To The Point

Winter, 2011 #12

In this issue

Water in Winter

February 3rd begins the Chinese New Year. Here in Chicago, it marks a historical snow storm. 2011 is the year of Rabbit. There are lovely traditions associated with the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away any bad luck and make way for good incoming luck. People buy presents and decorate them with red paper cuts (a Chinese art form) and poetry with themes of happiness, wealth, and longevity. Another yummy tradition is a sumptuous family meal that includes traditional dishes using pigs, ducks, and chicken. The Chinese New Year is a time for reconciliation and forgetting old grudges; a time to wish everyone peace and happiness.

The Sign of the Rabbit

RabbitThe Rabbit is a lucky sign. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are kind, articulate and talented. They are also virtuous, ryear of rabbiteserved, gracious, and have good manners (although they love gossip). The Rabbit possesses a highly developed sense of beauty and love of creativity.

But, there is another side to the rabbit. Their soft, vulnerable-looking exterior is protected by an armor of cautiousness and sagacity. They are ambitious and are often financially lucky in business but, you will not see them gamble because Rabbits avoids areas of high risk.

Rabbit people have sympathetic ears to lend you, but he will only take the role of a passive adviser. The Rabbit is not a fighter and make an effort to be civil, even to his worst enemy. When given the choice, the Rabbit will vote for the easy and good life every time. The Rabbit's main objective in life is simply self-preservation. He relies on his own judgment and is at peace with himself. This is the sign most apt to find happiness and contentment.

Famous Rabbit People: Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Edith Piaf, Fanny Brice, Helen Hunt, Jane Seymour, Joan Crawford, Kate Winslet, and Tina Turner.

February is Heart Health Month

BearBy the time February ends, everybody has lapsed in pursuing all their New Year's Resolutions, but it is still too early to feel the bear heartinspiration of Spring. So, here are several easy heart health suggestions to begin now.

*Drink green tea. Some studies indicate that it reduces "bad" cholesterol and boosts "good" cholesterol.

*Boost your intake of nitric oxide. Exercise, deep breathing and sauna's are all simple ways to do this. Nitric Oxide causes your blood vessels to relax and to widen, thereby opening up your arteries. This allows better blood flow to your heart and to your other important organs.

*Improve your sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to many unhealthy conditions including heart disease and high blood pressure. Better sleep patterns are a result of conditioning. Sleep can be improved in the following ways:

*Try some Chinese herbs. Most of the herbs I mention below can be found in capsules or tea form at your local health food store.

Ginseng reduces cholesterol and has shown positive effects on blood vessel elasticity.

Dang gui, or Chinese angelica root, is traditionally used to treat blockages and help increase blood flow.

Ginkgo increases microcapillary circulation and expands blood vessels.

*Some of these herbs, like ginkgo, possess mild blood-thinning properties and may interact with blood-thinning drugs. Be sure to talk to your medical doctor before you take these herbs if you are already taking prescription medications. Also as with any Chinese Herbal supplements you should consult a qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

The New Year Provides An Occasion To Reflect

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." ~ Confucius

Reflection has 2 related meanings, both of which are interesting to think about as the Chinese New Year begins. Reflection can be an image that comes back to us, such as looking in a mirror and, reflection can also be rethinking an event, or reviewing an idea. We may decide that we like what we see (or think) or, we might decide that our original view needs to be tweaked. Either way, we have a new chance to take a close view and to reconsider our original thinking.

The New Year is the perfect opportunity not only to reflect, but to use that knowledge as a direction for change. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be a catalyst for the change you seek. Because the goal of TCM is to improve balance - whether through preventing illness, relieving stress, aches, and pains or improving energy - you will find yourself possessing greater calm and clarity in the pursuit of your goals.

Maybe You Can Judge A Book By Its Cover

Reflection has other connotations in TCM which believes that outer appearances reflect inner health. In practice, this means that a well trained practitioner of TCM will examine your appearance - but very different aspects than you study when you look in the mirror.

Bodily observation includes looking at your face, tongue, eyes (do you have dark circles?), body type, and demeanor. Two thousand years ago, when Chinese Medicine was in its infancy, these healers and diagnosticians depended on their finely tuned observational skills in order to assess their patients. Some of those early ideas seem simplistic now, but many elements of diagnosis persist because we do understand that that outer appearances can provide clues to a person's health.

Let's Stay Connected

Tis the season...almost. Before we have to deal with holiday chaos and long stretches of cold weather, I am making a pitch to enjoy Autumn. Chinese Medicine teaches that Autumn is the season to shed the old and make space for all the good things that are just around the corner. For me one of those special occasions coming up is the ten year anniversary of my practice early next year! I am grateful for reaching this milestone and for all of you who have made this possible.

Now You Can Follow Me On Twitter And Facebook - I update both sites regularly with information you can use about health and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I look forward to your comments.

Life Ain't For Sissies
An insightful new blog that contains ideas from psychology that can make your life better. (Truth in advertising: my mom, psychologist and author, Linda Edelstein, Ph.D. writes it. Try it, you'll like it.)

Thanks for reading and share this newsletter with your friends
Stay happy and healthy,

Jennifer Dubowsky L.A.c., M.S.O.M.

You can contact me by:
Phone: 312-399-5098
E-mail: tcm007@rcn.com
Web site: www.tcm007.com
Blog: www.acupuncturechicago.blogspot.com

Thank you for your continued support and be healthy.