(Episode 30) Best Practices to Boost Your Immune System During the Fall Equinox

September 22, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration across Asian cultures during the Fall season that honors the full moon to bring an abundant harvest season.

Traditionally, mooncakes (dessert pastry with a sweet filling) are baked to be enjoyed with loved ones. It’s a day of gatherings and festivities and considered an important period of transition.

Transitions According to Chinese Calendars

Different calendars have been introduced throughout Chinese history.

Seasonal transitions are governed by the Doyo Period, making the Earth Element the fifth of the Five Elements, often called Late Summer, in the solar calendar. According to the lunar calendar, however, Autumn began back in August and this week marks the midway point of the season (thus the name Mid-Autumn Festival)—setting in motion the beginnings of festivities and harvesting.

Embracing Seasonal Transitions

Seasonal transitions, along with any transition you may experience in life—whether it be a new job, relationship or living situation—needs to be accompanied by health support by supporting your Earth element.

Since the Earth element is associated with your digestive system, emphasis is placed on providing adequate support to the digestive system.

Since 70% of the immune system is rooted in the digestive system, by supporting healthy digestion and elimination, we’re cultivating healthy immunity and overall wellbeing.

According to Chinese Medicine, dampness and heat can impair the digestive system. This can range from lack of heat to break down food properly or lack of proper enzymes to break down food (called Pancreatic Insufficiency).

For people suffering from digestion problems, taking digestive enzymes as well as probiotics can be important for proper function of the digestive system.

7 Ways to Boost Your Immune System During this Change of Seasons

In order to address dampness, it’s important to control and encourage a healthy microbiome. Fungal overgrowth such as Candida albicans can cause an imbalance in your gut and so can over consumption of sugar. A healthy microbiome can also be encouraged with probiotics.
As the Fall season starts, dryness becomes more prevalent—from our skin to the air we breathe. Your lungs are especially vulnerable to dryness and you can support hydration through proper cooking methods. Steaming your food is hydrating, as is eating more soups and stews during this time of the year. Congee or rice porridge is another nourishing dish (recipe here) and generally grains such as rice, millet and oats will hydrate the lungs. Baking, barbecuing and frying as well as too much consumption of dry foods such as cereal and wheat should be avoided, especially if you’re experiencing dry skin or gut issues.
Eating fruits is another way to hydrate the lungs. Since some fruits tend to be high in sugar which can lead to dampness, we can focus on consuming more compact fruits such as apples, Asian pears and pears. Compact fruits tend to be crisp, light and moist which helps to nourish the lungs.
Supporting healthy digestion of food is also very important. Taking probiotics and digestive enzymes will ensure that you’re receiving the full benefits of the food you’re eating through proper nutrition.
Eat more root vegetables: since the Metal Element is related to the Fall season, its associated organs such as the skin, Lungs and Large Intestine can suffer if they’re not properly nourished by their mother, which is the Earth Element in the Five Elements model. Issues such as eczema, psoriasis or generally dry skin can be exacerbated with improper diet this season. Root vegetables help nurture your Earth energy, strengthening your Spleen and Stomach which in turn support your Lung health.
Regardless of how healthy your eat, ensuring freedom and flexibility in your functional anatomy is essential to your health. In Episode 27 of The Natural Healing Podcast, Salvador discusses his personal experience with constant pressure in his chest and radiating pain. By working on the Ancestral Sinews with essential oils, Salvador shared how he was able experience relief. If you’re eating well but still experiencing digestive issues or otherwise, it’s essential to seek healthcare practitioners that can better address your functional anatomy.
Practice Qi Gong and Yin Yoga. You can practice Yoga to strengthen your lungs or learn to breathe deeply or practice Yoga to boost your metabolism. Qi Gong practices that boost your immunity or strengthen your Heart and Kidneys will only help enhance your health.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—what did you find most helpful about this episode?

Be the first to learn about our new line of supplements, including digestive enzymes and probiotics, by visiting www.aharabotanics.com.

(Episode 29) Your Issues are in Your Tissues: How Trauma Can Lead to Chronic Pain with Denise Alberto

September 15, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—how is your body speaking to you?

Our guest today is our dear friend, Denise Alberto—a physical therapist and pelvic pain specialist. Denise is a Bay Area native who earned her B.S. in Psychology from St. Mary’s College and holds a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from University of St. Augustine.

Denise Alberto developed a keen interest in treating the spine, especially the pelvic/SI (sacroiliac) region. With continued education, she has developed a unique approach to treating chronic pain syndrome and pelvic region dysfunction.

Denise Alberto has a distinct passion to help couples with unconsummated marriage and sexual pain issues. In addition, she emphasizes the mind-body connection in her post-traumatic stress recovery and resorts to local practitioners—among them are acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists—to help heal her patients.

Denise Alberto realized her passion for physical therapy early on, as she began working for a physical therapist after graduating from college. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Physical Therapy and started a thriving but demanding practice. It was during her early years of practice as a physical therapist that Denise Alberto realized her own health needed attention.

Denise’s personal journey to address her health led her to a very resourceful course on pelvic health that encouraged her to further pursue the specialty, eventually becoming a pelvic physical therapist.

Denise emphasizes that in addition to using physical touch during treatments, she encourages patients to face the emotional entanglements of their trauma. It is only through facing these entanglements that we begin to experience emotional and physiological healing.

Denise elaborates that as a therapist she holds room or space for strength so patients are able to process and release wounds that are causing their trauma, especially since patients may feel at their most vulnerable during these moments.

Chronic pain patterns are often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings or past experiences and Denise believes that additional support is often needed to tackle these feelings as she works with healing the physical body.

In these instances, she turns to other healers like acupuncturists, massage therapists and often refers her patients to psychologists. This holistic approach that aims to empower patients almost always results in healing.

Practices to help support your body

Diaphragmatic breath: helps relax and support lung function (oxygen exchange).

Pelvic diaphragm breathing: can help move your viscera and ease tension in your organs.

Psoas stretching: can help improve and strengthen tight or tense psoas muscles.

Yin Yoga: the following Yin Yoga practices can be helpful in improving your flexibility and introducing you to deep breathing:

Breathe Deeply: Yoga for the Lung & Liver Meridians

Yin Yoga Integration to Release Your Arms, Shoulders & Neck

Yin Yoga Integration for Flexibility

References:

Denise Alberto’s website: https://www.denisealberto.com/

An article by Dr. Mirkin (coined the RICE method) on Why Ice Delays Recovery

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—how is your body speaking to you?

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(Episode 28) Sexual Healing as a Path to Longevity with Dr. Willow Brown

September 1, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Our guest today is Dr. Willow Brown, an internationally recognized teacher of Daoist sexologist and doctor of Chinese Medicine, who specializes in endocrinology. Her offerings provide a profound understanding of what it means to engage in sacred sexuality and live a sensual life. Dr. Brown has studied the human body and its correspondence with nature for the last two decades. Her style is a blend of many modalities—such as yoga, Qi Gong, acupuncture and cranio-sacral therapy.

Dr. Brown is also an international speaker and author. She has coached thousands of women, men and couples in creating a powerful connection, potent intimacy and prevailing unconditional love. It is her heartfelt desire to serve humanity out of shame, guilt and self-doubt that leads those in pain to her doorsteps.

