Benefits of Limiting Alcohol and Caffeine in Summer

The warm temperatures and sunny skies of summer inspire trips to the beach, backyard BBQs, outdoor sporting events, concerts, festivals, dinner parties, and just an overall desire to socialize and enjoy the weather. Closely associated and culturally expected beverages at such events are alcohol and caffeine, whether it be beer, cocktails, and wine, or coffee, energy drinks, or tea. While a beer or latte here and there will not hurt, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), regular or excessive consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages in the summer heat can cause more damage than just intoxication and jitters.

The TCM perspective is that consuming considerable amounts of alcohol, a yang substance, can create an excess in both heat and dampness, or a deficiency in the liver and spleen. Alcohol is a diuretic, which causes the elimination of water, and in TCM, when water is removed from the body, fire is left, causing heat. Alcohol raises the heart rate, increases circulation, and creates feelings of warmth in the body. This depletes the liver, causing symptoms like sweating, a flushed complexion, inflammation, loose stools, or dark urination.

When alcohol causes dampness, it is due to there being more fluid in the body than necessary, creating a swamp-like state in the digestive system. Overwhelming the spleen like this causes symptoms of fullness, bloating, excess gas, a heaviness in the body and limbs, fatigue, and a thirst without the desire to drink. So even when you’re thirsty from the heat, you have no desire to rehydrate with water due to the buildup of fluids in your system.

Like alcohol, caffeine is another ingredient to limit, especially in the heat of summer. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, causing fluids to be removed from the body. High temperatures cause excessive sweating, so combined with the effect caffeine is having on the body, essential fluids are being expelled, causing dehydration. Caffeine consumption also harms the flow of Qi in the body by disrupting the body’s ability to maintain peak energy throughout the day. Associated with yang energy, caffeine can cause an imbalance for those who are yin deficient; because caffeine has warming and drying effects on the body, this type of yin/yang imbalance can cause symptoms like insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and high blood pressure.

The best liquid to consume to stay hydrated in the summer is water. It will nourish you from the inside out, and is able to tell what internal fluids are essential and which are not, therefore removing them via urine. Water can help balance yin and yang energies in the body, correcting any imbalances that occur from over indulgence. Along with water, there are many alcohol and caffeine drink alternatives that can aid hydration as well as provide other nutrients while being refreshing and delicious.

Drinks and Recipes

Kin Euphorics:

Kin Euphorics is a woman-founded and owned company that specializes in non-alcoholic, functional beverages made with ingredients to nourish your body and mind. Adaptogens help manage stress, nootropics support brain cognition, and botanicals enhance taste. Combining these special ingredients into delicious, refreshing, and exciting non-alcoholic beverages can help keep you hydrated in the summer while also nourishing your mind and body.

Recipe: Kin Julep

Ingredients:

• ¼ oz warmed honey

• 5-10 fresh mint leaves

• 2oz Kin Dream Light

• 2 oz ginger beer

• Fresh mint sprig for garnish

To Make:

In a julep cup or rock glass, lightly muddle the mint and honey. Add the Kin Dream Light and ginger beer and pack tightly with crushed ice. Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside. Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome and garnish with a mint spring.

Ghia:

Ghia is a spirit free aperitif inspired by the Mediterranean summer tradition of sharing limoncello with loved ones after a nice meal. For the founder, Melanie, drinking is about connecting, laughing, letting loose, and just enjoying the simple pleasures of great music and warm nights. She wanted to make a drink that encouraged all those positives, without the negatives like hangovers or dehydration.

Recipe: The Hi Life

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz Ghia aperitif

• 1 oz tonic

• Crushed rose petal

• Fresh sage leaf

To Make:

Pour 2.5 oz Ghia into a shaker. Add ice and shake. Add 1 oz tonic and strain into a chilled coupe or glass. Garnish with crushed rose petals and fresh sage leaf.

HoneyBee Sage:

HoneyBee Sage is a non-alcoholic bar and apothecary located on MLK Drive in Milwaukee, WI. They offer tisanes, herbal teas that are caffeine free and medicinal, as well as alcohol free cocktails and herb-infused beverages. You can order a tisane based on the relief or support you need, like respiratory, menstrual, digestive, antioxidant, detoxification, mood, headache, inflammation, or energy. Using various types of water, they can custom infuse your beverage with any combination of their specialty crafted herbal glycerites for a delicious and elevating experience.

