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This Valentine’s Day, whether you celebrate romantic love with a partner, enjoy the love of family and friends, or simply carry on with life, noting another day on the calendar, it can be an opportunity to at least take a moment and acknowledge one of the most important relationships in our lives. The sacred harmony between our heart and kidneys, according to Chinese medicine philosophy, is the relationship at the core of our existence that helps to give our lives meaning, joy, and power.
Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of winter, right in the middle of kidney season. Winter’s focus is on the kidneys, which symbolize the water element, therefore it’s a good time to remember the heart, which is the fire element’s balance organ. In the body, the interaction between water and fire affects much more than just our physical health. It defines how we engage our life’s purpose, how we integrate our passions with our work.
In terms of physical health, this balance between the heart and the kidney function in the body is required to regulate heart rhythm, sleep cycles, water metabolism, temperature, and mental and physical stability. The heart, located in the upper (yang) part of the body, must descend its yang qi (fire) to warm the kidney yin and prevent cold stagnation. The kidneys, located in the lower (yin) part of the body, must ascend their yin qi (water) to prevent the heart fire from becoming overactive. If there is a miscommunication that leads to disharmony in this relationship, we can see issues of hyperactive heart fire such as palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, even mania. If an overactive heart fire dries up the kidney yin, we can have issues like dizziness, tinnitus, weak back and knees. Not enough fire to warm the kidneys can lead to cold limbs, fatigue, and edema. The heart and kidneys share a special relationship in Western medicine as well, as they rely on each other for proper circulation, water and waste metabolism, and blood pressure. Disorders of one organ can lead to issues in the other, which is why doctors often say ‘what’s good for your heart is good for your kidneys’ and vice-versa.
A more profound analysis of this relationship has to do with the spiritual energy held in these organs according to TCM. Our heart is the home of our Shen, our heart-mind, the aspect of spirit associated with our consciousness, our desires, insight, and passion. Kidneys house the Zhi, the aspect of our spirit associated with our willpower. This is what gives us our ‘umph’ to face challenges and keep going, our self-discipline, our drive. Together these motivations, our desire coupled with our drive, empower us to carry out our soul’s life plan.
This Valentine’s Day, wake up and stretch, rub your lower back to charge up your kidneys, and activate your willpower. Breathe deep, adjust your posture, and stick out your chest to let your heart lead the way. Feel the connection between these 2 organ systems in the body, letting your will empower your passions. This internal harmony can fill your life with love on Valentine’s Day and every day.
If you are interested in improving your heart’s health, call us today and schedule an appointment.
The season of Thanksgiving is upon us. Gratitude is such a powerful healer and the gateway into love. Ultimately Love is the most powerful healing agent in any situation and gratitude is the first step to embodying it.
Gratitude and Love help to balance and heal the fire element within us, as do connection and social engagement. Making this season the perfect time for some heart healing – and let’s take a look at how we can maximize this holiday to balance all of our elements.
Fire: Associated organs, Heart, Small Intestine. Gratitude lists, connections, and time spent with family and friends.
Earth: Associated organs, Stomach, Spleen. Eat mindfully, eat according to the season with lots of orange autumnal seasonal, nourishing foods. Eating in good company at leisure, exactly the way our digestion works best will help to keep your Earth element in balance throughout the thanksgiving festivities.
The Earth element really is the epicenter of our entire system. A balanced Earth gives you a clear mind. A clear mind will give you the ability to manifest what you want in your life – but meditating BEFORE breakfast or the movement in your digestive system will create more movement in your mind. And don’t forget – sweet is the flavor of this element – but try not to overindulge!
Water; Associated organs, Kidneys, Bladder. Did you know that your Kidneys store your life essence and your bladder channel represents your nervous system? Most of us are running around in a perceived deficit of time all day every day, this keeps our nervous system on high alert or as we say in Chinese Medicine, keeps us in Yang mode all day long. When do you take a break? I mean a real break, a Yin nourishing break. We are designed to take Yin nourishing time during the day, every day and very few of us are actually doing it. Your whole being deserves to be given some well-earned rest, capitalize on it this holiday and take some time out for doing absolutely nothing.
Metal: Associated organs, Lung, Large Intestine. Get out into that magical crisp autumn air for an after-dinner walk – this will not only get your digestion moving but you can also fill your lungs with air and inspiration. Whether you go alone and reconnect to your precious self, or together with loved ones, this one ticks a lot of boxes. There are also sponsored 5k walks like the ‘Turkey Trot for Hunger that you can take part in, you can walk you don’t need to run – or you could run and earn that thanksgiving dinner!
