Since summer is here in full force there are specific seasonal trends that we see frequently in the clinic. Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and San Jiao (3 jiaos being chest, digestion, and lower abdomen & the movement of the energy between them.) are the organs of summer.

Fire is the element of summer- naturally, and its nature is to rise up and out ie, which creates symptoms in the mind, head, chest, and the tongue which is the sprout of the heart and saliva is the fluid of the heart. Think about-dry mouth and excess thirst, headaches, anxiety, and restlessness at night.

Because the olfactory nerve directly enters the brain, it is one of the best ways to support the body through essential oils.

Using Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in a number of ways- diffuse into the air, directly on the skin, for massage, and internally. My favorite usage is adding the oils to a carrier oil like sesame, coconut or jojoba. Applied topically applied directly to select...

Do you have a headache right now? Perhaps you have been having trouble sleeping, or your stomach has been upset.

If these symptoms seem like a typical day to you, you may be chronically stressed. People deal with this stress in different ways. Some may overeat, drink more alcohol or stop exercising. Most people don’t make healthy choices when their bodies are stressed out.

However, to relieve the symptoms of stress, you have to take care of yourself. Exercising regularly and making an attempt to relax can reduce some of the tension. Sometimes, though, making time for socializing and hobbies still doesn’t seem to stop the headaches or stomach churning. Then it may be time to try some alternative methods of improving your physical health to help manage stress: acupuncture treatments and improved sleep health.

How Acupuncture Affects Stress

Although Chinese medicine has known the effects of acupuncture on stress for years, Western medicine has just begun to probe...