Curious Elixirs:

These alcohol-free pre-mixed cocktails are infused with adaptogens to encourage relaxation, and were created with the sober and those who are less interested in alcohol in mind. Organic juices, herbs, spices, roots, barks, and botanicals are used to nourish the body and mind, as well as increase serotonin and dopamine.

Athletic Brewing:

Athletic Brewing is a certified B-Corp company that brews non-alcoholic beers. Their brewing process results in less than 0.5% alcohol, which is about the same percentage as commercially made kombucha. They have a non-alcoholic version of crowd favorites like various hazy ipas, goldens, witbiers, sours, and more.

Other Drink Replacements

Kombucha:

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink started from a scoby, which stands for a symbiotic combination of bacteria and yeast. According to TCM, kombucha strengthens the immune system, has tons of probiotics that provide oxygen to the body, and is a natural detoxifier. While alcohol and caffeine move energy upwards in the body, causing heat, kombucha draws energy inwards and down, cooling the body. Kombucha on a hot summer day can provide nutrients and cool the body.

Rishi Botanicals - Milwaukee, WI

Juiced! Cold Press Juices - Milwaukee, WI

Tapuat Kombucha - Sister Bay, WI

References

Alcohol and Traditional Chinese Medicine - Chicago

Non-Alcoholic Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe | Kin Euphorics

Recipes – Ghia

Cocktails – Curious Elixirs

Does Athletic Brewing’s Non-Alcoholic Beer *Actually* Taste Good? [2023 Review]

All Non-Alcoholic Beer | Athletic Brewing Co.

Do Curious Elixirs Hit The Spot For The Sober Curious? We Review - The Good Trade

How to Treat Addiction With Acupuncture and TCM.

Alcohol: Yea or Nea? | Wildwood

Top 3 Coffee Alternatives : Can TCM help you Replace Coffee?

Caffeine from a Chinese Medicine View - Fertile Care For Women

Coffee & Traditional Chinese Medicine | Altitude Acupuncture

ABOUT | TAPUATCHA

TCM Kombucha - Floor Tuinstra

The benefits of kombucha according to Chinese medicine

HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary

Skin Support According to the Five Elements

According to TCM, the eyes really are the window to the soul, and the face tells all. Acting as a mirror to the outside world, the face reveals what is happening within ourselves, whether it be physically or emotionally. Through signs like under eye bags, dry skin, red spots, and pimples, the skin on the face reflects our internal workings and can be beneficial to healing.

To heal properly, it is important to consider the 5 element types that people fall into based on their personality and disposition. The 5 elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, and each type has its own associated season, body part, emotions, characteristics, and diet. By supporting your organs through high quality food and processing emotions, the skin will be clear and healthy.

Blocks in Qi, organ stagnation, trapped emotions, and poor diet can cause physical symptoms that reflect on the skin as pimples, dryness, itchiness, paleness, or redness. To help diagnose what your skin symptoms may be associated with, consult a face map. Try acupuncture, cupping, facial gua sha, and proper hydration to aid the healing of your skin externally.

Wood

Characteristics: Associated with spring, the liver and gallbladder, positive emotions like love, compassion, and growth, negative emotions like frustration, anger, procrastination, and indecision. While balanced, wood individuals are goal setters, high achievers, and planners that accomplish what they set out to do. When unbalanced, feelings of stress lead to irritability and a short temper. Physical signs of an imbalance include headaches, tension in the neck and shoulders, and waking up regularly between 1 and 3 am. Excess feelings of anger and frustration build up heat in the body, and if not processed and released, can manifest as a red rash or pimples on the skin.

Food: The best diet is a light diet to cleanse the body of excess fats that can clog the liver. Flavors like sweet and pungent are most common due to the young stage of plant growth. Eat young plants, fresh greens, sprouts, immature wheat, young beets, carrots, grains, legumes, and seeds. Use pungent herbs like basil, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, caraway, dill, and bay leaf. Avoid salty foods like soy sauce, miso, and sodium rich meats, since they are heavy.

Teas: Mint with honey, dandelion

Treatments: Keep Qi circulating through vigorous exercises and sports, get sufficient sleep to avoid burnout, and practice restful activities like meditation or yoga. The liver is an important part of lymphatic drainage, so incorporate facial gua sha into your routine to encourage drainage. Facial acupuncture could also help, since it creates micro-traumas on your skin to promote collagen and healing. Acupuncture also works externally to reduce inflammation and redness, can promote a clearer and more even skin tone, remove excess heat, regulate hormones, and get rid of toxins and bacteria.

