How to Stretch Your Legs to Improve the Health of Your Liver & Kidney System

Today let me introduce a simple exercise to help you strengthen your liver and kidney systems.

Method: See the linked video clip below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy-_A3uwd8A

Why is this exercise helpful? The answer is very simple. If you want any of your organs to be healthy and strong, you just need to channel your blood and Qi (energy) to the meridian that governs that organ. Look at the meridian chart and you can see that both the liver and the kidney meridians run along the inside face of our legs. When you stretch your legs sideways, these two meridians will feel the tension and get exercised and blood & Qi will be brought there. It is this simple.

Every one of us needs a healthy liver and kidney system. But who need this exercise the most? Certainly those who already have problems or likely will develop liver or kidney problems.

You may develop liver problems if you: 1) Easily get angry as anger hurts liver. 2) Drink too much alcohol. As most of us know, alcohol damages liver. 3) Take drugs routinely. This includes most medicines we take – prescribed or unprescribed. It has been proven that Drugs and chemicals can cause a wide spectrum of liver injury. Liver is the organ that transforms toxic chemicals into nontoxic chemicals to protect our body. Too much toxins will “overwhelm” and damage the liver. If you have any of the above three problems, please do this leg stretch exercise to keep your liver fit.

The following are signs of kidney deficiency: 1) Lower back pain (behind the kidney). 2) Knee and foot ache (especially the next day after you have sex). 3) Too much sex. 4) Loose teeth. 5) Ear ringing. 6) Hair loss. 7) Urinate too often. It’s too often if you need to get up to urinate more than twice each night.8) Night sweats. 9) Dizziness.

Look at the meridian chart more carefully, and you’ll see both the liver and kidney meridians run through the genital area. That’s why this exercise can improve your sex life. This is a natural, healthy and effective way.

Note: Be patient and don’t expect to see results tomorrow. There is an old saying: A thousand-mile trip starts from the first step. But if the first step is the right step, then it’s the last step.

Future Blog:

1.       A simple exercise to strengthen your kidney – A great Tai Chi master’s longevity secret.

80% Gynecological Illnesses Can be Treated with Regulation of Menstrual Cycle

     80% of gynecological illnesses are caused by irregular menstrual cycles.  If the menstrual cycle can be regulated, then many of these gynecological illnesses would disappear by themselves.  Ignoring menstrual irregularities is not smart, as they may cause many unforeseen problems later on in life.   Some common menstrual problems include menstrual cramps, bloating, headaches, spotting, back pain, and irregular cycles, etc.  If these problems are recognized early on and are treated without delay, they are not difficult issues to deal with. 

In treating menstrual problems there are three organs that must be focused on:  the liver, spleen and kidney.  There are two important acupuncture points that, if applied pressure to daily for a couple of minutes, may be extremely beneficial in regulating menstrual cycles and getting rid of the painful symptoms. 

1.       The “San Yin Jiao”

San Yin Jiao is, from a gynecological standpoint, a panacea.  It’s a remedy for just about any female-related illness, so it’s one whose abilities and importance we must value.  The point has a two-way effectiveness; in other words, it can act as both a channel and an absorber, and can either evoke circulation of the blood or slow it, depending on an individual’s physique.  It is very easy to find on the body, located around 7 centimeters above the inner ankle. To find the exact point, feel around the area for a spot of sensitivity. 

2.       The “Ci Liao” Point

This point is located at the base of the spine, and it is also a very important point when it comes to treating gynecological illnesses. As long as there’s a problem with the female reproductive system—no matter if it’s located in the uterus, ovaries, etc.—this spot will be sensitive when applied pressure to.  If this point is massaged frequently, the pain around the point will gradually lessen and disappear, and the corresponding illness will also go away. 

                The points above are very effective external methods in curing gynecological illness; if the body’s internal cycles are regulated as well, the results will be even better.  How to regulate these internal cycles then?  You can take herbal medicines such as Free and Easy Wanderer, or Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (ask a local practitioner about these medicines).  These two medicines are extremely helpful in getting rid of menstrual problems or illnesses causes by menstrual irregularities.  It is effective in treating 70% or more of gynecological illnesses. 

                Free and Easy Wanderer Pills, just as the name suggests, promotes energy and raises spirit, eliminating depression.  Many gynecological illnesses and reproductive problems are directly related to emotional stress and spiritual well-being. 

