Healthy Snacks and Lunches for Back to School

By Junie Norfleet, L.Ac.

The start of school brings the challenge of a healthy snack or lunch that is easily packed. Below you will find some suggestions, but first some information on the systems of the Spleen and Stomach.

The Spleen and Stomach systems are an integral part of digestion in Chinese medicine. The Stomach system must have some "heat" to begin the digestive process. Too many hot, spicy foods can create too much "heat" and disrupt the digestive process. The Spleen system can become depleted if we consume too many "cold" items. "Cold" can be temperature cold, or energetically cold. For example, raw foods and soy products are energetically cold.

The Spleen system is strengthened by the taste of sweet. Sweet from a Chinese medicine perspective is the sweetness of rice. In our culture, many people would not recognize that rice is sweet, because we are so accustomed to the sweetness of refined sugar. Eating rice, sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots will strengthen the spleen.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, it is strengthening to the digestive system for foods to be lightly cooked. A weak digestive system will not be able to absorb nutrients adequately, so it aids the digestive process to begin the break down of foods by lightly cooking them.

Preparing a bento box can be a fun way of introducing less "traditional" foods into the lunch. Bento boxes were designed in Japan and are becoming more popular in North America recently. A bento lunch is a compact, balanced, visually appealing meal packed in a box. There are many websites that discuss bento boxes. They include ideas for taking advantage of leftovers when preparing a bento box and elaborate or simple meals that can be prepared ahead of time. This website has a lot of great ideas that can give you inspiration for lunches: click here

Fresh vegetables are great fillers for bento boxes. Cutting them into special shapes can make the food more attractive to a picky eater. Carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and green peppers are easy to add to bento boxes. Add a small container of almond butter (less oil than using peanut butter), hummus, or Lemon Tahini dressing (quarter cup tahini, 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil, 1 clove garlic, juice of 1 lemon, half tsp tamari, third cup water), as a dipping sauce. (This recipe and the recipe for Apricot Kudzu Custard below are from Feeding the Whole Family, Recipes for Babies, Young Children, and Their Parents by Cynthia Lair.)

Healthy snacks can be made from leftovers: just mix cooked rice with leftover vegetables. For small children, a fun snack (or breakfast) can be made by warming cooked rice and sweet potatoes (or winter squash in the winter) in some rice milk and adding some walnuts or seeds to add texture. Below is a recipe for a seed mixture that is great to add as a topping for vegetables or just to eat as a snack.

Take the seeds that are the same physical sizes and dry fry or toast them. (To dry fry, just put the seeds in a frying pan without oil and heat until the seeds pop.)

Seed Mixture

Quarter cup of each of the following:
black sesame
white sesame
gold flax
brown flax
pumpkin seeds
unsalted sunflower seeds

Mix all these together after dry frying.

You can learn to use your left over rice to make sushi rolls. Cucumber, carrot, asparagus, and avocado can be added to make sushi interesting. Sushi rolls make a great addition to a bento box.

Nuts are healthy snacks. Walnuts and almonds are better choices, because they are not as oily as peanuts and cashews. Overeating oily nuts can congest the liver.

According to Paul Pitchford in Healing With Whole Foods, goat milk is more easily digested than dairy products, because the curd is softer and the fat globules are smaller. Add rosemary and/or basil (or spices of your choosing) to goat cheese and spread it on rice crackers. Berries and other fruits can be easily added to goat yogurt for a sweet snack. The darker the berry, the more it nourishes blood, so blue and black berries are excellent choices.

Fruits are also good snacks, with local fruits being better choices. Remember that fruit sugar is still sugar, and that too much sugar can deplete the Spleen system.

Another sweet snack is Apricot Kudzu Custard:
Prep time 5-10 minutes
Makes 4 servings
2 Tbs Kudzu
2 cups apricot juice (or any juice of your choice)
2 tsp tahini
1 tsp vanilla extract

Dissolve the kudzu in cold or room temperature apricot juice. Put mixture in a small pan over medium heat, stirring constantly. As mixture simmers, it becomes clear and thick. Once this happens, remove from heat. Add tahini and vanilla; mix well. Serve immediately, custard will get rubbery if allowed to cool to room temperature.

