any more; you should never be disturbed by the hot whether that would make you feel hotter.
 In midsummer, most people suffer from hypodynamia, headache and light head; more seriously, it will affect daily life and work. Firstly, this is because high temperature makes people eliminate heat by perspiration which cause a lot of water loss in the body. If no timely water replenishing is applied, blood volume would reduce and brain will suffer from lack of blood that causes headache. Secondly, the periphery vein expands, and more blood flows to periphery whose reallocation will lower down the blood pressure and cause headache. Someone who has poor sleep, weak spleen and stomach, or poor appetite will also suffer from headache. Those who like to drink cold water will suffer from so-called cold-drink headache. The patient with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular or urinary system diseases should pay attention to strengthening health care.
Moreover, it is an excellent chance to treat the winter diseases (such as chronic tracheitis, bronchitis, etc.) in summer. These patients should take active in treatment to achieve maximum results with little effort. Feel free to call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic at 416-800-3978 for free consultation.

At the end you will find out the top 3 Chinese foods for the summer healthy diet, especially for those who has poor appetite , weak spleen and stomach. So go through all these Chinese ancient poems about the summer solstice first...^-^
“昼晷已云极，宵漏自此长……”一看到唐朝诗人韦应物这篇“夏至避暑北池”，相信大家马上知道是什么节气了。

　　是的，今日夏至。《恪遵宪度抄本》曰：“日北至，日长之至，日影短至，故曰夏至。至者，极也。”夏至这天，太阳直射地面的位置到达一年的最北端，几乎直射北回归线，是北半球全年白昼最长的一天。从今天之后，白天渐短，宵漏越来越长，对于不喜寒冷的人来说，有点伤感对不对。
　　《礼记》记载：“夏至到，鹿角解，蝉始鸣，半夏生，木槿荣。”

　　丁酉年夏至节气调理   
　　中医认为，夏至一阴生。2017丁酉年芒种节气之后，临床多出现外热内寒、上燥下湿之口臭、鼻干、足癣、痔疮发作、半夜易醒、既欲凉饮又欲香口辛辣食物；严重者出现哮喘、腹痛、不思饮食、精神疲惫。若天之寒热变化致身体明显不适者，须即时就医诊治，若有上述病机端倪者，遵内经少阳属肾，肾上连肺，固将二脏之理，可以通过针灸有效调理。多伦多东方针灸诊所咨询电话：416-800-3978


夏季气候炎热，人的消化功能相对较弱，因此，饮食宜清淡不宜肥甘厚味，要多食杂粮以寒其体，不可过食热性食物，以免助热；冷食瓜果当适可而止，不可过食，以免损伤脾胃；厚味肥腻之品宜少勿多，以免化热生风，激发疔疮之疾。
养生食谱：
1、荷叶茯苓粥(Lotus leaf tuckhoe porridge):
[配料] 荷叶1张（鲜、干均可），茯苓50克，粳米或小米100克，白糖适量。
[做法] 先将荷叶煎汤去渣，把茯苓、洗净的粳米或小米加入药汤中，同煮为粥，出锅前将白糖入锅。
[功效] 清热解暑，宁心安神，止泻止痢（对心血管疾病、神经衰弱者亦有疗效）。
2、凉拌莴笋(Salad Celtuce or Stem Lettuce)：
Celtuce
[配料] 鲜莴笋350克，葱、香油、味精、盐、白糖各适量。
[做法] 莴笋洗净去皮，切成长条小块，盛入盘内加精盐搅拌，腌1小时，滗去水分，加入味精、白糖拌匀。将葱切成葱花撒在莴笋上，锅烧热放入香油，待油热时浇在葱花上，搅拌均匀即可。
[功效] 利五脏，通经脉。
3、奶油冬瓜球(Creamy winter melon balls)：
[配料] 冬瓜500克，炼乳20克，熟火腿10克，精盐、鲜汤、香油、水淀粉、味精各适量。
[做法] 冬瓜去皮，洗净削成见圆小球，入沸水略煮后，倒入冷水使之冷却。将冬瓜球排放在大碗内，加盐、味精、鲜汤上笼用武火蒸30分钟取出。把冬瓜球复入盆中，汤倒入锅中加炼乳煮沸后，用水淀粉勾芡，冬瓜球入锅内，淋上香油搅拌均匀，最后撒上火腿末出锅即成。
[功效] 清热解毒，生津除烦，补虚损，益脾胃。

