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Family Acupuncture Log
with Kay Madsen, Licensed Acupuncturist
December 2014 Edition, Part 3
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Enjoying the Family Acupuncture Log?
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So at this point, we must be all settled on our holiday preparations, right? Whatever we have done is done and we are letting go of the rest!
I am continuing the series of articles for December. The past two issues gave you a partial rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, highlighting my odd health inspired habits. This third installment gets us almost all the way there to my full revelations of quirkiness.
Enjoy
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The Twelve Days of Quirky Christmas
Part 3
Confessions of a Health Nut
I last gave you part 1, and part 2, connfessing my strange health proclivities. This continued offering is meant as an inspiration that if I can go against the flow for better health, then so can you, for whatever quirky habits you choose to adopt.
On the sixth day of Quirky Christmas, I will give to thee . . .
"Six Eye Shades for Sleeping"
In the summer of 2008, my husband and I joined our friends for a self guided raft trip down the John River in Alaska. The Arctic Circle in the summer was a surreal place. The sun never set, but twirled around the sky in an endless circle. I experienced a sense of suspended animation, disoriented as to both direction and time. The constant exposure to the brightness of daylight kept me upbeat, alert and full of energy. Rather than fatigue, my watch was the only clue that it was time to go to bed. In packing my camping gear, I had traded my usual headlamp for a pair of light blocking eye shades. It didn't seem possible, but putting on those shades drew me into such a deep state of sleep that I had to be awakened in the morning. Visual light exposure controls the release of serotonin and melatonin, the two hormones in charge of the wake and sleep cycles. I continue to use my eye shades at home (and have also given my daughter a pair). Light exposure at night, whether due to the midnight sun, my neighbor's porch light or the glare of a cell phone, interferes with sleep. Blocking out that light is an easy, drug free way to catch a full night of deep, sweet sleep.
On the seventh day of Quirky Christmas, I will give to thee . . .
"Seven Meals Free of Gluten" (and Dairy and Soy and Sugar)
Gluten (i.e., wheat), dairy, soy, and sugar are in so many foods we love and crave. Why, oh why, would I punish myself so? All of these foods create problems from a Chinese medical perspective. They slow down the Qi production process and produce a by-product we call dampness. Dampness can lead to all sorts of nastiness, from fatigue and poor immune function to pain, inflammation, lumps and tumors. Not good. Keeping my diet as clear as possible from these foods is both difficult and easy at the same time. Difficult because they are hidden everywhere. All of them. For example, sugar isn't just in cookies and candy, it's in salad dressing (which also probably has soy, gluten and dairy). On the other side of the same coin, avoiding these foods is easy. Easy because once you know they hide in processed foods, you know exactly what to avoid. Now, I can't go so far as to say that I eat a diet completely free of gluten, dairy, soy, and sugar. I do restrict my intake, saving them for the occasional indulgence. Whole, non processed foods are the mainstay of my diet. And I know that I feel all the better for it. When in doubt, the occasional indulgence will quickly tell remind me what that "dampness" feels like.
On the eighth day of Quirky Christmas, I will give to thee . . .
"Eight Herbal Remedies"
It might be obvious at this point, but my general philosophy about health and wellness is largely centered on proper sleep and nutrition. I think that we can prevent and improve a plethora of ills just by living smart. Every now and then though, we get knocked down and could maybe use a little more help. We might need some medicines to help us heal.
For a variety of reasons, I have an aversion to pharmaceutical drugs under most circumstances. That's a big topic, fit for another time maybe. Let's just say that the super chipper voice in the tv ads announcing rather heinous side effects does little to calm my trepidations. So, whether used in a curative or palliative fashion, I usually look for natural alternatives.
In one form or another, I have tinkered with herbal and other forms of natural medicines for at least 30 years. Some of them have worked well. Others not so much. There is an ever evolving group of herbs, essential oils, homeopathic remedies, salves, ointments and formulas that I keep on hand. My husband says that our medicine cabinet is a curious and unintelligible place. Some of the labels don't even have any English on them! A little intimidating, I guess. Here are a few of my current favorites.
Gan Mao Ling - A must have Chinese herbal formula. Stops colds in their tracks. I won't even travel without it.
Yin Qiao San - Another Chinese must have formula. Combats colds and flu where there is fever and sore throat.
Essential Oils of Peppermint, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus - Use a couple of drops each in a bowl of steaming water for inhalation. Helps cold, flu and allergy symptoms. Prevents respiratory infections.
Yunnan Baiyao (topical patches and pills) - An ancient formula used medically and in the Chinese army. For bruises and contusions. As a pill, stops bleeding (internal and external). Fabulous for post surgical healing.
Tiger Balm - An ointment based on a Chinese herbal formula, but widely available in America. Bar none, best remedy for sprains and strains.
Cranberry Extract w/ D-Mannos (concentrated pills) - For urinary tract infections or irritations.
Lavendar Oil - For minor skin burns.
Valerian and Kava - Two herbs that help with stress related insomnia.
Phosphatidylserine - Controls cortisol, the hormone we secrete when under stress.
Rhodiola - Same as phosphatidylserine.
Hope you have found these tidbits interesting and maybe even helpful. Look for the last installment just after Christmas.
Peace and joy!
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ABOUT ME
After leaving behind a decade of practicing as an attorney, I received my Masters of Acupuncture in 2002 from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland. It certainly was an interesting career shift! Every day I am increasingly grateful to do this amazing work. I guess I still use some of my old attorney skills to piece together every patient's experiences to create a new picture of their health concerns from a Chinese medical perspective. From there we fashion a strategy toward healing together. It never gets old to watch a person's sufferings unravel. Sure beats interpreting government regulations for a living!
I keep balance in my own life by sharing my love of outdoor experiences with my husband and daughter. Camping, hiking and critter watching are much loved family activities. It's important to me to see that my daughter learns to attune herself to the movement of the seasons and the many lessons they offer, so that she can appreciate balance from an early age.
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Suite 204
Silver Spring, MD 20906
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Kay Madsen, M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. (NCCAOM)
Licensed Acupuncturist
13415 Connecticut Ave.
Suite 204
Silver Spring, MD 20906
(240) 393-5420
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Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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