Fire

Characteristics: Associated with summer, the color red, bitter flavors, the heart and small intestines, positive emotions like joy, happiness, and love, and negative emotions like sadness, anxiety, and overjoy. When balanced, fire people tend to be passionate, warm, and charismatic, and when unbalanced, can be easily distracted or bored, prefer company to being alone, may not stick to their word, and lack joy. Physical symptoms of an imbalance include mild anxiety, difficulty sleeping, poor blood circulation, or spontaneous sweating. The heart stores Shen, which is your psycho-emotional connection to your capacity to live passionately. An imbalance of the heart-mind can result in a ruddy or very pale face.

Foods: Foods that nurture the kidney- brightly colored summer fruits and vegetables that are lightly cooked with added pungent or spicy flavors. It is important to replenish salts, minerals, and oils that are sweated out of the body with a diverse diet. Serve cooling foods like salads, sprouts- mung, soy, alfalfa, cucumber, tofu, fruits- apples, lemons, watermelon, limes.

Teas: Chrysanthemum, mint, chamomile

Treatments: On hot days, create a cool environment, like eating outside, and serve cooling foods like salads, sprouts, fruit, and cucumber. Incorporating hot-flavors brings body heat to the surface to be dispersed. With body heat on the surface, the body will be less affected by external temperatures. Use spices like red and green hot peppers, cayenne, fresh ginger, horseradish, and black pepper. On hot days, avoid heavy foods that cause sluggishness like meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, and grains. Drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated and supple. Cupping reduces heat in the body, promotes proper blood circulation, and removes toxins from the body. By placing cups along the meridians of the face instead of on the affected areas, cupping draws essential nutrients to the surface of the skin and reduces inflammation.

Earth

Characteristics: Associated with late summer, the color yellow, sweet flavors, the stomach and spleen, positive emotions like trust and openness, and negative emotions like worry and overthinking. Balanced earth people are nurturing, compassionate, loyal, empathetic, conflict resolvers, and great at forming deep and long term relationships. When unbalanced, earth people can be prone to worrying or overthinking, sensitive to criticism, and are easily taken advantage of. Physical signs of an imbalance include poor digestion, excessive burping or gas, poor appetite, cravings for sweets, blood sugar imbalances, fatigue especially around 3pm, mental fog in the morning, and poor muscle strength. Worry impairs digestion by blocking proper absorption of nutrients, causing the skin to become sallow, can create lines and wrinkles on the face, and ages the face and skin. Acne that appears on the back or chest, paired with oily skin, is believed to be caused by heat dampness in the spleen.

Food: Mildly sweet foods, yellow or golden foods, round foods, millet, corn, carrots, cabbage, garbanzo beans, soybeans, squash, potatoes, string beans, yams, tofu, sweet potatoes, sweet rice, rice, amaranth, peas, chestnuts, filberts, apricots, and cantaloupe. Prepare foods simply with minimum seasonings and mild taste.

Teas: Fennel, ginger, peppermint, jasmine, ginseng, licorice

Treatments: Add walking outside to your daily routine to energize and clear your mind through connecting with the earth. Try moving your body with exercises that will calm your mind, like meditation, yoga, or tai chi. Proper digestion and nutrition nourishes the skin internally. Those with spleen-pancreas harmony likely have a happier disposition and look younger. Facial acupuncture can help reduce wrinkles and worry lines by promoting blood flow and collagen production, which plumps and tightens the skin.

Metal

Characteristics: Associated with autumn, the color white, pungent, sour, and aromatic flavors, the lungs and large intestines, positive emotions like connection and courage, and negative emotions like sorrow and attachment. When in balance, a metal person is meticulous and efficient. They are not spontaneous, and they crave order. They are dependable, hardworking, and disciplined. When unbalanced, metal types can have difficulty opening up and sharing their feelings in close relationships, and are prone to feeling sad, misunderstood, or lonely. Physical signs of imbalance include easily catching colds and flus, shortness of breath, congested nose, constipation, dry skin, and tiredness. When the energy in the lungs is low, the skin around the nose, mouth, and neck can become pale, itchy, and dry.

Food: Appetite is stimulated through the warm fragrance of baked or sauteed foods. Add more sour foods to your diet, like sourdough bread, sauerkraut, olives, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, salt plums, vinegar, cheese, yogurt, lemons, likes, grapefruit, and the sour varieties of apples, plums, and grapes. These foods also help stimulate activity in the body, as well as heightens mental focus. Bitter and salty flavors move energy strongly inward and downward. Cook with less water, at lower heat, for longer periods of time. Add foods like tofu, tempeh, spinach, barley, millet, pear, apple, persimmon, loquat, seaweeds, black and white fungus, almond, pinenut, peanut, sesame seeds, honey, barley malt, rice syrup, milk, eggs, clam, crab, oyster, mussel, herring, and pork to combat dryness in the body.

