Once again, we saw these circle marks on the Olympic athletes. They are marks from cupping, https://acupuncturechinamedical.com/therapie/cupping-%e6%8b%94%e7%bd%90/
Cupping
Qigong daily Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)
Qigong Standing Meditation requires: Loose or relax, Quite, Sinking; Inhale – drawing the abdomen, lifting up the anus (strengthen external anal sphincter); Exhale – expanding the belly and kidney, relaxing anal sphincter.
The Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang) is a basic technique for the internal style of Chinese martial arts. As the saying goes, “To learn how to fight, one must start with Zhuang; to learn how to punch, one must first practice Zhuang.” Zhuang (literally, a stake) is a metaphor for the body standing fixed and firm like a wood stake. The standing meditation is based upon the standing posture while the body is maintained in a specific posture. It can hold the entire body or a certain part of the body in a sustained static state with a certain degree of tightness in force.
The standing meditation is not only a basis of Chinese martial arts, but also a preventive health exercise. It comprised of both physical and energetic skill sets. According to the research, the standing meditation regulates nervous system, promotes blood circulation and metabolism, improves immunity, and mobilizes the body’s own functions to prevent or treat disease. Standing mediation helps reducing pain, stress, anxiety and depression, improving chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue and insomnia. It also benefits healthy people who wish to increase their energy level further. The standing meditation is a perfect entry point for anyone wanting to learn to Qigong meditation properly while strengthening and healing their bodies at the same time. Starting daily standing meditation as little as five minutes would suffice the benefits. Once one mastered the Qigong meditation properly, he/she can meditate as long as two hours.
Curative Power of Food for Fall
- Dry lotus seeds, mung bean, coxi seeds (Job’s tears);
- Porridge;
- Asian pear;
- Persimmon;
- Jujube;
- Chinese yam;
- Chinese yam dish;
- White radish;
- Rib and white radish soup.
Food is the best medicine. According to Chinese medicine, Autumn governs the lungs, the five-element is gold, and the color is white. So in order to nourish the lungs, Chinese medicine suggests to eat more white foods in Fall.
I am going to introduce major benefits of Job’s tears, since it’s one of Chinese herbs.
Job’s tears is also know as Chinese pearl barley or coix seed. In Chinese medicine, it enters Spleen, Lung and Kidney meridians. Job’s tears has the following main actions and indications:
- It improves digestion, strengthens the Spleen and stops diarrhea.
- It promotes urination and leaches out dampness: for edema, urinary difficulty.
- It enhances the Lung function. It clears Lung heat and expels Lung or Intestinal abscess.
- It expels wind-dampness. Especially effective for increasing joint mobility and reducing spasms in chronic conditions such as muscle spasm, arthritis pain and muscular rigidity.
- It clears damp-heat: for any damp-heat disorders at any level characterized by a greasy tongue coating and digested problems.
6. An active ingredient, Coixenolide is an effective ingredient for anti-cancer.
Use with caution during pregnancy.
Job’s tears is available at Amazon, or local Asian supermarket.
Chinese White Fungus for clearing Lung heat and Liver detoxification during Fires
White fungus, dried lotus seeds and dried Chinese dates jujube soup. Instant pot, select slow cooker, 8 hours; or high pressure, 1 hour.
White fungus is also known as snow ear fungus, silver ear fungus and white wood ear. It belongs to the mushroom family.
White fungus has been used as one of Chinese herbs because of its medicinal benefits. It tastes sweet and goes to the lung channel. It is commonly used for healing dry coughs, dry skin, clearing heat in the lungs, nourishing the bodies. Modern study has shown white fungus has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor benefits. Hence, it can improve our bodies’ immune system.
There is a very popular desert recipe in Chinese culture, called rock sugar and white fungus soup. It can help lung function, moisten skin. Eating white fungus can also help to keep our skin young, it is believed that because of its collagen content. Personally I prefer not to put any sugar.
There are precautions to eat white fungus. If you aversion to cold, cough with a lot of phlegm, or have diarrhea, don’t eat white fungus. If you are not sure, please consult local acupuncturists.
