February 3, 2013
Happy Chinese New Year!
The Year of the Black Snake is a year of transformation, a year for introspection and a shift away from the yang energy of the Dragon. Just as the Snake sheds its skin to reveal a new, inner self, the Year of the Snake represents an opportunity for growth through introspection.The path of the snake is one of quiet observation and thoughtful planning.They bask in the warmth of the sun and act when opportunity arises.
Spring is Coming
In Traditional Oriental Medicine spring is the season of the liver. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi, stores the blood and is the organ most affected by stress. The liver opens in the eyes, governs the tendons, reflects in the nails and governs anger. Imbalances in the liver can range anywhere from pain in tendons, digestive disturbances, menstrual pain and increases in irritability and anger (just to name a few).
As we transition from one season to another I find that the season of an organ is often the time disturbances will manifest in that organ. Traditionally in Natural Western Medicine practitioners have recommended spring as an ideal time for cleansing the body. Often people think this means that all kinds of junk is glued to their intestines (not to get too graphic), but if all we wanted to accomplish was cleaning out the colon then we could just drink a gallon of Colace, but that is not a true cleanse.
What we really need is to create an environment where the bile is thinned and the gut is alkaline. This allows the liver and gall bladder to flush and a deeper cleansing is accomplished.
All meats and grains (with the possible exception of millet) create an acid environment in the body. When the gut is acid the bile tends to back up and thicken, and the liver, which dumps into the Gall Bladder, backs up. A great way to start cleansing is to begin the day with a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon (this must be fresh squeezed). All citrus has an alakaline effect in the body. At every meal try to have at least half the plate full of fresh veggies and some fruit.
The liver loves creative expression and movement. If you’ve been sitting on your butt during the dark days of winter it is important to get the blood and energy moving to make a smooth transition during this season.
If you are interested in further steps supporting the liver I can help you find cleansing protocols that are right for your body. When I was in my twenties I got into serious fasting and used way too many fruit juices. I ended up with long lasting blood sugar issues as a result, so I recommend seeking the help of a professional if you want to fast.
I have various options for cleansing the liver depending on your constitution and would be happy to set up a program that will support your constitution during this change. For preventative care, I recommend coming in for a visit before or during seasonal changes. This also gives us a chance to catch up and make sure no imbalances are beginning to occur.
Microscopic Friends
It is well known that we need an abundance of gut bacteria for proper digestion, but these critters are also essential for metabolism, energy production, nutrition, genetic expression, healthy teeth, healthy skin and are a vital part of our immune system. Recent studies have even shown that the right balance of bacteria may be as effective for anxiety as valium.
I often recommend probiotic supplements with a few billion bacteria and in the past few years I have enjoyed naturally fermented foods that give off trillions of a wide range of bacteria. These foods are side dishes in many cultures and are often considered ‘digestives’. Foods such as naturally pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut from Eastern Europe; miso, tamari, natto and pickled veggies from Japan; mango pickles from India; kim chee from Korea; kefir and yogurt from various regions in the world.
Fortunately these foods are readily available at our local health food stores. It is important to find these foods in the refrigerator or most likely they won’t have the healthy bacteria present.
Recently, I investigated making young coconut water kefir. Kefir was traditionally a fermented dairy drink that was considered a sacred gift by the tribes in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. In the beginning of the last century a love strory developed around the drink – the kidnapping, chases and ardent love of Karachai Prince for a beautiful Russian girl resulted in the secret kefir grains becoming available to all of Russia and later, to the rest of the world.
Around Thanksgiving I ordered some water kefir grains and began fermenting a wonderful drink loaded with good bacteria. It’s delicious and has had a positive effect on my digestion. I am happy to offer free kefir grain (which are not actually grains) for any of my patients that would like to make their own kefir drink. For more information please call our office at 303 442-0306
Thank you for your continued support of my work. Practicing medicine is one of the great blessings of my life. If you would like to write a positive review for my website or one of the many professional review sites online, I would be most grateful.
Barbara A. Mahler, LAc has practiced
Traditional Oriental Medicine
and Nutrition since 1987.
For more information please contact Barbara.