Teas: Rose hip

Treatments: To balance metal, strengthen the lungs with exercises like qi gong. Process emotions like grief and sadness, as it strengthens lung energy, providing brightness for the complexion. Using a jade roller on the face can help combat dryness by gently working healing oils into the skin without agitating the already irritated skin.

Water

Characteristics: Associated with winter, the kidneys and bladder, positive emotions like willpower and calm, negative emotions like fear, shock, resentment, jealousy, and suspicion, able to go with the flow. When in balance, these individuals are easygoing, creative, self-reflective, artistic, have strong willpower and determination, and value wisdom. When unbalanced, feelings of self doubt and fear of failure inspire low motivation. Physical signs of an imbalance include aches in joints, the lower back, knees, or ankles, feelings of heaviness or swelling due to water retention, memory problems, hearing difficulties, or cravings for salty foods. The skin becomes drier and darker, especially under the eyes.

Food: Salty and bitter foods cool the exterior of the body and bring body heat deeper and lower, keeping the body warm. Balance salty and bitter flavors- too much salt can weaken the kidneys and bladder, causing an overconsumption of water. Eat foods like lettuce, watercress, endive, escarole, turnip, celery, asparagus, alfalfa, carrot top, rye, oats, quinoa, amaranth, black berries, blueberries, eggplant, black beans, chicory root, burdock root, miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, milley, and barley. Avoid stimulants like coffee, caffeine, and energy drinks.

Teas: Mint, ginger, dandelion

Treatments: Hydration is essential for healthy skin. Drink plenty of high quality water, take a bath, or swim in the ocean. The negative emotions associated with a kidney imbalance drain the kidney’s Qi and excess energy. By supporting the kidneys and bladder with quality hydration and proper diet, the kidneys can process emotions and gather wisdom, and keep the skin clear. Slow down, get proper sleep, and try facial gua sha. Facial gua sha supports lymphatic fluid flow, which transports oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Jade rolling de puffs, and facial acupuncture can increase blood circulation, easing the darkness around the eyes.

Face Mapping

Chinese medicine understands that all bodily functions are connected. An imbalance in one organ affects another organ, and if one bodily system is down, another is pulled with it. Yin and yang, the 5 elements, organ systems, and the meridians all work together to maintain balance and harmony within the body and mind, and face mapping is a technique and tool used to connect the dots to finding the root cause of an imbalance. Everything that is going on inside is reflected on the skin of the face. Acne, rashes, change in skin tone or color, dryness, redness, or other changes to the skin of the face directly relates to something going on inside, and can be used to address the internal problem.

Source: Dr. Axe

Each part of the face is associated with an organ. Each side of the forehead is associated with the kidneys and bladder, between the brows pairs with the liver, under the eyes connects with the kidney and adrenals, the nose reflects the heart, the mouth and chin pairs with the stomach and colon, and the cheeks with the stomach and spleen. If you have regular blemishes occurring in the same place, consider what your skin may be trying to tell you.

Like a machine, the body depends on each part working correctly to function at its best. Understand the deeper connection between your organs and your skin, and use that to heal and flourish. Nourish yourself with a proper diet, process your emotions, and cultivate an atmosphere of peace around yourself to best bring your body into harmony. Through diet, hydration, facial modalities like acupuncture, gua sha, jade rolling, and cupping, face mapping, and knowing your element, you can heal inside to be radiant on the outside.

Source: Lillian Bridges

Resources

Chen, Alexa. “TCM: The Five Elements Profiles”. Retrieved from https://www.weeklywisdomblog.com/post/tcm-the-five-elements-profiles.

Falla, Abianne. “THE 7 BEST TEAS FOR SPLEEN DEFICIENCY (RESTORE ENERGY FLOW)”. Retrieved from https://catspringtea.com/blogs/yaupon/best-tea-for-spleen-deficiency.

Gao, Sally. “Traditional Chinese Medicine Tricks to Help You Have Clearer Skin”. Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/traditional-chinese-medicine-tricks-to-help-you-have-clearer-skin/.

Kokko, Katja. “Bags under the eyes and their treatment”. Retrieved from https://katjakokko.com/en/silmapussit-ja-niiden-hoito/.