Health Benefits Of Winter Melon -top chinese diet food


Boost Vision: A significant amount of research has linked vision problems to a deficiency in riboflavin, more commonly known as vitamin B2. Winter melon also has very high levels of vitamin B2, more than 11% of your daily requirement in a single serving. By increasing the amount of vitamin B2 in your system, you can reduce your chances of eye disorders, while the antioxidants found in winter melon help to reduce oxidative stress in the retina and macular degeneration.
Protect the Heart: With high levels of potassium and vitamin C, winter melon is a tried and true protector of cardiovascular health. Potassium functions as a vasodilator, meaning that it can help to lower blood pressure by releasing tension in the blood vessels and arteries, letting blood flow more freely. This makes it more difficult to develop atheroslcerosis, which can compound heart issues and increase your risk of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, vitamin C has been directly linked to reduced chances of a stroke.
Improve Immunity: With more than 19% of your daily vitamin C requirements in a single serving, winter melon is a powerful immune system booster. Vitamin C can stimulate the production of white blood cells, and also acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and prevent the mutation of health cells. Winter melon also boasts a decent amount of zinc, which is another critical component to immune system health.
Stimulate Growth and Development: Most people only think of vitamin C as an immune system booster, but in fact, vitamin C performs a number of key functions in the body. Perhaps most importantly, it is a component in the production of collagen, which is one of the basic building blocks of cells, tissues, muscles, bones and blood vessels. If you are still in developmental stages of your life, or recovering from an injury/illness, you want high levels of vitamin C to provide raw materials for growth and repair. Winter melon delivers that vitamin C in a major way!
Digestive Health: Dietary fiber is an important part of any healthy diet, as it can optimize digestion and prevent many unfortunate gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, bloating, cramping, hemorrhoids, and general stomach upset. Dietary fiber can also improve the nutrient uptake efficiency of the gut, along with reducing cholesterol levels in the cardiovascular system!
Increase Energy Levels: Taking in the right nutrients is one thing, but being able to properly use them is another. Vitamin B2 plays an important part in human metabolism, ensuring that the nutrients are converted into usable energy. Along with its many other impacts on hormonal balance and health, the high level of vitamin B2 found in winter melon keeps us functioning and using nutrients efficiently!
Cognitive Function: The significant level of iron found in winter melon makes it an ideal solution for increasing circulation to extremities of the body. Iron is a key component in the production of red blood cells, so when you have more iron, you have better circulation of fresh, healthy and oxygenated blood. This means that winter melon can not only protect against the symptoms of anemia, but also ensure proper blood flow to the brain, which can increase concentration, focus and memory.
Detoxify the Body: In traditional medicine, winter melon is often used as a diuretic, which can help to detoxify the body. Urination eliminates excess toxins, fats, salts and water from the body, so any vegetable that can induce that detoxification will help your liver and kidney perform at optimal levels.

Weight Loss: Winter melon is often praised as a weight loss tool, because it is high in fiber and relatively low in calories. This popular vegetable will make you feel full, thus reducing between-meal snacking and overeating, without pushing your calorie intake for the day over certain limits. The rich blend of minerals and nutrients also promotes muscle growth and a stronger metabolism, thereby compounding the weight loss effects.

Reference:
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/winter-melon-benefits-nutritional-value.html

Acupuncture natural cures and remedies options for High Cholesterol Control

Summer time usually is a great time to take care of your heart health and look at the ways to lower cholesterol!
One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States and about 1.25 million heart attacks occur each year in the United States. About 2.4 million Canadian aged 20 years and older live with ischemic heart disease. Heart disease is also the second leading cause of death in Canada.