Wood: Associated organs, Liver, Gallbladder. I couldn’t leave a holiday article finished without mentioning how to bounce back from little (or not so little) indulgences! Your Liver may be the only one not getting a break this holiday so make sure to show it some love by eating/drinking plenty of greens. Add some lemon to your water and allow yourself some space and time to process any emotions that are brought to the surface during this time which can be highly charged for many. Wood also controls the Earth Element so keeping your Liver happy will help to digest all of that extra rich food!
So, if you’re looking for a little more balance this time of year, give us a call. You’ll be thankful you did!
Heart health is extremely important. Without a healthy heart, the body does not function properly. The same can be said for a healthy state of mind. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be extremely beneficial. TCM, a medical system that dates back nearly 3,000 years, uses multiple modalities to treat illnesses and conditions of the mind and body.
When the heart is strong, circulation will be sufficient, the body will be well-nourished, and the pulse will reflect that by being full and regular. Both TCM and conventional medicine agree a weak heart can manifest as palpitations, chest pain, and even heart disease or a heart attack. Where the two medical systems diverge is this: Traditional Chinese Medicine also acknowledges that the heart “houses the mind.”
In TCM, the heart and the mind are virtually inseparable. The heart governs the ability to think clearly and sleep soundly. Our emotional state is strongly influenced by how healthy or unhealthy our heart may be. A weak and deficient heart may create feelings of anxiety and mania, while also contributing to insomnia, forgetfulness, and lack of concentration. And conversely, a weak mind or uncontrolled emotions can lead to a sick heart.
Heart health can be reflected in the facial complexion also. A nice rosy complexion indicates a strong, healthy heart, while a pale or sallow complexion is indicative of a deficient, weak heart. If the heart blood becomes stagnant, the complexion may have a purplish tint. When the complexion is reddish, this may indicate heart heat. This is one of the diagnostic tools that TCM practitioners use to determine the disease pattern of their patients.
Looking at some of the different modalities incorporated into TCM, there are many ways a person can manage their heart health. Here are some ways that TCM can help.
Acupuncture for Heart Health: Inserting hair-thin, solid, filiform needles into acupressure points along the body can help tremendously to keep your heart healthy. Acupuncture has been shown to lower blood pressure, calm the mind, relieve stress, and decrease any pain that might be occurring. Acupuncture also stimulates blood flow, making circulation more effective.
Acupuncture Points for Heart Health:
· Governing Vessel 20 – This point is located on the top of the head, midway between the apexes of both ears. GV20 stimulates circulation throughout the body and calms the mind.
· Heart 7 – This point is located bilaterally on the underside of the wrist, at the outermost end of the wrist crease. H7 can help with heart arrhythmias, panic attacks, hypertension, insomnia, and much more.
· Liver 3 – Located bilaterally on the top of the foot, in the depression about one thumb-width from the edge of the webbing between the first and second toes. L3 is a great point for improving blood circulation and relieving anxiety.
Chinese Herbs and Formulas for Heart Health: Another important component of TCM is the use of herbs and herbal formulas. Many times the herbs can be used alone, but there will be a more synergistic effect when single herbs are combined to make a formula. One such herb is San Qi. San Qi invigorates the blood, removing blockages, and it is also known to lower blood pressure. One of the most popular herbal formulas is Suan Zao Ren Tang. This formula nourishes the blood, calms the spirit, and clears heat, which are all symptoms that can be associated with an imbalanced heart.
Dietary Recommendations for Heart Health: Nutrition can also be very important in keeping the heart-healthy. Berries are loaded with antioxidants that can reduce the risk of heart disease. Chia seeds and flax seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids that can help lower blood pressure. Other foods like asparagus, nuts, dark chocolate, beans, and green tea can also help to maintain a healthy heart.
If you are seeking help with improving your heart health please contact us at 801-463-1101 to set up an appointment. If you are experiencing any chest pains or stroke symptoms, it is best to go to urgent care first, just to make sure there is no serious damage.
At Master Lu’s Health Center in Salt Lake City, we focus on all aspects of Chinese medicine including acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, nutrition, Chinese medical massage, and exercise.
Along with our Chinese medical treatments we will recommend food or nutritional therapy that will help you heal. Chinese medicine nutrition combines ancient wisdom with modern science. Chinese medicine nutrition is a holistic approach, which aims to balance all five flavors within most meals with one or two flavors being emphasized for therapeutic purposes. OM nutrition for a hypertension emphasizes bitter flavors, sour flavors and energetically-cooling foods.
