Improve Your Fertility with Acupuncture

by: Yuanling Liu Rd. Lic Ac.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7.3 million women in the United State aged 15-44 had difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term in 2002. Fertility issues affect women and men equally. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), one-third of fertility cases are due to female factor, one-third are due to male factor, and the remaining third due to problems are from both sides or unexplained reasons. Delaying motherhood and modern lifestyle are the main factors contributing to fertility issues.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been proven scientifically to be an effective alternative to conventional assisted reproductive programs as well as complimentary to them. The positive influence of acupuncture on the body are many, specifically in the area of fertility are increase in blood flow to the uterus, thickens endometrial lining, aids implantation, increase ovarian blood flow, better ovarian response, more mature follicle, higher live birth rate, prevention of early miscarriage, increase male sperm count, motility and morphology, stress reduction, promotion of relaxation, reduction of pre-menstrual symptoms, reduction of side effects from hormone treatments.

The British Medical Journal recently published a meta-analysis of seven research trials by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the VU University Amsterdam. Their findings show a 65% increase in in-vitro fertilization with participants who received acupuncture, over those who received ‘sham’ acupuncture or no treatment at all.

Putting action to improve your fertility today by visiting our acupuncture clinic and we will help you to build a healthier body and happier future.

Tips on Stay Healthy and Cool in Summer

by: Yuanling Liu Rd. Lic Ac.

Summer is a season full of Yang energy, and belongs to the fire element. Summer is the season of flourishing as all living things on earth come into blossoming and yielding fruits. How can we utilize the abundant of energy, stay health and cool?

In summer with rising environmental temperature everyone loves to eat cold foods and drink iced beverages, like salad, ice cream, or ice coffee, which can temporally provide some coolness to the body, but also can weaken the functions of the digestion tract and lead to poor appetite and indigestions. How can we stay cool and maintain a good digestion in the hot summer?

• Eat more cooked food, less greasy, or fried foods, which is easier on the digestion system. Many different food herbs can be utilized in a congee or soup form to clear heat and protect the health of stomach and intestines, for examples, Lu Dou (mung bean) congee, He Ye (lotus leaf) congee, Sheng Lu Gen (fresh reed rhizome) congee, Lu Dou pumpkin soup, or Lu Dou and Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower) soup.
• Drink more water or tea to replenish fluid of the body, and green tea is the best choice for cooling. Other recommended teas are: Huo Xiang cooling tea- put a small amount of Huo Xiang (patchouli) and Jue Ming Zi (foetid cassia seeds) into boiling water and serve when it is cool; Jue Hua Zhu Ye tea – use 5-10 grams of white Ju Hua (chrysanthemi flower), Chen Pi (orange peel), Shan Zha (hawthorn fruit) and fresh Zhu Ye (bamboo leaf) and 500 to 1000 cc of boil water and serve it warm or cool.
• Enjoy the abundant of summer fresh fruits and vegetables. Ensure the fruits and vegetables are well washed and appropriately stored, because the growth of the fugues and bacteria are also at the best in the summer. Fresh fruits and vegetables not only help us to cool down, but also replenish the body with the electrolytes, vitamins, and antioxidants. Watermelon is a perfect fruit for the summer to stay cool and hydrated.

Receipts for the Summer

Yi Yi Ren, Bai Bian Dou, and Shan Yao Congee

Ingredients:
¼ cup of Yi Yi Ren (Seeds of Job’s tear) ,
¼ cup of Bai Bian Dou (hyacinth bean),
1½ fresh Shan Yao (Chinese Yam)
Method: Add 4-5 cups of water, boil until congee consistency
Good for: getting rid of dampness, strengthen the Stomach, and tonify the Kidneys.

Gua Pi Guo Ren Soup

Ingredients:
100 grams Xi Gua Pi (watermelon peel),
100 grams peanuts,
50 grams Mai Ya (barley sprout),
50 grams of Yi Yi Ren.
Method: Add enough water to cover all the herbs by one inch above, and cook for 30-45 minutes until soup consistency.
Good for: clear summer heat, dampness and strengthen digestion.

Mung Bean Soup

Ingredients:

60 g (2 oz) mung beans,

1.4 litter (1.5 qt) water,

3 tablespoons white sugar or crystallized rock sugar for taste (6 servings)
Method:
1. Soak beans overnight or least for 4 hours in plenty of water.
2. Place beans in a large pot and add water.
3. Bring to boil, add sugar, stir well, and simmer for 45 minutes to one hour.
4. Let the soup cool, then refrigerate for 1 hour, and serve. This dish can also be served hot.
Good for: Clear summer heat and support the digestion functions.

Getting Iron Naturally

by: Yuanling Liu RD. Lic Ac. Herbalist

Tired of feeling fatigued all the time and don’t have enough energy to do everything you wanted, dry hair, and dry skin? You might have blood deficiency in Chinese medicine term; it’s similar to the western term of anemia.