Dr. Brown’s path to the healing arts began after gaining a sense of self-empowerment that followed a deeply traumatic event she experienced as a teenager. She felt the need to reform sexual education after realizing the ambiguity and gap in sex knowledge prevalent around her.

After attending acupuncture school, she started teaching Daoist sexology to her patients and students. Dr. Brown learned a great deal about Jing Qi or sexual energy during her six month trip around Asia. Since Jing Qi was not covered in depth in her acupuncture school training, she expanded her knowledge on the topic by consulting books and using her own experience and intuition as a guide.

The Ancient Wisdom Approach

Dr. Brown calls her treatment framework the Ancient Wisdom Approach, which is based on the four phases of the moon cycle and how they relate to the five Chinese elements (Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth and Water).

Dr. Brown elaborates that every living being on Earth has a moon cycle as their water contents are being influenced by the moon’s gravitational pull.

The four phases of the moon cycle also relate to the seasons and as women menstruate, they experience fluctuations since the moon exerts its energy on us. It’s a lot of energy to navigate in a short amount of time but when we understand the Chinese elements as they relate to our physiology and the four phases of the moon cycle, we can learn to schedule and manage our life (including sex) much better. Dr. Brown believes the Ancient Wisdom Approach gives people—especially women in their fertile years—a lifeline so when they’re overwhelmed, a structured system exists to help guide them.

It is perfectly normal if a woman’s menstrual cycle doesn’t follow the moon cycle — you can still follow the transition of the seasons and tune into yourself and listen closely to your body and understand its natural rhythms.

Becoming Sexually Empowered

Dr. Brown’s approach to treating people experiencing difficulty with hormonal changes—whether it’s menopause, perimenopause, postmenopause or andropause—is to trace the root of the problem and really understand if the adrenal glands are being nourished or depleted on a regular basis.

Once the endocrinological aspects of hormones are addressed— either through Chinese medicine, acupuncture, nutrition or just learning about the changes—our sexuality in turn will be much healthier and supported.

Menopausal syndrome, for instance, is very common in high-stress societies and some of the most common symptoms are often attributed to being “normal”, when in fact they are not. Our essence, or Jing, is compromised when we’re constantly stressed and depleted so it’s crucial to slow down and tune into our body in order to allow it to come back to equilibrium.

Sexual trauma is also an ever-growing problem in the world and it can have both physical and mental effects. Dr. Brown says it’s not uncommon for patients with past sexual trauma to come in with debilitating diseases, especially conditions that involve the reproductive system.

Since our genes or curriculum are programmed during the gestational period, trauma can hinder our lower chakra, directly affecting our curriculum and keeping us from unfolding our destined life or keeping us from living a fulfilled life.

What is Sexual Health & a Technique to Improve It

Sexual health is knowing what brings the most pleasure to you and allowing yourself to explore your natural sexual desires. When sexual health is neglected or out of balance, other realms of your life can suffer. A common problem is low libido.

Since we’re all products of sexual energy, lack of libido can have a profoundly negative impact on our lives. When the underlying trauma or unexplored aspect of our lives are addressed properly, Dr. Brown finds that people often expand in more ways than they realize.

Dr. Brown shares a simple but powerful practice that can improve our sexual health called Turtle Breathing. Turtle Breathing lays the foundation for all Daoist sexual practices and it can also tonify your adrenal glands. You can practice turtle breathing while standing or sitting.

Imagine you have a turtle shell on your lower back and as you inhale, you’ll push that imaginary shell toward the space behind you and as you exhale, allow the shell to come back toward your spine. In the beginning, you may find your abdomen more engaged but this will subside as you practice turtle breathing often.

Dr. Brown guides you through the turtle breathing practice at 50:39 of the podcast.

Sexual energy or orgasmic energy can also be drawn in with a mindful practice like turtle breathing, improving your intimacy and sexual health!

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—on a scale of 1 to 10, how are you in relationship with your sexuality? What is inhibiting you from being at a 10?

References:

Dr. Willow Brown’s website: https://drwillowbrown.com/

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(Episode 27) A Deep Dive into Resolving Anxiety: A Classical Chinese Meridian Approach

August 4, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what’s one small step you can take to reduce or prevent anxiety in your life?

In this episode, we discuss anxiety from a Classical Chinese meridian perspective.

When we’re going through any type of emotional imbalance — such as anxiety and depression — it is really important to have tools and resources to empower us.

Classical Chinese Medicine is especially empowering as it provides great insight into anxiety disorders, such as the important relationship between the Heart and Kidneys.

The Heart is related to the Fire element and the Kidneys relate to the Water element.

Fire houses your shen or spirit, which is said to go into the Kidneys that hold your essence, or jing, and retrieves the curriculum that you’re meant to discover or express in the world. The curriculum is essentially your life’s purpose. Anytime there is disharmony between the Heart and Kidneys, you will not feel purposeful in life.

This is also true if there is excessive Fire in the Heart and the Kidneys are not able to anchor, so you end up experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.

The disconnect between the Heart and Kidneys can begin at an early age, often introducing lack of self-confidence and insecurity.

All of this is rooted in experiences and nourishment received in early developmental years — which is when the Heart-Kidney relationship is established. These formative years are also important because they relate to the constitutional energetics that are associated with the unique expression of the five elements in each of our personalities.

The expression of our Five Element energies or temperaments are especially influenced by those around us during childhood. When these natural personalities are suppressed by our parents, society, or the environment generally, it affects how our personalities are formed.

This type of conditioning impacts our constitutional vessels or the Ancestral Vessels which relates to our hereditary qualities and connections. Specifically, it relates to our first ancestry or Chong, Du and Ren Mai.

Chong Mai is the penetrating vessel and is considered to be the blueprints of our constitutional energetics and begins formation in utero, continuing development up until the age of 7 or 8. Chong Mai helps form the other two vessels Du Mai (Sea of Yang Qi) and Ren Mai (Sea of Yin Qi) — collectively forming all of the primary meridians in Chinese Medicine acupuncture.

Chong Mai, or the Sea of Blood, makes the primary connection with our Heart and Kidneys and ultimately harmonizes this connection — making us feel in-purpose and helps us quell feelings of anxiety. Insufficiency in the Heart and Kidneys can cause flare-ups so it’s essential to rebuild and reconnect the Heart-Kidney relationship.

It takes time to resolve the root cause of anxiety. That’s why it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional. Although a temporary relief can be achieved with conventional drugs, they do not address the suppressed or the deeply rooted underlying issue.

Chinese Medicine, through acupuncture, essential oils and herbs, can provide more natural and long lasting relief. In addition, an insight into your lifestyle — especially your eating habits, routines, stress levels — can provide hints about the stagnation in your life and they’re worth exploring as well.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what’s one small step you can take to reduce or prevent anxiety in your life?

(Episode 26) How to Support Transformation in Your Health and Life

July 28, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what insight from this episode inspired (or triggered) you most?

This year we’ve seen especially warm record temperatures in California and in the Pacific Northwest. In this episode we explore the phenomenom of Fire as the element of transformation and how this impacts the body and overall health.

Accordin to Chinese Medicine, anything in its extremes can turn into its opposite.

During extreme heat, people often reach for cold foods and drinks. However, when these Cold factors are taken internally, they can damage the Spleen which is responsible for producing energy or Qi — and this can lead to more lethargy and cold.

