holistic health

Oct

2018

Wei Qi: How the Body Prevents Colds and Flu According to TCM

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

As a microcosm of the rhythms and fluctuations of the seasons and their elemental factors to which we are inextricably linked, Chinese medicine would consider the result of our health in one season as being a marker of our lifestyle preparations in the previous seasons as well as in the present. With regard to colds and flus, the ability of the immune system to resist external pathogens, be they bacterial, viral, or allergen toxins that result in immune suppression that leaves us ailing and struggling to recover, exists in the strength of ‘Wei Qi.’

A patient texted me asking how my flu kung fu is: i.e. my thoughts on flu shots. I put together the following from the TCM perspective to share in response. Collage by W.Brown, Lic. Ac.

In Chinese medical theory, Wei Qi is fierce, useful, combative energy from nutrition, says the Lingshu, a medical text compiled in the 1st century BCE, one of two parts of a larger work known as the Huangdi Neijing, the Yellow Emporer’s Divine Classic. Wei Qi is lively and agitated and circulates in superficial tissues, skin, connective tissue, muscles and peritoneum. It radiates to the chest and abdomen. According to the classics, it does not circulate through the meridians but rather flows through the face, trunk, and limbs during the day, and at night through the viscera. Wei Qi protects the body from external perverse energies by opening and closing pores and warming connective tissues. It concentrates at the sites of acupuncture points, the “Holes of Qi,” per se. Wei Qi represents the whole immune system, from leukocytes to anti-bodies, histamine, bradykinin and serotonin.

In Chinese medicine it is an intrinsic reference to discuss “wind gates” and “wind invasion or wind penetration.” The neck, sides of the head, forehead, and upper back according to TCM are conduits whereby externally contracted pathogenic wind can gain entry to the body. Fierce Wei Qi is the primary way the body resists an invasion. Nutritional status, inadequate rest, excessive consumption of alcohol, among other lifestyle factors may lead to the impairment of Wei Qi. It is always advisable to adequately keep wind gates covered, interestingly, in every season to varying degrees. The migration of wind inside the superficial levels of the body can lead to cold and flu symptoms exhibited as chills, body aches, headache, runny nose, congestion, cough and fever. Vulnerability in externally contracting wind is increased by damp hair. We are far more empowered than we may realize in the ways to govern our health and be master of our own unfolding. The timeless ways of Traditional Chinese medicine can be an invaluable guide to reeducating our modern misconceptions and to show us the way.

Water Element in Nature

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

Shuǐ 水

We are microcosms of the natural world, unfolding our human destiny on a beautiful blue planet where a mosaic of water nourishes and patterns life.

Attuned to nature’s rhythms and vibrations, in essence, we are one and the same.

Though this world seems stable and solid, nothing here is permanent; but like water, snow, and ice, life is always shifting and taking form.

Winter is the time of energy storage and of hibernation. Through resonance of water in its contracted state, very subtle patterns can emerge to be sensed in this phase of inward vision.

Ever-remembering that in a great storm the wise bird returns to her nest and waits patiently, surrendering to winter’s depths. Nature’s icy retreat instills hibernation and inner reflection.

The water element is expressed in the season of winter which carries information of recharging and renewing.

Reverently entering nature and observing the flow of streams, rivers, and waterfalls is, in itself, one of the natural remedies for a troubled mind. Water benefits the ten thousand things and yet does not compete with them. Water dwells in places the masses of people detest. People detest such places not because they are bad, but because they are unfamiliar; they are held back by fear of the unknown or thrust forward in fearful arrogance, in either manner not trusting in the Tao.

The emotion of fear ultimately causes difficulties. Learning to move gracefully around obstacles, like water does, is one of the aims of T’ai Chi.

The flow of Tao, wherever it may go, leads one to unusual places, but places meant to be visited by those who have devoted themselves to the Way.

Life is a dream and we can dream new dreams.