White fungus can be purchased from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/White-Fungus-Mushroom-Tremella-Premium/dp/B00S13TG0I
Cupping treatment for pain
Cupping treatment promotes blood circulation and helps to remove the blood stagnation that caused pain. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is a saying that goes “不通则痛”, which translates as “if there are blockages in your body, you will feel pain.” The video below demonstrated how traditional glass cupping treatment was done.
Acupuncture works for kids
Treated a 10 years old boy with sprained feet. Left needles on for 10 minutes with elevated legs. He felt 30% less in pain and the swelling got reduced after the first session. After the second session next day, he felt 60% less in pain. He felt 85% better after the third treatment.
Integrate Tai Chi into Your Daily Routine
Tai chi is a special form of exercise originating in ancient China. The name, Tai chi, translates as ‘Supreme Ultimate Exercise’ or ‘Skill’. Initially, it began as a martial arts practice but developed into forms that the ordinary person can easily adapt as part of a daily routine. Tai chi exercises consist of flowing, relaxed physical movements coordinated with the breath. This effectively links the body and mind in an effort to maintain optimum health.
When we practice Tai chi we have to keep in mind that we have to leg go our tension in our body. When our tension is let go, our mind is much easy to be calmed. This is the mental part. For our body, when we move slowly, more muscles are needed and this will force more blood to move in our body. It in turned to push heart to pump more blood, so our circulation is improved, and our muscle toning will be improved as well. The purpose of Tai chi is to enhance energy levels without the use of external substances. One way to look at this is to compare waking up with a strong cup of coffee, as opposed to relying on your body’s internal resources to start your day.
Tai chi exercises play out as an eye-pleasing dance in its elegance and grace. Performing them should bring satisfaction and joy. In this way, one can look forward to it and find relief from daily stress. This is different than the rush, or massive energy surge, experienced in competitive sports or other rigorous exercises. Tai chi is appropriate for all age groups and is very popular among seniors in China today.
Many forms of Tai chi exist today and most emphasize the use of relatively easy motions. It doubles as a form of meditation to address issues of the mind. This makes it an excellent choice for those needing to unburden their minds from overthinking or anxious thoughts. A great time to practice is early morning, preferably before eating or after a light breakfast. However, there is really no bad time to practice, although it is not recommended right after a heavy meal.
The one of advantages of practicing Tai chi is people can safely perform on their own. Some forms are as easy as standing with the legs shoulder-width apart, as the arms swing slowly in large circles. Even 10 minutes a day of Tai chi exercise can make a difference in someone’s life.
If you are interested in learning more about Tai chi, I highly recommend my Tai chi master’s new book, Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu (pictures showed on top the page). You can find the book on amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Zhao-Bao-Tai-Chi-Kung/dp/1645704866/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=zhaobao+taichi&qid=1589490358&sr=8-1
Home remedies for Flu/Cold season
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- Ginger + Green onion = Expel cold
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- Asian pears for cough
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- Cabbage tomato and potato soup
Ginger (Sheng Jiang) and Green onion (Cong Bai) Tea
When you just begin to feel the onset of cold or flu especially with chill, sneeze and/or running nose, this ancient remedy is a wonderful easy to sip to treat and prevent symptoms from getting worse. Green onion is an excellent source of vitamin C and K, and a very good source of vitamin A as well. The benefits of ginger and green onion tea are induces light sweating, warms the lungs, alleviates nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, strengthens immunity, and reduces phlegm.
The dosage is flexible. I usually use 15g of ginger, 2 sticks of green onion and 3-4 cups water bring to boil, and simmer for 5 minutes. You may add a tea spoon of honey to the tea if you feel itching or dry of your throat. Please note, if you have been sick for a few days, then this is not the herb formula.
Asian Pears
Asian pears are well known in China as cough remedy for centuries. They are in nature of cold, high in Vitamin C and K, and low in fat and cholesterol. You can eat it as raw with skin peeled off, or if you begin to cough, you can cook it with a spoonful of honey. We all know honey is very effective against infections. You will need to 1. Wash the pear and cut the top of the pear and make a lid, Core out the middle then pour honey into the hole; 3. Cover the lid; 4. Bring it to steam for 20 minutes. 5. Ready to eat, and drink the pear juice with honey. If you don’t find Asian pears, other pears can be used.
