Toe Nail Fungus...

If we're suffering from toe nail fungus, it is NOT fun.

Fungus is persistent and tough to beat.

Looking through health websites, you'll find a lot of home remedies like tea tree oil, Vicks Vapor Rub, vinegar and the sorts.

Well, according to Chinese Medicine, all these remedies are only treating the symptoms and are NOT getting to root cause. "The root cause of nail fungus is a Liver energy imbalance..."

Our liver stores blood, and this blood nourishes many areas of our bodies, including our nails. So toe nail fungus is like a blaring sign that says, "there's an energy problem in the liver!!!"

B/c our liver is so crucial, we need to really go in depth. Stay tuned...

Until then, know that herbs that really help support the liver include dandelion root and milk thistle-all which can be bought at a health food store/herb store.

It's worth it fighting the fungus from the inside and out....

G-d bless!!

Check it out:
http://askdrlu.com/2010/08/25/whats-an-effective-treatment-for-toenail-fungus/

Astragalus

I am getting acquainted with a new friend: the herb Astragalus, a native plant in Asia. It is considered as one of the most important herbs in traditional Chinese Medicine.

One key function of this herb is to strengthen the immune system.

In Chinese Medicine, it is believed that the immunity or wei qi hovers around the nose, mouth, and skin. It protects against incoming germs and pathogens. When our immunity or wei qi is compromised, it become easier to catch a cold or just get sick.

Astragalus works by increasing the body's white blood cells (the body's defense system) and acts as a strong anti-biotic-stopping the activity of certain microbes.

The root of astragalus is boiled in water. Either 4 ounces of fresh astragalus root or 3 to 5 tablespoons of dried astragalus root. Boil for a few minutes, strain, and drink.

To read about possible side effects check out http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Astragalus.htm

G-d bless!

Check it out:
http://bodyecology.com/articles/chinese-herbs.php

Sweet Potatoes!!!

It's anti-oxidant powered beta-carotenes, heart-protecting vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin C, potassium, iron, and maganese makes this golden sweet potato a good choice when stocking up the pantry.

According to Chinese Medicine, sweet potatoes is neutral to warming-so, during these winter days, it's a fantastic addition. Plus, they stimulate the spleen to do its work, converting nutrients, phlegm into usable energy, chi (life force), and blood.

Whether they're steamed, boiled, baked, in a soup, on a dish, in cubes, in strips, be suuure to add some fat (oil, butter) so that the carotenes can easily convert into vitamin A.

Sweet potatoes ain't foolin' around.

G-d bless!!!

Check it out:
Whfoods: sweet potatoes

www.acupuncture.mn.com

Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon

Lemon Water

Apparently in chinese medicine, it's advised to begin the day with lemon/lime water/juice. I spoke to a chinese medicine doctor, and she said it would energize my system.

Well, just hearing about it got me all inspired and excited, and I was compelled to write another post about its benefits. (after buying a bunch at the market)

Ok, it's anti-bacterial, anti-fatigue, anti-septic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer.

Hmm, you're likin' these lemons already, ain'tcha?

Fortified with vitaminc C and anti-oxidants, it boosts the immune system and gets rid of free radicals.

Digestion is improved, as it boosts metabolism.

It purifies the blood.

It detoxifies the body.

It stregthens liver functioning,

and helps with urinary tract infections.

There are various other benefits as well. for example:

"Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It rejuvenates the skin and gives a clear, radiant and glowing complexion. "

Beloved, readers

go forth and drink thy lemon water/juice!
(and try not to add sugar)

G-d bless!

Check it out:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-of-lemon-water.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=27

Warming Teas for Winter

Winter has arrived!! After weeks of dryness, the rain is finally come. G-d had a sense of humor and decided to throw in few handfuls of strong winds. And I do mean strong. Especially when my caravan starts shaking left and right.

During these cold days, I naturally reach for a hot cup of tea to warm up. But as I am learning not all teas are made the same.

In Chinese Medicine, it's taught that each food carries a certain "temperature" that affects the body.
For example, when you eat a cucumber, it produces a cooling effect on the body. Which is great to eat during the hot summers. Well, each food can affect the temperature in your body. Hmmm...maybe even produce....wind? (I'm still learning...)

So, tea in it's most unprocessed form is actually cooling. And generally, you want to drink cooling teas in the summer and warming teas in the winter. Green tea falls in the catergory of a cooling tea, good for the summer; and black, roasted teas are best for winter.

I love concocting my own teas, and recently found lists of great warming ingredients that are fit for the cold, windy winter season.
Fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, rosemary, cardamon, anise, and sage will make for fantastic brews. Some you may want to boil or steep in hot water then strain.

I just had a brew of clove, ginger, and cinnamon tea.

Now, I'm going to pull out my heaviest blankets, scarves and socks. In this cold weather, it's very important to keep the neck and kidney area protected As they are vulnerable to the season change and store the body's immune system and life-energy. In fact, in Japan, they have a special scarf called a haramaki to protect the mid-section (kidney area).

So, welcome, high and mighty winds and rain. And please G-d, with Words of prayer and a lil' old Chinese wisdom, we can keep warm and healthy and greet G-d's winter in strength.

G-d bless!!!

Check it out:

http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/chinese-tea-and-health.html

http://rawgourmet.com/blog/winter-chills-craving-warm-food

http://www.naturalnews.com/027908_Chinese_Medicine_kidneys.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5281046.stm (Are teas dehydrating? Check it y'self)

Sugar and Fibroids

Here's an article linking white sugar/flour/high glycemic load and fibroids.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62F55R20100316

excerpt:
"Scientists are not sure why diet might affect the growth of fibroids. One possibility, however, is the effect of foods on blood sugar. Higher-carbohydrate diets can lead to higher insulin levels, which are in turn linked to levels of other hormones thought to encourage fibroid growth."

Why arent scientists sure about diet affecting fibroids. Diet effects EVERYTHING. But the mainstream may not want ppl to know that.

In any case, I wanted this article just to emphasize that white sugar/white flour plays a big role in fibroid growth.

And it's not only diet, but as Dr. Northrup points out in her book, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, fibroids may also be linked to emotional frustration in one's life.

To my absolute glee, this actually fits with the ideas in Chinese Medicine. Writes Beinfeld and Korngold that "when powerful emotions are squeezed down and held back, qi (a person's energy) becomes congested. When this occurs over a long period of time, blood begins to congeal forming lumps and masses."

Fibroids

more on this later....

G-d bless!

Check out:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62F55R20100316

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, Northrup

Nature's Remedies, Vijay Fadia