Research has clearly shown that lowering cholesterol can reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Whether you have heart disease already or want to prevent it, you can reduce your risk for having a heart attack by lowering your cholesterol level.

Make sure your cholesterol is being monitored and find out how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you stay healthy.

Reduce Risk with TCM

In TCM(Traditional Chinese Medicine) , the three major different causes of High Cholesterol: 1.Spleen wet; 2.Liver depression, 3.Kidney deficiency. So for each individual, the treatment will be different, all depend on the TCM diagnosis result for each patient.

 At Oriental Acupuncture Clinic, Acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion or herbal medicine all can be used to treat the high cholesterol condition.

Acupuncture can be used to treat many of the health conditions that are known to drastically increase the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.

Here are a few of the risk factors that can be addressed with acupuncture:
* Smoking
* High Blood Pressure
* Excess weight
* Diabetes
Herbal Medicine

Several Chinese herbs and herbal formulas are used to lower cholesterol levels:

  • Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) also known as Hawthorn berry, have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.



  • Reishi mushroom: In addition to lowering blood pressure, Reishi can improve overall circulation, lower inflammation that worsens heart problems, and prevent clogged arteries or high cholesterol levels.

                       

  • Ginkgo biloba benefits range from improving blood flow, brain power and eyesight. However, it is primarily a circulatory herb used for treating vascular diseases. Ginkgo Biloba is also useful in lowering the risk of atherosclerosis, thrombosis and heart attack since it may help remove plaque from the arteries, neutralize free radicals, prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol and platelet aggregation.

                                        


  • Turmeric increases the population of receptors for LDL (low-density lipoprotein or “bad”) cholesterol in the liver. This effect directly increases the breakdown of LDL cholesterol and the reduction of blood cholesterol levels.In addition, the antioxidant effect of turmeric inhibits lipid peroxidation and prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.This is important for cardiovascular health because oxidized LDL cholesterol is responsible for the clogging and thickening of the arteries.Lastly, turmeric can also improve cardiovascular health by its anti-platelet action. By preventing platelets from sticking together, turmeric prevents blood clot formation and can, therefore, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

                                      

Most herbal medicines are a blend of herbs specifically chosen for each individual. Please talk to your practitioner about which herbal formulas and supplements for high cholesterol and heart health are right for you.

Causes of High Cholesterol

Three nutrients in your diet make LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels rise:
* Saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals
* Trans fat, found mostly in foods made with hydrogenated oils and fats such as stick margarine,
* Cholesterol, which comes only from animal products.
Learn how to read a food label - Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.


 Overweight
Excess weight tends to increase your LDL level. Also, it typically raises triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood and in food and lowers HDL. Losing the extra pounds may help lower your LSL and triglycerides, while raising your HDL.

Physical Inactivity
Being physically inactive contributes to overweight and can raise LDL and lower HDL. Regular physical activity can raise HDL and lower triglycerides, and can help you lose weight and, in that way, help lower your LDL.
Participate in physical activity of moderate intensity—like brisk walking—for at least 30 minutes on most, and preferably all, days of the week. No time? Break the 30 minutes into three, 10-minute segments during the day.

Smoking
Don't smoke. If you do smoke, our acupuncturist:Jarry Liu can help you quit.

Your Cholesterol Level
You can have high cholesterol and not realize it. Most of people with high cholesterol have no symptoms. So it's important to have your blood cholesterol levels checked. All adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. If you have elevated cholesterol, you'll need to have it tested more often.

Setting your Goal
The main goal in treating high cholesterol is to lower your LDL level. Studies have proven that lowering LDL can prevent heart attacks and reduce deaths from heart disease in both men and women.