Have fun with these suggestions and invite your child to learn how to make some of these snacks, too.

Cupping Therapy

By Ann Wolman, L.Ac.

Many patients have experienced cupping as part of their treatment at the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic and have expressed curiosity regarding its origins and uses. Cupping has been widely used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was known as "horn cupping" and/or "bamboo jar therapy." Now cups are almost exclusively made of glass.

Early treatments focused on swellings and purulent swellings; however, over the years, cupping therapy has been expanded to treat a wide variety of complaints including arthritis, muscle tightness, sports injuries, sciatica, the common cold, post-stroke hemiplegia, abdominal and epigastric pain, menstrual cramps, intestinal spasm and even obesity. The use of cupping therapy has spread around the world and is now commonly seen in places as diverse as Cyprus, the Philippines and Turkey.

Cupping is done by creating a vacuum in a cup or jar, usually by means of heat, and applying the cup to the skin to draw up the underlying tissue. The amount of suction can be relatively great or mild depending upon the condition being treated. Usually a cotton ball is held in a pair of hemostats and dipped in alcohol. The cotton is ignited and inserted into the mouth of the cup while it is burning. The cotton ball is withdrawn quickly, and a vacuum is created as the cup is placed firmly against the skin at the desired location.

Cups can be moved (put an oil or liniment on the skin before applying) or left stationary over a particular area, for example, over the lungs to help decongest and ease breathing. Cupping can be combined with the application of liniments and with acupuncture. To remove cups, simply press against the skin at the base of the cup to break the "seal."

There are a few cautionary measures to keep in mind while using cups. Cupping should not be applied where skin is not smooth, or where there is a lot of hair, as it may be difficult to maintain suction under cups. Cupping should also not be applied over any abrasions or cuts. Smaller cups are often used around joints because they have rounded or angular surfaces. Too many cups placed closely together may pull surrounding tissue and cause pain. Cups should not be moved over bony prominences like the spine. Cups should not be left on for long periods of time (more than 15 minutes) to avoid blistering. Cupping should be avoided in areas where it would not be appropriate to have mild discoloration of the skin, like the face. Do not try to pry cups off from the top when removing them.

Cups can create bruising depending on the strength of the cupping process. This is normal and will resolve like any other bruise, disappearing without special treatment. Be careful not to apply a second group of cups until the skin has returned to its normal color.

Cupping has several advantages. It is safe, as long as it is properly administered, simple to perform, cost-effective and can be done at home as part of a self-care program. Cupping feels good, because it warms the area, releases heat and stagnation and relaxes muscles. I have one 5-year-old patient who regularly requests that "we do that cupping thing" on his back. Cups can be inexpensively purchased at the clinic, and your practitioner will happily go over an individualized treatment plan that can include cupping at home. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Setting a Good Example through Healthy Eating

By Rachel Nowakowski, L.Ac.

At Thanksgiving dinner, I noticed how some kids are willing to try new foods while others reject anything unfamiliar. Like adults, children develop a natural preference for what they eat most often and enjoy. One way to get kids to make healthy choices is by setting a good example. Because the childhood impulse to imitate is strong, you can encourage your child to eat nutritious foods by being a role model.

Spleen qi is responsible for transforming and transporting food essences and absorbing nutrients. In Chinese medicine theory, children are born with underdeveloped Spleen energy. Considering this theory, we must carefully introduce new foods to children. Overindulging in sweet foods will only lead to further Spleen qi deficiency. Because Spleen qi is associated with the sweet flavor, when it is out of balance, we usually crave sweet foods. (Perhaps this is why so many kids seem to be born with a sweet tooth!)

When your kids ask to taste what you're eating, it helps to have your plate filled with nutritious selections. But healthy eating is not just about what we eat, but also how we eat. Eating while under physical or emotional stress can be harmful to the digestion, even if we are eating a perfect diet. Do you eat while in a hurry? While standing up? While under stress? Stress negatively impacts Liver qi. When this excess energy overacts onto the Spleen, digestion will suffer.