Chinese medical theory states the bitter flavor benefits the heart in moderation but an excess is harmful as it has a drying effect; for example, coffee is bitter. In moderation coffee acts as vasodilator increasing circulation but in excess it can raise blood pressure and has a diuretic effect. Modern scientific research has discovered while the human genome has 25 bitter taste receptors 12 of these are expressed in the human heart.
Foods with bitter flavors include: romaine lettuce, dandelion, arugula, rye. Foods that combine bitter with pungency include: citrus peel, radish, scallion and white pepper. In Chinese medical nutrition the pungent flavor can help disperse phlegm (e.g. plaque). Foods that combine bitter with sweet include: asparagus, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, quinoa and papaya. Lemon rind is bitter and sour; vinegar is also bitter and sour.
Bitter flavors have a yin, or cooling effect, clearing heat in the body while encouraging a descent of Qi, which aids in the draining of fluids. For example, celery contains the phytochemical phthalides which relaxes arterial wall tissues to increase blood flow and thereby reduce blood pressure. The fiber, magnesium and potassium in celery also help lower blood pressure and regulate fluid balance. Caution: according to Chinese medicine, those with a lot of dryness and/or bone disease should moderate their intake of bitter flavor.
A tomato a day keeps the doctor away! The combination of lycopene, vitamin C and E, potassium and folic acid in tomatoes make it a power food for heart health. The bitter flavor of tomatoes come from the seeds; to reap the full benefit of tomatoes eat the seeds too. Heirloom tomatoes in season have the most flavor, find the tastiest tomatoes at your farmer’s market or trying growing your own.
Summer is the season of the heart according to Chinese medicine, meaning it is the season most likely to bring our hearts out of balance if we are exposed to excess heat, which can then create and/or exacerbate internal heat. During the summer Chinese medical nutrition recommends drinking and eating foods that cool the body and heart such as green tea, cucumbers, watermelon and lemon.
Chrysanthemum tea is a very popular summertime tea in Asia because it is so well known for its cooling properties; it is helpful for headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, chest pain and also fevers. You can add chrysanthemum flowers to your morning green tea and in the evening combine it with chamomile tea for extra cooling benefits!
Chinese medical nutrition cautions against overdoing cold foods and drinks. Too much cold inhibits the digestive process. Drinking warm beverages and soups, as well as eating foods with a little pungency (chili pepper, garlic, ginger) causes the body to perspire slightly which naturally cools the body.
For those who happen to have hypertension plus a lot of dryness: dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth and thirst, constipation and even hormonal deficiencies can benefit from increasing their healthy fat intake. Many nutrients are fat soluble, the body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile and vitamin D. Healthy fats nourish yin in OM nutrition theory. Some Americans who suffer from hypertension are also thin with an underlying yin deficiency, such as those with the onset of hypertension that coincides with menopausal symptoms. Sources of healthy fats include: nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, flaxseed oil and fish.
Eating beans, peas and grains are high in potassium, magnesium, fiber and are high in choline which is vital in lowering hypertension and boosting fat metabolism. Whole grains are also a good source of niacin and vitamin E and are recommended for healthy arteries, especially those that are slightly bitter such as: rye, quinoa, amaranth and oats.
5 Flavors Chickpea Salad for Healthy & Happy Heart
15 oz cooked organic chick peas (1 can)
1/2 c cup cooked quinoa or 1 cup brown rice (warm)
4 stalks celery, minced
6-12 cherry tomatoes, chapped in 1/2 or 1/4
8-12 Romaine lettuce leaves, chopped
2 TBSP red onion, minced
Toss with dressing made with:
2 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP lemon juice + a little lemon zest (organic is best)
1 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp honey or agave
1-2 garlic cloves (minced or pressed)
1/8 tsp Himalayan or Sea salt (or to taste)
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
Resources
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/04/celery-may-help-bring-your-high-blood-pressure-down/
Foster, S. R., Blank, K., Hoe, L. E. S., Behrens, M., Meyerhof, W., Peart, J. N., & Thomas, W. G. (2014). Bitter taste receptor agonists elicit G-protein-dependent negative inotropy in the murine heart. The FASEB Journal, 28(10), 4497-4508.
Kastner, Joseph, MD, L.Ac, (2009) Chinese Nutrition Therapy, Thieme, Stuttgart and New York
Pitchford, Paul (2002), Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California\
Ried, K., Frank, O. R., Stocks, N. P., Fakler, P., & Sullivan, T. (2008). Effect of garlic on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC cardiovascular disorders, 8(1), 1.
Willcox, J. K., Catignani, G. L., & Lazarus, S. (2003). Tomatoes and Cardiovascular Health. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 43(1), 1-18.