                What’s the difference between Free and Easy Wanderer Teapills and Free and Easy Wanderer Plus?  The answer lies in the “Plus”.  Free and Easy Wanderer Plus was created on the basis of Free and Easy Wanderer, with an addition of several herbs to reduce internal heat and relieve inflammation.

                If you find that you are easily agitated or upset, often are thirsty and like to drink cold beverages, you should take Free and Easy Wanderer Plus.  If you don’t like to drink water and are not often thirsty, it’s better to take Free and Easy Wanderer.

                In general, you should begin taking the herbs 3 or 4 days before menstruation, and stop taking the herbs temporarily once menstruation begins.  If you feel comfortable with the herbs, it’s okay to take them for an extra two days.  By taking these herbs, you will feel that your menstruation period passes smoothly and without incident. 

                There are several other medicinal regulating methods that also give pretty good results:

                Because menstruation uses up a lot of the body’s energy, after menstruation many people will feel light-headed and weak, having symptoms such as a sore back or leg pain.  This problem is easily solved.  When menstruation is just about to end, take Liu Wei Di Huang teapills.  People who easily get cold can take Shi Quan Da Bu teapills as an alternative, because this can prevent a weak body and energy deficiency. 

                If spotting occurs, it’s often because the spleen is weak or has weak circulation.  This problem can be solved by taking Bu Zhong Yi Qi teapills and eating Chinese red dates/jujubes.  During menstruation, you can also take San Qi in powder form and Ba Zhen. People who get cold easily can also add some brown sugar while taking the herbs.

                If you are not familiar with Chinese Medicine, please ask a local practitioner/acupuncturist about the herbs.  As long as you follow the above methods, I’m sure your gynecological illnesses will be solved.

Future Blog: Losing Weight Should Be an Easy Process

How to Keep Yourself Healthy During the Springtime

                When the frost melts away and the cold disappears, animals wake from their sleep and life blooms everywhere.  This kind of restoration occurs continuously during the springtime, and the vitality can be felt not only in nature, but in everyone’s body as well. This energy is better for our health than the best medicine, so we should use this energy of the seasons to cleanse our body of any chance of disease.

               During the spring, the body’s old sicknesses are the most likely to reappear.  Our immune system, when stimulated, begins attacking the focal point of infection or disease, and as a result the sickness is quickly eliminated. The energy of our immune system exists with the help of our liver, and in the springtime, the liver is the most irritable and easily provoked. During this time, people are more likely to get angry or upset easily.  The gallbladder and liver organs are related here; the liver’s internal heat—what the Chinese call “fire”—travels out of the body through the gallbladder meridian.  Because of this, many people will suddenly develop a bitter taste in their mouth from the gallbladder’s bile, as well as shoulder pain, headache on one side of the head, painful swelling of the breasts, or sharp pain in the thighs or back area.

                Though these symptoms may seem severe, they’re actually quite easy to treat. To get rid of the bile taste, take Xiao Chai Hu Tang pills; for the one-sided headache or painful swelling of breasts, take Free and Easy Wanderer Plus pills; to get rid of shoulder or leg pain take Ping Gan Shu Luo pills.            

                There is a teacher who, during the day is angry at his students, and at night around 11 or 12 (when the gallbladder meridian is most active), he feels increasing pain in his shoulders and cannot sleep.  After massaging the Tai Chong point, located on the liver meridian, the pain immediately stops and he is able to fall asleep.  It is very important to recognize these acupuncture points so that, in cases like the teacher’s, we do not need to find medicine or see a doctor, but rather rid ourselves of the pain.  The Tai Chong point is nearly halfway between the toes and the heel, on the top side of the foot in between the big toe and second toe (see attached image).  It’s not important to get exactly the right point, but feel around the approximate area and massage where you feel pain or sensitivity.

                The skin’s pores are more open during the springtime, so people may find that they get cold more easily, and therefore are more susceptible to coughs, especially coughing continuously at night. This is because coughing is the body’s method to cure itself of the imbalance of internal heat (from the liver) and external cold (from the lungs).

                A helpful tip:  

If your child suddenly develops a cold or high fever, accompanied by coughing, massage his/her  “Tian He Shui” pathway (see attached image), which is located on the inner face of the lower arm, starting at the center base of the wrist and pushing upwards towards the bend in the arm.  Do this about  5-10 minutes, right before his/her bedtime.  

