Check labels carefully and avoid using pesticides containing pyrethrin or pyrethroids (including permethrin, bifenthrin and deltamethrin).  Popular brands that may include these pesticides are: Raid, Hotshot, Garden Safe, Fert-i-Lome, Bio Spot, Duocide, Happy Jack, Hartz, and K9 Advantix.

Less toxic pest control products and methods can be found here and here.

Your educated choices help keep our environment healthy.  Thank you.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Asian facial rejuvenation can:

• Reduce puffiness and dark circles
• Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
• Flesh out sunken areas
• Tone sagging skin and address loss of elasticity
• Activate facial muscles
• Improve skin texture and color
• Reduce blemishes and pimples
• Soften and address scar tissue, adhesions (release old trauma)
• Relax twitching and bell’s palsy

Lana Farson began studying facial acupuncture in 2000 and is now certified in advanced constitutional facial acupuncture.  She graduated with a Master’s of Science degree in Asian medicine in 1999 and is a Professor at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College.   She serves as co-director of the Well-Balanced Center an integrative healing clinic in Lafayette, CA with practitioners from various health care systems.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Pesticides and the Brain

Repeated exposure to pesticides is associated with an increase in the risk for Alzheimer’s disease in later life, according to an observational study published in Neurology.

According to the study, commonly used pesticides (organophosphate and organochlorine) inhibit acetylcholinesterase—needed for learning, memory and concentration—at synapses in the somatic, autonomic and central nervous systems. There may be lasting effects on the nervous system.  In the study, the most common route of exposure was farming. Here’s yet another reason to purchase organic foods. The more we eat organic, the fewer people will be forced to work in agricultural jobs that expose them to pesticides.

Highest in Pesticides (buy organic or unsprayed):

• Apples
• Bell peppers
• Blueberries (domestic)
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cherries
• Collards
• Grapes (imported)
• Green Beans
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

Lowest in Pesticides (less crucial to buy organically):

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Cabbage
• Cantaloupe
• Cranberries
• Eggplant
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Melons (Honeydew, Watermelon)
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Plums
• Peas (sweet)
• Sweet Potatoes

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Candles with lead-core wicks pose air quality hazard in the home, especially during winter months when windows and doors are kept closed. Here’s an easy test: rub the tip of an un-burnt wick on a plain piece of white paper. If the wick leaves a light gray pencil-like mark, it has a lead core.  If there is no mark left on the paper, the candle is lead-free.

Good quality wax is important too.  It appears that petroleum-based candles (which includes paraffin) and scented or aromatic candles are the worst offenders and can trigger allergic reactions or certain lung conditions.  Paraffin is derived from petroleum which produces carcinogens in the air when burned.  Beeswax, soy and carnauba wax based candles are three types of non-petroleum based wax candles to look for.

Here’s a link for more information: Environmental Health & Safety – Candles & Indoor Air Quality

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Acupuncture is one of the fastest growing fields in medicine right now as it provides real solutions to health issues, without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

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.

New research published in Nature Neuroscience in July of 2010 shows that acupuncture can increase the body’s levels of adenosine, which has the ability to reduce pain.  Here’s a link to a BBC Health News article about that study.  And, here’s the link to the study in Nature Neuroscience.

According to the University of Chicago Medical Center, attention has been focused on the following theories to further explain how acupuncture affects the body:

• Conduction of electromagnetic signals
  Evidence suggests that acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulating these points enables electromagnetic signals to be relayed at greater-than-normal rates. These signals may start the flow of pain-killing biochemicals, such as endorphins, or release immune system cells to specific body sites.
• Activation of the body’s natural opioid system
  Considerable research supports the claim that acupuncture releases opioids, synthetic or naturally-occurring chemicals in the brain that may reduce pain or induce sleep. These chemicals may explain acupuncture’s pain-relieving effects.
• Stimulation of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
  Joined at the base of the brain, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands are responsible for many body functions. The hypothalamus activates and controls part of the nervous system, the endocrine processes, and many bodily functions, such as sleep, regulation of temperature, and appetite. The pituitary gland supplies some of the body’s needed hormones. Stimulation of these glands can result in a broad spectrum of effects on various body systems.
• Change in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones
  Studies suggest that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry in a positive way. This is accomplished by changing the release of neurotransmitters (biochemical substances that stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses) and neurohormones (naturally-occurring chemical substances that can change the structure or function, or impact the activity of, a body organ).

