Summer Equinox

“It was June, and the world smelled of roses.
The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”
– Maud Hart Lovelace, American author

After a barrage of spring rains that felt more like October than May, we have finally pushed through to our glorious summer season. Summer always brings a feeling of freedom as we celebrate the warm weather with barbecues, beach outings, camping, vacations and so much more. It is also a time that Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) looks at how you can benefit your body and mind with summer foods, exercise, meditation and a naturopathic protocol.

Naturopathic medicine enables you to utilize your systemic healing powers through such applications as acupuncture, botanical medicine, homeopathy and nutraceutical supplementation, to name a few. Read on for ideas and advice on how to take summer for all it is worth!

Summer Sun Protection with Clinical Nutrition, Botanical Medicine & Acupuncture

Cornell University recently submitted a study that stated the sun’s magnetic field is ten times more powerful than previously believed. This may concern you when it comes to rapid aging, skin degeneration and possibly skin cancer. With the sun much stronger during summer, slathering yourself with a synthetic protectant seems to be your only option. Fortunately, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and acupuncture may offer natural sun protection for your skin.

Food for Skin

In the study, ‘Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation’ published in Pharmacognosy Review (2011) it was stated that,

“Plants, like olive trees, have their own built-in protection against the oxidative damage of the sun, and these built-in protectors function as cell protectors in our own body.”

The study goes on to recommend antioxidant skin protection from clinical nutrition choices you may not be getting enough of or may want to increase. According to the study, some of these include:

• Anthocyanins (an-tho-sigh-an-ins) – Determined to be four times more powerful an antioxidant than vitamin E (which is often used to treat skin burns), anthocyanins can be found in blackberries, apples, pears, peaches, cherries and figs.
• Pro-antho-cyanidin (OPC) – Acting as a DNA mutation inhibitor, OPC’s in cream form has been researched and demonstrated to be effective against the dangerous effects of the sun (UV rays). Source includes: Grape seed extract, strawberries, blueberries.
• Resveratrol – Topical application of resveratrol resulted in a significant decrease in UVB-generation. Sources: Grapes, cranberries and peanuts.
• Quercetin – Tested as a potential topical sunscreen and found to provide protection in the UVA and UVB range. Sources include: kale, broccoli, capers, red onion, asparagus, tomatoes.
• Curcumin – Compound found in turmeric which can prevent UV irradiation-induced apoptotic [cell death] changes in human epidermoid carcinoma cells. Add more to your food or for a more potent delivery try a curcumin capsule daily supplement.
• Carotenoids – Dietary carotenoids accumulate in the skin and their level significantly correlates with sun protection. Sources include: yams, kale, spinach, carrots, watermelon, cantaloupes.

Botanical Medicine Sun Protection

In addition to antioxidant foods and supplements, certain botanical medicines (herbal applications) may help. Recommended herbs include,

• Aloe Vera – Scientifically proven for all forms of burn, be it radiation, thermal, or solar. It has also been demonstrated that it has a prophylactic (preventative) effect if used before, during, and after these skin damaging events…the plant is useless if used at less than 50% and it is recommended that it is used at 100%.
• Evening primrose – Has a high GLA [gamma-linoleic acid] content that promotes healthy skin and skin repair…soothes skin problems and inflammation.
• Avocado oil – Rich in vitamin E, β–carotene, vitamin D, protein, lecithin, and fatty acids…offers considerable benefits when added to [sun protectant] preparations.
• Borage oil – Stimulates skin cell activity and encourages skin regeneration.
• Tea Tree oil – It is a popular component of many sunscreen formulations that relieve sunburn by increasing blood flow in capillaries, bringing nutrients to damaging skin.

The study concluded that,

“It was shown that using only one natural component is not enough for skin protection. Maybe [a] combination of several different natural substances is a right solution.”

