Fall Newsletter 2020

“One positive thought produces millions of positive vibrations.” ~ John Coltrane

Finding resilience in a season of shedding, cleansing, and preparing, physical and mental clarity may seem like a challenge, but it is more like an opportunity. Walking into fall 2020, as unease seems to dominate so much outside noise, hope continues abound for more balance and more joy waiting with open arms. Use this time to open the heart, open the mind and stand fully willing to let go. Once this door is opened, only the positive vibration can enter and thrive. The positive vibration will heal imbalance and we all have the ability to utilize it.

Balance Media cites work by Dr. Joe Dispenza, a neuroscientist who has pioneered notable research into quantum physics, epigenetics, molecular biology and neuro-cardiology.

According to Dr. Dispenza,

“As we activate our brain cells, we set up a vibration in our bodies. This results in the frequency with which we carry ourselves and creates the perception of our internal and external reality. Once we tune into our energy, we can connect with ourselves and others on a more profound level and improve our emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.”

Open the door to the positive vibrations hovering just above all the low frequencies that surround us now. Embrace these vibrations during this season of autumn through Integrative Med Solutions (IMS) naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. Dr. Fred Lisanti individually assesses and then applies a vast spectrum of holistic remedies and acupuncture protocols to offer physical and mental clarity while shoring up necessary protections to navigate outside pathogens.

Embrace fall 2020, let go of old baggage, increase your positive vibrations, and rise above the noise.

Oil Your Hinges With Acupuncture

For thousands of years, Asian practitioners have utilized the profound healing capability of acupuncture. Manipulating the energy of meridians (pathways) through painless applications of hair-thin needles enables the body to tap into its unique and potent curative capabilities. Acupuncture just may be an essential protocol to add to your fall health routine as it has been linked to boosting the immune system which is highly significant during this time of COVID-19.

Acupuncture, has expanded into a global practice and can be found just about anywhere, including renowned hospitals like Mount Sinai in New York City which reports,

“Acupuncture combined with supplementary Chinese Medicine modalities is found effective for the alleviation of chronic neck, shoulder, back and osteoarthritis pain…The researchers quantified significant clinical benefits. Acupuncture modalities not only reduced pain levels, but also significantly reduced pain interference and depression levels.”

Fall is the perfect opportunity to tonify and disperse stagnant energy as it is considered the hinges of the door into winter. Acupuncture can balance and energize “stuck” meridians, particularly the lungs and large intestine or colon, primary organs associated with the season of fall. It is able to oil the hinges so the door to the next season opens without a squeak.

These are examples of specific points often utilized by a licensed acupuncturist trained in Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) during the change of summer into fall:

• Lung 1 (Middle Peace) – This point is located almost directly on the upper, inside clavicle (collar bone) and is said to take the patient to a place of tranquility and profound knowing.
• Lung 9 (Very Great Abyss) – Point is on the inside crease of the wrist near the thumb and may be the first application during an autumn acupuncture session. Works to turn energy into detoxification support.
• LI 18 (Let Go) – This large intestine point is found on the meridian along the lateral (outside) side of the neck and assists in the process of ‘letting go’. May help purge deep mental and physical toxicity paving the way for release and renewal, a perfect fall point.
• LI20 (Welcome Fragrance) – On the side of each nostril is the ending point for the large intestines. Opens the olfactory (smell) passageway instigating the first breath described as a welcome fragrance.

Reacquaint Autumn Associations

It is s always good to refresh, reacquaint, or simply discover the associations of the season of fall according to CCM. These connections are not applied literally but rather scientifically inasmuch as they can give clues to imbalances, detection of mental or physical stagnation, as well as meridian applications for treatment.

• Element – Metal
• Yin – Lungs
• Yang – Large intestines
• Emotion – Grief / Sadness
• Climate – Dryness
• Stage of Development – Harvesting
• Flavor – Pungent
• Color – White
• Sense organ – Nose
• Tissues – Skin
• Sound – Crying
• Healing sound – sssssssssss

Working with naturopathic guidance such as homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutraceutical supplementation, clinical nutrition and environmental medicine, it may be surprising how these associations are so closely linked to systemic homeostasis (equilibrium).

Immune Boost for Back-to-School, Allergies and Pandemics

As mentioned, acupuncture can assist in boosting the immune system. Adding a naturopathic protocol alongside acupuncture offers a double dose of boost to help with fall allergies, back-to-school exposure, as well as assist in protecting against outside pathogens like COVID-19 and upcoming flu season risks.

Although it is of the utmost importance to follow the pandemic protocols: wear a mask, social distance, and keep hands and face clean, not much information offers ways to stoke one of the most powerful defense mechanisms available, the immune system.

Finding remedies to use for immune system support can be challenging as there are shelves filled with options. This is why working with a naturopathic doctor can enable a way to hone in on the best application, individually tailored to work optimally on an effective defense.