Total Cholesterol
Less that 200 mg/dL - Desirable
200-239 mg/dL - Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above - High

LDL Cholesterol
Less than 100 mg/dL - Optimal (ideal)
100-129 mg/dL - Near optimal/ above optimal
130-159 mg/dL - Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL - High
190 mg/dL and above - Very high

HDL Cholesterol
Less than 40 mg/dL Major heart disease risk factor
60 mg/dL and above - Gives some protection against heart disease

Health Tips, Foods and supplements for High Cholesterol

*Simply increase you intake of fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal, whole grains, fruits(like apples), vegetables(like Spinach) , legumes (beans, soybeans). Instead of drinking coffee, drinking green tea is beneficial for many conditions and ailments, and LDL cholesterol is no exception. Drink one cup of green tea daily and you may find that your high LDL cholesterol levels will say their final farewell. 

* Soy products help lower cholesterol levels due to their isoflavone content.

* Include garlic, onions, avocados, salmon, almonds and walnuts in your diet.

* Omega-3 oils such as flax seed oil and fish oil helps lower cholesterol.

* Copper and chromium are minerals that have been shown to lower cholesterol levels.

So except taking acupuncture , cupping or Chinese herbal medicine. Treating patients with very high cholesterol who also simply needed a change to their diet and lifestyle to improve their health. Keep in mind that this change in diet does not have to be an all-or-nothing overhaul of deprivation and starvation. If you have high cholesterol, start simple:

 Take an apple daily: As with beans, apples are an excellent source of LDL-lowering soluble fiber, primarily pectin. Research published in December 2014 in the European Journal of Nutrition also shows that eating an apple a day (or better yet, two) can slow the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

 Bean sprout: Mung bean sprouts are an excellent source of lecithin which, besides lowering blood cholesterol levels, helps reduce liver fat.


 Onions: Study shows that flavonoids in onions reduced the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad”cholesterol in obese people at risk of heart disease.

Jarry Liu: Registered Acupuncturist with 28 years clinical experience.

Chinese Natural Herbal Mosquito Repellent

Beautiful summer is here, also the Mosquitoes are happy to bite our sweating skin. Mosquitoes don't just whine in your ear and drive you mad with itching, but they also spread disease to more than 700 million people every year. 


 We all know "OFF! Deep Woods" repellent, a product containing about 24% DEET, fared the best. Its protection lasted an average of five hours. In 1998, The Environmental Protection Agency re-evaluated DEET, and found that it is very safe when used according to label directions, and it's not classified as a carcinogen (Cancer-causing agent). The label directions on DEET products will say you should apply it only once a day to exposed skin and outerwear -- not under clothing. Under clothes, it can absorb into the skin more readily, and possibly cause irritation. DEET can also irritate the eyes. 

 Except “OFF!” , Chinese natural herbal mosquito repellent maybe is the safest one without any skin or eyes irritation side-effects. And the best part of this herbal mosquito repellent is that it smells so good. You can hang it in your bedroom or just wear it as a necklace pendant, lol. Here's the ingredients:
Have any skin conditions, acupuncture can help, call oriental acupuncture clinic @ 416-800-3978 for your free consultations!

Acupuncture natural cures and remedies for allergy

Watery Itchy eyes? Sore throat? Runny nose? Sneezing? all these symptoms that recur during specific season of the year(especially Spring and Fall) are a cause of much suffering of a large segment of the population. 

Over-the-counter medicines will ease your symptoms, but acupuncture etc. natural cures and remedies maybe is a better choice while nothing else works well for your allergy.

1. Acupuncture 

Can acupuncture actually help Allergies? 

As early as two thousand years ago, Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) has a detailed records in the treatment of allergies. In TCM, the "Qi" obstruction of lungs, that cause the nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye itching, tongue itching, rash , And even cough, asthma, etc.allergy symptoms.

 When treating seasonal allergies with acupuncture, there is often a quick response. Some patients get some relief after the first visit. Most patients get rid of the annoying itchy eyes,sneezing or running nose etc. symptoms after continuous twice a week treatments for 1 to 3 weeks. 

 Patients are asked to score their nose stuffiness on a zero to ten scale. Zero meaning no stuffiness at all and 10 being the worst possible stuffiness for the patient. A score may be determined before and after the acupuncture treatment. Patients can also determine the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment by tracking the number of sneezes per day and the number of itching episodes around their eyes. 