Other discomforts of the springtime may include headaches that begin at the eyes, dizziness and ringing in the ears—these are all signs of excessive internal heat of the liver.  To allow the internal heat to escape the body, you must open up the gallbladder meridian (recall that the gallbladder meridian is the channel by which the liver’s internal heat travels out of the body).  To do this, apply pressure along the gallbladder meridian, which starts at the base of the neck and extends all the way to the pinky toe.  (For a better picture of this and other pathways, see the attached images)  You can also apply pressure along the San Jiao meridian, which essentially is the gallbladder meridian but in the arms instead of the legs. You can also massage the Xin Bao meridian or the Pang Guang meridian, which helps dispel external cold and uses your body’s natural energy in order to get rid of the sickness stored in the body.

Some people find that they easily get muscle cramps during the spring; others have a tendency to develop diarrhea, and still others feel sleepy or fatigued often.  This is another case of the liver’s excessive internal heat, but this time also combined with a weak spleen organ. When the liver is too active, most of the body’s blood flows along the liver meridian; this causes the spleen meridian to be weaker.  This is because the spleen is responsible for delivering the body’s blood and energy to various parts of the body. If the liver is receiving too much of the body’s blood supply, the spleen naturally begins to malfunction and tire.  This is treated with Free and Easy Wanderer pills, Shen Ling Bai Shu pills, Chinese red dates (jujubes), or porridge made of Chinese yam and Job’s tears seeds.  All of the following have the ability to promote the generation of red blood cells, so that the spleen will be restored and the imbalance between the liver and spleen will disappear. 

Next blog: Most Gynecological Illnesses can be treated with Regulation of Menstrual Cycle

What Your Physical Appearance is Trying to Tell You

Skin is your mirror that reflects your body’s good or bad condition.  By only using expensive exfoliates, lotions and washes to clean the exterior surface of that mirror, and not caring about what it means internally, will guarantee that the results do not last long.  Taking care of yourself from inside to out will allow your true beauty to shine. 

This generation’s definition of beauty focuses mainly on facial complexion and hair, and very rarely do people ask what their outer complexion could mean for the inside of their bodies.  If the face looked pallid or washed out, makeup can cover that.  If lip color is too dark or dull, you just put on some lipstick.  If there are color irregularities, concealer takes care of it all.  There are all sorts of cosmetics and facial products out there—the more expensive it is, the more likely it is that people will buy it.  After beginning to use these products, it’s hard to stop, because often times when you’re using the product you see results, but once you stop, it returns to the starting condition.  Because of this, people who seek beauty have become the loyal customers of the cosmetic industry, no matter how psychologically or physiologically addicted to the products they really are.   Has anyone ever considered why it’s so easy to become addicted to cosmetic products?

In actuality, a person’s skin, hair, complexion, build and other physical looks are all reflections of the conditions of the internal organs.  It’s our body’s way of telling us which organs are working normally, and which ones need extra care and attention.  In Chinese medicine theory, the lungs and the skin have an especially close relationship: “The lungs are responsible for skin and hair, and for the opening and closing of skin pores.”  We know that the skin carries out a lot of waste daily, and this waste exits the body in sweat through the pores.  If the pores lose their ability to open and close properly, then the waste is blocked and remains stopped around the pores, causing the skin to become coarse and lose its elasticity.  If the blockage is severe, rashes or pimples may occur.  If you want your skin to be healthy, make sure that your lungs are healthy as well.

If the heart is not working optimally, it will affect skin color and complexion the most.  If the heart cannot pump sufficient amounts of blood to the rest of the body, the skin will be pallid, and lose its natural rosiness.  If the arteries are blocked, then the face will be blotchy and dark in color.  So, if you want your complexion to be naturally rosy and appear revitalized, remember to keep your heart in good shape. 

Malfunctions in the liver and gall are generally caused by anger, anxiety, fear and other negative emotions.   They will leave your skin with blemishes, discolorations and black speckles.  These discolorations frequently appear accompanying problems with menstruation and the mammary/pituitary glands.  Sometimes, headaches or even migraines are an additional symptom.  Many sicknesses arise from anger—for the sake of your beauty as well as your health, it is important that you find reasons to be happy and enjoy life, staying far away from anxiety, fear and anger. 

Another factor that affects cosmetology is weakness of the kidney.  The kidneys are the source of a person’s energy; if they are damaged, it’s like the foundation of a house is being weakened.  Many symptoms of age appear, such as hair losing its luster and strength, teeth loosening, swollen, irritated gums, dizziness, ringing in the ears, back pain and weakness in the legs.  It’s important to keep the kidneys healthy and properly functioning, because if they are weak, the body cannot properly carry out its duties, much less look good on the surface. 