As the Spleen weakens, the Kidneys’ core energy also starts to become depleted as it works to to support the Spleen’s digestive power. This can result in conditions such as fatigue and cold feet. Even in the Summer months it’s common to see cold feet and hands, which can reflect weakness or deficiency in the Kidneys and Spleen respectively.

The Spleen and the Stomach are the primary organs of digestion in Chinese Medicine. When the Spleen is weak, it’s inhibited from extracting Gu Qi from food that’s necessary to produce Wei Qi, which comprises your immune system.

Since about 70% of immunity is produced in the gut, compromised digestion essentially leads to a compromised immune system.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of Cold — including lethargy, weak digestion, soft stools, low metabolism, low motivation, low thyroid function, etc. — it’s best to focus on increasing your core temperature to support and strengthen your Spleen, instead of eating cold foods and drinks, which further weaken the Spleen.

This is why it’s common in many ancient cultures to drink tea during warm temperatures. Tea is a great alternative that helps you cool down (especially green tea).

So instead of consuming cold foods and drinks in extreme heat, the emphasis should instead be on cooling down your lifestyle by introducing calming practices like Yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi.

This calms your nervous system, whereas consuming cold foods disturbs your internal systems by abruptly bringing cold internally.

We’ve discussed the effects of cold (and tips to overcome cold affiliated conditions) in greater detail in a previous episode.

How you eat is also important to support and improve your digestive health. A small shift like taking the time to chew your food properly and removing distractions while eating helps ease tension in your digestive system.

Now, we want to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below — what insight from this episode inspired (or triggered) you most?

Now is your time — to make the changes in your life and health that’ll support you to live the life of your dreams.

2023 enrollment for the From Surviving to Thriving online course begins for a limited time on August 1st!
You’ll get lifetime access to the course content so you can learn at your own pace, feel supported, and be part of a community of likeminded people.
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(Episode 25) How to Manage Stress to Experience More Joy

July 21, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Enrollment for the From Surviving to Thriving online course reopens for a limited time on August 1-18, 2023. Click here to join the VIP waitlist and get your FREE eBook, 3 Toxic Beliefs That Keep You Stuck in Survival Mode.

In the previous episode we discussed the perils of excessive Heart Fire, but the Heart is also associated with other powerful emotions like joy, passion, love, creativity, and altruism.

We experience these aspects of an open Heart through a calm and centered presence, which can sometimes seem unattainable or unreachable.

In this episode we discuss a powerful way to help you achieve a balanced state in your Heart, and in doing so, you’ll experience more joy.

The main stressors of life are ever-present and stress is a natural and necessary part of our livelihood. In the morning, the stress hormone cortisol helps us wake up and fuel the start of our day, although high levels of cortisol can cause anxiety and discomfort. Stress in general can trigger and enable us to accomplish and move so it is needed to a certain degree.

The question becomes how we can manage this stress so it doesn't dominate our life?

One key aspect is the Heart-Kidney relationship (discussed in a previous episode) that’s usually affected by an imbalance of stress in our lives. In order to harmonize the Heart-Kidney relationship, the in-between Wood element needs to be addressed.

Wood is a very reactive energy that needs to be tempered with harmonization of the Liver and relaxation of the nervous system.

Since the associated Liver organ of the Wood element helps with the smooth flow of Qi or energy, it essentially tempers the stress response, allowing you to settle your Heart and experience more joy.

Calming your Liver Qi changes your reactivity and allows you to cultivate peace that improves the quality of your life.

Want to learn easy ways to calm your Liver so you can bring more joy & calm to your life—even during the most turbulent times?
Join us for the From Surviving to Thriving online course. 2023 enrollment begins for a limited time on August 1st!
Click here to join the VIP waitlist and get your FREE eBook, 3 Toxic Beliefs that Keep You Stuck in Survival Mode, now!

Enroll Now

(Episode 24) 4 Tips to Reduce Anxiety by Cooling Your Heart Fire

July 14, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — which takeaway will you apply to balance the Fire element in your life?

In this episode we discuss the role of the Fire element as it relates to anxiety. This is especially relevant during the Fire season of Summer but also to for anyone generally struggling with anxiety yearlong.

During Summer, Fire energy is naturally more exuberant and conditions like insomnia and nervousness become much more prevalent.

People in the Southern Hemisphere who are not in the Fire season may also experience Fire related imbalances. Diet, life stressors and challenging life circumstances can all determine whether Fire energy becomes more pronounced, leading to anxiety.

In Chinese Medicine, this imbalance is attributed to the Heart and Kidney relationship. In Western medicine, we often accredit this to an imbalance of the hormone cortisol caused by overstimulation of the adrenal glands. In Chinese Medicine the Kidney organ system also encompasses the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, and govern the reproductive and urinary systems. The Kidneys also play a major role in controlling energy output to the Heart.

Excessive Fire in the Heart creates heat or inflammation that can also thicken the blood over time leading to clotting or stagnation.

Ultimately these imbalances can lead to cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

Diet is a major force in creating excess Fire—driven by high sugar content in our modern diet as well as excessive protein consumption in high protein diets such as the ketogenic diet.

In fact any diet advocating for excess amounts of a specific food can create energy imbalances so focusing on a personalized nutrition with your current health condition in mind is the best approach.

Since excess amount of anything — be it carbohydrates, protein, exercise, stress or even sex — can exacerbate Heat, moderation is the key to a balanced and healthy body.

The natural state of Fire energy is to be calm, present and centered. More often than not we find ourselves burned out by doing excessive activities or taxing our adrenal glands and Kidneys and compromising their ability to temper the Fire of the Heart. This can lead to insomnia, anxiety and restlessness.

Although Fire imbalance is especially prevalent in our modern society, there is still hope in addressing the root causes of the imbalance with Chinese Medicine.

Heart-Kidney communication is essential as the Kidney Water cools Heart Fire and the Kidneys are in turn stimulated by the Heart to encourage self-love and healing.

4 Tips to Cool Heart Fire:

Stay hydrated to support proper circulation of Qi and blood. It also helps keep the Heat balanced.
Eat more leafy green vegetables including spinach, chard and dandelion greens to cool your Heart and help it relax. Keep in mind to cook the vegetables.
Add adequate sea salt or other natural mineral salts to your food or water to support the Kidneys. We’ve discussed the essential role of salt in a previous episode.
Eat more root vegetables to nourish the Spleen and help anchor your Qi.

Joy is associated with the Heart element so when you help the Heart relax, you can naturally experience and express more joy.

Want to learn easy ways to bring more joy and calm to your life, even during the most turbulent times?
Join us for the From Surviving to Thriving online course. 2023 enrollment begins for a limited time on August 1st! Click here to join the VIP waitlist and get your FREE eBook, 3 Toxic Beliefs that Keep You Stuck in Survival Mode, now!

Learn more

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — which takeaway will you implement to balance the Fire element in your life?

(Episode 23) Get Unstuck by Healing Your Ancestry with Liza Miron

June 30, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how did this conversation help deepen your awareness to heal the wounds of your ancestry?

Liza Miron’s Journey to Discover Family Constellations

Liza Miron’s passion is to help people grow, develop and connect to a higher level of awareness in order to enjoy life to the fullest.