May all beneficent aspirations be fulfilled

Jan

2018

Acupuncture Detoxification Treatment

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

ACUPUNCTURE DETOX

Approach to Breaking Chemical Addiction

Abstinence-Oriented

Chemical-Free

No-Nonsense

Image© W.Brown/ECOMA, 2008

Treatment begins with the patient lying down, as during a regular acupuncture session. Alternately, a group gathers, where individuals are seated in chairs to undergo acu-detox treatment in the presence of one another. Groups are offered at a significantly reduced cost. A peaceful treatment atmosphere can be expected in both individual and group settings. The Acu-Detox treatment is based on the insertion of fine gauge, sterile acupuncture needles into the 5 detox points of each ear, for up to 40 minutes. The 5 detox points have been shown to effectively address the major organs of the body and brain chemistry that are negatively impacted by the effects of substance usage. The points relate to the lungs, kidneys, liver, sympathetic nervous system, and ‘Spirit’s Gate’, an acupuncture point that stimulates the harmonizing of Heart-Spirit, reducing mental-emotional and physical pain, and reducing effects of craving. The treatment affects the organs and bodily functions that cleanse and balance the body and support overall well-being. Chinese herbs are additionally offered to promote supportive results between Acu-Detox sessions.

Asheville Citizen-Times, January 1995, Acupuncture-Detox article featuring Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac. performing treatment

Further Reading

• Acupuncture Detox for Chemical Addiction Cessation

• Acupuncture and Endorphins

Start your new, healthy flow. This is a program that works! The nature of addiction is insidious and people need to know there is a successful path available. Please share & contact for an appointment: (828)281-4330

Jun

2017

Ted X on Taoist Cosmology

Acupuncturists routinely have to give an easily digestable rendition of Chinese medicine, which necessarily delves back interconnected step by step, succinctly, to describe the theory as a whole. If you were having tea with someone who adlibbed about Taoist reality as this man has, it would be a fascinating time spent listening to an engaging, well-woven, true story.

Stephen Russell is a controversial though acclaimed interpreter of the philosophy and methods of ancient Taoists. He teaches how these may be best ‘deployed to ameliorate the human condition from the inside out.’

Enjoy & Share

Jan

2017

Qigong Self-Massage

by Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

Cultivation by Chinese internal and Qigong exercises helps to improve and develop internal energy – true Qi. Self-massage is a simple yet important aspect of practice. Dao Yin and Qi Gong daily practice is beneficial, keeping the spirit and body supple and strong. Avoid taxing vital Qi with meaningless forms of exercise. Taoists and martial artists have preserved Jing essence for millennia by concentrating Qi flow to organs, joints, and musculature without undue strain on the body. Additionally, Qigong self-massage is an excellent health practice that stimulates acupoints to bring quiet to the mind and awaken and refresh the body with renewed vital energy. Such gentle Dao Yin daily practices help all people of every age. ☯︎︎

Dec

2016

Winter Solstice Qi Node · Dōng Zhì 冬至

✍️Wᴇɴᴅʏ Bʀᴏᴡɴ 文婷中医

Winter Solstice · Dong Zhi · 冬至 · Qi Node begins on December 21st – 22nd

This is the point in the year where the extreme of Yin energy is upon us, and hence, in the Universal balancing of Yin-Yang, Yang begins its return. In so, we enjoy the increasing presence of light. Warmth, rest, and reflection puts us in harmony with the contractive Yin nature of Winter. Keep Yang Qi strong by avoiding prolonged exposure to cold. Eat warming, nourishing foods. Sleep, but not too long as too much sleep produces too much Yin. Move, but in a gentle manner, as with T’ai Chi Chuan and Gentle, Yin, Restorative yogas. Mindfully preserve Kidney Essence and keep a conservative perspective with regard to bedroom activity. Introspection is called for. Contemplate your forthcoming life, reveling in the austere beauty of this moment and season.

Heaven engenders water to make Earth fertile.

Water dwells in the North, is the season of Winter, and among viscera pertains to Kidney.

Water represents the elemental trigram of Kǎn☵ in the iChing Book of Changes.

Water flows onward, uninterrupted, reaching its destination.

“Being sincere, one has purity and thus meets with success.”

Well-Wishes, Health and Light to All.

