Friday, February 2, 2024

Spirit points in Acupuncture

Acupuncture points for the Spirit

Acupuncture has many points that are called "Calm Spirit"

Some people are uncomfortable with the term spirit and can think of them as "calm emotions" points.

In Traditional Chinese medicine TCM, emotions have an effect on the Qi.

For example,

Overthinking causes Qi to get knotted up 

Anger causes Qi to rise

Sadness causes Qi to sink. 

Some ways a practitioner can determine the spirit health of a patient are, by 

looking into their eyes, and asking questions about mental health.

One can treat a person with acupuncture on the Qi and or spirit level.  Treating 

spirit level is analogous to moving dark clouds from a blue sky.

The rich history of every acupuncture point is very inspiring. Here are examples:


Baihui DU-20

Baihui is Considered the highest point of the body and the North Star of the 

acupuncture points. This point is able to raise sinking yang qi, in the physical 

sense of prolapse or the emotional sense such as depression. Like the North Star 

it can help with finding direction in life.  Used for fright 

palpitations, poor memory, disorientation, sadness, and heaviness of the head. 

According to "spiritual pivot" it is indicated for headaches, sensation of heat and 

oppression of the heart. 

UB 42 Spiritual Soul Gate

The point is a gate that provides access to the deepest levels of the soul – the

“Spiritual Soul”. Associated with the Liver (the Official of Planning), this point can

clarify the spiritual vision to see one's destiny. It helps a patient see whether their

path, their plans, and their choices are in alignment with their Divine purpose or

destiny. It helps a person know how he or she fits into the grand scheme of things.

Patients who need this point tend to lose their way or become easily confused,

frustrated, and thrown off track. They lose their internal compass. They may

spiritually flicker – finding purpose, direction, and alignment – only to lose it, as the

natural functioning of this gate is impaired. When this gate is open, it allows for a

strong flow of spiritual strength and insight capable of handling whatever need may

arise.

Heart 7 - Spirit Gate


Like all gates and the one above, the Spirit Gate must open and close freely. The

spirit must be able to move freely, responding appropriately to any need, within or


without. Locked out of its home, or with the gate stuck open, the spirit cannot rest in


quietude. A patient so affected may feel perpetually restless, unstable, and ill at


ease. With the spirit locked inside, the patient is unable to access and bring forth


love, joy, inspiration, and fun: the things that make life worth living. Without access


to the spirit, patients hunger for its contact and are often driven to destructive


compensatory behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse, and overeating.


If the gate is closed, the other Officials, too, are deprived of the love and warmth


that the Supreme Controller provides. As it is, the Supreme Controller tells the


Officials what to do, listens to them, and provides for their needs; without his


contact, they are on their own. Chaos soon begins; order is lost. The heart itself


can become overcontrolling and tyrannical. Here, we may find the Fire-imbalanced


patient who micromanages everyone else's tasks, exhausting himself or herself to


utter collapse.


S.I. 11: Heavenly Ancestor


This is one of the strongest points on the whole of the body to clean out impurities


of the mind and spirit. The ancient Chinese held their elders and ancestors in great


reverence. The ancestors had seen it all before, and had traveled the


path countless times and held the wisdom gleaned from vast experience. They


learned what was useful and what was useless. Within all of us is access to such


wisdom, which we can call upon for guidance. When it seems to be out of our


grasp, this point can provide the connection, revitalizing clarity where there was


filth, confusion, and chaos.


UB 60: Kun Lun Mountain


Water in the reservoir needs to be warm enough to move and flow freely, reaching


all officials, every cell and bodily system, and every level of the body, mind, and


spirit. As the Fire point of the meridian, this point provides warmth and joy to every


Official, resolving rigidity, inflexibility, and coldness at all levels. When one is frozen


with fear, there is no laughter, joy, or fun. Laughter is like water. It washes the mind


and spirit clean, releasing tension and negativity. Used at the right time, this point


breaks the ice and melts walls of separation and loneliness. We know the colloquial


expression, "freezing one's assets," meaning that one has no access to one's bank


reserves. Internally, it takes warmth to unfreeze and to give the Officials the


reassurance that the reserves are accessible.


Note: In Chinese mythology, the Kun Lun mountains were a sacred high place. To


reach the peaks of these mountains was to reside with the gods and immortals in a


place of clarity and quietude – high above the fears and feelings of being swamped,


bogged down, depleted, frozen, and immovable. From such a spiritual height, one


can bathe in and drink from a warm eternal reservoir, open to the current of love


that is ever-present and everlasting.







Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Depression

Depression
1 in 6 people in the U.S. are depressed

Risk factors: Gender. more common in women due to changing hormones  possible increase in women seeking care.
Exposure to violence, genetics 2 to 3x chance if in family, divorce more for males,

Major depressive disorder 6.7% of adults main reason for disability.
Age of onset average 32.5
Adolescents 13% especially females.
Older adults especially with another Chronic condition

Depression is not a normal part of aging.
Major Depression
Single or reoccurring episode

Must have at least 5
sleep disturbance, appetite, low self-esteem
difficulty thinking or concentrating
worry, preoccupation  feelings of hopelessness

rule out bipolar, hypothyroid, and other health problems.