For the past 15 years, Liza has been working with clients using different healing methods that include Family Constellations, Coaching, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), meditation, channeling and reiki. Having studied and lived in the U.S., France, Singapore, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Guatemala has given Liza a unique perspective on personal development.

Liza’s passion for Family Constellations came from her desire to work closely with people and help those who find themselves stuck regardless of the amount of support they receive in conventional coaching.

As she began to explore Family Constellation, she realized ancestral trauma can have tremendous effect on family systems. The burden of past ancestral trauma can keep people from accomplishing their goals and hindering their performance in life.

Healing through Family Constellations Therapy

Family Constellations was developed by Bert Hellinger — a German psychotherapist, specializing in family therapy. As a therapist, Hellinger noticed a pattern in the difficulties faced by his clients and as Hellinger delved deeper, he noticed similarities in their struggle. In particular, they seemed to be carrying past familial traumas. By helping clients come to terms with inherited ancestral traumas, Hellinger passed on a powerful therapy modality that has since inspired healers like Liza Miron.

Family Constellations is rooted in the belief that we make unconscious decisions influenced by our ancestors. Liza’s form of therapy asks that we let go of judgment and instead honor and respect our ancestors — however imperfect or wrong their decisions may seem to us.

The goal is not to justify our ancestors’ actions but to bring awareness to the ancestral entanglements we may be carrying and to let go of the burden it is bringing into our lives.

Liza focuses on energetics to help heal her clients. Although it helps to know or be conscious of the family members involved in the entanglements, Liza emphasizes that it is not necessary. As a therapist, she works with her clients to bring awareness to those entanglements — whether they’re emotional or unconscious.

Ultimately, healing oneself involves healing the family system as well. By healing ourselves, we’re thereby helping heal the bloodline that came before us and those that come after us.

From the Chinese Medicine perspective, Family Constellations can also offer support through freeing our essence or Jing and allowing us to open our hearts to receive and follow our destiny.

Although there’s love, wisdom, energy and knowledge in our ancestry, trauma or blocked emotions can keep us stuck in life.

Family Constellation allows us to heal and remove the obstacles keeping us from receiving the love, wisdom, success and knowledge we all deserve.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how did this conversation help deepen your awareness to heal the wounds of your ancestry?

References:

Liza Miron’s website: https://www.coachingandconstellations.com/

(Episode 22) 2 Must-Dos During this Change of Seasons

June 16, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below —which of these takeaways will you implement during this seasonal transition?

As the Northern hemisphere welcomes the hottest season of the year, we enter the season of the Fire element.

Positively associated with nourishment of the Earth and transformation, an imbalanced Fire, on the other hand, is notorious for digestive problems. In today’s podcast we discuss the importance of gut health and ways to keep you healthy as we embrace the upcoming season.

Living with the seasons means being aware of the changes in your surroundings and environment. As we transition into a new season on June 20th, we’re again reminded to adjust our lifestyle to accommodate change of seasons.

In Chinese Medicine, the transitional period between each seasonal change, called Doyo, is greatly emphasized. Mentioned in one of the Classical Chinese Medicine texts, Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, the 18 day period (Doyo) is considered a delicate period for the Spleen energy and the associated Earth element. Therefore it’s important to take special care of the Earth organs—the Spleen and Stomach.

Supporting Your Earth through Hydration

We need to tend to our Earth element. Using the analogy of a garden as our Earth element, we realize the importance of water in keeping plants healthy.

Too much water can create dampness and kill plants while too little water will dry out plants and result in a similar fate. In the body, excessive sugar intake can cause dampness to accumulate and stagnate the energy of the Earth organ systems.

Living in California and being surrounded by the abundance of fruits all year round – whether imported or locally grown – can encourage a diet enriched with fruits, which supports hydration. However, fruits should eaten in moderation to prevent excessive accumulation of dampness internally.

Spleen Qi

The Spleen’s function is interconnected with the pancreas, and helps with the transformation and transportation of food into Qi in Chinese Medicine.

We can think of Spleen Qi’s function as the enzymes produced by the pancreas — helping with the breakdown of food particles and essential in digestion.

Spleen also helps transform and transport our thoughts and is closely associated with the Yi, or the aspect of the mind. Processing information by our mind relied heavily on Spleen Qi therefore it becomes even more important to strengthen your Spleen Qi to support mental clarity.

Strong Earth energy supports healthy boundaries

The Earth organs are the Stomach and the Spleen. Stomach Fire is a natural aspect of the digestive system and is related to the hydrochloric acid that helps break down proteins. Pathological fire, on the other hand, is related to toxicity in the stomach — such as an infection from H. pylori bacteria.

It’s fundamental to keep Stomach Fire in balance to support digestion but also help keep unhealthy bacteria in check.

In order to keep the concentration of hydrochloric acid in our stomach balanced and combat a mild case H. pylori infection, a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar can supplement a protein enriched meal and support digestion.

Small Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is also caused by excessive gut Fire. SIBO requires careful attention to your diet so the overgrowth of bacteria is not further encouraged.

Since the excess Fire will also damage the Spleen Qi, physiological boundaries are also compromised — resulting in a common condition called leaky gut syndrome.

When the Spleen is not able to maintain boundaries internally, you’ll also have trouble maintaining social boundaries.

If you find it difficult to say “no” or feeling as if all your energy is leaking into other people’s issues, it’s a good idea to examine the status or health of your gut. When you’re able to strengthen your gut, you’ll find your relationships flourishing as well!

2 key takeaways to help support your Earth energy:

Don’t overeat — overeating will cause the Spleen and Stomach energy to stagnate and make you feel lethargic and bloated.
Avoid cold foods and beverages — since Cold damages the Spleen causing dampness and digestive issues, it should be avoided or at least lessened.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below —which of these takeaways will you implement during this seasonal transition?

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(Episode 21) What is Qi? Interview with Ann Cecil-Sterman (Part 2 of 2)

June 2, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — which part of our discussion did you find most interesting?

This is part 2 of our interview with Ann Cecil-Sterman. If you haven’t listened to part 1, we highly recommend listening to it here.

Essential in Chinese medicine is the idea that we should be attuned to our “gut” feelings since it relays important information about our wellbeing.

Recent research provides evidence for the important the gut-brain connection, and how the gut can also have profound effects on our thoughts and emotions, for example.

Qi Stagnation & Anxiety

Anxiety in Chinese medicine is the failure of the Heart and Kidneys to properly communicate. Kidney Qi stores our destiny and Heart Qi is responsible for creating relationships and expanding our connections.

When our Qi is focused on a tiny screen (i.e. phone screens) and our social connections based there, the connection between our Kidney Qi and Heart Qi is interrupted, creating stagnation. Anxiety and depression often result from this stagnation.

As social media expands to control our social network, cases of anxiety and depression will inevitably become more prevalent.

If we instead spend more time connecting with ourselves and others, the Heart Qi to be released and express itself, thereby leading us to greater creativity and joy.

One of many benefits of Acupuncture include supporting the connection between the Heart and Kidneys.

Benefits of Acupuncture

A common misconception is that Acupuncture should only be sought out for injuries. Cecil-Sterman emphasizes the fact that Acupuncture’s scope is much broader. Of the 66 channels used in Acupuncture, only 12 channels deal with treating injuries. The rest of the meridians deal with all sorts of issues such as those used for chronic degenerative diseases, emotional distress and with a variety of acute and chronic issues.