We can teach our children healthy eating habits and take special care to protect Spleen qi if we:

Sit down to eat together. Studies show that children and teens, who eat frequent meals with their families, eat more fruits and vegetables (even dark green ones) and drink fewer soft drinks.

Knowing that dinner is served at about the same time every night and that the family will be sitting down together is comforting, which also enhances appetite and digestion.

Relax. Sitting and taking the time to eat slowly and digest helps Spleen qi to break down food properly. When we eat on the run or rush from the table after eating, it sends qi to other parts of the body when we need the qi in our stomachs for digesting. Taking time to give thanks and enjoy the company of your family and friends during meals also sets a good example for children.

Limit mealtime conversation to pleasant topics. Eating together provides time for your child to share what's on his/her mind. Make mealtime an enjoyable experience by avoiding upsetting topics while at the table.

Chew well. How many times have we heard this? Yet many of us tend to speed through meals, barely chewing our food. Digestion begins with chewing. Chinese medicine says the digestive qi works to break down food into a "100 degree soup". If we chew well, food gets broken down before it reaches the stomach and leaves less work for the digestive qi.

Avoid excess fluids while eating. Don't put out the digestive fire by drinking too many fluids. It is best to drink a little at the beginning and at the end of the meal. Not between each bite. Limiting drinks for kids will also keep them from getting full before they've eaten their vegetables!

Other tips to encourage healthy eating:

Get kids involved. Let them help with the grocery shopping. It's a great time for you to teach them about the nutritional values of different foods, and how to read food labels. Let your child help with dinner by washing or peeling the vegetables. Start a vegetable garden at home so your kids can eat what they grow!

Keep only healthy snacks around. Kids are bombarded by messages that counteract your best efforts. Between peer pressure and junk food advertisements, getting your child to eat well might seem like a lost cause. They may choose poorly when they are out of the house, but you can decide what is available to them at home.

Your children are looking to you for direction on how to eat well. Show them how and help your own health at the same time. Research shows that it takes the average child 8-10 presentations of a new food before he/she willingly accepts it. So don't give up.

Have the kids help with this fun and yummy recipe:

Butternut Squash Fries. Peel and remove seeds from squash. Cut into long, 1/2-inch wide strips. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt. Toss the fries to make sure they are evenly coated. Spread fries on a baking sheet. Bake 30-45 minutes, turning to ensure they are crispy on all sides. Enjoy!

Chinese Medicine for Autism: Exploring an Eastern Approach for Helping Children

By Dr. M. Cissy Majebe, O.M.D.

The treatment of Autism with Chinese Medicine (CM) first began to interest me in 1993 when a parent brought a three-year-old, non-verbal child into the clinic. I acquired a special interest in the treatment of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders from working with this child.

Currently, Autism is recognized as a developmental disability with primary symptomology affecting social interaction and communication skills. Autism is a behaviorally-defined syndrome.

Within a Western framework, there are no clear causes of Autism, although it is believed to be a biological neurological disorder affecting brain function. There are strong indicators for a genetic basis, and there is also a growing concern that environmental toxins and pollutions may be contributing factors, as well as viral infections.

Currently, there are no medical tests for the diagnosis of Autism. In regard to treatment, the only real option Western Medicine offers is intervention with early educational programs.

For those of you who may have little experience with Chinese Medicine, let me begin by saving that Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive health care system that has its own system of diagnostics. It includes not only acupuncture, but also herbal medicine, nutritional therapies, Tui Na (massage techniques), aromatherapy, spinal manipulations and lifestyle counseling. CM, as a system, allows the practitioner to utilize different combinations of techniques, based on the constitution and specific needs of the individual.

The World Health Organization recognizes Chinese Medicine's ability to treat many common disorders, including disorders of the bones, muscles and joints, respiratory, gastrointestinal, circulatory and urogenital disorders, addictions, eye, ear, nose and throat disorders and emotional and psychological disorders. It is this history of the effectiveness of CM with psychological and neurological disorders that provides a basis for the effective treatment of Autism.