Apr

2015

Horary Cycles and Bi-Hourly Clock

HORARY CYCLE • BI-HOURLY CLOCK

According to root and branch energetic rhythms in traditional Chinese medicine, Qi flow circulates through the 12 main meridians beginning with the lungs, as respiration is the first independent bodily function of the human vessel, then systematically flows through each organ. The organ systems have their points of highest energy and lowest energy throughout a 24 hour cycle. By the insight of these rhythms we can best understand times to participate in basic functions of daily living and also when to communicate with a particular organ or energetic system of the body. Chinese Medicine practitioners will sometimes use the horary clock to corroborate their diagnoses and patients typically find the clock to be of great interest. Here is more detailed information the Horary clock can reveal to patterning healthy habits of body-mental functioning-and emotional well-being.

3-5 am the time of the Lungs. This is the time where the body should be asleep. If woken at this time, soothing breathing exercises are recommended and the body should be kept warm to enable the lungs replenish the body. Emotionally, the lungs are associated with feelings of melancholia, sadness, and grieving and these emotions may be more commonly felt during these hours.

5 am to 7 am is the time of the Large Intestine. This is energetically the ideal time to have a bowel movement, removing toxins from the previous day before moving forward into the present one. It is also the ideal time to wash the body and comb hair. It is believed that combing hair helps to clear energy from the mind. At this time, emotions of defensiveness or feelings of being stuck could be evoked.

7-9 am is the time of the Stomach so it is important to eat the biggest meal of the day here to optimize digestion and absorption. Warm meals that are high in nutrition are best in the morning. Emotions that are likely to be stirred at this time may be include disgust or despair.

9-11 am is the time of the Spleen, where energy for the day ahead is released from food digestate. This is the ideal time to exercise and work. Do your most taxing tasks of the day at this time. Low self-esteem is an inherent Spleen vulnerability that could be noted at this time.

11 am- 1 pm is the time of the Heart which will work to pump blood throughout the body to provide energy and nutrition. Eating a light, cooked meal at this time is recommended. Having a one hour nap or a cup of tea is also beneficial during this time. Feelings of significant joy or sadness could be experienced at this time.

1-3 pm is the time of the Small Intestine, the time when digestion will take place and assimilation of food eaten earlier will be complete. This is a good time to carry out daily tasks or exercise. Vulnerable thoughts or feelings of abandonment may subconsciously arise at this time.

3-5 pm is the time of the Bladder when metabolic wastes move into the kidney’s filtration system. This is the ideal time for study and completion of brain-challenging work for the day. Another cup of tea is beneficial, as would be drinking some water. Feeling irritated or timid may come into expression at this time.

5-7 pm is the time of the Kidneys when the blood is filtered and the kidneys work to maintain proper chemical balance. This is the perfect time to have dinner and to activate your circulation either by walking, having a massage, or stretching. Subconscious thoughts of fear can be active at this time.

7-9 pm is the time of Pericardium, when nutrients are carried to the capillaries and to each cell. This is the perfect time to read, but avoid any more mental activity than this at this time. A difficulty in expressing emotions may also be felt however, this is the perfect time in the day to have sex.

9-11 pm is the time of Triple Warmer or Sanjiao, pertaining to waterways and the endocrine system where the body’s homeostasis is adjusted replenished. It is recommended to be asleep at this time so the body can conserve energy for the following day. Feelings of paranoia or confusion may also be felt.

11 pm-1 am is the time of the Gall Bladder and in order to wake feeling energized the body should be at rest. In Chinese medicine, this period of time is when Yin energy fades and Yang energy begins to grow. Yang energy helps you to keep active during the day and is stored when you are asleep. Subconscious feelings of resentment may appear during this time and should be dissipated in favor of resting.

1-3 am is the time of the Liver and a time when the body should be in deep sleep. During this time fresh blood is made. If you find yourself waking during this time, excessive yang energy, heat toxin, or problems with liver energy in general may be indicated. Anger, frustration and repression of emotions pertain to the liver and may be part of the tendency for wakefulness.

The energetic cycle is completed with circulation through the liver at night when the eyes are closed and where the spirit roots into the body during sleep.

If one tends to experience an aggravation of symptoms or fluctuations in energy, note the time of day of the occurrence. The time may provide a cue to the organ system that may be a contributing factor in current health themes.