More importantly, if someone presents with no health issue, acupuncture can still offer health support in ensuring smooth functioning of our internal organs and flow of Qi. Cecil-Sterman explains why regular Acupuncture treatments along with a diet low in sugar can keep illness and dis-ease at bay.

Cultivating Your Qi as a Way of Life

One of the major impediments to healthy Qi aside from excessive use of technology is an unhealthy diet, especially one that includes refined sugars.

Sugar cane is naturally a whole food and digestible, but once it’s refined with the natural enzymes and fibers stripped, it essentially becomes empty calories. Refined sugar thickens and raises the temperature of our blood and contributes to inflamed arteries as your body increases cholesterol levels in order to protect the heart against the raging heat caused by refined sugar. A host of other diseases are also caused by consumption of refined sugar so it’s important to control the amount of sugar in our diet.

Generally speaking, you can cultivate Qi through your diet by becoming more mindful of what you’re eating and replacing refined sugar with whole, clean foods.

You can also become more aware of your surroundings and actions, and allowing this awareness to guide you to make healthier choices.

Ann recommends simply taking as little as 10 minutes to meditate or simply breathe to cultivate a profound sense of relaxation, comfort and connection. This alone initiates a healing process and allows Qi to flow freely and help us become more aware.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — which part of our discussion did you find most interesting?

References

Ann Cecil-Sterman’s website - https://anncecilsterman.com/

(Episode 20) What is Qi? Interview with Ann Cecil-Sterman (Part 1 of 2)

May 26, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what does Qi mean to you?

Our guest today is Ann Cecil-Sterman — a dear friend, colleague and mentor. Cecil-Sterman is a pioneer in the field of Classical Chinese Medicine and the author of the highly acclaimed books The Art of Pulse Diagnosis and Advanced Acupuncture: A Clinic Manual — a required textbook in most acupuncture schools in the United States and the first and only text with a complete and unique protocols for the complement channels.

Ann Cecil-Sterman has also taught the application and methodology of the complement channels, The Art of Pulse Diagnosis, Use of Food as Medicine throughout the world. A longtime student of Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, Cecil-Sterman was also the director of the Classical Wellness Center in Manhattan, New York where she practiced and taught Classical Chinese Medicine.

Ann Cecil-Sterman earned her Bachelor and Masters degree in Music from the University of Melbourne. As a professionally trained flautist, Cecil-Sterman has recorded and performed music for over a decade. In addition to a career in music, Cecil-Sterman has also performed in many broadways across the world. She credits her success in music to her master teachers, who have been a guiding force in her career.

Cecil-Sterman was introduced to Acupuncture at a young age since her parents were proponents of alternative medicine. After moving to the United States with a desire to start a family, Cecil-Sterman experienced the power of acupuncture during a difficult miscarriage that left her wanting to learn more about the practice.

She soon joined Swedish Institute Acupuncture School (closed in 2011) where she had extensive training beyond the primary channels of acupuncture. She has since worked toward expanding the field of acupuncture by training and teaching practitioners and help widen their scope of practice.

Acupuncture & the Concept of Qi

In Chinese philosophy, Qi translates to “air” or “atmosphere” to emphasize the fact that Qi cannot be measured. Cecil-Sterman believes that since Qi is primarily what acupuncturists work with, it’s impossible to gather empirical evidence in acupuncture.

Although Qi is often used in conjunction with organs or entities i.e., liver Qi or mind Qi, it simply stems from our human tendency to organize and label ideas and things around us.

Qi is so embedded into our existence that it’s being theorized as the guiding force of life. In other words, the force that directs DNA to essentially synthesize proteins necessary to develop an organism such as a human being.

In Western medicine, similar theories have been introduced such as the concept of morphic resonance, or morphogenetic field, by Dr. Rupert Sheldrake.

The concept of morphogenetic field mirrors the concept of Qi because it accounts for and explains behavior that could only be transmitted through a network of consciousness. For instance, an experiment by scientists tested whether the practice of washing potatoes by Japanese macaques before consumption could be transmitted to future generations or to other groups of monkeys in nearby islands. To their surprise, the practice of washing potatoes was observed in nearby islands of monkeys even though the two groups did not have any contact. This behavior could be explained by the morphogenetic field or Qi as the network of consciousness that connected the two groups to learn the behavior without initiating contact.

Stay tuned for part two of our interview with Ann Cecil-Sterman where you’ll learn how Qi applies to the cultivation of wellness within the context of digestion, immunity and nutrition.

References

Ann Cecil-Sterman’s website: https://anncecilsterman.com/

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(Episode 19) Beyond Breast Health: Thermography as a Tool for Self-Healing

May 19, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what do you think of this alternative tool to empower your health?

Our guest today is Dr. Therese Walsh-Van Keuren, a licensed acupuncturist who received her Ph.D. from the American University of Complementary Medicine and studied extensively with 88th generation Daoist Priest Dr. Jeffrey Yuen. Dr. Therese Walsh-Van Keuren is an accomplished researcher, author and teacher. She currently practices natural medicine in Los Gatos, California.

What is Thermography?

Thermography is used as an early detection tool that uses heat sensors to image blood flow in body tissues. Originally used by biologists to detect life forms under land or sea, the technology was later modified for clinical settings.

Though thermography can be used to scan the entire body, its usefulness is often attributed to monitoring breast tissue irregularities and possibly detecting early signs of breast cancer. Among other things, thermography has also been shown to detect early signs of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. In essence, thermography detects anomalies in the body that shouldn’t be present.

Although thermography is a great tool, it’s not a replacement for mammograms. As a less invasive alternative, thermography offers a safer option to monitor and track irregularities in breast tissues over time. If for instance, thermography results are showing irregularities a mammogram may become necessary to corroborate thermography findings.

Chinese Medicine & inflammation

Since thermography essentially detects inflammation, it can also serve as a powerful tool from the Chinese medicine perspective.

According to Chinese Medicine, inflammation or heat often stem from the Stomach & Liver organ systems, both of which run through the breasts. Since the Stomach is part of the gastrointestinal system, it’s important to be conscious to cultivate a low inflammatory diet.

Thermography can offer guidance as a preventative tool in detecting inflammation in these regions. This is especially true for the liver since inflammation on the breast can also be a warning signal that the liver is congested.

Although thermography can help detect inflammation in the body, naturally healing the inflammation requires patience and understanding of the underlying causes. As a next step, it’s important to find the tools and resources necessary in order to address the inflammation. Dr. Walsh-Van Keuren works with her patients to develop herbal formulas and dietary changes known to help reduce inflammation and help the body heal.

As a holistic medicine practitioner, Dr. Walsh-Van Keuren emphasizes on the importance of treating the human body as an extension of nature. For this reason, it’s very important to address the entire human being and their emotional and physiological stressors in order to bring about healing and harmony in the body.

Tips to reduce inflammation

Lymphatic massage occasionally in order to increase blood flow in your breast tissues.
Increase movement — shake, move or jump in order to increase circulation.
See an acupuncture practitioner in order to address underlying causes of inflammation.

References

Dr. Therese Walsh-Van Keuren’s website: truechi.com (thermography offered once per quarter)

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what do you think of this alternative tool to empower your health?