In CM, Zang-Fu is a term for the organs of the human body. Many of the organ names are familiar terms. These terms refer not only to a physical organ but to the energetic functions of the organ as well. Each organ relates to an emotional response, sensory organ, and soft tissue. Autistic children often experience difficulties with sensory integration. In the treatment of Autism, the three primary organ systems of concern are the Heart, Spleen, and Kidneys; these organ systems are associated with speech, hearing, and taste, respectively.

"On an emotional level, the state of the Heart determines a person's capacity to form meaningful relationships." This quote from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, by Giovanni Maciocia, is paramount to the understanding of Autism within the framework of CM.

According to Chinese Medical theory, autistic individuals suffer from a Heart imbalance that inhibits connecting on an emotional level with other people, including their immediate families. A person with Heart imbalances might manifest a lack of joy in life, anxiety or inappropriate laughter and talking. A person with a Heart Qi disorder could either manifest with excessive talking or aphasia (problems with speaking or an inability to speak).

Children diagnosed with Autism may present with digestive anomalies that may be deemed irrelevant by Western Medicine Physicians. In CM these children exhibit signs and symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Deficiency. On an emotional level, persons with extreme Spleen Qi imbalances often manifest obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Autism is usually diagnosed before the age of three. CM sees this disorder as having a Pre-natal origin, compounded by a Post-natal weakness. The Pre-natal component would translate as genetic influence, whereas the Post-natal aspect would relate to all that has occurred since birth. Pre-natal factors in Autism indicate Kidney involvement. Kidney Qi is important for brain development, along with Heart and Spleen, according to Chinese Medical theory.

Basic methods of diagnosis include observation of the patient, such as listening, smelling, examination by questioning and physical examination by palpation. Observation includes CM specific skills such as tongue, pulse and facial diagnosis. It also includes close attention to how the patient relates to and moves in the world.

In CM, imbalances arise from three different sources: external factors, internal factors and miscellaneous factors.

Wind, Heat, Fire, Cold, Dryness and Dampness are external pathogenic factors in CM. These factors create imbalances that lead to disease.

In CM, Internal Pathological Factors are the Seven Emotions. Each of these emotions is associated with an organ system. Those that relate to Autism include: fear or shock that weakens the Kidney, over-pensiveness that weakens the Spleen and shock and anxiety that weakens the Heart. The over-pensiveness that is discussed in classical Chinese writings is related to the obsessive behaviors or obsessive thought patterns that often manifest in Autism.

Miscellaneous factors include genetic influences, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and excessive mental stimulation, such as an inordinate amount of television viewing. Air pollutants, food additives and preservatives are other miscellaneous factors. Antibiotics and Immunizations are also considered miscellaneous factors.

Phlegm is the primary pathological factor related to the development of Autism in CM. In regard to Autism, Phlegm is generally an External Pathogenic Factor, but it can also manifest from Internal and miscellaneous causes. Phlegm is said to be either substantial or insubstantial, meaning that it can either be the mucous we expectorate and drool or a kind of "fog" that blocks the sensory organs. This "fog" would present itself as poor concentration or hearing, a lack of response to external stimuli, etc. In CM, the diagnosis of Autism generally can be classified as either Phlegm Misting the Heart or Phlegm Fire Harassing the Heart.

The Autistic child will have symptoms that are linked to Heart, Spleen and Kidney imbalances. The Heart imbalance relates to the difficulties the child has in establishing meaningful emotional relationships with others, and communication and speech difficulties. The Spleen deficiency is linked to digestive anomalies that contribute to the development of Phlegm. Kidney involvement is related to the young age at which this condition develops.

