Summer Newsletter 2022

“Summer afternoon – summer afternoon;
to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James

Sometimes the path of life can seem mundane; day to day, week to week, year to year. If it feels like a blur of the same old thing rapidly passing time, it is the summer months that can realign, reacquaint, and re-imagine. The bold sunny mornings and heated afternoons letting loose to a cool evening shower is the symbol of full spectrum living. An example of the yin and yang that helps navigate the mind and body making summer a spectacle that not only dazzles but remains full of healing powers for the taking.

Don’t let another season motor by unnoticed and, instead, embrace summer as an opportunity to charge that inner battery to the fullest. Once the life force is rejuvenated, then fall, winter and spring will keep that energy firing on all cylinders throughout.

In this IMS Summer Newsletter 2022 we explore how summer can be embraced through acupuncture, botanical medicine, reflexology, and particularly specific empowering dietary foods and recipes using the science of clinical nutrition. These are small examples of a vast network of possibilities harvested from such an energetically charged season. It is the inner child that lets the freedom of summer wash over like an old friend and once again bring magic into the day.

Mechanisms of the Energies of Summer

The body is affected by and a reflection of the environment around it. During summer, according to Classical Chinese Medicine, there are specific summer associations that correlate to everyday living. These associations bring clues as to how to apply healing applications such as acupuncture, homeopathy, nutraceutical supplementation, detoxification and more.

The associations of summer are as follows:

• Element: Fire
• Emotion: Joy
• Taste: Bitter
• Opens to: Tongue
• Color: Red
• Organ – Heart, governs blood, controls Shen (Mind)

According to Classical Chinese Medicine (1) some examples of the mechanisms of the energies of summer include:

• The three months of summer are governed by the energy of fire, and are thus in charge of the process of growing and ripening.
• According to the controlling cycle of the five energetic phases (fire, earth, metal, water, wood) fire can distress metal; metal energy governs the lung; the flavor associated with the lung is pungent. During the summertime, one should decrease bitter foods and increase pungent flavors to nourish the lung.
• The heart is exuberant during the summer months, but the kidney is in its weakest state, nourish the kidney with strengthening foods
• The ingestion of coagulating foods like summer squash, eggplant, uncooked vegetables, or other excessively yin foods may promote the formation of abdominal masses
• Drink warm liquids and eat warm food; never fill yourself up to the brim, but eat smaller portions in shorter intervals. Drink cinnamon tea,
• Comb your head daily 100-200 times during the summer months, taking care not to injure the scalp and selecting a place that is free of draft. This is a natural method to expel wind and brighten the eyes.

Working with a naturopathic doctor capable of navigating the intricacies of Classical Chinese Medicine, these ancient seasonal recommendations along with several others can be applied for beneficial health results. Start with summer and unlock the potential of all that summer offers.

Incorporating Acupuncture into American Healthcare

Utilizing the unique capabilities of acupuncture during any season can be a highly advantageous choice. However, working with a time-tested, licensed acupuncturist trained in Classical Chinese Medicine just may catapult the mind and body to mesh with each season at opportune times.

Summer is a potent season primed to embrace acupuncture sessions as the qi (“chee” – life force) is already in optimal movement mode. Acupuncture is able to harness this movement (or lack thereof) and guide energy back into the natural flow of the meridian (path) it is intended for.

Acupuncture treatments (1-2x per week, 6-8 weeks) could address many associations of the season of summer which may include:

• Headache relief
• Reducing muscle and joint pain
• Minimizing summer allergies and allergy symptoms
• Alleviating insomnia
• Reducing high blood pressure
• Treating heat or plant-sourced skin rashes

Once balance is restored, an acupuncture management protocol can be determined (approx. 1-2x per month). Overall, by drawing on the clues and additional remedies of Classical Chinese Medicine, the acupuncturist can address imbalanced qi and beneficially affect quality of life. So much so that this ancient, 4000+ year old practice is becoming more mainstream than ever before.

A combined study of acupuncture incorporated into American Healthcare by researchers from institutions that included: Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, found that,

“Despite considerable challenges, acupuncture continues to advance into mainstream American healthcare and into healthcare systems worldwide…Strengths of acupuncture and its inclusion as a viable medical option include the rapidly growing evidence base, increasing public demand, the need to find non-pharmacologic options for pain control,…” (2)

The study described the mechanism of acupuncture stating,

“Mechanisms such as changes in neural processing in central and peripheral domains, release of endogenous opioids, changes in pain signaling, vasodilation and blood-flow dynamic effects, and others have led to numerous plausible, biological mechanisms for acupuncture…Acupuncture and Chinese medicine present a novel infrastructure…Some examples include the belief that illness holds valuable lessons and that it is consequent to prior actions in many cases, and that all disharmonies exist in a web of inter-relationship.”

Explore incorporating an acupuncture protocol this season and each season thereafter. Think of it as an oil change. Our bodies should get just as much attention as our machines.

Summer Reflexology

In addition to a good summer acupuncture protocol or if you need a tune-up, pick-me-up, or re-alignment, summer reflexology could help. This is a great way to “wake up” the feet as modern society has diminished the ability for these sensitive “antennae” to naturally navigate anymore.