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(Episode 18) Stop Self-Sabotage & Cultivate Healthy Relationships

May 12, 2021

by Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac. & Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — Which part of the conversation with Lisa & Steve Smith you found most helpful or enlightening?

We’re delighted to welcome our dear friends, husband and wife team Steve & Lisa Smith to The Natural Healing Podcast.

Steve Smith is a marriage and family therapist in the field for over 15 years working with couples and individuals on their spiritual-emotional growth and relationships. He’s also the author of The Enlightened Relationship: Mastering the Metaphysics of Love. As a former Stanford football quarterback, Steve has had a transformational journey into the world of therapy and personal development.

Lisa Watts Smith has been a shaman for over a decade and has been in corporate event planning with her own company, An Affair 2 Remember, for over 25 years. Recently, Lisa has become a certified Positive Intelligence coach, which she uses as a platform to help others with their personal growth and development.

Steve Smith on Cultivating a Healthy Relationship

Originally from Louisiana, Steve was recruited to play football at Stanford and majored in Economics, thinking his path was in the business world until discovering it wasn’t in alignment with what he wanted to do. Meanwhile, he experienced a personal transformation as he began to heal his inner wounds.

As he delved more into psychology and got a master’s degree, he explored energy and metaphysics discovering that they are inseparable.

Our beliefs, emotions and thoughts are being transmitted unconsciously, and this effects our relationships. Thus issues in our relationships can manifest from our thoughts and emotions.

Relationships are somewhat of a trap where we often look at the other to see what he or she is doing and look away from ourselves.

The key is to turn back to yourself, look inside to see if you’re holding onto judgments, resentments and things that are co-creating problems in a relationship.

Emotional state will also dictate a relationship’s health so it’s important to regulate negative or unwanted emotions. Although a picture perfect relationship isn’t attainable, having the tools to face challenges in a relationship is invaluable.

Lisa Smith’s Journey to Shamanism & Positive Intelligence Coaching

Lisa’s calling to energy healing led her to travel all over the world to train with shamans which she now uses to help people address energy imbalances and self-sabotaging behaviors in all aspects of their lives.

In addition to energy healing, Lisa also practices Positive Intelligence to help people attain self-actualization and emotional control.

Key Takeaways

As healers and therapists, Steve & Lisa Smith share the challenges of dealing with their own relationship expectations and expectations of others. Although every relationship comes with its own challenges, ultimately focusing on extending compassion for the self and the partner often leads to a mutual healing experience and self-development.

Harboring emotions like anger or sadness often result in physical ailment so it’s not surprising to hear people with pent-up anger develop a toxic liver or a broken-hearted individual suffer from a heart attack. One of the ways these trapped emotions can be overcome is through awareness and focus on healing instead.

The most important tips they offer are to:

Focus on developing routines that focus on the self, especially as you start your day.
Practice self-forgiveness and acceptance to open the door to healing.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — Which part of the conversation with Lisa & Steve Smith you found most helpful or enlightening?

References:

Steve Smith’s website: theenlightenedmind.net/

Lisa Smith’s website: lisawattssmith.com

(Episode 17) Heal Anxiety by Healing Your Past with Esteban Molina

May 5, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Ever had a past life experience? — listen to the episode & let us know about it in the comments below.

In this episode our guest Esteban Molina, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist shares his journey into the healing arts, from studying psychology in his native country of Colombia to helping others transform their anxiety and depression through his work with hypnotherapy.

As a regression therapist, Esteban uses his training with Dr. Brian Weiss and his background in psychology to help people improve their wellbeing.

Esteban credits his inspiration into the healing arts to his grandfather. Although he passed away when Esteban was just a child, the deep connection he continued to feel guided him to the healing arts.

It wasn’t until Esteban was 14 that he experienced regression therapy. As he listened to a cassette recording of past life regression by Dr. Brian Weiss—a renowned psychiatrist and specialist in past life regression—Esteban felt an unexplained shift in himself. He went on to gain a degree in psychology and eventually trained with Dr. Brain Weiss in past life regression therapy.

Past life regression uses hypnosis to take people back in time and explore their early experiences. The practice is rooted in the belief that we experience several lifetimes and through exploring our past life experiences, we gain a better understanding of our present life situation and difficulties.

Esteban, in particular, focuses on using past experiences therapeutically in order to help people understand and handle the emotional stress or difficulties they’re experiencing currently.

By shedding light or bringing consciousness to our past history, past life regression helps heal past trauma and teaches us to live in the present.

Esteban also practices progression therapy, which can take people into future lifetimes. The practice is similar to past life regression but it aims to help people gain confidence in themselves and the future.

Aside from hypnosis, there are many different ways to access or retrieve past life memories.

You may have experienced déjà vu, a sudden change in emotion or felt a connection with a person you’ve just met. These experiences require reflection and thought rather than dismissal. They may signal a memory from a past life.

Ever had a past life experience? — listen to the episode & let us know about it in the comments below.

Book mention: Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss

Esteban Molina’s website: coreforhealing.com/

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(Episode 16) Emergency Acupuncture and Hydration Tips You Need to Know

April 14, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — What’s the greatest insight you took away from this episode?

In this episode, Salvador shares a recent traumatic but profound personal experience that demonstrates the true healing power of acupuncture and proper hydration.

After finding his father unresponsive in the back of the car, Salvador performed emergency acupuncture, focusing on a few crucial acupuncture points that ultimately helped his father regain consciousness.

After being evaluated by medical doctors, it was also determined that his father was severely dehydrated. Through proper hydration, Salvador’s father has seen tremendous improvement in his overall health and energy— even engaging in activities he hasn’t for months!

Emergency Acupuncture Points to Know

Below you’ll find the emergency acupuncture points that Salvador used to treat his father. Listen to the episode for details and to learn more.

St-36 (Stomach 36, called "Zu San Li", meaning 'Leg Three Miles') - located four fingers width below the patella on the lateral side of the tibia.

Du-26 (named 'Shui Gou' for Water Trough) - located above the midpoint of the philtrum below the nostrils. This point is also called 'Ren Zhong' meaning Human Center for it's association as a point that connects the central Yin and Yang channels.

Ki-1 (Kidney 1, "Yong Quan', meaning 'Bubbling Spring') - Ki-1 is the only Jing-Well point not located at the tip of a digit. It’s location is below the ball of the foot, between the 2nd and 3rd toes.

Jing-Well ('Jing' meaning 'Well' for it's correspondence to an area where Qi rises up to the surface of the Meridians). There are Jing-Well points at the tip of each toe and finger at the base of the nail bed. Look for the puffiest, reddest or darkest areas to apply pressure.

What is proper hydration?

After finding out his father’s condition was likely caused by dehydration, Dr. Setareh & Salvador emphasize the importance of proper hydration—which is more than drinking enough water. Proper hydration means drinking quality water that includes the vital trace minerals and electrolytes that our cells need to carry out important functions.

Certain water purification processes like reverse osmosis strips water of its minerals. One way to remedy the insufficiency that’s caused from stripping these minerals is to add the minerals back to your diet with sea salt, which naturally contains trace minerals that are needed for thyroid, adrenal and immune functions.

