How to Naturally Decaffeinate Green Tea
Oct 20, 2011
Green tea is well known for its health properties. Recently, it has become popular for its antioxidants, which have been purported to reduce heart disease and cancer rates. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners sometimes will add green tea to an herbal formula, primarily for headaches.
In Chinese culture, green tea is the staple drink. Unlike in the West, in China people will refill their tea cup many times with water, using the same tea leaves.
Not only is refilling the cup efficient and cost effective, by doing this one is drinking more of the antioxidants from the tea.
The majority of the caffeine is extracted from tea within 30 seconds of brewing. So the refills have very little caffeine in them, but continue to extract other substances.
For most people, the small amount of caffeine in green tea is fine. For people with inflammation and anxiety even a little caffeine is too much.
How to Naturally Decaffeinate your Green Tea: Washing the Tea
It is easy to decaffeinate green tea yourself without loosing much of the taste or health benefits. Most of the caffeine is extracted within the first 30 seconds of brewing the tea.
To naturally remove the caffeine from the tea, quickly brew the tea and discard the water after 20-30 second. Refill the cup with hot water, and you have a naturally decaffeinated cup of tea. This process is called “washing the tea.”
When drinking more refine types of tea, the custom is to wash the tea. This is also part of the traditional Tea Ceremony.
There are other regional types of teas and styles of brewing. Some regions brew the tea at lower temperatures.
Green Tea in Chinese Medicine
There are many varieties of tea. Just as in New York, there are many varieties of apples. But they all come from the same plant, the difference is in the extent of their oxidizing, breeding, and region.
Green tea is cool in nature and as opposed to black tea which is warmer. Green tea helps to clear heat and drain dampness. As I mentioned before, it can also be used for headaches. Add ginger for headaches from damp weather.
My Recommendations
Because green tea is cooler, I prefer to drink more green tea in the summer and more black tea in the winter. For some people with weak digestion, green tea may upset your stomach. This is due to its cooling properties.
Oolong tea is somewhat neutral and is a good alternative for people who find green tea a little upsetting to the stomach.
I always recommend drinking organic tea. I generally purchase my tea at Mountain Rose Herbs. Or here in New York, Ten Ren is a very good tea shop in Chinatown.
photo: bkajino
What Acupuncturists observe in a tongue
Oct 13, 2011
Observing the tongue and taking the pulse are two of the most common diagnostic techniques in Chinese medicine.
Why look at the tongue?
Chinese medicine uses diagnostic approaches, like the tongue and the pulse, because they reflect the imbalances that are causing your health problem.
What are we looking for in the tongue?
When I am looking at the tongue, I am looking at the the color of the tongue, the size and shape of the tongue body, and the coating on top of the tongue.
If the tongue is very red, or very pale that can show there is heat, or qi deficiency. If the tongue body is purplish, it can show stagnation, a lack of circulation in the body’s channels. If the tongue coating is very thick and white, it can be dampness. But if the tongue coating is yellow and sticky, that can signal intense heat. If the tongue is very red and there is very little tongue coating, then the heat has damaged the fluids in the body.
The size of the tongue can differ as well. A common tongue sign is called toothmarked, where the sides of the tongue almost look like they have teeth marks in them. The tongue body can also be cracked, which can show too little yin.
Eczema: A clinical example of the holistic diagnosis
The information from the tongue is not taken in isolation, but rather combined with other techniques, such as the pulse, asking questions, and in the case of eczema, observing the skin.
When it comes to eczema, looking at the skin is very important. If the skin is very red, irritated, dry, and itchy, then it is probably caused by heat. We then look at the tongue. If the tongue is red with a sticky yellow coating, then it is certainly excess heat causing the eczema. The herbs and acupuncture are focused clearing heat.
But if the tongue is pale and large, with a thick white coat, then it may be heat mixed with qi deficiency, or lack of energy. The herbs and acupuncture would have to also address the underlying lack of energy.