Some potent immune booster support supplements include:

• Black elderberry
• Zinc
• Vitamin D3
• Oregano oil
• Vitamin C
• Olive leaf extract
• Garlic
• Green tea
• Raw honey
• Homeopathic remedies

In addition to these consumable immune boosters, it is important to adhere to:

• A clean plant-based heavy diet
• 7-8 hours of sleep per night
• Filtered water as a constant beverage
• A good daily exercise routine
• Meditation

Fall Recipes: Eat to Thrive

Using the CCM associations of autumn and weaving some of them into supporting food recipes is fuel on the fire of health. These are some to get you started, look for more or come up with your own and eat to thrive.

If a Japanese market is accessible, this recipe for Flu Season Soup includes specific herbs that can be found there. Perfect for the fall flu season and pending risk of COVID-19. According to the recipe from the Eastern School of Acupuncture,

“This may look like a Western soup, but it contains many ingredients used in the Chinese tradition to enhance the immune system and strengthen the body.”

Flu Season Soup

Ingredients:

• Yi Yi Ren (Coix or Job’s Tears); hato mugi in Japanese, or Pearl Barley: 3/4 cup
• Water: 3 1/2 cups
• Vegetable Oil: 1 tbsp. (canola or olive oil)
• Onion: 1/2 medium sized onion cut into 1/2” pieces
• Garlic: 2 cloves garlic, peeled & minced
• Celery Stalks: 2-3 celery stalks cut into 1/2” slices
• Adzuki, Kidney or Black Beans (hei dou): 1 cup cooked; or a 15 oz. size can, drained
• Dried Thyme: 2 tsp.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: 1 cup
• Leek: 1, well washed, cut into 1/4” slices, roots and tough tips discarded
• Green Peas: 1 cup fresh or frozen
• Pepper & Salt
• Arugula: 1 handful, roughly chopped into 1-2” pieces (about 1/4 cup chopped) as garnish

Directions:

• Combine the barley and water in a large pot; bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook, uncovered, at a gentle simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Heat the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat, and then add the onion and garlic.
• Cook, stirring, until golden brown.
• Add the celery, beans, thyme, and broth to the pan
• Cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Gently stir the beans against the side of the pan to break them open (add some water if mixture becomes too thick)
• Add the bean mixture to the pot of barley, along with the leeks and season with pepper. Simmer for another 15 minutes or so, until the barley is soft.
• Add salt to taste
• Sprinkle the arugula on top of the dish as a garnish. Serves 4.

“If using dried beans, measure out 1/3 cup, then soak for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. Drain and place them in a pot with about 1 cup of water. Cover the pot, boil, and then lower the heat to a simmer. Adzuki beans will cook in approximately 45 minutes. Kidney beans will require approximately 90 minutes. Especially good for flu season or serving to anyone with a cold or flu,”

Black Beans with Brown Rice

Taste of Home offers this recipe for a hearty, kidney cooling meal perfect during a brisk fall day. It will feed the fire while balancing associations.

Ingredients:

• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

In a large saucepan, sauté peppers and onion in oil until tender. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, vinegar, garlic salt, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes or until desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Serve with rice.

News & Noteworthy

With a world spinning so rapidly these days it is important to stay grounded with facts instead of fiction. Here are some hopeful ‘health happenings’.

Acupuncture may reduce inflammation associated with COVID-19

Hyper-inflammatory response is a very dangerous result of COVID-19 infection where the heart, brain and other organs inflame so intensely it becomes terminal. However, according to research published in the journal Neuron as reported by the Harvard university Gazette, acupuncture may help.

“A team of researchers led by neuroscientists at Harvard Medical School has successfully used acupuncture to tame systemic inflammation in mice…in the study, acupuncture stimulation influenced how animals coped with cytokine storm — the rapid release of large amounts of cytokines, inflammation-fueling molecules. The phenomenon has gained mainstream attention as a complication of severe COVID-19,..”

Possible Honeysuckle Remedy

A study published in Cell Discovery as reported by Nature stated a promising plant compound application that may inhibit the coronavirus in infected patients. It was found that,

“In summary, our results suggest that absorbed plant MIR2911 in HD [enriched honeysuckle decoction] inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and accelerates the negative conversion of infected patients. HD treatment might greatly help cure infected patients and stop the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Got To Boost the Immune System

Rather than bombard patients with anti-inflammatories and other suppressing medications it is believed that stoking the immune system can be highly effective against the coronavirus. As reported by the Washington University School of Medicine,

“Hotchkiss [Richard S. Hotchkiss, MD, a professor of anesthesiology, of medicine and of surgery  at WU] and Remy [Kenneth E. Remy, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at WU] collaborated with researchers in a small study conducted in seriously ill COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in Belgium. In that study, which was reported on in the JAMA Network Open paper, the COVID-19 patients were treated with a substance called interleukin-7 (IL-7), a cytokine that is required for the healthy development of immune cells. In those patients, the researchers found that IL-7 helped restore balance to the immune system by increasing the number of immune cells and helping those cells make more cytokines to fight infection.”

At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design a naturopathic medicine treatment program that works for you either in person or through digital, telemedicine communication. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914-337-2980 or Click Here to schedule an online appointment.

*Please Click Here to see a current list of insurance companies that commonly carry acupuncture benefits for its members. For more info, please call 914-337-2980 or securely email us at info@intmedsolutions.com.

Best in health from Integrative Med Solutions.