 After an initial series of treatments, patients come in for further treatments on an as needed basis. Some patients come back in once or twice a year for a booster while others may come more often. In general, patients do better if they avoid sugar and milk in their diets. They have better and longer lasting responses. We have seen many patients who failed medication and allergy shots respond to acupuncture. Patients continue with whatever standard treatments they are currently undergoing while getting acupuncture treatments. Most patients end up significantly reducing or eliminating their dependence on allergy medications.

 Allergies are often associated with weak adrenal, immune, and digestive functions. Natural treatments are used to support and improve those functions and to alleviate hay fever symptoms. For seasonal allergies, beginning natural treatments 1–2 months before the season starts can help reduce the severity of symptoms. While many over-the-counter remedies promise symptomatic relief, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believe that addressing the causes of allergies, treating the root beyond the symptoms, and focusing on balancing the immune system leads to substantial long-term health benefits in managing allergies.
Acupuncture for Asthma (Natural cures and remedies)

Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978 
or Text:416-655-1311
to set up your first appointment!
Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.
So you can experience greater health and well-being!

2. Nutrition

To reduce allergy symptoms, eat a moderately low-fat, high-complex-carbohydrate diet. Drink enough water and green tea daily 
  • Include a lot of the following foods in the diet:
  • Dark green, leafy vegetables
  • Deep yellow and orange vegetables
  • Nettles, bamboo shoots, cabbage, beet tops, beets, carrots, yams
  • Onions, garlic, ginger, cayenne, horseradish
Eliminate the following from the diet:

  • Alcohol, caffeine, and dairy products
  • Bananas and citrus fruit
  • Chocolate
  • Food colorings (tartrazine)
  • Peanuts
  • Red meat
  • Sugar
  • Wheat

 3. Supplements, Vitamins and Minerals:
  • Green tea is a natural antihistamine that’s powerful enough to actually interfere with allergy skin testing. Sip two cups a day, about 2 weeks before allergy season starts, to help avoid congestion.
  • Bioflavonoids (e.g., quercetin, catechin, and hesperidin) - Take 2-3 grams daily. When symptoms are severe, take up to 6 grams. Bioflavonoids are natural antihistamines and strongly anti-allergenic. Bromelain and vitamin C can enhance the action of bioflavonoids. Combination products are available.
  • Flaxseed oil - Take 1 tbsp daily.
  • Probiotics (e.g., lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus) - Take one in the morning and one in the evening, 1-4 billion organisms per capsule.
  • Multivitamin – High potency and customized if possible.
  • Vitamin A - Take 25,000 IUs daily.
  • Vitamin C - Take 1-3 grams 2 to 3 times daily 
  • Vitamin E - Take 400 IUs daily.
  • Zinc - Take 30 mg daily.
4. Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines rarely have significant side effects when used appropriately and at suggested doses. Occasionally, an herb at the prescribed dose causes stomach upset or headache. This may reflect the purity of the preparation or added ingredients, such as synthetic binders or fillers. For this reason, it is recommended that only high-quality products be used. As with all medications, more is not better and overdosing can lead to serious illness and death.
  • Some of the herbs used to treat hay fever symptoms are as follows:
  • Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) - Used as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
  • Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) - Reduces congestion and secretions. It is good for itchy eyes, sneezing, and excess mucus.
  • Gingko (Gingko biloba) - Contains bioflavonoids and is used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
  • Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) - Helps reduce allergic, inflammatory, and histaminic reactions and supports liver function.
  • Red clover (Trifolium pratense) - Helps build the body’s resistance to allergies.
  • Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) - Used as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - Reduces congestion and secretions.
Make a tea of one herb or a combination of herbs. Take 3 to 4 cups a day. If the herbs are in tincture form, combine several of them and take 1 -3 dropper 3 to 4 times a day.