Adjustment Disorder- after a stress-er,  ie baby, home, break up, job
Psychotic Depression is when someone is seeing something that is not there.

Post Partum
Seasonal 
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
PTSD, Pain disorders, 
Transient depression -very common

Medications commonly prescribed
SSRI's
ie Lexipro
Activates our serotonin longer. take 2 to 8 weeks to work.

side effects
suicidal to be watched for in early stage, sexual dysfunction

interact with blood thinning drugs, tryptophan does interact.
st. Johns wort, yohimbe increase serotonin

SNRI's norepinephrine
Cymbalta, Effexor
side effects same plus heart palpitations

safe for pregnancy class c

Tricyclic,
Elavil inhibits the mechanism that removes the neurotransmitters as well as dopamine.
dry mouth, eyes, constipation,
bad interaction with cold or allergy medicine


MAOi's  Mono Amine Oxidase inhibitors.

a lot of compounds with a lot of side effects
no cheese, red wine, birth control, pain medication, caffeine
all can cause a hypertensive crisis,

Remiron, antagonizing seritonin receptors.
Wellbutrin, inhibits norepinefrin and dopamine not serotonin

antipsychotics
Severe fatigue, constipation, black box warning for the elderly


herbal help
St. John's Wort The flowering tops
the active constituents Hypericum
Bitter, Cooling
Anybody that has had prolonged periods of stress. antidepressent and anti anxiety
anti herpes or shingles
topically in is Anodyne a nervous pain, neuralgia, tingling,

mechanism of action
keeps serotonin and dopamine more available
studies have shown that it works as well as paroxetene with out the negative effects.
study on mice, induced depression in the mice and that changed the genes in the mice.Hypericum has been proven to undo this

Interacts with ssri's
causes us to break down other drugs faster that could be bad.
Good for someone with an overwhelmed system. Depression and Anxiety. Not Major Depression

Herbal anti depressants

Lavendula Lavender- the flower and the leaf
nerve tonic and antidepressant, anti spasms, good for digestion, anxiety.
study showed that just smelling lavender helps. 

Turnera Diffusa Damiana- Passionflower
aromatic and warming
afrodisiac,
antispasmotic,
antianxiety
no interactions, safe
vitalizing and relaxing


Rose, the flower drying and cooling
astringing dries up liquids.
strengthens circulations
studies showed rose essential oil helped sexual dysfunction
opens the heart and helps people set good boundaries
for grief
can smell for ext. or internal

Ocimum tenuflorum
Holy Basil Tulsi aromatic dry and warming
adaptogenic, antidepressent, antimicrobial
enhances memory, slight contraceptive effect, no pregnancy
help to connect with divine

Rhodiola Rosea root, astingent
Antioccidant, vitalizing, and calming
grief, anxiety

mimosa of silk tree Albizzia
he hwan pi, or hua drying or cooling helps us fall asleep quicker, possible anticancer
possibility for a manic episode, not for bipolar, not for yin deficiency
good for people who hold their anger inside.

other herbs to consider
lemon balm
Maca
hawthorn root
rosemary
betony
Gotu Kola

consider omega 3's dha, folates, minerals, vitamin d, amino acids,

Recommend Cognitive Behavioral therapy

herbs can be used with pharmaceuticals







Magnolia clear sinus fromula



Clinical Applications:
 

Allergy Formula
Rhinitis or sinusitis with clear and white nasal discharge
Seasonal allergies, especially in Spring
General nasal problems
Antiallergic and antihistamine effects to treat sinusitis and rhinitis
Anti-inflammatory effect to constrict the vessels in nasal mucosa
Antibiotic and antiviral effect
Respiratory Support

 

TCM Functions: Disperses wind and cold, Opens nasal orifices

 

Cautions and Contraindications:

 This formula is contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.

Ingredients: Xin Yi (Flos Magnoliae)Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Gan Cao (Rx/Rz Glycyrrhizae), Gao Ben (Rz/Rx Ligustici), Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Cang Er Zi (Fructus Xanthii), dry-friedChe Qian Cao (Herba Plantaginis), Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis), Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae), Cha Ye (Folium Camelliae), Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus), Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae), Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis)

Solamen - Herb formula for chronic pain

Adapted from the classic formula Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan 

Chronic pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and other long-lasting non-inflammatory pain conditions such as sciatica and spinal stenosis, 


Ingredients:
Du huo – Radix Angelicae Pubescentis
Fang feng – Radix Ledebouriella Divaricatae
Qin jiao – Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae
Rou gui – Cortex cinnamomi
Chuan Xiong – Rhizoma Chuanxiong
Dang gui – Radix Angelicae Sinensis
Bai shao – Radix Paeoniae alba
Du Zhong – Cortex Eucommiae
Shu di huang – Radix Rehmanniae Preparata
Niu xi – Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae
Fu ling – Poria
Dang shen – Radix Codonopsis.