Mar

2015

Bach Flower Essences

At their inception in the 1930’s, flower essences were conceived of by Dr. Edward Bach, MD., a visionary allopathic physician who comprehended the connection between feelings and actual physical illness, and sensed the bridge made possible to treat them by the original 39 essences he worked with. Flower essences are dilutions of flower or tree material, which through the sunlight-fueled process, become resonant with the vibrational qualities of each plant or tree. Flower essences are an energetic approach which address subtle layers of spirit-psyche. They are gentle, non-invasive, non-habit-forming, and engender no residual bio-chemical changes or side-effects whatsoever, which makes them entirely compatible with all other forms of treatment. The flower dilutions are suspended in a 50:50 solution of water and brandy. Each dosage should be diluted in at least one half liter of spring water if there is a known intolerance to alcohol. Up to 6 remedies can be effectively combined, although taking one remedy or a combining of two are usually suitable for deeper, long-standing characteristics.

Bach flower essence treatment falls within the realm deemed vibrational medicine, as would stones and crystals, aromatherapy, harmonic sound therapy, colorpuncture, and modalities based upon subtle-body resonance that reconciles energetic balance to the person. Flower essences are allies in shifting more subtle processes and therein encourage states of wholeness in people and in animals. Dr. Bach recognized the energetic signatures or ‘etheric tones’ inherent in trees and flowers and remarkably found a way to impart the essence and attributes of their presence in nature. Dr. Bach pioneered in this visionary form of treatment, and since his genius in the 1930’s, there have been further explorations into the uses of flower essences, both internally and externally. Bach Flower Essences, as well as other essence purveyors, can be sourced in most health food stores.

Pictured is one of my two sets of Bach flower essences. This set dates back to their original purchase made by my father in 1981 from the Bach Centre in the U.K.

Preparing Flower Essences

• Use a two ounce tincture bottle with dropper

• Fill it with pure water

• Add 4 drops of each of the remedies you wish

• Shake gently before each use

• Administer 4 drops under the tongue, 4 times per day

Note: Rescue Remedy is available pre-mixed and may be administered directly from the bottle under the tongue, with frequency as needed.

With All Best Wishes

If you would like to explore Bach flower essences further you may appreciate the following: Bach Essence Questionnaire

Jun

2014

Diagnostic Tongue Maps

Look at your tongue daily before brushing or eating.

See what it may be revealing to You.

Here is a basic overview

Normal (top left) – reflecting a relative balance of internal QI, blood, humors, organs, and essence.

Qi Deficient – basic symptoms of poor appetite, sluggish, weak digestive function, fatigue, worrying and overthinking, dizziness.

Heat – basic symptoms of irritability, thirst, constipation, skin issues.

Dampness – basic symptoms of fullness, bloating, edema, lethargy, discharges.

Blood Stasis – basic symptoms of varicosities, headaches, chest pain, skin spots, painful menstruation.

Qi Stagnation – basic symptoms of pms, some types of abdominal pain, moodiness.

Damp-Heat – basic symptoms of skin conditions, urinary infections, clammy skin, angry and irritable tendency.

Yang Deficiency – basic symptoms of chilled easily, seeking warmth, pallor, lower back pain, low emotional state, impotence, infertility.

Yin Deficiency – basic symptoms of night sweating, tinnitus, menopausal symptoms, insomnia.

Blood Deficiency – basic symptoms of dizziness, poor concentration, pale nail beds, poor memory, thin blood and conditions resulting therefrom.

Chinese tongue diagnostic maps offer a simple overview of the body. Tongue coating and its specific color and texture, cracks, teeth marks, pauplues, absence of tongue coating, color of tongue body, quivering tongue body, swollen or thin tongue body all corroborate the greater diagnostics of the person according to TCM.

Jun

2014

Bodily Teachings

Qīngyuán Shan 清源山, formerly North Mountain, with atmospheric clouds rising amongst peaks, became known during the Tang dynasty and reached a peak in reputation between 1297 to 1911. The centuries of reverence of this place have imparted 9 Taoist sculptures and hundreds of stone carving relics. Li, one of the the legendary eight immortals, roamed the winding paths amongst the dark green pine and cypress. When Li placed his iron crutch onto mountain rock a spring issued forth revealing one of numerous clean, fresh springs of Qīngyuán Shan.

· The hands teach us not to be selfish.

· The mouth teaches us to give thanks in word and song.

· The nose teaches us to learn from our environment.

· The eyes teach us to show compassion and sincerity.

· The ears teach us to keep our balance.

· All parts of ourselves both give and receive.