Darker salts such as Celtic sea salt and pink Himalayan salt are especially rich in trace minerals. Standard white sea salt found in most grocery stores are also a good source of trace minerals, however, keep in mind that many are bleached and processed.

Table salt, on the other hand, is the most denatured and least nutritious salt available.

When consumed, your body tries to keep the toxic chemicals contained in table salt away from your heart—and this is primarily why doctors often recommend patients with hypertension to avoid salt.

The minerals contained in healthy salts help hydrate and alkalize the body, balance potassium-sodium ratios and provide essential electrolytes. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, trace minerals help anchor Yang Qi, which supports the Liver and provides vital energy.

Another way to effectively hydrate your body is to consume more soups. One example is Congee, which is a staple in Chinese cuisine and we’ve previously shared its benefits and recipe here.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — What’s the greatest insight you took away from this episode?

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(Episode 15) How Resistance to Change Can Cause Illness: 3 Ways to Temper Wind & Protect Your Health

April 7, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — where are you resisting change that could be creating Wind in your life?

The only constant in life is change and yet change is something we all at times resist, however inadvertently. In Chinese Medicine, this resistance is said to create Wind in our life. More broadly, Wind sets the foundation for what is referred to as the “100 Diseases” or the root of most health problems.

Before delving into the pathogenic factors of Wind, it’s important to define Wind. How is Wind defined from the Chinese Medicine perspective? In nature we observe wind shake trees and rattle leaves. In the same way, Wind causes disruption in our body—leading to tremors, shaking and dizziness, among other things. Associated with Spring and the Wood element organ of Liver, Wind disruption often takes form as nerve irritability.

Wind related symptoms become more apparent during important changes in our lives. It’s the resistance we experience to the change as we become uncomfortable or uneasy.

Seasonal change from the very Yin state of Winter to the active Yang season of Spring also introduces discomfort if we don’t adjust well to the shift in seasons.

Since Spring naturally brings a lot of Wind, we also witness some common health problems during this time. As a Yang and active phenomenon, Wind can cause allergies, itching and dryness. Other conditions like sciatica and pinched nerves are also common problems associated with Wind. Extreme state of Wind can exhibit paralysis or even stroke.

Because disruptions caused by Wind are so widespread, it’s crucial to temper and remedy Wind.

3 tips to Help Temper Wind & Protect Yourself from Dis-ease

Become more aware of your circumstances and how you’re handling life situations. Are you resisting or becoming frustrated in your life? These are important questions to ask in order to increase your awareness. This awareness can help you let go of the urge to control every aspect of your life and become more accepting of experiences with simplicity so as not to allow mental, physical or emotional discomfort.
Temper and manage your emotions in order to avoid extreme aggression. Dietary changes like avoiding coffee, alcohol and other stimulants can help cool down your nervous system as well.
Manage stress. If there are aspects of your life that are causing great stress, learn to deal with them if they’re within your control—such as leaving a stressful job or relationship. For stressful situations out of your control, gather and look for tools to help you feel at ease. This is especially important to control your cortisol level as too much cortisol in the system can lead to development of Wind symptoms that can disrupt your health.
Acupuncture is also a great tool that’s beneficial in inducing a calming effect on the mind and the nervous system. To learn more about acupuncture, click here.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — where are you resisting change that could be creating Wind in your life?

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(Episode 14) Balancing the Wood Element Archetype

March 31, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, click here to take our Five Element Personality quiz to find out which of the Five Element personality types, then leave your insights in the comments below.

Wood Energy

The Wood element naturally dominates the Spring season. In Japan, the Wood element is often called “tree” and this is fitting because trees ascend to the sky. Likewise, Wood energy ascends its Yang Qi or energy upwards to the head. When this Yang Qi is exuberant in spring, it can send too much Qi to the head causing allergies, hypertension, dizziness and headaches as the Yang Qi exerts a lot of heat when it becomes very active.

The emotions associated with Wood can also become more prevalent in Yang seasons of Spring/Summer, especially when Qi is pent-up. In extreme cases, we witness rage, anger and frustration as signs of overexertion of Yang Qi.

For these reasons, it’s important to address the energetics of the liver and gallbladder since they’re the main organs associated with the Wood energy.

3 simple ways to balance Wood energy:

The liver tends to accumulate a lot of heat. An effective way to counter some of the heat is through liver detoxification. Simply preparing cooked leafy vegetables or supplementing your diet with dandelion and burdock root can also help cool down the liver.
Avoid or reduce substances that may add to the heat, such as alcohol and coffee
Practice meditation—especially practices focusing on improving the breathing mechanism that can help cool and relax the nervous system.

Yin Wood & Yang Wood Personalities

We can also look at the Wood element from the Yin/Yang perspective.

A Yang Wood personality will often be expressive—they’re the leaders and commanders of society.

A Yin Wood personality, on the other hand, will often be intelligent but shy and less assertive with their dreams.

While wonderful when Wood personalities are in balance, like all Five Element personality types, off balance Wood personality types can become intolerable. Yang Wood type can become angry or temperamental when out of balance and Yin Wood type will resort to withdrawing and excessive daydreaming.

Although each of us possess a dominant personality type among the Five Elements, we’re all comprised of all five elements. Our individual personalities arise from the unique combination of the elements and it may change over time.

As the influence of the environment around us increases—especially during childhood—we may experience a shift in our personality. A person who was more Wood as a child may be reshaped by parents or those around them if they’re told to suppress some of the emotions as they are expressing their natural personalities.

Certain environments may also force us to take on attributes that are more suitable such as CEOs that strongly favor the Yang leadership and assertive personalities.

Tips to balance Wood personalities

Yang Wood types can temper bright clothing with pastel colors to express themselves.
Taking public speaking classes or expressive activities may help Yin Wood types that are feeling out of balance.
Exercise is generally a great way to keep Wood types in balance. Yang Wood types will find more gentle forms of exercise such as yoga and Tai Chi helpful while Yin Wood types will benefit from participating in more active sports such as martial arts.
Massage, acupuncture and meditation are beneficial to both Yin and Yang Wood personality types as a way to relax the nervous system and temper the common emotions witnessed in those with Wood energy imbalance.

Once you’ve listened to the episode, click here to take our Five Element Personality quiz to find out which of the Five Element personality types you most resonate with and leave your insights in the comments below.

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(Episode 13) Persian New Year & The Magic of Springtime

March 24, 2021

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how do you like to celebrate the onset of this new season?

Sofreh Haftseen is a traditional altar created to symbolize the bounty of the new year. At least seven items starting with “s” are included on the Sofreh, including sabzeh (sprouts), samanoo (wheat germ pudding), sombol (hyacinth), sekeh (coins to s… — Sofreh Haftseen is a traditional altar created to symbolize the bounty of the new year. At least seven items starting with “s” are included on the Sofreh, including *sabzeh* (sprouts), *samanoo (*wheat germ pudding), *sombol* (hyacinth), *sekeh* (coins to symbolize wealth), *seer* (garlic), and *senjed* (Persian olives).

The Persian New Year, or Norouz, translates to ‘new day’ and is marked by the Spring equinox. It’s a beautiful celebration of new beginnings and opportunities that’s rooted in Zoroastrian and Iranian heritages but celebrated across a diverse range of cultures and communities in Asia.

