Happy Chinese New Year!
General astrological health forecast for the year
It is a Yin Earth year and Yin Water year. From the Chinese medicine perspective on how that may affect our health this year, there may be health concerns that come up with cold and damp. If this is a tendency already then generally there may be an exacerbation of that tendency. For those of you new to Chinese medicine, this can result in a number of different types of health concerns, like edema, phlegm and fluid in the lungs, digestive trouble and cold hands and feet. Eating the right foods and using appropriate Chinese herbs are the best way to counteract this. I expect to be using more drying and warming formulas this year. On a positive note this influence may be helpful for those who tend to have problems with heat.
Chinese medicine relies less on individual symptoms, but rather sees various symptoms grouped together to generate a diagnosis of a more general pattern. These are often put in terms of the weather such as hot, cold, dry or damp. If you are curious about what YOUR internal weather is, I LOVE explaining to people what their personal strengths and weaknesses are according to Chinese medicine. Learning about ourselves through the eyes of Chinese medicine is not only a fun adventure, it can help us prevent health problems, and can point to where our efforts in taking care of our health will be most fruitful.
How to eat for balance this year
Eat warming foods and spices, like dry ginger, curries, cinnamon, black pepper, fennel, garlic, onion, kale, mustard greens, lamb, beef, olives, mango, cherry, and coconut.
Avoid foods that promote damp and cold, like dairy, sugar, juices, excess carbs (which are damp forming) seaweed, mung bean sprouts, snow peas, banana, watermelon, grapefruit, pear, cantaloupe (which are cold).
Come see me for some Chinese herbs!
Benefits of Acupuncture
Hundreds of clinical studies have shown the benefits of acupuncture. Acupuncture successfully treats many health conditions from pain due to musculoskeletal problems to migraines, anxiety, insomnia, and infertility.
Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for the following conditions and many more besides:
- Allergic rhinitis (allergies)
- Depression
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Digestive disorders
- Headache Hypertension
- Induction of labor
- Malposition of fetus, correction
- Morning sickness Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
I look forward to being in touch and being of service to you!
Johanna Altgelt Granger
Acupuncturist and Herbalist Classical Chinese Medicine for Adults and Children