To some people, their reputation and impression on others is very important, so loving to take care of yourself is natural. Beauty is so important, especially for women, that it’s almost an instinct to want to be beautiful.  If being beautiful could become everyone’s motivation in seeking health as well, then I happily wish you success!  See our video: “Beauty comes from this exercise” : This “head bumping exercise” will help you channel your blood and Qi to your face and make your face look naturally good.

(Original Author: Zhongli Baren - the author of the best selling health book “Self Help is better than Seeking Doctor’s Help”. The book has been the best selling health book in China since it was first published in 2007. It has been reprinted 12 times within 6 months.

Trisha Han

Mother Nature’s Acupuncture of Austin

Combing Your Head has Many Great Benefits

Combing your head can help solving the following problems: gallbladder problems, mammary gland proliferation, chronicle headache, cardiovascular problems, stroke, hair loss, dizziness, susceptibility to catching cold.

Method: See the linked video clip below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEJmXbN2bO4

First, let’s look at the sides of our head. Look at the meridian and acupuncture point chart, you’ll see gallbladder meridian runs through the sides of our head. There are over 20 acupuncture points on this meridian. By combing the sides of your head, all these acupuncture points will get massaged and the gallbladder meridian will be opened up. If the gallbladder meridian is unclogged, your gallbladder will be healthy and all problems related to gallbladder such as chronicle headache (only one type related to Gallbladder problem), mammary gland proliferation, neck & shoulder tension, muscle aches & fatigue, etc, will be solved.

Then, let’s look at the top of our head. You can see bladder meridian runs through this area. One of Bladder meridian’s roles is to protect us from catching cold. By combing and opening up this meridian, you’ll not be prone to catching cold any more. Also, if you have dizziness. This is caused by insufficient blood in your brain which in turn is caused by clogged governor’s meridian. The governor’s meridian starts from the Baihui point at the very top of our head to our tail bone. Combing this area will help opening up this meridian and get rid of the dizziness. In addition, combing the top of your head may solve your hair loss problem and help you grow new hairs. This is simply because combing brings blood and nutrition to this area.

Combing the head has other benefits. Since we humans have emotions like anger, fear, anxiety and excitement, our brain works very hard all the time to keep up with these emotions. This makes our Qi (energy) and blood rushes to our head actively. So, it’s very important to keep our head unclogged. How do we do that? Comb our head, all over the head - sides, top and the back. This is a very important way of keeping us healthy and ancient Chinese doctors asked us to do this every day. (Note: as we talked about in our previously blogs, the “Walking on Your knee” and “standing on One Leg” practice can help channel blood and Qi to our lower body and keep our head unclogged).

How many times should we comb our head each day? At least 300 times. This seems a lot but actually not. If you have more time, make it 600 times each day. Some people may ask: what if this will hurt my scalp? Use a comb with rounded tips, not sharp tips.

Note: This is a long term project and we cannot expect to see results tomorrow.  But how about after one year, two years? You’ll be definitely  reaping benefits.

Future Blog:

1.       How to stretch your legs to improve the health of your liver and kidney.

Trisha Han, M.S., L. Acu.

How to Manage Menstrual Pain with a Natural Approach

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of women suffer from menstrual pain. I am very surprised that many of them regard pain as normal during their period.  Some may choose to take pain killers to ease the pain, which doesn’t solve the problem.  Pain killers mask the symptoms and do not address the real problem. 

In Chinese medicine, we think pain is related to qi (energy) and blood stagnation.  Cramping pain during menstruation can be due to cold entering the lower abdomen or a blockage of the channel or meridian.  Where there is obstruction, there is pain.  Part of the reason women have menstrual pain is because of lifestyle & diet, and part of the reason is due to an obstruction of the normal flow of qi (energy).  Stress can cause stagnation in your body, which in turn, causes pain.  External pathogens like cold and damp can also block the meridians, causing stagnation and pain.  Most women are happy to learn that there are several things that women can do by themselves, at home, to relieve their menstrual cramps. 