Read more on Acupuncture for Eczema
- Chinese herbs for Winter Eczema: A Success Story
- TCM Treatment for Dyshidrotic Eczema
- Personalized Acupuncture and Herbs for Eczema
Photo: Mike Burns
Natural Remedies for the Common Cold
Oct 11, 2011
1. Ling Zhi (ganoderma or Reishi): This Chinese herb is a mushroom that has powerful immune boosting properties. We say it can boost the body’s qi, or energy. It can also be effective for fatigue and poor digestion.
This herb is best for preventing colds. Now, the change of seasons, is the perfect time to begin taking Ling Zhi. When the seasons change it is easy to get cold. Ling Zhi helps to prevent getting the cold be giving an immune boost. I take only a small dosage and still feel the improvement in my health.
It actually grows all over the United States. A few weeks ago, I went on an foraging tour with Wildman Steve Brill. We actually found Ling zhi on our trip in Westchester. If you are picking wild ling zhi, it is very important to go with a guide as many mushrooms can be dangerous.
Healing Soup for the Change of Seasons
Oct 6, 2011
As we all know that the change of season can easily cause a common cold. Eating soup is a good way to boost up your qi.
There is no big secret to vegetable soup. I eat it all the time, especially during the change of seasons to prevent colds from coming on. I particularly like it during the colder months, summer to fall, because it helps to warm the body and open the respiratory system with aromatic vegetables.
Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion
4 carrots
2 turnips
2 celery stalks
1 bay leaf
fresh parsley
1 teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt
optional: broccoli stalks, cauliflower leaves, turnip greens, or any root vegetable
The simple directions for vegetable soup
Put 8 cups of water up to boil. Chop all the vegetables. Put in the ingredients in the soup. Gently boil for 20 minutes. Serve with toast or add noodles.
The Ingredients Analysis
Chinese medicine describes foods in terms of their properties. Aromatic vegetables, such as the onion and the turnips will help to fight off viruses by warming the body. Celery and parsley are bitter as well as aromatic. This will open the respiratory system but also create circulation in the body. Carrots are sweet and used to boost to body’s energy. Naturally healthy sweet foods tend to give the body qi.
Mix them together you get a rich tonifying soup.
Steamed Pears and Almonds: Dry Cough Remedy
Oct 4, 2011
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine has very specific remedies for different types of colds depending on the symptoms.
In the fall, the colds tend to be drying, there is a dry chronic cough. It is often by accompanied by a deep congestion in the chest. We call this dry phlegm because it is difficult to expectorate and causes and chronic long term dry cough.
Many cold remedies come from seasonal foods and herbs. By far my favorite food for dry cough is steamed Asian pear with almonds. It’s very easy to make. This is an adaptation of a traditional remedy called Chuan Bei Li, which is steamed Asian pear with the herb chuan bei mu, that helps to clear phlegm and nourish the lungs.
Steamed Asian Pear with Almonds
Asian Pear
1. Peel and core the pear.
2. Crush 5-8 almonds. Should be enough to fill the core with the almonds.
3. Put 1/3 cup of water into a pot. Bring to a boil.
4. Place the pear on a steamer, either stainless steel or bamboo.
5. Gently steam while covered until the pear is soft, about 6-8 minutes.
6. Remove the pear to a bowl. Pour the liquid over the pear and eat as a delicious sweet soup.
Enjoy!
Back Pain after a Car Accident
Sep 27, 2011
Chronic back pain and neck pain often develops after a car accident. It can happen directly after the accident or gradually over a period of time. Sometimes, people with chronic neck and back pain just doesn’t seem to get better, no matter what they try, even if there are no findings on the x-rays and MRI tests.
Acupuncture is very effective at reducing chronic back pain after a car accident.
In acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine the concept of circulation is unique and can be the reason acupuncture works when other therapies do not.
Acupuncture Channels
Acupuncture Meridians
The body is interconnected by acupuncture channels and meridians. These connect and protect the body. An injury or car accident causes a disruption in the circulation through the acupuncture meridians.
When there is Movement, There is No Pain
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have a concept called qi and blood stagnation. That means that the accident and injury has lead to lack of circulation in the meridians, as well as the muscles. This lack of circulation causes the pain.
Acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping helps to correct this disruption has to be corrected in order for the body to heal and the pain to recede.
Please note, while acupuncture is very helpful for treating the chronic pain, it is very important to go to a physician or the emergency room after the accident.
If you have questions about acupuncture for chronic back pain, please e-mail or call us 917-887-4946 to make an appointment.
Chinese Medicine Pulse
Sep 26, 2011
It takes many years for an acupuncturist to develop skills in taking the pulse. A properly trained and skilled acupuncturist can find out a lot from your pulse.
The pulse is a significant aspect the Chinese medicine diagnosis process.
The pulse reflects the imbalances in the body and the strength of the body’s energy. This helps to determine the root cause of your health concern.
What does an acupuncturist look for in the pulse?
The pulse is a reflection of the what is going on inside the body. As an acupuncturist, when I take the pulse, I don’t just thin about if it is too fast or slow. I am looking for is it very strong, or very weak, is it bounding, or is it receding? Is the pulse thick or thin? Strong or weak?
Acupuncturist also look for patterns such as stringlike. This pulse will hit our fingers like a guitar string.
Positions of the pulse
Different parts and aspects of the pulse provide information about your health. There are three positions to the Chinese medicine pulse. They pertain to different parts of the body. Acupuncturists also take the pulse from different depths to look for more information about the location of the imbalances in the body.
What does the Chinese medicine pulse mean?
Different pulses are represent specific imbalances. If your pulse is very fast or pounding it may reveal that there is heat in the body. If it is very weak and deep, then you may have qi stagnation. Then the acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment is focused on correcting these imbalances.
The meaning of the pulse is most powerfully explored in the context of the person as a whole. This deeper level takes many years of practice.
Acupuncture for Neck Pain: An Example from the Clinic
Illnesses can show signs of one imbalance such as stagnation or lack of circulation. This can often happen in chronic neck pain. The muscles can be tight and have knots. This looks like it may be stagnation because muscle of the muscle tightness. But if the pulse is very weak, then the root cause is lack of energy.
Often, people with an underlying weakness have tried many treatments and therapies without relief. The only way to improve this situation is through boosting the energy. A very strong treatment may even lead to further tightness.
In this example, the pulse will reveal the true nature of the imbalance, which is a weakness.
Read More: Acupuncture Success Stories
Acupuncture for Stress Induced Back Pain
Sep 15, 2011
This is the fourth article in a series focusing on acupuncture for back pain.
Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain
Car accidents, injuries, and training are not the only reason people develop back pain. Stress is also be a significant cause of back pain. Acupuncture is very effective for stress induced back pain because it can address both the physical and mental aspects of the cause of the pain.
This patient came to me with chronic back pain on the lower left side. When I asked where the pain was specifically, she pointed to the sacro iliac joint. This is a very common location for lower back pain. Stress also causes back pain by creating muscle tension and spasms.
She had back pain for a number of years and was not finding relief. Her pain was dull but persistent. While exercise made it feel better, the next day the pain was more intense. And the pain was worse with work stress.
The Acupuncture Treatment for Stress Induced Back Pain
Because of the chronic nature of the back pain and the weakness in the back muscles, this person does not have enough energy. The muscle stiffness should be relieved but also the qi of the body needs to be boosted to prevent the pain from returning.
To do this, I use less needles and more of a tonifying technique in the treatment. I also included acupressure. Focusing on points down the channels rather than at the pain helps. In this situation, I used 4 ashi, or ouch points, at the location of the pain. In addition I used UB 23, KI3, UB 40 to open up the back channel.
The acupuncture results
This patient responded remarkable well to the acupuncture. After only one treatment the pain had diminished greatly. The stiffness was much better and she was able to exercise without pain.
Gradually during the weeks that followed some pain returned. She followed up in two weeks for a second visit which provided pain relief again. Seeing that the treatments were effective but did not totally resolve the back pain, we created a maintainence schedule of coming once per month for a period of 6 months. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative and each visit can be more dramatic in effect.