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- 3,4
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- 5
However, this remedy will soothe your throat and may reduce your coughing, but it will not cure. If coughing persists, you will need to contact your primary doctor and/or getting acupuncture and herbal treatments.
Chicken soup
Chicken soup is my favorite home healing remedy, as everyone knows the healing power of chicken soup. You can cook with a whole chicken, chicken breast or chicken thighs. I usually like to add a few slices of ginger, some cooking wine, and oyster mushrooms. It’s flexible to add whatever your favorites, most common ones are carrots and celery. If you don’t have chicken to cook, store bought organic chicken broth is always a good alternative. When you are sick, drink more chicken soup than warm water will be possible helpful from getting worse. Cabbage, tomato and potato cook with chicken soup is one of our family’s favorite Winter soups.
Self Acupressure for Pain Relief
These simple and effective methods of acupressure can be safely used to alleviate chronic pain. As always, when engaging in self-acupressure, find a comfortable position before beginning. Take a minute or two for focused deep breathing to ease into a peaceful state.
Head Corner for Headache Relief (Tai Yang)
You can find the Head Corner point on your hairline, roughly in the area just above the end of your eyebrows. If there’s not much hair to judge by, take your best guess. If you imagine your head as a square, the points are at the corners. Apply gentle pressure in a circular motion with the pads of your three middle fingers. Gradually increase the pressure if needed. In addition to alleviating headaches, rubbing here can soothe tired eyes and alleviate nausea.
Welcome Fragrance to Open Sinuses (Ying Xiang)
This point is nestled very close to the nose, at its base, just off to the sides. It is well-known for its ability to open up the sinuses. Try experimenting here with your fingertips by delicately pulling the skin towards your ears, or in a slightly upward direction. The free flow of air can help reduce chronic headaches induce a calming effect by allowing you to deep breathe through your nose.
Union Valley to Move Qi (He Gu)
This point is located near the thumb and is a highly effective point when addressing any kind of pain. To locate, put the thumb and first finger in a position where they are straight but touching each other. The fleshy mound between the two should be visible to the eye and easily located. Apply steady, strong pressure with your opposite thumb, as you make tiny, circular motions.
Commanding Middle Point for Back Pain (Wei Zhong)
This point is conveniently located at the back of the knee, in the center, right where it bends. Use your thumbs to press with moderate to strong pressure. Circular motions or directly pressing this area can help bring relief to chronic lower backache and the pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Curb your food cravings with Acupuncture
It’s a challenge to eat healthy when there is junk food readily available. It only takes a single glimpse or thought of a sweet treat or salty, savory snack for a ravenous craving to kick in.
Over time, these binges, if not controlled, can lead to weight gain, fatigue, muddled thinking, and moodiness, to name a few.
A balanced meal, according to according acupuncture and Oriental medicine, consists of foods that represent all five tastes—sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent. Each taste corresponds with a specific organ channel. By understanding their connection, you can move toward maintaining a healthy appetite.
The five tastes are:
Pungent
Associated with the Lung and Large Intestine pungent tastes include the dry, hot taste found in garlic, ginger, and onions needed to help the lungs properly circulate energy throughout the whole body.
Sweet
Sweet tastes are associated with the stomach and spleen. Fruits, sweet potatoes, and some vegetables like carrots aid in digestion and reduce the toxicity of all foods.
Sour
Liver and Gall Bladder are associated with sour tastes. Sour foods, like pickles or vinegar, help your body metabolize fats better.
Bitter
The bitter taste found in dark chocolate, radish, and bitter gourd removes excess heat from the Heart and Small Intestine helping them function better and pacify negative emotions.
Salty
The salty taste associated with the Kidney and Bladder has a big impact on moistening hard bowels and regulating their movements.
Curbing your cravings takes knowing which system is out of whack. If there is an intense hankering for sweet and salty, this implicates the Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, and Urinary Bladder. The desire for rich, fatty foods can be traced back to the Liver and Gall Bladder.
Since the Spleen and Stomach are associated with obsession, which can certainly be the case in an inability to restrain oneself from devouring all cookies and chips in the kitchen, these are usually the culprit behind every craving. An acupuncture treatment typically includes points to help bolster a sluggish Spleen and other lagging organs.
Acupuncture Works 