“CHINESE FACE MAPPING: AN ANCIENT GUIDE TO HEALING YOUR FACE & BODY”. Retrieved from https://alitura.com/blogs/beauty-benefits/chinese-face-mapping-an-ancient-guide-to-healing-your-face-body.

“The 5 energetic aspects that affect the skin from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective”. Retrieved from https://blackchicken.com.au/blogs/news/5-energetic-aspects-that-affect-the-skin-in-traditional-chinese-medicine.

“Traditional Chinese Medicine for Acne”. Retrieved from https://www.tcmshanghai.ae/traditional-chinese-medicine-for-acne/.

“TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN SKINCARE - THE ANSWER TO FLAWLESS SKIN?” Retrieved from https://www.herbaldynamicsbeauty.com/blogs/herbal-dynamics-beauty/traditional-chinese-medicine-in-skincare.

“Understanding And Treating Acne, Maskne, Back Acne The TCM Way”. Retrieved from https://www.orientalremediesgroup.com/understanding-and-treating-acne-maskne-back-acne-the-tcm-way/.

Power of the 5 Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance- Charles A Moss, MD

Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition- Paul Pitchford

Face Reading in Chinese Medicine- Lillian Bridges

Seasonal Allergy Relief

While the newness of spring breathes life back into plants, trees, flowers, and wildlife that have been dormant all winter, this same rebirth awakens unpleasant seasonal allergies for many people. According to TCM, allergies, or bi yuan, meaning nose-pool, are caused by a blockage of wei Qi to the nose and sinuses. Acupuncture and herbal medicine manage symptoms by decreasing pain and inflammation, bolstering the immune system, and regulating the body’s histamine response to aggravates like pollen or dust, relieving symptoms before they start. The shift into spring is a great time to bolster your defenses and prepare your body for the allergies to come using essential oils, herbal formulas, and acupuncture. A western approach to allergy relief is a saline rinse via a neti pot. The saline, a sanitary salt solution, washes out irritating allergens like pollen, and calms inflamed tissues while easing congestion in the sinuses.

Aromatherapy for Symptom Relief

Essential oils have been used for centuries to aid the body in healing, and can even be used to treat allergy symptoms. Use the following essential oils as a shower steam, chest rub, in a diffuser, or directly inhale the oil to calm and relieve unpleasant symptoms like headaches, congestion, itching, and runny nose. Make sure to not apply oils directly to skin without diluting in a carrier oil, and research whether these oils are safe around kids or pets. If a reaction occurs, it could be an allergic reaction and should be washed off immediately.

Eucalyptus: Though a known cause for allergies in some people, eucalyptus is an anti-inflammatory oil that can help with congestion relief, reduce inflammation, open up the sinuses and lungs, improve circulation, and clear mucus.

Peppermint: Peppermint is a strong oil that opens clogged sinuses, is anti-inflammatory, relieves pain, opens airways, relieves a scratchy throat, has decongestant properties, and disperses wind-heat symptoms. Thi oil also enters the liver acupuncture meridian, unblocking qi stagnation and helping the body to release and relax.

Frankincense and Sandalwood: Studies have shown that the combination of frankincense and sandalwood with eucalyptus ravensara can ease symptoms related to hay fever caused by pollen. This anti-inflammatory combination helped unblock nasal passages, eased runny and itchy noses, lessened frequency of sneezing, aided in better sleep.

Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint Blend: Lemon, lavender, and peppermint are all anti-inflammatory oils that combined is a natural antihistamine that relieves mucus and cools down the inflammatory reaction to irritants like pollen or dust. Avoid direct sunlight on exposed skin when using lemon oil.

Herbal Formulas for Symptom Relief

Chinese herbal formulas that address spring allergies are often created with warm acrid herbs that release exterior wind-cold. These formulas are curated to best combat symptoms like mucus build up, congestion, itchy eyes and nose, and sore throat. Before taking herbal formulas, consult a specialist to determine the correct one for your symptoms and to ensure no negative side effects or reactions.

Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San): This formula is commonly prepared as a teapill, and combines warming acrid herbs that help dry mucus, and cooling herbs that clear phlegm. Magnolia flowers are used to unblock nasal passageways and remove excess thin mucus. This formula works best for relieving mucus symptoms, but does not address symptoms like itchy eyes and nose, and throat irritation that are commonly associated with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

Bi Yan Pian: This widely known formula is available in pill and tincture form, and is especially useful when sinus congestion is lingering and mucus becomes thick and yellow. Used to alleviate excess heat, it includes warming and transforming herbs, as well as herbs used for clearing heat like chrysanthemum, Japanese catnip, forsythia, and platycodon. Other herbs like licorice and schizandra balance the drying effects of these herbs.