Acupuncture Sunscreen

Interestingly, acupuncture may also be a line of defense against ultraviolet light. According to a study in Evidence-based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (6/15),

“…TEA treatment [thread embedding acupuncture – continuously stimulates the tissues] is effective in suppressing signs of photo-aging including epidermal thickness and collagen fiber loss. In addition, TEA exerts its photo-protective effects against UVB [ultraviolet B] irradiated skin damage by inhibiting JNK activation [regulates tumor growth and neurodegenerative disorders] with subsequent reduction in MMP-9 expression [process involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix]. We therefore conclude that TEA treatment may be useful therapy for prevention of UVB-induced skin photo-aging.”

Talk to your acupuncturist about helping protect your skin from sun damaging rays.

Fire Up Your Summer Yang

Summer is a time that is yang heavy. This means fire energy, an element that is in continual flux creating light and heat, two major factors when it comes to optimal health. Fire fuels creativity and summer is the best time to take advantage of these creative juices that, for many, rise to the top to be harvested. Creativity doesn’t always have to be associated with an artistic endeavor, it can entail business inventiveness, culinary imagination, sport prowess, or forming like-minded groups.

If your fire constitution is compromised you may be struggling and not even know it. When your fire element is healthy it correlates with being compassionate, joyful, passionate, enthusiastic, respectful, patient, loving, and forgiving. However, if your fire element is imbalanced particularly during summer, there could be some underlying or obvious symptoms. Five Elemental Healing states that fire element symptoms of imbalance include:

• Excessive perspiration, or lack of perspiration
• Rashes, hives, or hot skin eruptions
• Sleep disturbances, insomnia, and restless sleep
• Palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat
• Restless, agitated, or explosive energy
• Inappropriate laughter
• Anxiety and irrational fears and phobias

Fire up your summer yang by incorporating ways to keep it strong. If you feel you may have a fire deficiency don’t skip meals, keep your feet warm (the ball of the foot is a major kidney point location) and partake in yin activities such as t’ai chi, meditation, and qigong. Yin activities help keep your yang life force strong.

Summer Yang Foods

If your fire element is compromised you’ll probably struggle with gas and bloating. Avoid cold raw foods as they need a good burner to pass through intestines. Recommended foods that specifically build fire and yang energy include:

• Apricots
• Apples
• Carrots
• Cayenne
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Cranberries
• Dill
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Ginseng
• Grapes
• Grapefruit
• Lime
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Rice
• Thyme
• Tomatoes
• Walnut
• Watercress

Summer Recipes

Incorporating specific summer foods will enable you to build a balanced yin/yang constitution. Using some of the foods above, as well as various herbs, you can utilize these recipes to ‘hit-the-ground-running’ for optimal summer eating. Try to eat more un-processed, organic, plant-based choices to maintain optimal beneficial energy and healing levels.

Herbal Infused Hydration

Drinking herbal infused water as a summer beverage could tap into mood enhancement, minor ache relief, and essential vitality needed to navigate the season. It is also a tasty, enjoyable way to cool down and hydrate.

Choose Your Formula – There are many herbs you can experiment with for beneficial results at different times of the day or as an application for minor discomfort, like indigestion. Some recommended herbs include: peppermint, basil, lemon balm, and rosemary. There are also some flower essences that you can add to your herbal infusion such as rose petals, lavender or jasmine.

Good herbs or herbal combos for specific applications include:

• Indigestion – Peppermint, basil, lemon balm
• Calming – Lavender, jasmine,
• Invigorating – Mint, orange, lemon

Use Clean Filtered Water – Your infusion must be mixed with clean, filtered water. Do not try anything bubbly or laced with sugary additives.

Infuse – Add five or six stalks or leaves of your favorite herb or herbal/flower combo into a large six-cup water pitcher. Let soak for five to eight hours in the sunlight or covered, out of the refrigerator, overnight. You can separate water from the herbs into another pitcher, or use the same pitcher refilling it once or twice getting full use out of the herbs. You can sip at room temperature or add clean ice for a cooling beverage. If you need a sweeter taste you can add stevia or warmed honey or agave.