On the eve of the last Wednesday before the new year, families gather for a celebration known as Chaharshanbeh Souri. This purification ritual occurs with a mantra family members and friends state as they jump over fire in the backyard: zardiyeh man az to, sorkhiyeh to az man, which essentially means that I give you my ill health in return for your light, warmth and healing.

Preparation for Norouz starts at home. Families organize and deep clean their homes, removing clutter and getting ready for upcoming celebrations with family and friends. A special altar called Sofreh Haftseen is created to display seven symbolic items starting with the Farsi letter “S” to represent everything that you want to bring into the new year and beyond. Some of these items can include seer, or garlic, to symbolize good health and ridding of evil, seeb, or apple, for beauty, and sabzeh, or sprouted grains or beans, symbolizing growth and rebirth.

Norouz is a 13-day celebration that ends with Sizdeh Bedar, an outing on the 13th day to parks in order to air out and get rid of bad energy from homes. Another tradition on the last day of celebration is to take the sabzeh, or sprouted grains, to a stream of running water and make a wish as you release the grains into the water. This symbolizes the release of the past and the welcoming of the new season.

In Chinese philosophy, this transition to Spring—from the Yin season of Winter to the very Yang season of Spring—is also witnessed in a shift in our energy level. We go from the dormant and quiet season of Yin to the active spring/summer seasons of Yang.

The concept of the Five Elements is also relevant as the Wood Element, representing growth and new beginnings, is marked by the Spring season. Providing momentum and drive, Wood supports the necessary energy to push through obstacles and pursue new goals during springtime so it becomes an ideal time to initiate new projects and hobbies.

Practices like decluttering and clearing your home or “Spring cleaning” can spark inspiration and restore the flow of Liver Qi to support your body and life.

It’s also an especially important time to eat leafy green vegetables and avoid or reduce foods that overheat the liver—such as alcohol and coffee.

We hope this episode inspires you to welcome new beginnings.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how do you like to celebrate the onset of this new season?

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(Episode 12) The True Secret to Healing

March 17, 2021

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how is the metaphor showing up in your journey to healing?

Today we’re discussing the topic of healing — what does it really mean to heal?

In Western medicine, the focus is on symptoms whereas in Classical Chinese Medicine the focus is on so many different aspects, including diet, lifestyle and habits.

So healing goes far beyond just removing our symptoms. It’s more about a total recovery or a shift.

Anytime you experience an illness or dis-ease, it’s an opportunity to change something. Illness arises in the physical body most often during times of crisis or stress or when we’re not paying attention.

Sometimes the stressful circumstances are not in our control, so there’s no shame about not being well. But when you’re not well, it’s an opportunity to look closely at all aspects of wellness — your mind, your body, your spirit; your total health.

Western medicine focuses on the eradication of symptoms, which is especially important for crisis and emergency. But Western medicine has shortcomings when it comes to the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases like diabetes, arthritis and conditions where the body’s breaking down. Western medicine’s focus is to attack the pathology or to suppress the inflammation whereas Classical Chinese Medicine looks at where the imbalance is rooted and how to build up the body.

In order to heal you have to examine what’s happening in the body, mind and spirit.

Hippocrates was a Greek physician often recognized as the father of medicine who established the Hippocratic School of Medicine through which the practice of medicine was established in the world.

Hippocrates believed that diseases occurred through natural causes and not just because of superstition as many before him believed.

He stated: “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.”

This is the foundation of healing but is often not the focus of Western medicine, which focuses on the disease state itself.

Our teacher, Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, often mentions that it’s important to look at the metaphor when you have an illness. For example, if you’re having throat problems, is there something you’re not expressing in your life?

The important thing when you’re examining the metaphor is to make sure you’re not feeling shame or guilt but rather using this new understanding to become empowered as you become aware of the patterns.

Getting diagnosed with a condition is an opportunity to awaken to how we’ve been living our life, so it’s an opportunity to change and have a better life.

In order to heal, you have to become different from the person who contracted the disease.

You have to change your behaviors, your diet, your mindset, and your lifestyle. And this is one of the main challenges with healing.

In the process of healing, it’s common to experience a healing crisis in which things get worse before they get better. This is especially common with skin issues, which can erupt during the course of treatment.

Listen to the episode to learn more about the true secret to healing, as well as examples that can help you understand the root of your dis-ease and the gifts of the process so you can unveil a healthier, more empowered state.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — how is the metaphor showing up in your journey to healing?

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(Episode 11) 3 tips to Have a Healthy Transition Into Spring

March 10, 2021

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what’s the biggest insight you took away from this episode?

The transition between each season is known in Japanese as the Doyo period. According to one of the foremost classical texts of Chinese Medicine, Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, this 18-day period leading up to each Solstice or Equinox is one of the most important times to make dietary and lifestyle adjustments to support your health.

In Five Element theory this period is governed by the Earth element, which is why the Earth element organs — the Spleen, Stomach and Pancreas — are most vulnerable to imbalance and disease, and therefore especially need protection and support during this time.

People who already have Earth element-related problem need to take extra care as cases such as diabetes, ulcers and gastrointestinal issues in general can all worsen during this time if their lifestyle is not supported.

During the Doyo period in particular it's important to eat meals at regular times and without distractions. Staying away from too much sweet food and other damp-producing foods like dairy and fried foods is also important to keep the Spleen and Stomach energies in healthy balance.

The Spleen, as the largest lymphatic organ in the body, indicates this is a good time for acupuncture and massage to support lymphatic circulation. If you only get these treatments a few times a year, it's best to do them during the Doyo periods.

The Spleen is especially important as it supports your immune system.

It’s also an organ that assists in the transformation of food into energy and thoughts into purpose, so a healthy Spleen will support you to stay focused on your goals and be able to transform your dreams into reality.

Weakness in the Spleen can result in problems with digestion and elimination and cause the body to accumulate dampness. Dampness is a fungal terrain, often resulting from a diet heavy in carbohydrates, fried foods, dairy and sugar (even in the form of fruits). A fungal terrain can also develop from using various drugs such as antibiotics, sulfa drugs, chemotherapy, birth control pills, corticosteroids, antacids and acid blocking medications.

Dampness is reflected in our lives through the feeling of being stuck or lacking clarity. Dampness is also associated with psychological imbalances such as Obsessive Compulsiveness Disorder and hoarding.

The Earth element organs thrive on a simple diet based on warm unprocessed foods, a calm mind, and a regular daily rhythm with meals, exercise and rest.

3 Tips to Support Your Earth for a Healthy Spring Transition

With the transition into Spring, it’s important to reduce the burden on the Spleen and Stomach organs systems, strengthen your digestion and cool the heat in the Liver in order to prevent irritability and allergies. Here are three tips that can support a healthy transition during this Doyo period:

Reduce or avoid sugar and other damp-producing foods. Foods like cheese, nuts (especially peanuts and cashews) and especially sugar can produce a fungal terrain in the body which impairs your digestion and immunity and therefore should be avoided as much as possible during this time.
Avoid eating cold foods. Too much cold food compromises the strength of your Spleen Qi, which is essential for transforming the food you eat into nutrients. Click here to learn why this tip is especially important in episode 10.
Get Acupuncture treatment. This is the ideal time to support your core Earth energy and immunity with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. (If you're in our area, you can schedule yourself online here).

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — what’s the biggest insight you took away from this episode?

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