Category: traditional wisdom

The Right Way to Cut Carbs and Sugar

One of my patients—who had been struggling with obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, and the cost of her medications—agreed in June 2019 to adopt a more whole-food, plant-based diet. Excited by the challenge, she did a remarkable job. She increased her fresh fruit and vegetable intake; stopped eating candy, cookies, and cakes; and cut down on foods…


Turning the Tide on Addiction

The consuming nature of addiction means that by its very definition, it’s an isolating chronic disease. It manifests in various forms that permeate the fabric of society, destroying lives, families, and communities. As explored in previous articles in this series, the rates of addiction are running rampant in countries around the world and the misconception…


How to Grow and Harvest Chamomile

The Chamomile plant may be the easiest herb on earth to grow. Most herbs are pretty simple – plant, prune, contain. Chamomile, with its delicate, apple-like aroma, self-seeds year after year and also happens to be a great host for beneficial insects. Years ago, I bought a pot of German Chamomile at (of all places)…


Winter and Kidney Health

Each of us is blessed with two kidneys located in the upper abdomen; they sit against the back muscles on either side of the spine and are about the size of a closed fist. Some of their responsibilities include: removing waste products from the body balancing fluid levels releasing hormones controlling the production of red…


The Promise of Organ Transplants

On Dec. 3, 1967, Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human-to-human heart transplant in Groote Schuur Hospital, Capetown, South Africa. The patient, Louis Washkansky, was terminally ill from heart failure. This was a last-ditch effort to save his life. The new heart, tragically, came from a 25-year-old woman, Denise Darvall, who was fatally…


A Very Useful Acupuncture Point

Acupuncture is an art, not a science. As such, all acupuncturists work just a little differently from one another. It’s been said that we acupuncturists have a relationship with certain points, and it’s true that I have certain favorite acupuncture points that I tend to use more than others. There is one point, however, that…


It’s Time to Shore Up for Spring

A solar term is a period of about two weeks and is based on the sun’s position in the zodiac. Solar terms form the traditional Chinese calendar system. The calendar follows the ancient Chinese belief that living in accordance with nature will enable one to live a harmonious life. This article series explores each of…


Liver 3 – A Wonderful Acupuncture Point

Liver 3 (Taichong/Great Rushing) is a very popular acupuncture point that I use everyday in my Chicago acupuncture practice. It is often a sensitive point when rubbed or needled so many of my patients ask me what that point is used for. You might want to see if you find the point sensitive on yourself. It is located on…


The Chinese Medicine Approach to Sleep

If you have experienced insomnia, you know that having sleep problems is miserable. It affects every aspect of your life, especially if it’s chronic. Insomnia may affect you differently than others – some people have trouble falling and/or staying asleep, others experience dream-disturbed sleep. Whatever variation keeps you from feeling rested and sharp, you have my…


Healing Winter Woes with Gentle Cell Salts

With cooler temps setting in for the long winter season ahead (and snow falling here in the Northwest), immunity is definitely on my mind. In order to make sure my defenses are in tip-top shape, I’m already taking 5000 IU of flu-fighting Vitamin D daily, and ramping up my daily dose of antioxidants. In addition, I’ve been on…