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

At In Good Health in Lafayette, CA, I choose ‘Gua Sha’ tools made out of various materials (metal, wood, horn, shell) depending on the case as well as the individual’s skin and muscle tone.

A Study from the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that the Asian exercise Tai Chi is also helpful for fibromyalgia.  Here’s the link to that study: A Randomized Trial of Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Allergies:

Acupuncture and herbs can strengthen the immune system, which in turn helps the body defend against pollen and other pathogens.  Symptoms of allergies can be greatly reduced through the use of acupuncture meridians and botanical medicines.

Arthritis

Acupuncture is a safe and natural method to help control joint pain for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Asthma

Acupuncture and herbs can be very useful in reducing both the symptoms and root cause of asthma and other lung disorders.

Colds & Flus

Acupuncture can boost the immune system to prevent the body from succumbing to acute infection.  Acupuncture treatment and herbal medicines can also help reduce the intensity of external pathogens.

Fibromyalgia

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with gua-sha ‘tool sand massage’ to bring significant relief to the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Headaches

Acupuncture and herbs can offer safe and effective approaches to relieving headaches without causing side effects.

Insomnia

Acupuncture and herbs are useful for improving sleep quality and duration.

Menopause & Menstrual Conditions

Symptoms of menopause and menstrual issues can be relieved with the use of acupuncture and botanical medicines.  In both cases, there can be imbalances in the body that when not addressed will lead to uncomfortable symptoms that can be treated naturally without side effects.

Pain

Acupuncture and herbs can be a helpful form of treatment for both acute and chronic pain.  It can help identify the underlying causes of the pain while making the body more comfortable.

Stress

Acupuncture and herbs can help people manage stress by addressing the root causes while reducing the signs and symptoms.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Overall Health Benefits of Tea

Recent research shows that all forms of tea:

• inhibit tumor growth
• strengthen the immune system
• help to fight heart disease
• contain antioxidants
• reduce cavities
• help with digestion
• relieve thirst
• help slow down arthrosclerosis

All forms of tea contain a rich supply of polyphenols, although green tea has higher amounts and is overall considered the most medicinal. All forms contain folacin (one of the B vitamins), vitamin C, fluoride, and magnesium. It is important to note that adding milk to tea eliminates the antioxidant powers of tea.

Tea affects the central nervous system mostly through theophylline (although it also contains caffeine and theobromine). Different forms of tea have a varying degree of these stimulants. Also, tea contains tannin (from 5-20%), which is a known growth depressant and should not be given to children. Excessive tea consumption can also deplete iron. Drinking tea is not recommended for people with a tendency towards forming calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Different Types of Tea

Black Tea

Black tea is the most popular tea throughout the world and has been consumed for ages. Black tea is wilted (by air), sometimes crushed or pounded, and then allowed to fully oxidize. Unlike the lighter teas, black tea can maintain its flavor for years and is easier to keep and store.

Black tea has higher caffeine content and less anti-oxidants. Western medicine claims that black tea is just as good as green tea in the battle against cancer, certain viruses, tooth decay, and arterial health.  Most people add milk and sweetener to soften the taste, which reduces the medicinal value. In Chinese Medicine, black tea is considered warming and stronger, so it can be diluted if necessary. It is still considered to have medicinal properties although it is not the preferred form of tea in China. Black teas are not as popular as greens or oolongs and are considered inferior in quality.

Green tea

Green teas are picked from spring to late summer and then either steamed or pan-fried and dried to maintain both their color and nutrients. There are many kinds of green teas with different flavor profiles depending when they are picked and how they are treated. Overall,  green teas have become well known for their use in the prevention of many diseases as well as the nutrients they carry. According to Asian medicine, green teas are cooling and can clear heat, aid with digestion, sharpen the mind, and help slim the body by carrying out excess fats and oil from food. The amount of caffeine varies among green teas, but it is higher than in white teas.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is picked, allowed to dry until it is semi-fermented, and then charcoal dried. To get the slight fermentation, leaves are bruised and allowed to oxidize for different periods of time (about 2 hours for the most mild Chinese oolongs and longer to get richer oolongs). To stop the leaves from oxidizing more, they are wok fried quickly; some oolongs are fried more than once. Because of this processing, there are many different kinds and flavors of oolongs, ranging from almost green to almost black. Oolong teas have acquired a reputation for being a miraculous tool in weight loss and beauty, but in reality work in a similar way to green tea in helping carry excess fat and oil from the body. In terms of anti-oxidants, oolongs have a decreased amount in comparison to green tea. Oolong teas are more warming than green tea, especially if they are more fermented and fried for longer periods or more than once. Similarly to green tea, oolongs are often times taken with meals to ease digestion. Personally, I drink a lighter oolong tea in the winter when I feel that it is too cold to drink a true green tea.