This herbal supplement is designed to nourish the blood, invigorate Qi, expel wind, and remove dampness, which can help ease symptoms such as cold pain, stiffness, and numbness in the lower back and knees caused by wind, cold, and dampness. 

How to take: 20 drops up to 3 times a day 

Solamen is made from raw, un-sulfured Chinese herbs of the highest quality. Prepared using traditional methods combined with modern pharmaceutical processes to extract the active ingredients and concentrate them into a tincture. The supplement can be added by adding 20 drops or a full dropper to meals three times a day.


Contraindication: This should not be used during pregnancy, and individuals with hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, or those taking other medications should consult with a physician before use. While few adverse effects have been reported, if any negative symptoms occur, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention. Finally, keep the supplement out of reach of children and stop use if a fever develops.

Monday, September 18, 2023

White Ginseng

White Ginseng is an adaptogen. 



Adaptogens help the body adapt to internal and external stressors, boost energy and mental clarity, and regulate the immune system and blood sugar levels. White ginseng is less warming than red ginseng and therefore safer for people with inflammatory conditions.

Ginseng is especially useful for people who have had long-term stress or illness and are feeling run down. 

Ginseng should not be used for more than three months at a time. Ginseng may cause trouble sleeping so don't take it late in the day.



Jade Windscreen

 Jade Windscreen Yu ping Feng San  Immune tonic, upper respiratory antiinflamatory

  1. For preventing cold or flu 
  2. When feeling on the verge of getting sick.
  3. Travel
  4. During the spring or other allergy season
  5. If allergic to pets, dust, or other potential allergens.
  6. Spontaneous perspiration, aversion to Wind or Cold.

In a published study at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, researchers showed Yu Ping Feng San can regulate inflammatory response and phagocytosis thereby exerting anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects. Further studies by this same group in 2015 showed that Yu Ping Feng San also suppresses neuraminidase activity of influenza virus A, thereby preventing viral release and spreading in epithelial cells. Their conclusion was that Yu Ping Feng San exerts both antibacterial and antiviral effects in innate immunity.

In another published study, researchers showed that administration of Yu Ping Feng San effectively alleviated injury to the lung and suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and collagen deposition in COPD subjects. Yu Ping Feng San also was shown to significantly reduce inflammatory response in the COPD animal study subjects.

In a third study, also published by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, it was demonstrated that Yu Ping Feng San stimulates a bi-directional immune-modulatory role in the release of cytokines from macrophages. Additionally, Yu Ping Feng San was shown to up-regulate the phagocytic activity of macrophages.


How to use?
20 drops or a dropper full  3 times daily with or before meals.
Side Effects:

Contraindication: Do not take in the presence of a fever

Monday, August 9, 2021

Herbs for Cancer Support

 Cancer and herb support


Notes taken from The holistic herbalism podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2lp6KYFeQBvAs31ygyDmK0?si=kvMNWHcVTump43DPdGhWjQ&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A2fgAloNB8wwN5oACleJXPq&dl_branch=1

There is no herb that cures cancer, There is also no pharmaceutical that cures cancer.


A high sugar diet sets the stage in the body for cancer


Studies have shown that people who eat more vegetables have less cancer in general.

Note: don't use the essential oils, use the plant


Almost all culinary herbs have shown to have anticancer activity in studies


Parsley  studies have isolated a constituent called apigenin that has shown to inhibit angiogenesis which is when a tumor creates its own blood vessels to get the supplies to grow.

A lot of other herbs have apigenin, garlic, chamomile, alfalfa, ginkgo.

Parsley is also a diuretic which supports kidney health, parsley is economical


Rosemary is a famous anti cancer herb because studies have shown some of the fatty acid constituents and terpenes in rosemary encourage apoptosis (programmed cell death)and can get a tumor to stop growing. Also rosemary resensitizes the tumor to respond to chemo 


Some of the Adaptogen herbs help chemotherapy drugs and help your body tolerate the process, adaptogen herbs help your body withstand stress.

 

Eleuthero studies on breast cancer have shown that taking this herb one hour before before chemotherapy and one hour after made treatment more effective and lessened the side effects


Astragalus boosts the production of red blood cells and white blood cells


Codonopsis helps with white blood cell counts, it has a lot of nutritional benefits as well


Nettle leaf and/or seed helps with chemo in particular because it nourishes everything, even hair


Ashwagandha for adrenals and circadian rhythm


Elecampane for respiratory health but also gut health and breaks up biofilms, 

A biofilm is an assemblage of surface-associated microbial cells that is enclosed in an extracellular polymeric substance matrix