Based on the statistic of 2004 from the US Census Bureau and International Data Base, 3.5millions of Americans have diagnosed with anemia, and many others have normal laboratory testing, but still have blood deficient signs. Anemia is a condition in which there is reduced delivery of oxygen to the tissue of the body leading to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, pale skin (lips, lining of the eyelids, nail beds and palms), insomnia, scanty or no period, or decreased appetite.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, which leads to anemia worldwide, even in the United States. Iron deficiency can be caused by lack of iron in the daily meal, an inability to absorb iron, pregnancy, or blood loss i.e. heavy period, or Gastrointestinal bleeding.

How do you treat iron deficiency anemia? First, understand the cause of your iron deficiency by visiting your health care provider to see if it is a bleeding disorder, or lack of food source or mal-absorption, which can be managed through careful meal selections or using herbs.

It is far better to consume iron rich foods and Chinese medicinal herbs than to take iron supplements. Food is more enjoyable and easier for the body to assimilate, rather than taking concentrated iron pills, which can lead to stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea in some people. Other people can be allergic to the iron binder from the supplement i.e. the sulfate group, and overdosing iron supplement can be fatal.

Foods, high in iron, like meat, poultry, fish, egg, whole grains, and iron-fortified foods like cereals. Iron is easier to be absorbed if it comes from animal source, and the iron availability is less if its source is plant or fortification.

Guidelines in general

• Avoid processed foods, which is harder to digest and the good nutrients are harder to be absorbed.
• Take food contain Vitamin C along with the meal to help with iron absorption, i.e citrus fruits, or tomato.
• Avoid drinking caffeine-containing beverages with the meal, such as coffee, tea, or dark colored soft drinks. Caffeine can inhibit the absorption of iron.
• Soups and stews are easy for the stomach to digest, and iron pot can add some iron to foods.
• Avoid eating large amount of dairy with meal, because calcium can inhibit iron absorption. Don’t take your iron supplement and calcium supplement at the same time!

Non-vegetarians

• Select good quality tender meat, poultry or fish
• Avoid deep fry cooking method and avoid overcooking
• Avoiding eating more than 5oz at one setting

Vegetarians

• Utilize the legumes family regularly i.e. black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lima beans, or lentils. Don’t forget to add tomato or tomato sauce to help you get the iron.
• Go nuts with snacks i.e. cashew, pistachio nuts or sunflower seeds.
• Choose whole grains, or wheat bread, they are not only healthier, they contain more natural iron too.
• Add some dried fruits to your cereals, salads, or snack mix
• The general rules above are emphasized for vegetarians.

Iron deficiency takes up to 3 to 6 month to improve depending on its severity and cause(s). If the iron deficiency symptoms did not improve after following the above rules, the next step should be adding Chinese medicinal herbs into your daily meals, and make sure you consult with an herbalist; not all blood deficiencies are the same. Chinese herbal medicine has over 5,000 years of history and they all came from natural source. Again, natural source is easier for the body to assimilate.

Four-Substance Decoction (Si Wu Tang) is the most basic and the simplest Chinese classic herbal formula for blood deficiency. This formula has only four ingredients, namely: Rehmanniae Glutinosae Conquitae, Paeoniae Lactiflorae, Angelicae Sinensis, and Ligustici Chuanxiong, and has nearly one thousand years of clinical application. In addition, Rehmanniae and Angelicae Sinensis are rich in iron. This formula helps to nourish the blood, and promotes better blood circulation, and enables the body to function more efficiently. Many iron deficient people have a sluggish digestion system. Some herbs, such as Fructus Amomi, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, good old ginger, or Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, which have been proven to promote better flow of digestive functions can be used to corrective this condition. Others can have weak digestive system will require energy boosting herbs like Astragalus Membranacei, Ginseng, Jujubae, or Liqorice. There are also many other classic formulae for improving digestion, boosting energy, and nourishing blood.

In addition to iron rich foods and herbs, regular daily exercises or activities are also very important. Activities like walking, swimming, yoga, or Tai ji/Qigong help better circulation of energy and blood, which in turn can improve metabolism, strengthen gastrointestinal system and lead to a better digestion and absorption of iron.

Improve Your Allergy with Acupuncture and Herbs

Spring is the season of birth, growth, and blossoming, and all living things become to life and flourish. Spring can also be very challenging for people who have allergies. Are you tired of using over-the–counter drugs to relieve allergy symptoms every year with unwanted side-effects? Are you ready to explore Mother Nature’s ways of supporting the body? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a better solution to address the causes of the allergy symptoms, treating the whole person, identifying and correcting the imbalances in the system and organs in order to support the immune system and to create better health by managing allergies for the long term.

How effective is TCM in the treatment of seasonal allergies? According to a study published in the September 2004 issue of Allergy magazine, the researchers concluded that combination of Chinese herb and weekly acupuncture sessions showed promise as a treatment for relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Come to New England Acupuncture & Oriental Herbal Services for your customized treatment plan. We offer a full evaluation, acupuncture treatments, customized herbal prescriptions, life style and eating habits suggestions to improve your overall health condition and to manage your allergies.

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