The development of Autism is a multi-faceted pathway. There is no single direct cause and effect for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Chinese medicine, although there are a set of co-factors that must be present. Recall that in CM imbalances are related to External, Internal and Miscellaneous factors. The External and Internal factors can be a source of difficulty, but a major focus in Autism is on the Miscellaneous factors. Genetic factors can set the stage, but there must be other co-factors in order for Autism to develop. Nutritional and lifestyle factors must be addressed in the treatment plan. The manifestations of Phlegm and the root cause of Phlegm must be addressed. It is due to the very different pathways in the development of Autism that makes it difficult to assign causality.

As I stated previously, Chinese Medicine treats the constitution and specific needs of the individual, not the disease. With a behaviorally-defined syndrome, such as Autism, such treatment is especially appropriate, because the practitioner is able to accurately diagnosis and treat a patient who may be manifesting any number of diverse and seemingly unrelated symptoms. The foundation for effective treatment in CM would use a multi-tiered approach that includes synergistic CM modalities, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, Tui Na (massage), nutrition, aromatherapy, and manipulative therapies. This multi-tiered approach should include the intervention with early education treatment that Western medicine recommends.

Originally published as an article in various publications in 2002.

Cool Tips for a Hot Summer

By Eric Aufdencamp, L.Ac.

This article focuses on several common home remedies you can use to deal with the heat of summer season.

In Chinese medicine, the summer season corresponds to the Heart. The flavor of the Heart is bitter. Fire is the element associated with the Heart, and red is the color. Fire tends to go upward in the body, just as we know that heat rises in a building.

In herbal medicine, the bitter taste causes descent. When there is excess heat, bitter can help to drain that heat downward. When we prescribe a formula to clear excess heat, we tell our patients that mild diarrhea or loose stools can occur. Heat is being cleared through the bowels. Excess heat in the body dries up the fluids, so it’s important to keep it in check.

Sweat is considered a by-product of the blood in Chinese medicine, so for people with blood deficiency (weak constitutions), it’s important not to sweat excessively or for prolonged periods of time.

Summer-Heat Exhaustion:
If you are out in the sun too long, a quick short-term food therapy you can utilize is watermelon. It is extremely cooling and is excellent at treating severe heat exhaustion. The white meat that is close to the peel is the strongest heat clearing part of the melon. It helps the yin that was depleted from sweating too much.

Pink-Eye (Conjunctivitis):
Make a compress of chrysanthemum or chamomile tea and place over the affected area 3 to 9 times a day depending on the severity of the condition. These two herbs are bitter and have anti-bacteria and anti-viral properties.

Diarrhea:
In Chinese medicine, strong-smelling diarrhea that occurs in the summertime, is often due to damp-heat. The patent remedy Huo Xiang Cheng Qi Tang is an excellent short-term remedy. It can often times be effective for diarrhea from other causes, especially the stomach flu. This remedy is in the first-aid and travel kit sold at the Clinic.

Burns:
For burns of any kind, the Clinic’s burn cream is an excellent remedy that can usually prevent blistering and soothes the pain very quickly. It can stain, so be careful to protect your clothes or sheets. Another remedy that is excellent for burns is lavender essential oil. It is suggested that only medicinal grade oils be used for topical application. The Clinic only sells essential oils that are medical grade and have not been adulterated.

Insect Bites:
White flower oil is a liniment used for inflammatory pain that is worse with heat. It is also an excellent remedy to apply to insect bites. It can help soothe the itching and irritation. It may even be applied for prevention. The strong odor helps mask the natural body scent that attracts most insects.

Poison Ivy:
Due to rising carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere, poison ivy abundance has increased. Studies have shown that increased carbon dioxide levels have also created stronger strains of urushiol, the oil from the plant that makes the skin itch.

A product called Tech-nu Extreme is great to have at home in case of exposure. Tech-nu Extreme is sold at CVS. Use it to wash all the areas that have been, or have possibly been, in contact with poison ivy. The soap is very effective at washing away the urushiol.

The Clinic has blended an essential oil, which is very effective at soothing the irritation and helping the skin heal, if the urushiol has been in contact with the skin long enough to cause an irritation.

Tips for Childhood Immunizations

By Cissy Majebe, L.Ac.