Muscle sensors are dulled by padded footwear, especially during the inclement weather of winter and spring. Reflexology has shown to “ground” the body and mind opening the ability for the feet to not only communicate with the biological and psychological system but to reacquaint with the energy of the earth as well.

Reflexology is also an ancient practice that follows a body map on the bottom of the feet (sometimes hands and ears too) believed to correlate with systemic healing. By specifically manipulating these ‘map points’ through gentle, manual point stimulation, a trained practitioner can address issues such as:

• Poor digestion
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nausea
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Labor and delivery
• Back pain

In a five week study of reflexology performed on operating room nurses and published in the clinical journal ‘Holistic Nursing Practice,’ it was stated,

“In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative treatment methods has been increasing due to the fact that pharmacological treatment cannot control the pain in general, and its various side effects and cost…In this study, reflexology significantly reduced the pain of nurses who had low back pain.” ( 3)

Catapult into summer with reflexology to literally, hit-the- ground-running.

Summer Foods

As mentioned, utilizing clinical nutrition is a way to specifically optimize food choices to correlate with seasonal eating. In the summer, the best foods to choose according to Classical Chinese Medicine and overall naturopathic medics approaches includes:

• Pungent foods (Note: Be careful with overall pungent food such as hot peppers as these can stress the kidney) – Radish, daikon, spicy leafy greens, peppermint, lemon balm and lavender.
• Bitter foods (stimulates digestion and excretion) – Artichokes, all chicory greens (frisee, escarole, dandelion greens, endive, romaine lettuce (particularly the stems and hearts), bitter melon and green tea.
• Sweet and sour summer fruits (good for hydration, vitamins, and minerals) – Berries, peaches, apricots, plums, rhubarb. Include lightly fermented foods in your meals – such as sauerkraut and quick pickles.

Try some summer recipes that utilize seasonal eating while quenching summer tastes.

Fragrant Rose – Watermelon Cooler Recipe

3 cups – Cubed seedless watermelon

2 cups – Unsweetened pomegranate juice

1 – Strip (6 inches) lemon zest

1/2 tsp. – Rose water (the amount can be more or less, depending on your preference)

In blender, combine watermelon and pomegranate juice. Blend until smooth. Twist lemon zest to release essential oils and place in jar. Add watermelon mixture and rose water. Seal with lid and shake to combine. Refrigerate for up to 3 days if desired and shake to recombine before serving.

Pour into glasses, discarding lemon zest. Serve immediately.

*Recipe courtesy of Pearl Natural Health (4)

Cucumber Avocado Summer Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped cucumber, peeled if non-organic

1 cup bacon or fuerte avocado

1.5 cups plain yoghurt or kefir

2 tbsp fresh green bell pepper

1 tsp finely ground cumin seed

3 tbs fresh cilantro

Salt and Pepper to taste, start with 1 tsp each

Preparation:

Place cucumber and cilantro in food processor and grind till fine.

Dry roast cumin seed in a pan or wok on a low flame to bring out flavor. Grind in mortar and pestle or spice grinder.

Add avocado, yogurt, cumin, salt, and pepper to the cucumber and cilantro and blend to a creamy thick soup-like consistency.

Serve slightly cool or room temp.

*Recipe courtesy of Body Mind Wellness (5)

News & Noteworthy: Classical Chinese Medicine

Classical Chinese Medicine Herbs Treat Ovarian Failure

In study of specific Chinese herbs for ovarian treatment by researchers from Shanghai University and The First Affiliated Hospital of PLA Navy Military Medical University (Second Military Medical University, it was concluded that,

“Zuo Gui Wan and You Gui Wan [Chinese herbs] could treat POF [premature ovarian failure] by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, regulating hormone levels, improving ovarian function, and promoting follicular development.” (6)

Classical Chinese Medicine Enhances Community Health

As more people search for natural remedies, Classical Chinese Medicine seems to be integrating into society more than ever before. Published in Research Gate, A qualitative study of classical Chinese medicine

“This study highlights the importance of accessibility, integration, networking, secure funding and team unity in the context of community health program delivery, as well as noting a diversity of practice among Chinese medicine practitioners. CCM concepts may hold potential for integration into community health, however, further research is warranted.” (7)

Classical Chinese Medicine Decoction for Headache Disorders

Another study of Classical Chinese Medicine herbs showed promise in treating headaches and more. Research out of Switzerland published in the journal Medicines concluded that,

“This study suggests that the bioactive compounds found in WDT [Chinese herb Wen Dang Tang] composition show potential in treating patients with neurological, psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and digestive disorders. Some coherence between WDT in headache reduction and improvements in the quality of life in patients with migraines and TTH [tension-type headaches] could be evaluated, showing positive results of WDT in these patients.” (8)

At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design a naturopathic medicine and acupuncture summer season 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.

Sources:

1. https://classicalchinesemedicine.org/promoting-health-and-relaxation-during-the-four-seasons/
2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/21649561211042574
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33306494/
4. https://pearlnaturalhealth.com/the-summer-season-in-chinese-medicine/
5. https://bodymindwellnesscenter.com/cucumber-avocado-summer-soup/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35657051/
7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338638831_A_qualitative_study_of_classical_Chinese_medicine_in_community_health_focusing_on_self-care_practitioner_and_staff_perspectives
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955743/