In the aftermath of the fires many Southern Californians are breathing toxins daily. While it is encouraged to stay indoors and avoid exercising outside, we cannot totally avoid exposure to these pollutants. Oriental medicine takes a holistic approach towards one’s health and well-being and included in this is diet. Some easy ways to help detoxify the lungs from these pollutants includes eating more pears, plums, tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, papayas, lemons, carrots, yams, spinach, onions, celery, garlic, mushrooms, walnuts, peanuts, almonds and drinking green tea. These foods are known to fortify the lung channel. Drinking more water is also helpful, especially drinking one eight-ounce cup in the morning before breakfast as well as before and after bathing.
The coming of the holiday season often brings increased stress with all the preparations and increased family encounters. Some may also suffer from depression as this time of year may bring painful memories. The following exercise takes advantage of well-known acupressure points to help relieve stress and treat depression. Before starting these exercises, first find a quiet place with minimal distractions. Take a deep breath in and when pressing on the acupressure points, exhale slowly. Using your index fingers, press the base of the skull at the top of the neck for five to ten seconds. Another point is on the shin. Using the thumb, find a tender point located approximately four finger widths below the knee, and one finger width away from the shinbone and press for five to 10 seconds, repeat on the other leg. On the wrist, at the natural crease on the palm side, at the side of the pinky finger, press with the thumb for five to 10 seconds and repeat on the other wrist. At the sole of the foot, press with the index finger in the arch just near the ball of the foot for five to10 seconds and repeat on the other foot. Repeat this ten times, five to ten times daily. After these exercises drink an eight-ounce cup of water.
For more intensive treatment and a complete general health assessment, please contact Sui H. Zhao or Amy Lee at 661-298-9298.