Desert Health News - November-December 2024

. www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2024 Natural Options The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 12 Continued on page 20 www.acqpoint.com Get relief from pain and stress now! Acupuncture • Electro Acupuncture Chiropractic • K-Laser • Cupping Chinese Herbs • Medical Massage Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc CLINIC DIRECTOR Madeline Flores, LMT, HHP MASSAGE THERAPY CRANIAL SACRAL THERAPY CUPPING For appointments, book online at AcQpoint.com or call 760.345.2200 77682 Country Club Drive, Ste. G • Palm Desert Robert “Buzz” Edelburg, DC CHIROPRACTOR Upcoming Events Dr. Joe Dispenza Chat Groups Small Group Meditations Self-Acupressure 101 Energy Healing with Tracy Smith Call for schedule of events and to be added to our list. Herbal soups have been used in many cultures throughout generations to prevent and treat diseases. In China for example, many soups tend to be mild in nature and easily absorbed and digested. Around the world, families revere and swear by their traditional recipes, and pass them along through the ages. Popular soups include Tom Yum soup with lemongrass, ginger and chili in Thailand; chicken noodle soup (aka Jewish penicillin); caldo de pollo, chicken soup with cilantro: Chinese chicken scallion soup; avgolemono soup in Greece and so on! Soup is especially useful this time of year when we need all the cold-fighting, immune-boosting and energy-producing nutrients we can get. Thesemagic medicinals are powerful enough to help rebalance the body from within without putting stress on the liver. For an easy fix, visit a local Chinese market for soup kits with formulated flowers, root barks, fruits and seeds and other plants that you simply cook in water or broth. There are many Chinese recipes used for varying ailments, to improve health and well- being and to strengthen the immune system. Keep in mind, as my Chinese traditional medicine teacher would say, some of these recipes are “not so yummy” for American tastes while others are delicious. Fight a cold or the flu Let’s start with a basic recipe we all know, chicken soup, and why specific ingredients are helpful when you’re under the weather. Chicken is warm, sweet and strengthens the spleen and stomach. If you’re a vegetarian, substitute the chicken with mushrooms. Chicken Scallion Soup 1. Always boil your chicken first then drain the water to remove any blood fragments and improve taste. 2. Place 600 grams of chicken in a pot with water just covering the chicken. 3. Add 2 to 3 scallions with the white roots attached as they help alleviate flu symptoms like chills. 4. Add 20 grams of fresh ginger which is pungent and harmonizes digestion, breaks up phlegm and alleviates flu symptoms. 5. Add garlic (optional) for its natural anti-fungal, -viral and -bacterial properties. Bring to a boil then simmer for 40 to 60 minutes. One cup of this soup, two to three times a day, will improvemild cold symptoms like itchy eyes, mild sore throat, chills and low-grade fever. Boost your energy and immune system Try ginseng chicken soup, often referred to in China as Dang Gui or Angelica chicken soup. This recipe is excellent for long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dang Gui is a blood tonic which also aids with gynecological issues and improves complexion. Ginseng Chicken Soup 1. Cut up a whole chicken, boil it, then drain the water. Add fresh water to the pot. 2. Add two medium roots of American ginseng and/or 10 grams of Angelica bark known as Dang Gui. 3. Add 10 red dates. 4. Add 3 slices of ginger. 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 6. Combine and stew for at least 2 hours. In the Chinese culture, American ginseng is considered precious. It is best for the immune system and lungs because it cools the body and nourishes the respiratory system. Korean red ginseng, on the other hand, is very hot and for centuries it has been used to boost sexual vitality. Be sure to not confuse the two! If you’re fighting a cold or flu, try to avoid dairy, sugar, fried foods and wheat. Eat more soups, barley, mung beans, radishes and peppermint ginger teas — and remember to watch funny, feel-good movies and avoid the news! Diane Sheppard is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine with AcQPoint Wellness Center. She can be reached at (760) 345.2200. For more information, visit www.AcQPoint.com . Medicinal Soups 101 By Diane Sheppard, PhD, LAc As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of activities, expectations and emotions. While this time of year can bring joy and connection, it can also bring stress and overwhelm. But what if we could approach the holidays with the same mindfulness and balance we cultivate on our yoga mats? By turning to the ancient wisdom of yoga philosophy, we can find practical tools to navigate the season with grace and serenity. The Yoga Sutras, compiled by the sage Patanjali over 2,000 years ago, offer timeless insights that are surprisingly applicable to our modern holiday challenges. Let's explore how some of these principles can guide us toward a more peaceful and meaningful celebration. Embrace Santosha (contentment). The principle of Santosha (yoga sutra 2.42) encourages us to find contentment with what is, rather than constantly striving for more. During the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of the perfect gifts, decorations or experiences. By practicing Santosha, we can shift our focus from what's lacking to what we already have, which fosters a deep sense of gratitude. Try starting each day with a simple gratitude practice, acknowledging three things you're thankful for, no matter how small. Practice Aparigraha (non-attachment). Aparigraha (yoga sutra 2.39) teaches us to let go of excessive attachment. This principle can be particularly helpful in releasing unrealistic expectations of how the holidays "should" be. By loosening our grip on specific outcomes, we open ourselves to the joy of the present moment. When you feel yourself getting anxious about holiday plans, take a deep breath and remind yourself that true joy comes from connection and presence, not perfection. Cultivate Ahimsa (non-violence) toward yourself. Often overlooked during the busy holiday season is the practice of self-compassion. Ahimsa (yoga sutra 2.35) reminds us to be kind and gentle, not just with others, but also with ourselves. This might mean setting boundaries, taking time for self-care, or simply being more forgiving of our perceived shortcomings. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup — taking care of yourself is essential for being present for others. Yoga Wisdom for Holiday Serenity Ancient sutras for modern stress By Jennifer Yockey