Ju hua (Chrysanthemum): This cooling herb is used to clear heat and dispel wind, and clear the liver and the eyes. It enters the Lung channel, which opens up into the nose, head, and eyes. The wind element is associated with symptoms of pain or itchiness, and symptoms that appear quickly and change constantly. These symptoms include sneezing, headaches, and dry or itchy eyes. This formula is great to use when symptoms first hit and can offer fast relief. To use, make a compress from the tea and put over your eyes when they feel hot, dry, or itchy.

Other herbs that are used on their own: Butterbur has been shown to be as effective as prescription antihistamines, but without the drowsiness. Use with caution if you have a ragweed allergy, as they are in the same family. Quercetin is an herbal extract from foods like onions, grapes, or berries that is considered a natural antihistamine. Euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) and Scutellaria (Chinese skullcap) treat symptoms of hay fever like congestion and watery eyes.

Acupuncture for Symptom Relief

During an acupuncture session to relieve allergy symptoms, needles are placed on acu-points and meridians associated with body parts more affected by allergies, like the head, nose, and eyes.

Large Intestine 4 (LI-4): This point is located in the muscle between the thumb and index finger, and is used to treat all symptoms related to the head and face. It helps alleviate red and itchy eyes, fevers, heat in the face, sinus troubles, strengthens the immune system, regulates sweating, and moves Qi and blood stagnation to stop pain.

Stomach 36 (ST-36): This point below the kneecap is used to tonify Qi, warm the stomach and lungs, and strengthen defensive Qi. Defensive Qi, or Wei Qi, is connected to immunity, and is the body’s barrier against pathogens. Working mostly around the skin and muscles, Wei Qi induces symptoms like fever, chills, and shivering. The higher the response, the stronger one’s immune system. Good for eliminating stagnation, it can help your body move through allergy season more quickly.

Large Intestine 20 (LI-20): This point is perfect for short-term allergy relief, and is used to open your nasal passage to immediately relieve sinus pressure. This point can be found on the sides of your nasolabial folds, just to the outside of the nostril. Try pressing both points of the nose at once and breathe deeply through your nose as you go.

Gua Sha: Gua sha is a scraping technique where a spoon shaped tool is used to rub over acupressure points and fascia to improve blood flow to an area, release tension, and stimulate the immune system through lymphatic drainage. This helps alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Gua sha is often used to stimulate lymphatic drainage throughout the body and face, and when applied to the face, can relieve congestion in the sinuses. This also relieves sinus headaches and pressure in the upper respiratory system.

Allergies can take a toll on the energetic and new cycle of spring, but through the Chinese medicine practices of aromatherapy, neti pots, herbal remedies, gua sha, and acupuncture, those unpleasant symptoms can be relieved. Blend your own special mix of essential oils to ease congestion, try an herbal remedy to eliminate excess heat, increase Qi flow with acupuncture, or remove waste and fluids from the face and body with gua sha.

References

Goodman, Steve. “Chinese Herbs and Spring Allergies.” Retrieved from https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/09/01/chinese-herbs-and-spring-allergies.

Mrazek, Katie. “Press Pause On Spring Allergies With These 3 Acupressure Points”. Retrieved from https://evolvewellnessvancouver.ca/2021/06/23/press-pause-on-spring-allergies-with-these-3-acupressure-points/.

Orosz, Grace. “Essential Oils for Seasonal Allergies”. Retrieved from https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2018/06/26/essential-oils-for-seasonal-allergies#.ZC81rezMKRs.

Zappin, Benjamin. “Surviving Pollen Season with Chinese Medicine”. Retrieved from https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/surviving-pollen-season-with-chinese-medicine/.

“Allergy Relief with Essential Oils”. Retrieved from https://www.energymattersonline.com/blog/allergy-relief-with-essential-oils.

“A TCM Toolkit for Seasonal Allergies.” Retrieved from https://balancecharleston.com/blog/2020/4/27/a-chinese-medicine-toolkit-fornbspallergies.

“Essential Oils for Allergies”. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-allergies#blend-of-oils.

“How acupuncture can improve allergy symptoms”. Retrieved from https://www.mainlinehealth.org/blog/allergies-and-acupuncture.

“Your First Line of Defense: Wei Qi”. Retrieved from https://mendacupuncture.com/your-first-line-of-defense-wei-qi/.