Balingit Acupuncture

While the economic shutdown renders us less productive, it ironically creates an opportunity for enhanced efficiency. We can now understand the value of our time. And what the recent social distancing and sheltering has helped me realize is that there are tolerances in a health plan for continuity of care without extra time spent in the clinic. In that vein, I am now offering telehealth services, ideal for: acupuncture consults, wellness consults, integrative health plan reviews, and Chinese herbal prescriptions. https://www.sandiegowell.com/acupunc/tele-wise-your-health/

Much to unpackage Covid truth is hard to find A novel vector #haiku... Here's a fascinating interview with Dr Tom Cowan. He points out assumptions on COVID-19, and presents the possibility that it may not be infectious after all. Whoa! Full stop. Have a listen. You've got time. https://www.sandiegowell.com/prevent/deliberating-covid-19/

I remain optimistic. But while I believe that temporarily shutting down a large portion of our economy is a prudent response to the present coronavirus, it does present a new epidemic of fear as our livelihoods diminish. So how do we adapt? https://www.sandiegowell.com//how-to-adapt-to-the-other-e/

A Chinese medicine foot bath for your COVID wariness. https://www.sandiegowell.com/chinese-medicine-2/covid-spa/

SARS-CoV-2 is an intrepid world traveler, but not an easy rider. Here are 26 herbs for potential use in treating or preventing COVID-19. https://www.sandiegowell.com//not-an-easy-rider-herbs-wit/

So what's happened since my last post on COVID-19? https://www.sandiegowell.com//coronavirus-28-days-plus-re/

2019-nCoV (COVID-19) is similar to SARS in that it enters our cells via the same receptor protein. So, some speculate that we could benefit from the Chinese medicine herb, woad root (Isatis indigotica), used during the SARS outbreak in 2002/03. Read more https://www.sandiegowell.com//coronavirus-perspectives-an/

A Chinese medicine supplement is used in Asia and Europe for stroke rehabilitation. It also bodes well for TBI and Alzheimer's patients. But it is banned by the FDA. The ingredients, however, are commonly used by Chinese medicine providers in the U.S. So, though the supplement is unavailable here, an equivalent formula can be legally offered by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner. https://www.sandiegowell.com//chinese-medicine-stroke-gen/

I get sore when I see marketing gimmicks like Traditional Chinese Medicine cigarettes. They’re trending now in Beijing, where tobacco companies have added Chinese herbs to their products. This is an egregious pairing. Cigarette packs with Chinese medicine labels devalue the health benefits of this medical specialty, introducing it to the realm of soon-to-be kitschy novelty items. Read my full blog post here... https://www.sandiegowell.com//chinese-medicine-is-a-non-s/ See more

It's great to see a restaurant promote Chinese medicine with its cocktail menu. This D.C. establishment currently mixes Chinese herbs into their signature drinks. While this can be a fun and engaging introduction to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), note that combining herbs and alcohol is not necessarily therapeutic; especially if done so indiscriminately. Cheers!... https://www.washingtonpost.com//this-new-blagden-alley-sp/

Beware when buying herbal medicines. Even reputable brands may have counterfeits that are sold on e-commerce sites or in shady storefronts. Questionable herbal products may contain heavy metals, false ingredients, incorrect dosage, or unnatural additives. They may even be adulterated with Western pharmaceuticals. One study found that 24% of 2,609 samples were contaminated by at least one adulterant. Common adulterants: caffeine, acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone, ethoxybenzamide ...and sildenafil. [Journal of Internal Medicine 2002; 252: 107-113] In China, such poor-quality herbal manufacturers are known as shan zao chang, meaning mountain bandit companies. Photo: flickr.com/jonathankosread under CC BY-ND 2.0

Medicinal mushrooms have long been used in Chinese medicinespecifically reishi, cordyceps and poria. You can also add mushrooms introduced by other cultures. Like, chaga by Russia, and shiitake and maitake by Japan. The Japanese varieties are also used in cooking, while the others are mainly used for medicinal benefit. Any of these mushrooms can be used to boost immunity or augment cancer treatment. Further, reishi is also known as the spirit herb;** cordyceps can improve ...sexual function (in cases of kidney yang deficiency); and poria can harmonize a weak digestive system. If you aim for medicinal benefit, this is essential: Hot water extraction is required. The extraction process breaks down the cellular walls of the mushrooms, ensuring bioavailability of their medicinal compounds. It involves steeping or simmering the mushrooms to make a tea or broth. **Read my post on the Spirit Herb, here: http://www.sandiegowell.com/spirituality/the-spirit-herb/ Photo: Dried chaga mushroom, flickr.com/williamismael under CC BY-ND 2.0

Some pregnant women have tried acupuncture to induce labor in the hopes that they can choose their time of labor (for example, just prior to Christmas or New Year’s). The effectiveness of treatment can be hit-or-miss, with the exception that it is very effective in either of the following cases: The expectant mother is in early labor, but contractions are weak and irregular. The pregnancy is overdue.... So, while acupuncture is effective for labor induction, it should not be viewed as a means to dictate the exact term of pregnancy but rather as an aid to the natural process of birth. Happy holidays. Photo by flickr.com/brandonkoch under CC BY-SA 2.0

In Chinese medicine, kudzu root has long been used for head and body aches accompanying upper respiratory infections, and to alleviate thirst in feverish conditions. But in Western pop-culture, it is commonly sold as a hangover cure. Acetaldehyde is the toxic culprit in hangovers; it is the byproduct of alcohol metabolism. While kudzu does help break down acetaldehyde in the body, it is the flowers that do so and not the root. In fact, it has been shown that the root of kudzu... can cause a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body (if taken during times of high alcohol consumption), leading to possible long-term health risks. Read my full blog post here: http://www.sandiegowell.com/chin/kud-zu-pass-me-the-bottle/ Photo by Lee Coursey [flickr.com/leeco] under CC BY 2.0