每当花粉期到来时，来问诊的过敏患者就很多。针灸治疗花粉过敏症疗效确切，见效迅速，无副作用，解除症状在一息之间。
中医在治疗过敏症上面有了悠久的历史和详细的记载。早在两千多年前，中国就有对过敏性鼻炎的详细论述。《灵枢‧本神论》中记载：“肺气虚，则鼻塞不利”。中医认为，花粉过敏症是感受时令病邪的侵袭阻碍了肺气，肺气不得肃降，邪气浮扰清窍引起鼻塞、流涕、喷嚏、眼痒、耳痒、颚痒、舌痒、皮疹，甚至出现咳嗽、哮喘等，又称之为“鼻鼽”。

汤熨针石 别有正方


中医治疗花粉过敏症的方法众多，常见的有中药和针灸。在隋代《诸病源候论》中有提出：“肺气通于鼻。肺脏为风冷所乘，则鼻气不和，津液壅塞，而为鼻。冷搏于血气，停结鼻内，故变生肉。其汤熨针石，别有正方。”

使用针灸治疗花粉过敏症的穴位有：风门、心俞穴、肩中俞、前关（下关穴前0.5cm处，刺蝶颚神经节）。可采用近处配穴刺迎香、印堂、上星；远端配穴加列缺、尺泽、曲池。如果患者出现咳嗽、哮喘、皮肤瘙痒，需要医师辩证后加减配穴治疗。

针灸治疗 三大优势


针灸治疗花粉过敏症共有三大优势。第一，疗效快，一般针灸当天见效，甚至比注射和口服西药见效还要快。第二，无毒副作用。第三，和中药一样，具有扶正祛邪之功，更会提高抗病能力。
临床发现，“每个人对针灸的接受程度不同，有的快，有的慢一些。”一般扎完之后，患者就有感觉，不适感明显减弱、整个人舒服多了，有的接受好的患者，甚至扎一次就好。常见的是连续扎针2-3次，基本上完全摆脱恼人的发痒、喷嚏、鼻塞症状。对于特别严重的花粉过敏症，需要每周扎2-3次，直到花期结束。本着28年中医针灸经验，东方针灸诊所刘医师仁心仁术为广大患者服务，诊所电话：416-800-3978

Acupuncture and Natural Therapies Options for Digestive Disorders

Bloating, Gas, Abdominal Pain, Fatigue, Constipation, & Heartburn?


It is estimated that approximately 6 million Canadians experience digestive problems on an ongoing basis. This is due to the harmful repercussions of the standard Canadian diet on our population coupled with the high level of stress that the average Canadian experiences. 
Digestive problems can range from minor annoyances, such as gas and bloating, to life-threatening illnesses, such as crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, unremitting diarrhea, and various cancers that target digestive organs. 

Whatever the case, it is always worth being proactive about our digestive health. The information contained here on acupuncture and natural therapies should definitely get you going in the right direction, not only with your digestion but also with your health in general. 

