Morgan Hill Family Wellness News

September 2010
In This Issue
Message from Robin
Treating Eye Problems with Acupuncture
Seven Essential Nutrients for Eye Health
Tele-Class: Eating for Your Element
Chrysanthemums: More then Meets the Eye
Message from Robin
daniel Greetings!

Fall is around the corner! Can you believe we have just a few days of summer left? As daylight hours get shorter and summer turns to fall it is a reminder to also shift our lifestyles too.  As the season's change our bodies are in a more fragile state so we must take care to get more rest, eat nourishing foods and slow our lives down just a bit.   It is also a good time to get a seasonal "tune-up" even if you're feeling great.  This is especially important for those who may be more symptomatic in the fall or have a tendency for simple colds to go straight to their chest.  As I mentioned last month, I'm reserving a few spots each week for patients who are sick and need immediate treatment.  Please call early in the morning if you would like to get in the same day.

I'll be talking about how to attune your body to the seasons during the Tele-Class next month! We've changed the date to Tuesday, October 5th. Hope you can make it!

Yours in Wellness,
Robin
 
Treating Eye Problems with Acupuncture
eye
Your eyes are a reflection of your overall health. Illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be revealed in the eyes. Conditions such as glaucoma, optic neuritis or vision loss are often associated with systemic health problems. It is this interconnection between your eyes and your health that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can tap into and utilize to treat eye and vision problems. Eye conditions respond well to acupuncture and it has been used successfully to treat a wide range of eye problems for centuries.

How Eye Disorders Are Treated With Acupuncture

Oriental medicine pays close attention to the relationship between tissues and organs. Sometimes an imbalance within the body can manifest as an eye problem, just as the health of the eyes is often a reflection of an imbalance or health problem elsewhere in the body.

When you are treated for an eye condition with acupuncture, any underlying imbalances that are attributing to your symptoms will be addressed. The eye problems will also be treated directly by promoting circulation of Qi (life force) and blood around the eyes.

Common eye problems treated with acupuncture include:
  • Eye Trauma
  • Glaucoma
  • Uveitis
  • Chronic Dry Eyes
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Optic Atrophy

Acupuncture Points Around the Eye

There are several powerful acupuncture points around the eyes that promote eye health. These points bring Qi and blood to the eyes to nourish the tissue and improve the condition of the eyes.



In addition to acupuncture, there are several things you can do each day to maintain eye health and avoid problems. Drink eight to ten glasses of water to keep your body and eyes hydrated. Stop smoking. Exercise to improve overall circulation. Make a conscious effort to stop periodically to rest and blink frequently especially when reading, working on a computer or watching television. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Always remember to always protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV light and glare with protective lenses.

Would you like to learn more about how acupuncture
can help you with an eye condition?


Please call now for a consultation (408) 852-9659 x 0
Seven Essential Nutrients for Eye Health
nutrients for eyesSupport your eye health by incorporating these seven essential nutrients into your diet!

Lutein and Zeaxanthin - carotenoid compounds found in the lens and retina of the eyes. These antioxidants protect eyes from free radicals and A diet high in these compounds may protect the eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts. Carotenoid compounds are found in yellow and orange fruits & vegetables, dark green, leafy vegetables and egg yolks.

Vitamin A - helps prevent night blindness, stop the formation of cataracts, and may prevent blindness from macular degeneration. Deficiency can cause dry eyes, corneal ulcers, swollen eyelids and, if not corrected, blindness.

Vitamin C - can help reduce the risk of cataracts. It may also play a role in delaying macular degeneration and preventing and relieving glaucoma.

Vitamin E - a powerful antioxidant shown to prevent cataracts and helps prevent macular degeneration.

Bioflavonoids - give certain foods their color and often work as antioxidants. Any food that contains these nutrients also contains vitamin C. Citrus, red and purple fruits are excellent for the eyes.

Omega 3's - These essential fatty acids convert into prostaglandins that regulate intraocular pressure, help the eye drain and may help protect against dry eye syndrome. Connected with eyesight development, deficiencies of essential fatty acids may lead to impaired vision, retinal or macular damage. The best source of Omega 3's is cold water fish such as Salmon.

Essential Minerals - Zinc, Selenium, and Copper are all essential for healthy eyesight. Zinc helps the body absorb vitamin A which is required for normal eye function and adapting to the dark. Zinc has been used for the specific purpose of reducing age related macular degeneration and a deficiency may lead to cataracts. Selenium helps the body to absorb vitamin E to . Copper helps reduce the development of age related macular degeneration.
Eating For Your Element Tele-Class on October 5th!
5 elements
Which element are you?  Discover more about who you are using the the ancient Chinese five element system.  Understanding your inner nature can shed light on your unique physical and emotional needs.  We will explore which foods will support you and which can drain your energy.  We will also discuss how to attune your diet to the seasons to maximize your body's innate healing power.  It's time to keep you looking and feeling your best no matter what the seasons bring.


Look out for our tele-class registration e-mail!
Office Hours
Robin Green, L.Ac.
Monday
9am-12pm & 2-5pm

Wednesday
 9am-12pm & 2-5pm

Friday
 9am-12pm & 2-4:30pm

Daniel Melton, L.Ac.
Tuesday
 2:30pm-6:30pm

Thursday
 2:30pm-6:30pm

Saturday
 9am-1pm

Call today for an appointment!
408-852-9659
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Chrysanthemums: More Than Meets the Eye
Chrysanthemum flowers (Ju Hua) are boiled to make a popular cooling tea to drink or use topically on the eye. Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal uses. Used for at least 2,000 years, this herb was first listed by the physician Shen Nong who suggested that continued use would "slow aging and prolong life".

The boiled flowers or tea bags may be kept in the fridge and used as eye masks to ease tired eyes, reduce heavy eye bags and get rid of redness, pain or dryness of the eyes.

Cold Chrysanthemum Tea

Ingredients

* 60 - 80 White Chrysanthemum Flowers
* 3 teaspoons of Jasmine Green Tea
* Rock sugar or honey
* 4 liters (1 Gallon) of water

Instructions:

1. Wash the chrysanthemums.
2. Put chrysanthemum and tea into a cooking pot.
3. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add rock sugar or honey.
6. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
7. Strain and put into the refrigerator.
8. Serve chilled and enjoy!