During great heat there's a natural enjoyment, however scorching weather:
Amongst the bending grasses, one sees the glow of fireflies,
Everywhere the earth's moisture diffuses as a moistening steam,
And at the arrival of heavy rains, withered greenery revives.
Summer is for Love
A bird built a nest on the door of the clinic this month. Before long, the eggs hatched and we got to see six sparrow chicks grow into fledglings before disappearing into the wild blue. At the time, I thought perhaps my own heart had wings.
We all know this sort of feeling, of course: the chest lifts, the world looks brighter and before long our troubles seem so much the smaller as we soar high overhead. Some might describe it as love or grace, while others might describe it as a sort of freedom. As for me, I'm content with the image of a winged heart, each beat a wingflap carrying us to a brighter tomorrow.
The heart in Chinese medicine might also be described as “having wings.” Indeed, when the heart is healthy, one's emotions are light and one's mind is clear. One is able to think beyond the small problems of life, and work towards seeing everything in wholeness.
By comparison, when the heart is unhealthy, its “wings” lose their steadiness. Sometimes, there are feelings of irritability, as though we'd
like to “fly” faster than circumstances allow, and sometimes there are feelings of heaviness, as though our “wings” are burdened with cares. As a result, we might suffer from insomnia, depressed feelings, grief, a loss of interest in sex, or foggy thinking, or – more physically – from tight shoulders, tight upper back, chest pain and tightness, and irregularities to the pulse.*
Indeed, experiencing just a few of the above symptoms is a good indication that the heart could benefit from some detoxification and nourishment.
One option would be to come by the clinic sometime before Aug 31st. Until then, I'll be offering a 20% discount** on a course of treatment for heart pathology, including herbs and supplements.
Or if you'd prefer, just enjoy a glass of red wine a few times per week, practice some deep breathing, and try a few of the suggestions below from the comfort of your own home.
* Experiencing these heart symptoms does not necessarily mean that there is a biomedical problem with your heart.
However, chest pain should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
** Does not stack with other discounts or promotions.
Home Remedies
Heart Support
- Hawthorn Berries (as tea or candy): Take daily, dose as desired. Assists heart function, particularly after heart attack. Also promotes appetite and helps digest heavy, meaty meals.
- Garlic: Best crushed and raw. I'll go through periods where I'll swallow one raw clove per day like a pill (or part of one, if the clove is big). Panacea for the heart.
- Hot Peppers: Especially in the hot months, eating hot peppers (such as jalapeno) helps the heart manage the heat. Black pepper does not count.
- Red Wine: Generally, speaking alcohol is unhealthy. However, regular, moderate consumption of red wine (no more than 2 glasses per day) is recognized as heart-healthy.
- Heart-Wing Soup
½ cup of dried adzuki beans (available in most grocery stores)
2 tablespoons of honey (choose “raw” or “local” honeys to ensure quality)
1 tablespoon of licorice root
1 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger
2-4 chopped dates (or more, to taste); remove pits
4 cups of water
salt to taste
Enclose the licorice root in a teabag. Combine all ingredients except the salt in a pot. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 hour, adding the salt only after the beans have softened. Remove the teabag. Serve.
A lovely dessert.
Practically Speaking... 防患未萌
Don't be a squeaking wheel...Nip it in the bud!
Maintaining good dental health requires regular visits to the dentist, but reduces the risk of expensive dental procedures down the road. Similarly, maintaining the health of our bodies through acupuncture or massage prevents time-consuming visits to the medical doctor in the long run. For this reason, I encourage my friends and family, my patients and employees, and even myself to take time off for self-care. Prevention is a priority. Let's nip it in the bud!
