How Megan Kept Her Blood Pressure in Check and Had Her Successful Homebirth

How Megan Kept Her Blood Pressure in Check and Had Her Successful Homebirth

Megan and I first began working together when I was still in acupuncture school and working as an intern in the student clinic. Over the years, we had the chance to work together on a number of issues- digestion, support while trying to conceive, and coughs and colds. Then when Megan was nearing the end of her first pregnancy, her blood pressure began to creep up, and we worked together to keep those numbers in check, and allow Megan the home birth she was planning.

Pregnant WomanAt first, her blood pressure was only slightly elevated, but as she entered her 8th month of pregnancy, it became clear that those rising blood pressure numbers were becoming an upward trend. She and her midwife began to have conversations about the necessity of keeping those numbers in check, otherwise her plan for a home birth without intervention might need to move to the hospital, something she didn’t want.

Megan was doing all the right things- eating well, managing her stress, getting plenty of rest, and staying in close communication with her midwife. But when all of these were failing to stem the upward curve in blood pressure, she came to see me. We started weekly acupuncture sessions focused on supporting her body’s circulatory system and calming the nervous system in order to allow her blood pressure to normalize. We also started a very gentle herbal formula to allow her body to excrete the excess fluids that were taxing her circulation and causing some mild swelling.

For the next few weeks, Megan’s blood pressure returned to normal and held steady. Then 3 weeks before her due date, her blood pressure began to creep upwards once again, and this time tests showed protein in her urine. We continued with weekly acupuncture sessions, and switched her herbal formula to a stronger blend to better manage her symptoms. The following week, her blood pressure stabilized and the protein in her urine began to decrease-an improvement her midwife had never seen before!

3 weeks later, and just before his due date, Megan’s beautiful baby boy was born at home.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Eastern medicine is how well it supports the body in finding it’s natural rhythm. In holistic forms of medicine, there is always inherent belief in the body’s ability to heal and rebalance itself and a recognition that better balance always leads to better health. In Megan’s case, with just a bit of support from acupuncture and herbal medicine, her body was better able to carry her pregnancy without strain, allowing her blood pressure to stabilize.

Congratulation to Megan and her beautiful family!

 

 

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Basil & Chrysanthemum Tea for Headache and Stress

Basil & Chrysanthemum Tea for Headache and Stress

When stress rises and brings on a headache, these three soothing herbs work together to calm the nervous system and relieve pain and tension in the head.

Common kitchen basil is not only delicious in pasta and salad, but also makes a wonderful ingredient in herbal teas. It has a calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems. It is used to ease irritability, anxiety, and depression.

Chrysanthemum, or Ju Hua, is a common ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine. It is often used for stress, a pattern we call Liver Qi Stagnation, and to treat headaches, allergies, and eye irritation, especially those that worsen under stress.

Melissa, or lemon balm, is an herb that grows voraciously in the midwest. It has a lemony perfume scent that makes it a prized tea and essential oil. Like basil, melissa is a wonderful herb for calming an overactive nervous system and helping to cope with stress.

Lemon Balm

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried chrysanthemum flowers (also called Ju Hua)
  • 2 teaspoons dried melissa (also known as lemon balm)

Directions

  • Combine all three herbs in a quart-sized mason jar or pitcher.
  • Fill the jar with boiling water (4 cups or 1 quart).
  • Let the herbs steep for 30 minutes before straining.
  • Drink 1 cup of the herbal infusion at a time. Drink at room temperature or gently warm as preferred.

 

Basil for Tea

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Request a free consultation and we’ll meet to discuss your case. We’ll sit down, review your health history and goals, and see if you are a good fit for our services. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions about our approach and if you feel confident that I can help, you’ll have an opportunity to learn how to move forward and work with me.

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Homemade Chai Tea Recipe

Homemade Chai Tea Recipe

I had my first taste of real, homemade chai while working at an Indian restaurant years and years ago. It was such a revelation after only having the boxed, overly sweetened, steamed milk concoction served by the big coffeehouse chains. This chai was totally different- just the right amount of spice, a quality that warmed the whole body, milky without being heavy. After that experience, I started making my own chai at home. It’s the perfect wintertime tea.

cinnamon sticks

It wasn’t until years later when I started learning herbal medicine that I realized what a powerful medicine chai is. Most of the spices used to make chai have medicinal properties. Fennel seed is used to promote digestion. Cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and cardamom are warming herbs that are perfect for people who tend to feel chilly. Fresh ginger is used for warming the lungs and digestion, breaking up phlegmy conditions, and treating colds and flus.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp fennel seed
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp black peppercorns
  • ½ tsp cardamom seeds
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 10 slices fresh ginger
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tbsp (or 1 teabag) of black tea leaves or tulsi tea
  • Milk or milk alternative (optional), to taste
  • Honey (optional), to taste

Directions

  • Simmer for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and add the tea leaves or teabag
  • Strain out the spices and tea leaves
  • Add milk or milk alternative and honey to taste

ginger

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Request a free consultation and we’ll meet to discuss your case. We’ll sit down, review your health history and goals, and see if you are a good fit for our services. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions about our approach and if you feel confident that I can help, you’ll have an opportunity to learn how to move forward and work with me.

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Chamomile: a Healing Herbal Powerhouse

Chamomile: a Healing Herbal Powerhouse

Chamomile Herb

Chamomile

Ahhh.. chamomile…the humble herbal tea is actually a powerhouse of healing. This delicate flower is a potent calming and anti-inflammatory herb that can be used for tummy aches, anxiety, sleep, and pain. It is super versatile, extremely gentle, and delicious to boot. Used for hundreds of years (possibly even thousands), this herbal medicine is surely a keeper for our modern medicine cabinets.

