Lana Farson, M.S., L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist

Category Archives: Healthy Lifestyle

Hidden names of MSG – be informed!

MSG is a neurotoxin and excitotoxin that over excites the cells in the brain so that food tastes better.  Due to MSG, the cells die off from overexcitation. Some people get reactions after eating the food ingredient monosodium glutamate (MSG) – reactions that include migraine headaches, upset stomach, fuzzy thinking, diarrhea, heart irregularities, asthma, and/or [...]

Almond Milk – tastes better when you make it yourself!

Making Nut Milks
You can make some delicious milks by whirling soaked nuts with water in a blender.  You can make the mixture delicate and thin or thick and creamy.  Soak raw almonds or raw cashews to make almond or cashew milk.  Nut milks are healing and are a great alternative for folks who have allergies [...]

What is acupuncture like and how does it work?

Here’s a link to an interesting article and video by The Wall Street Journal about acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.  It’s pretty well done and gives some good information.  Acupuncture is growing as a real solution to health issues, without the use of western pharmaceuticals.  Check it out!

Laptops & male fertility

Laptop computer use does effect fertility for men, particularly when they are place on the lap for long periods of time.  Click here for some details of a study about increased body temperature from the warmth of the computer:
laptop fertility research.
Having a computer near the torso (organs and glands) for long periods of time, has [...]

Best Sunscreens

Concerned about hazardous chemicals that penetrate the skin?
Top rated sunscreens contain zinc or titanium.
The ‘Environmental Working Group‘ website has ratings and sunscreen information.

The Cleansing Power of Seaweed

Seaweed, salty and cold, has the following medicinal functions:

Clears heat, transforms phlegm nodules
Promotes urination
Modern Research: lowers cholesterol
Modern Research: binds heavy metals to cleanse them from the body

Here is a recipe for seaweed salad using hijiki seaweed, given to me by my friend Junko.  It is possible to substitute another type of seaweed.
Ingredients:

Dry hijiki – 1 [...]

Smooth your mood with Mimosa Flower Tea

Mimosa Tree Flower Tea ‘He Huan Hua Cha’
6 grams Mimosa Flower ‘He Huan Hua’ (Albizzia julibrissinis)
honey (to taste)
Place mimosa flower in a cup and soak in boiling water.   Strain.  Add honey to taste and drink when cool.
Functions:
Nourish heart and fortifies the spleen
Resolves depression and moves liver qi
Clears the mind and encourages a cheerful spirit
Indications: [...]

Diet Help for Gout

Gout is a very painful type of arthritis that can come on suddenly with much redness, swelling, warmth, pain and inflammation.  Arthritic gout is caused by an excess build-up of uric acid in the body.  Uric acid is the end-product caused by the breakdown of purines.  Purines are compounds that are naturally found in the [...]

Cleanse with Clay!

Certain types of clay from the earth have an astringent, pulling nature.  This cleaning ability is activated when wet clay goes through its drying process.  When used externally on the body, this means that clay can be used to draw out toxins or other foreign particles from the epidermis.   The external use of clay is [...]

Herbal Medicine Tinctures – removing the alcohol

Many herbal tinctures are made using alcohol as a base.  The alcohol is used to extract and preserve the medicinal properties of herbs, but does not have to be consumed with the medicine.  If you would like to prepare an alcohol-free version of the tincture for children or patients who cannot tolerate alcohol, follow these [...]