 1. Constipation:
 The standard Canadian diet can easily lead to chronic constipation. This diet is low in fiber and antioxidants and high in difficult to digest additives and refined ingredients. Many, many people are constipated and they don’t even know it. They may have regular bowel movements, but they are still not flushing their systems thoroughly, which creates intestinal toxicity. Intestinal cleansing is often a top priority in healing numerous chronic health problems. There are several natural herbal remedies and nutritional supplements that can relieve constipation and heal the underlying imbalances. 
  • Chinese herbal formulas such as ma zi ren wan and run chang wan are gentle laxatives that are not habit forming. 
  • Aloe vera juice reduces inflammation and promotes peristalsis (smooth muscle contraction in the bowel). 
  • Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal complex that gently eases constipation and removes stagnant waste from the intestines. 
  • Psyllium husk is a high fiber product that alleviates constipation. 
  • Flax meal and seed are excellent high fiber sources for constipation. 
  • Senna leaf is useful for severe constipation. 
2. Diarrhea: 
Chronic diarrhea can be dangerous for your health. It is still one of the leading causes of death in the world. Diarrhea is related to spleen weakness or intestinal inflammation. It is always a top treatment priority to heal this condition. Stress and anxiety can trigger regular bouts of diarrhea, as can processed and refined foods. Here are a few basic remedies for diarrhea: 
  • Chinese herbal formulas such as bu zhong yi qi tang (ginseng and astragalus), si jun qi tang (4 Gentlemen), liu jun zi tang (6 Gentlemen), and jin gui shen qi tang (rehmannia 8) are helpful for alleviating diarrhea due to deficiency. Tong xie yao feng, Isatis Cooling, and jia wei xiao yao wan are helpful for diarrhea due to heat and inflammation. 
  • Western herbs such as slippery elm, chamomile, peppermint, and ginger harmonize and soothe the stomach to stop diarrhea. 
  • Probiotics such as acidophilus are useful as long-term adjuncts in treating diarrhea. 
3. Bloating and gas: These symptoms tend to arise from eating too much or too fast, excessive stress, refined foods, coffee and alcohol, and sugar. Aside from slowing down and eating less of these foods, here are a few herbal suggestions: 
  • Chai hu shu gan wan -- the quintessential Chinese formula for the combination of stress and gas. 
  • Xiao yao wan -- Excellent for digestive problems that arise during menses and excessive stress. 
  • Liu jun zi tang -- Strengthens the spleen and takes phlegm out of the gut, which is often related to gas and bloating. 
  • Acidophilus and bifidus -- Bloating and gas can be related to candida overgrowth, which is a pathological yeast that causes an array of physical and emotional imbalances. 
4. Irritable bowel Syndrome: 

 IBS is a very common problem that affects millions of Canadians. Doctors will often diagnose IBS when the patient’s symptoms don’t seem to match up with anything else, so they call it irritable bowel. This disorder is characterized by bowels fluctuating from constipation to diarrhea with intermittent abdominal pain or distention. People with IBS tend to be sensitive to a variety of foods including high fiber foods, refined sugar, wheat, and gluten products. Symptoms can continue indefinitely and can be resistant to conventional treatments.We have several patients came for acupuncture for IBS , usually with very positive results. Acupuncture theory asserts that IBS typically involves a disharmony between the liver and the spleen. The liver becomes hyperactive due to stress, anger, and frustration, which causes it to weaken the spleen, causing loose bowels and fatigue. Treatment involves relaxing the liver and strengthening the spleen. 
  • Herbal formulas such as Irritease by K’An Herbals and Isatis Cooling by Health Concerns have proven helpful. 
In general, committing to twice a week acupuncture treatment for 6-10 visits, depending upon the severity and duration of your symptoms, and you will see the improvement with the acupuncture treatment by Jarry(Chinese acupuncturist since 1989).
  • Acidophilus and bifidus can be helpful, as many people with IBS also have candida 
  • Chamomile and peppermint have a soothing effect on the gut and can reduce irritation 
Most digestive disorders respond very well to consistent acupuncture treatment. Making dietary changes that restore and detoxify the gut also enhances treatment progress. Digestion is one of the main reference points for gauging one’s overall health. If there are weaknesses or imbalances here, it is likely that one’s overall health is compromised. Maintaining healthy digestion is an essential component in our quest for optimal health.

Why do I need acupuncture or other natural therapies for my heartburn , why not just take the popular anti-acid medicines like Nexium, Prevacid, Dexilant which may works faster?

Let's take a quick look of the side effects with NEXIUM
People suffering from persistent heartburn and acid reflux disease may turn to AstraZeneca's Nexium (esomerazole) for treatment and relief. But, studies show long-term use of this prescription medication can cause fractures, kidney disease,dementia and other serious side effects. Also since you start taking Nexium, you have to be very careful when you want to stop it. Stopping Nexium (Esomeprazole) Suddenly Can Cause Severe Heartburn.
Don't want any of these side effects, call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic at 416-800-3978 today and start your natural cures and remedies right away, with our acupuncturist's 30+ years clinical experience, you will feel the difference!




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