Digestive Health

Chamomile soothes spasms of the smooth muscles in the digestive tract, making it an ideal remedy for intestinal cramping and pain from gas. Being a calming and anti-inflammatory herb, it is beneficial to many people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and nervous diarrhea.

Reproductive Health

This charming flower also curbs cramping within the reproductive organs, so it can help soothe menstrual cramping.

Emotional Health

Chamomile’s calming properties make it beneficial for people with anxiety, feelings of restlessness, and difficulty falling asleep. Chamomile can promote restful, easy sleep, and especially helpful for those suffering from inflammatory pain conditions, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. Because it is such a pleasant and gentle herb, chamomile is a wonderful choice for calming day to day anxieties and managing stress.

For Children

Chamomile has been shown to be effective for babies suffering from colic. Young babies can drink up to 1 to 2 ounces of room temperature tea at a time and up to 3 or 4 ounces per day. Chamomile can also soothe many childhood tummy aches and stomach upsets. Kids usually tolerate the mild flavor of chamomile very well.

How to Use Chamomile

Chamomile is most commonly taken brewed as an herbal infusion. To make an infusion, steep 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers (or 2 teaspoons of fresh flowers) per cup of boiling water. For children, strain after 2 minutes to prevent the tea from becoming bitter. For adults, brew for 5 minutes to attain full flavor. A longer brew time enhances the bitter quality of the herb, making it better for digestive complaints.

A chamomile infusion is most often drunk to benefit the digestive system, reproductive system, treat pain, and calm the nerves. It can be taken a cup at a time as needed.

Chamomile infusion can also be used as a topical wash to soothe inflamed skin and promote healing of bruises. It can be used over minor injuries or irritated skin such as acne or minor scrapes.

Cautions: Although considered very safe and mild, always check with a physician. Chamomile is cautioned in pregnancy and causes allergic reaction for some people.

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Herbal Recipes to Fend Off Colds and Flus

Herbal Recipes to Fend Off Colds and Flus

As the temperatures turn from cool to cold, and sniffly noses and coughs are all around, having a few protective remedies up your sleeve can help you resist those contagious bugs.  There are many herbs and spices that will help the body fight off a cold, especially if caught and treated early.  You may have one or two of these on hand, and can easily add a couple of others to your winter pantry, so you’ll always have some flu-fighters around.  What could be better than a spicy cup of ginger tea to boost immunity on a blustery day?

A traditional Chinese formula, called Cong Chi Tang, for an early-stage cold is made from green onions and fermented soybean.  Japanese-style miso soup is an easy-to-eat version of this ancient flu-fighter.  To make miso soup, stir 1/3 cup of dark miso paste (available at most Asian markets) into 4 cups of simmering water until fully dissolved, then add 3 or 4 thinly sliced green onions.  If you would prefer a slightly heartier soup, add a small handfull of wakame seaweed.

Green Onion for Early Stage Cold

Cilantro, ginger, and basil are also used to fight off colds, and especially effective when you are just starting to feel sick.  Fresh or dried basil and cilantro can make a simple tea, just by steeping in hot water (1 tablespoon dried or 1/4 cup fresh herb in 2 cups of hot water).  Fresh ginger can be sliced and boiled (1 ounce ginger for 2 cups of water) to make a pungent tea that will warm you up and clear a stuffy nose.

Fresh Ginger

When used early, these simple remedies can effectively prevent a stuffy nose or scratchy throat from becoming a week of misery.  Stock up on a couple of favorites to be prepared.  If, however, you do get sick this winter, remember to call your herbalist to help you get back on your feet.

Protecting the Skin in Autumn

Protecting the Skin in Autumn

According to Eastern medicine the metal element is associated with the skin, and with the Autumn season.  As cooler winds hit at this time of year, the skin becomes susceptible to dryness, itching, and other irritations.  The metal element, like the skin, represents the barrier that separates ourselves from our environment.  This barrier must remain strong yet flexible to protect us from damaging outside factors but still let in the nutrients, influences, and experiences that make life interesting and meaningful.  To protect the skin this fall, try one of these:

Gou Qi Zi

Gou Qi Zi

Goji Berries are small, red, mildly sweet berries that show up on health food store shelves.  The berries, known as Gou Qi Zi in Chinese, are said to supplement the Blood and help bring nourishment to the skin.  They are a fantastic snack that protects the skin from dryness.  Combine with walnuts which are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, for the ultimate skin-soothing trail mix.

Mung Beans are a small, shiny green legume that are common in Indian and Asian cuisine.  Known as Lu Dou in Chinese medicine, this bean is especially good for people who tend to overheat and have trouble with red and irritated skin, especially on the face, for conditions like acne.  Lu Dou is said to clear heat from the body and toxins from the skin.  Mung beans are easy to cook, especially as a soup, as they do not require soaking like other beans.  Use 2 cups of beans with 8 cups of water, sort and rinse, then cook on low until the beans are soft (about 1 hour).  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Mung beans should be avoided by people who are easily chilled or tend to have loose stools.

Bai Zhi

Bai Zhi

The Chinese Herb Bai Zhi makes a simple and effective face mask to treat acne and breakouts which are often triggered by weather changes.  In Chinese herbal medicine, Bai Zhi is said to treat dampness, which includes swelling and pustules, making it a great choice for cystic acne.  This herb is also used to reduce swelling and treat redness and irritation.

To make a face mask, mix equal parts of powdered Bai Zhi and skincare clay.  Add enough water to make a thick paste and apply to the skin.  Leave to dry (about 15 minutes) before washing off.  This mask can be used once or twice per week to soothe skin irritations and prevent breakouts.

This mask makes a great base, which can be customized by your herbalist to suit your individual case and constitution.  Skincare clays can be found at Mountain Rose Herbs.  Also, please test this, and any other skincare products, on the inside of your elbow before applying to your face.