Triple Tomato Flatbread 

A light flatbread “pizza” can really hit the spot while feeding your summertime chi. This triple tomato flatbread brings a light, savory, outdoorsy summer dish to the table.

Ingredients
1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
Cooking spray
3 plum tomatoes, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup soft sun-dried tomato halves (not packed in oil), julienned
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Asiago cheese
2 cups yellow and/or red cherry tomatoes, halved

• Unroll and press dough into a 15×10-in. rectangle. Transfer dough to an 18×12-in. piece of heavy-duty foil coated with cooking spray; spritz dough with cooking spray. In a large bowl, toss plum tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes with oil and seasonings.
• Carefully invert dough onto grill rack; remove foil. Grill, covered, over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. Turn; grill 1-2 minutes longer or until second side begins to brown.
• Remove from grill. Spoon plum tomato mixture over crust; top with cheese and cherry tomatoes. Return flatbread to grill. Grill, covered, 2-4 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.
• To bake flatbread: Preheat oven to 425°. Unroll and press dough onto bottom of a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Assemble flatbread as directed. Bake 8-10 minutes longer or until crust is golden and cheese is melted. *Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

Easy Fluffy Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie is a cool, refreshing dessert that goes perfect with your summer yang meal.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup boiling water
1 package (0.3 ounce) sugar-free lime gelatin
2 cartons (6 ounces each) Key lime yogurt
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
1 reduced-fat graham cracker crust (6 ounces)

In a large bowl, add boiling water to gelatin; stir 2 minutes to completely dissolve. Whisk in yogurt. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust. Refrigerate, covered, until set, about 2 hours.

*Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

News and Noteworthy

Recent news and notable achievements in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture are always worth mentioning. Here are a few:

Missed Spring? Do A Summer Detox

Doing a spring detox goes hand-in-hand with spring cleaning. However, if you missed your spring opportunity, a summer detox can be just as effective. This summer, give your body a break as it is exposed to exterior and consumed toxins everyday. Talk to your naturopathic doctor about an acupuncture and food detox protocol so your body can reset, recharge, and rejuvenate. The National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) stated,

Detox programs may involve a variety of approaches, such as:

• Fasting
• Consuming only juices or other liquids for several days
• Eating a very restricted selection of foods
• Using various dietary supplements or other commercial products
• Cleansing the colon (lower intestinal tract) with enemas, laxatives, or colon hydrotherapy (also called “colonic irrigation” or “colonics”)
• Combining some of these or other approaches

Gut Skin Connection

You may have heard of the gut-brain connection. This is how the intricate web of microflora works in conjunction with the brain to help the body remain in homeostasis (optimal health).

According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC),

“A mounting pile of scientific evidence has confirmed the depth of the connection between the gut and skin, and multiple studies link GI health to skin health, particularly for inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.5 Naturopathic physicians have long been aware of this link and will take steps to assess, measure, and treat gut health as part of the approach to dermatological care.”

Peppermint For Dysphagia & IBS

Disorders of the esophagus can result in difficulty swallowing as well as mock cardiac pain. Recently, peppermint has been studied for its unique muscle relaxing effects on dysphagia and other health compromises. According to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Digestive Diseases & Sciences,

“Of the 38 patients enrolled in the MUSC pilot study, 63 percent reported overall improvement of symptoms. Patients were recruited from the Esophageal Disorders Clinic at the MUSC Health Digestive Disease Center.”

Peppermint has also been applied to those suffering with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) which can cause chronic diarrhea or constipation. A study by researchers at The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada which was published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology stated that,

“Peppermint oil was found to be significantly superior to placebo for global improvement of IBS symptoms (5 studies, 392 patients) and improvement in abdominal pain.”

At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you. 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.

Happy summer and best in Health from Integrative Med Solutions!