With each new school year, there is a lot of attention given to the vaccinations that are required for the year. Many parents have requested information regarding our recommendations when your child is receiving immunizations.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, an immunization introduces the "medicine" directly into the blood system, where it bypasses the bodies first defense system known as the Wei Qi, or Protective Qi, that is active to help protect us from pathogenic factors. It is this direct introduction into the blood system that can create a negative reaction for some children.

To lessen the chances here are some simple suggestions:

1. Do Not Give your children immunizations when they are already sick. If your child is ill, wait a week and then have your child immunized.

2. After your child has received an immunization, make sure that they eat well, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. (Notice I said water, not fluids, juices or tea are not as useful as water for nourishing the yin fluids of the body.

3. After an injection, give your child a warm bath with 5 drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil and ten drops of Pine in a bath. These essential oils can also be used when your child appears to be coming down with an upper respiratory infection.

4. Learn Gua Sa from one of the practitioners at the office. After immunizations, gua sa the area from the base of the occiput to the bottom of the shoulder blades approximately one inch to each side of the spine.

5. FOOD THERAPY: After immunizations, grind one half cup of black sesame seeds and then cook them for 15 minutes in one cup of liquid. These seeds are high in Omega oils and are useful for clearing heat.

6. A good "over the counter" herbal remedy after immunizations is Yin Qiao San in a tincture form. (Ask your practitioner for dosing.)

If, AFTER all of the above, your child gets a runny nose or a fever, bring them in for an appointment.

The Treatment of Childhood Eczema and Chinese Medicine

By Eric Aufdencamp, L.Ac.

Chinese medicine is very effective in the treatment of childhood eczema. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, refers to inflammation of the skin and a group of other allergic diseases that commonly develop concurrently or later in life. The most common symptoms include: itchy, red, inflamed skin that may be dry and scaly or exude a clear to yellowish fluid. A Western medical diagnosis provides useful information, but the best information for your acupuncturist is the specific symptoms your child has. This information guides the diagnosis and treatment process.

Chinese Medicine and Eczema

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the skin not being properly nourished is the main underlying reason that eczema occurs. The Blood and fluids nourish the skin in Chinese Medicine theory. The manifestations of the condition will reveal the specific disharmony disrupting the flow of Blood to the skin. Although there can be many diagnoses in Chinese medicine, some of the most common are: phlegm and damp accumulation, heat in the Blood and/or Blood deficiency. The root of most childhood eczema is chronic lingering pathogenic factor (LPF). This refers to improper treatment of an illness that your child may not have fully recovered from, or the result of some pharmaceuticals. It is important to determine which factor is predominant for the initial treatment. Below are types of eczema and their causes according to Chinese Medicine theory.

1. Phlegm and Dampness Accumulation: This type of eczema is generally caused by a weakness of the Spleen, which then creates dampness. Symptoms can include: rash with oozing fluids, nasal discharge, productive cough, and skin with a yellowish hue.

2. Heat: The heat may be the result of ‘fetal toxins’ or ‘constitutional weaknesses.’ Symptoms may include: red face, irritability, hot to the touch or hot all the time, restlessness, excessive thirst, and appetite. The lesions may be dry if heat is more prominent than dampness.

3. Qi and Blood Deficiency: This is caused by weakness of the Spleen that produces the Blood that nourishes the skin. Symptoms include: dry, flaky skin with a rash that is not very severe, pale or white face, poor appetite, shadows under eyes. The child may tend to be lethargic.

4. Lingering Pathogenic Factor: Symptoms may include: swollen glands in neck or groin, history of repeated illness, frequent antibiotic use, and immunizations.

5. Accumulation Disorder: This is caused by a weakness of the Spleen causing an accumulation dampness that combines with heat. It can be the result of introducing new foods, which are difficult to digest; frequent feedings, which weaken the Spleen; or the use of antibiotics, which create dampness. Symptoms: red, oozing rash, strong constitution, green nasal discharge, swollen abdomen, foul-smelling stools or scent of apples, red cheeks with green hue around the mouth, and irregular stools.