Pu’er Tea

Pu’er tea is traditionally made from the big leaves of specific type of wild tea trees that grow in the province of Yunnan. It is often referred to as post-fermented because it is allowed to age for a period of time after the tea has already been fully oxidized (anywhere from 1-50 years; there are Pu’er cakes today that are dated to the Qing dynasty!). Pu’er keeps amazingly well and is often times packaged as a cake to store and ferment. Western medicine claims that pu’er can lower cholesterol. In China, pu’er is used to treat hangovers because it is said to inhibit dampness and aid the spleen as well as reduce heat in the stomach and descend qi.

White Tea

White tea is made from the premature leaves plucked in the spring. It is considered to be one of the most natural forms of tea, since it is handpicked early in the spring and is not fully fermented or aged. It is very delicate and contains the lowest amount of stimulants, which allows it to be enjoyed both during the day as well as at night. It has a reputation for containing the most antioxidants of any tea. It is cooling and light.

Asian Medicine

Specific types of tea have different energies and uses. From an Asian point of view, the qualities of camellia type teas are:

• brightens the eyes
• clears the voice
• invigorates the constitution
• removes flatulence
• opens the channels
• illuminates the spirit
• improves digestion
• relieves thirst
• helps cut fats and oils in meals
• removes water retention from the body

According to Asian tradition, tea should be lightly seeped and infused several times (in comparison to the European way of brewing one batch for a long time).  This process helps remove the tannins, and brings out the delicate flavors of the tea that do not come out in the first infusion. However, strongly brewed tea can be used for acute diarrhea, and either acute or chronic inflammations of the digestive system. Used in this way, one strong tablespoon several times a day is more appropriate. Topically, strong brews and poultices of tea leaves can help with poison oak outbreaks and to dry up a herpes breakout.

Most of this information comes from Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford.  Some comes from The New Whole Food Encyclopedia by Rebecca Woods. Thanks to Natalia Schyfter-Camacho for your help with this article.

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Fennel Seed

Fennel ‘xiao hui xiang’

Anise ‘da hui xiang’

Ginger ‘sheng jiang’

Tumeric  ‘jiang huang’

Lemongrass

Galanga root

Cardamon ‘sha ren’

Albizzia Flower ‘Happy Flower’ ‘He Huan Hua’

Barley tea ‘gu ya’

Rose flowers ‘mei gui hua’

Goji berries ‘gou qi zi’

Mimosa Flower

Dried yam ‘shan yao’

Red dates ‘da zao’

Reishi mushroom ‘ling zhi’

Licorice ‘gan cao’

Seaweeds ‘hai zao’

Lily bulb ‘bai he’

Pearl powder ‘zhen zhu mu’

Pu Er Tea

Shao Xing cooking wine

Dried cuttlefish – related to’sang piao xiao’

Vegetables & legumes:

Okra

Water caltrops

Shao Xing Wine

Burdock root ‘niu bang gen’

Bitter melon or bitter gourd

Cassava or yuka or tapioca

Taro Root

Daikon radish

Luffah vegetable

Lotus root and seeds ‘lian zi’

Edamame soybeans

Wintermelon or winter gourd

Flax seeds ‘ya ma ren’

Walnuts ‘hu tao ren’

Goji berries ‘gou qi zi’

Dried Hawthorn Berries

Mulberries ‘sang shen’

Sesame ‘hei zhi ma’

Hawthorn ‘shan zha’

Mung beans ‘lu dou’

Asian yam ‘shan yao’

Wood ear mushrooms ‘Bai Mu Er’ & ‘Hei Mu Er’

Aduki beans ‘chi xiao dou’

Job’s tears ‘yi yi ren’

Bamboo shoots

Spring onion ‘cong bai’

Flavored olives

Fruits:

Loquat fruits

Durian

Rambutan Fruit

Rambutan

Jackfruit

Lychee fruits

Buddha’s hand ‘fou shou’

Pomegranate ‘shi liu’

©2012 In Good Health Blog. All Rights Reserved.