So, what can we women do at home to prevent menstrual pain?  First, let’s talk about how you dress.  When you are in the midst of your menstrual cycle, your body is weaker than normal, so it’s important to dress properly.  Make sure that your lower abdomen is completely covered and warm.  In cold weather, try not to expose your feet, legs, and abdomen.  You can also use a heating pad to warm the lower abdomen to relieve pain.  If you can’t afford a heating pad, you can fill a sock with rice and microwave it for 30 – 60 seconds and apply to the abdomen.  Secondly, diet is very important in how your body reacts during your period.  You should stop taking any cold foods and beverages before and during your menstrual cycle.  For example, foods and drinks that you want to avoid are ice, raw vegetables, cold salads, ice cream, and cold beverages.  Good things to replace these foods are warm teas and soups.  If you’re craving something sweet a bit of dark chocolate or a warm soup with rice, brown sugar, and dates, can satiate your sweet tooth.  Another favorite dietary tip is fresh ginger tea with brown sugar, which can be very warming and soothe the stomach.  Ginger tea also helps to promote blood flow and ease pain.   Instead of having a cold salad or raw vegetables, you can bake some vegetables with a little olive oil.  Why should we make these changes in diet and how we dress?  In Chinese medicine, it is understood that cold can easily “invade” the uterus, which inevitably causes that old familiar cramping pain.  These small changes can greatly affect how you feel during that “time of the month”. 

For women who suffer from severe menstrual pain, acupuncture is recommended, as well as taking some natural Chinese herbs.  Acupuncture can be helpful to move qi (energy) and move blood if it’s stagnated.  Herbal medicine can be helpful to resolve blood stagnation and stop pain.  The combination of the two can regulate qi (energy), break up blood stagnation, and resolve pain.  There are two Chinese herbal formulas, in particular, that are used to ease menstrual pain.  One focuses on rebuilding and moving blood, while the other works on moving blood, clearing stagnation, and stopping pain. 

Whether your menstrual pain is mild or severe, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be very effective in stopping pain and cramping.  The combination of dietary and dress recommendations, as well as acupuncture and herbal medicine, can greatly affect how you feel during your menstrual period.  If you are looking for a gentle and effective treatment for menstrual pain management, acupuncture may be right for you. 

Future Blog Topic: 80% of gynecological illnesses can be treated with regulation of menstrual cycle

           

Tapping Your Fingers—Send Your Depression away happily

Close your eyes gently, and, while humming your favorite tune, tap your fingers on top of a table or your lap lightly and rhythmically.  The method is easy and seems simple, but it will help you rise out of melancholy, chasing away your fears and worries.  Additionally, you will be more energetic every day, because in this exercise your spirit and body work together, and your spirit brings energy from the universe around you. 

See Video Link Below: (Note: The speaker in the video is my model - Michelle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfubOaeYpPs

Psychological illnesses are often very hard to understand and resolve.  Depression isn’t something that can be “talked out of”, and it certainly can’t be avoided by persuasion or reason.  Depression affects people from all walks of life, even those such as experts and professors.  But in the case of a psychological illness, no amount of knowledge could offer them solace.  Sometimes, it can even be a further burden on the patient.  Many patients just want to cry, and feel like they have been wronged in some inexplicable way.  Others want to let out all the emotions in their heart, but can’t find anyone to talk to, and it’s as if no one could really understand.  When a person becomes depressed, their family and friends likewise feel the effects, and try to seek out professional care or medicinal aid for them on a daily basis.  As a result, the family and friends become very distressed as well and live under a constant source of anxiety

The above method is one easy way of lessening the symptoms and affects of depression.  A ninety-year old man was once asked what his secret to longevity was.  He smiled and said, “It’s not much.  I just hum my favorite music every day, and tap my fingers to it.”  At the time he was asked, this man was still articulate, energetic and could see and hear very well.  What’s more, his cheerfulness and health left an impression that his method of humming and tapping fingers worked well for him.  An old Chinese proverb says, “The ten fingers are connected to the heart.”  As long as you close your eyes and lightly tap your fingers on a table, you will immediately find your heart’s energy.  This energy is the most precious and powerful within the body. 

Why is finger tapping so helpful? Because all 10 fingers have acupuncture point “shi xuan” located at the finger tips. “Shi Xuan” means “ten dispersing”. These points helps to equilibrate mood, lift up sprits. Other use: restore consciousness after heat stroke, coma, high fever, etc.

In life, there are many small, overlooked details.  Often times, it’s these neglected things that can cause the greatest changes in a person’s life.  So try it, next time you are feeling melancholy.  Close your eyes, hum your favorite tune, and lightly tap your fingers on the top of a desk.  It’s very easy, but you may find that your energy improves, as well as your outlook on life itself. 

Next Two Blogs:

1. What your physical appearance is trying to tell you?

2. How to Comb Your Head to Improve the function of Your Gallbladder and Health

Trisha Han
Mother Nature's Acupuncture of Austin