Home Care for Pediatric Eczema

The root of most cases of childhood eczema is the Spleen/Stomach system. That is why diet is one of the most important ways to treat and prevent childhood eczema.

1. Eliminate: excessively sweet foods such as juices, tropical fruits, peanuts, dairy, oily, fried foods, wheat and all sugar.

2. Put your infant on a regular feeding schedule and don’t feed every time they are fussy or cry.

3. Apply a customized essential oil blend to soothe and heal the skin. It must be extracted without chemical solvents, otherwise it may irritate the skin or have very little to no therapeutic effect.

4. An oatmeal bath helps soothe the itchiness associated with many inflammatory skin conditions.

5. Talk to your acupuncturist about home massage techniques you can perform on your child to strengthen his or her Spleen/Stomach (digestive system) meridians.

6. Avoid steroid creams and ointments, if at all possible. They may drive the causative factor deeper into the body, thereby weakening other internal organs.

Summer First Aid: Using Essential Oils

By M. Cissy Majebe, L.Ac.

As we enter the summer season, there are a number of hazards to which we are exposed. These include insect bites, bee stings, sunburn and a greater likelihood of scrapes and tears, as children and adults alike return to playing outside.

Essential oils are a great way to treat many of these aggravations.

You may have tried essential oils in the past, but it is important that you have good quality oils. I do not recommend the essential oils that are purchased in local retail stores. There are oils that are used for aromatherapy, and there are oils that are medical grade. Medical grade essential oils can be used topically and internally. Oils that are not medical grade are often extracted with solvents or could be adulterated with less expensive or less pure oils.

Here are a few recommendations for using essential oils in this upcoming season. Before using essential oils, remember to only utilize medical grade oils for topical applications.

BEE STINGS AND INSECT BITES:

· Use Tea Tree, Ho Leaf and Eucalyptus Radiata essential oils
· Blend 20 drops of Tea Tree, 10 drops of Ho Leaf, 10 drops of Eucalyptus Radiata
· Apply directly to the area of the bee sting every one half hour until discomfort reduces and then 4-6 times a day

SUNBURN:

· Use a combination of Niaouli, Lavender and Frankincense
· Blend 10 drops of both Niaouli and Frankincense, and 20 drops of Lavender in a one third ounce of almond oil
· Apply topically to the area of the burn every hour while awake until the discomfort is relieved

Remedies for Home and Travel

By Joshua Herr, L.Ac.

We have often been asked, "What herbs should I take with me while I'm traveling out of the country?" or "What herbs do you keep in your medicine cabinet at home?"

These inquiries have led us to compile remedy kits for our patients.

We have 3 Chinese Herbal Medicine kits available for purchase at CAC:

• Home Remedy Kit
• Travel Kit
• Children's Home Remedies Booster Kit

Designed to treat common ailments, each kit comes with complete instructions on its application and dosing guidelines based on age.

The Children's Home Remedy Kit is comprised of tinctures and essential oil remedies. This allows the parent to have immediate access to a remedy so that treatment can begin quickly. We find that having access to herbal remedies at home and being able to begin treatment early can drastically shorten the duration of illness.

If there are questions about dosing or you are unsure which remedy would be the best choice for you or your child, one of our practitioners would be pleased to provide you with guidance.

Teething

By M. Cissy Majebe, L.Ac., & Karen Litton, L.Ac.

Cutting teeth is a rite of passage for all babies. The reaction to this experience varies from child to child. It can be an uncomfortable process for the child and the entire family.

Most cases of teething cause mild discomfort to the child, and some sleepless nights for the child and/or parents. In rare cases, a fever can develop that would require attention.

The channels that pass through the gums are related to the Stomach and Large Intestine Meridians in Chinese Medicine. Interestingly, many babies stop eating when they are getting close to teething -- a natural reaction to clear out the digestive system.

If a child has food stagnation in his stomach when teething starts, there will be more distress for the child when the teeth push through. The extra heat associated with the food stagnation in the stomach combines with the heat in the gums to create discomfort for the child during teething.