After the 6 month treatment period she was mostly pain free with little back pain.
Read More about Acupuncture, Stress, and Back Pain:
- Stress, Depression, and Inflammation
- Acupuncture for Stress and Depression
- Relieve Back Pain with Acupuncture
An Athletic Back Pain
Sep 12, 2011
This is the third article in a series focusing on acupuncture for back pain treatment.
New York City Marathon
Back pain commonly challenges serious athletes. This next case study discusses a young man who was training for a marathon when he developed back pain.
This patient came to me after developing back pain while training for a marathon. He was building up strength and running time when he developed pain in the lower back on the right side. The pain was most intense after running and sometimes traveled down through the butt. Back stiffness and spasms were also a problem.
After a visit to his orthopedist and an MRI, he was diagnosed with a bulging disc.
Acupuncture treatment for lower back pain
We began with treatments once a week. This patient had more stagnation than deficiency, so I focused on creating circulation by using more needles and electro-acupuncture. But in athletes it is important also to boost the energy to support the training.
The points I used were UB 23, UB 32, Yao Yan, GB 30, and UB 40. KI 3 and KI 7 on the inside ankle were also used to help boost the qi.
I also looked for tender areas on the right ride, which are traditionally called ashi points, which literally means “ouch” points. There were a lot of ouch points along the upper part of pelvis. At the end of each acupuncture session, I did tui na to help relax the muscles and increase the circulation.
The Acupuncture Results
New York City Marathon Finish Line
After the first visit, the patient began to feel better. His back was less stiff, and he experienced less pain after running. We continued with weekly sessions throughout his training. At times, when he increased his mileage during the training, his back pain was somewhat exacerbated. After the following acupuncture session, the pain was generally relieved and he could continue.
By the time the marathon rolled around his back pain was under control and muscle stiffness was virtually gone. He was able to successfully complete the New York City Marathon.
Car Accident Back Pain
Sep 7, 2011
This is the second article in a series focusing on acupuncture for the treatment of back pain.
This is a case explaining how acupuncture can treat back pain after a car accident.
The patient is a young man in his early thirties who came to me for acupuncture for his back pain after being in a car accident. The car accident had occurred over 2 years before he began treatment. Despite therapy, the pain persisted. The pain and tightness was focused in his lower back that sometimes radiated down his legs.
His back pain was very persistent, although he had no disc problems or nerve impairments diagnosed on his MRI.
The pain was very intense, it hurt all day during his job and even kept him from sleeping soundly. It was difficult for him to exercise. When people stop moving and using their region of pain, the pain is often exacerbated.
Naturally, his situation caused a lot of worry and anxiety that his condition would never improve.
Upon our first visit, I saw that he had restrited range of motion in his lower back. It was difficult to bend forward or to the side.
I assessed his problem as qi and blood stagnation.
The Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain
Because he tended to have more stagnation than vacuity, I focused on increasing the circulation in the back. To do this, I will tend to use more needles, electro-acupuncture, acupressure and tui na and cupping.
The points I used were on the lower back, such as UB 23, UB 25, UB 32, GB 30, Yao Yao, as well as points on the legs that open up the back channels. UB 40 on the back of the knees is a special point for back pain. I also used Kidney 3 to boost the kidneys and relieve the pain. Electro-acupuncture was also used on the lower back to relieve the pain. I used tui na rolling technique as well.
The Results
Chinese Fire Cups
After the first two visits his back pain began to diminish. And he had increased range of flexibility. By the fourth visit, his back pain, tightness, and tingling in his legs was much less. After six visits, the pain was only minor.
At this point, I advised my patient to return to exercising. Light cardiovascular and a stretching routine. Stretching is very important to maintain flexibility and prevent back pain in the long run.
We continued with four more weekly visits. The pain was much diminished and range of motion had significantly returned.
The patient was now comfortable while working and was able to return to exercising.
If you have questions about acupuncture for chronic back pain, please e-mail or call us 917-887-4946 to make an appointment.
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