With teething, there can be an increase in the following symptoms: sore gums, drooling, wakefulness, irritability, mild temperature, diarrhea with foul-smelling stools, and sometimes a poor appetite just before and during teething.

In treatment, if there is heat, then the practitioner will bring down the heat and help clear the accumulation in the stomach. Acupuncture can also effectively reduce the heat and inflammation in the gums.

There are actions you as a parent can take at home to diminish your child’s discomfort. One of these is the stimulation of certain acupressure points, such as the following:

• Large Intestine 4: located between the thumb and the first finger, on the mound created when you squeeze the thumb to the hand.
• Stomach 40: located half way down the outer leg between the knee and ankle, about an inch off the shin bone.
• Stomach 44: in the webbing between the second third toes.

These points can help take the heat out of the gums, Stomach, and Intestines, thus relieving the child’s discomfort.

There are also herbal formulas and essential oils that can ease the child’s teeth discomfort. One of these is lavender oil. For those sleepless nights, rubbing lavender oil on the child’s stomach can be soothing. In addition, the lavender oil can be rubbed on the above mentioned points or chest. Just this oil’s essence can bring relaxation.

There are also herbal pills, one of which is Suan Zao Ren, which can help with those children, or parents, having difficulty sleeping. Suan Zao Ren also comes as a powder or a tincture.

Your Children: Their Burns, Bruises & “Owees”

By Junie Norfleet, L.Ac.

The weather warmer, and the children being outside more, brings sunburns, insect bites, scrapes, and bruises.

For the prevention of sunburn, we suggest that you follow the suggestions of Dr. Michael Holick, a vitamin D researcher, who suggests that you determine how long it takes for your skin to turn pink and then spend only ¼ of that time outdoors without protection.

If you stay out longer, apply sunscreen and/or add additional clothing to protect the body. Repeat this several times a week, exposing at least 50% of your body each time. This allows your body to get adequate Vitamin D without being "burned" by the sun.

We suggest you check the website: www.cosmeticdatabase.com to investigate safe sunscreen lotions. The first two listed that best meet the study's criteria for safe, low hazard products are:

• California Baby SPF 30+Sun block Stick No Fragrance
• Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen

If there is sunburn, the symptoms are:

• First degree burn - pink skin, some pain, minimal peeling;
• Second degree burn - significant redness of the skin; in some instances blisters with clear, watery fluid; extreme pain lasting several days; significant peeling;
• More severe burns - chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, mild dehydration.

In some instances heat stroke can occur with rapid onset symptoms of fever greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, hot skin, confusion and loss of consciousness. Heat exhaustion symptoms are slower in onset and include cold and clammy skin, extreme sweating but no fever. Heat stroke and/or exhaustion occur due to dehydration, so be sure to stay hydrated.

If there are parts of the body that get missed and therefore "burned," the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic carries a burn cream that is excellent to help soothe the burned skin, whether the burn is from the sun or from a stove or campfire. It helps to cool the heat sensation as well as heal the area.

For insect bites, a blend of essential oils including Basil and Cedarwood is available to help reduce the irritation, itching, and pain. If you decide to create a blend for yourself, please be cautious with Basil for prepubescent children and pregnant women, as Basil can exhaust yang qi. To protect yourself and your children from insect bites, diffuse White Camphor oil in the area as an insect repellant, or use a hydrosol of Citronella, Cedarwood, Peppermint, and Geranium.

For scrapes, we suggest that you wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Soaps with essential oils are good to use since all essential oils are antimicrobial. If the scrape is in an area that is going to be hard to heal due to bending of a joint or body part, we suggest using Zi Cao ointment to keep the area soft and pliable while it heals.

For more serious injuries with unbroken skin, we suggest Dit Da tincture. For sprains and strains, we suggest massaging Dit Da on the injured area several times daily. This tincture is wonderful to move stagnant blood and qi and to help the area to heal. The alcohol base causes it to be best for injuries without broken skin.

We at the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic want you and your children to have safe and happy outdoor time. We encourage you to supply your "first aid kits" with some of the above mentioned items to help ensure good health.