Fertility Treatment and Emotional Health

Infertility treatment is sought after by thousands of Americans from both Western and Eastern healthcare practitioners. But for many undertaking fertility treatment, there is no bundle of joy after all of the effort. Why is this? I have worked with many patients whose emotional health has been a contributing factor when there is trouble with conception. Thankfully, traditional Chinese Medicine can overcome these emotional barriers and deliver results.

Read our latest blog article to learn more about how your emotional health affects your fertility.

Return from the East

A couple weeks have passed since my return from China where I and 40 other practitioners studied with Dr. Freuhauf in the central moutainous area of the country. We toured a mugwort farm and moxibustion (moxa) school in Qichuan just outside of Wuhan. There Drs. Zou and Zhang taught us how to best utilize moxa for medicinal purposes. We attended classes, visited the fields and on one rainy day we got together with the farm and factory workers to play mugwort games—so much fun!

In these photos you can see mugwort drying and a field where it grows.

After 5 days of study we were treated to an amazing dinner and I fell in love with a sticky rice dish with a unique, savory sauce. The following morning we boarded a bus to Sichuan Province where we were welcomed by Abbess Guozheng at the Puzhao Temple , an ancient Buddhist monastery.

In the courtyard of the temple we did 90 minutes of qigong every morning. We left the temple for a hike up Mt Qingcheng and I was so blessed to take on this and other adventures with one of my best friends from acupuncture school, Dr Margaret Hampton who practices in Boulder, CO. We had a rousing good time as roommates!

Prof Wang Qingyu, Dr Freuhauf’s mentor and a friend of the Abbess, accompanied us and shared stories of his childhood and becoming a martial artist, teacher and healer. Professor Qingyu studied with a renowned martial artist and healer known as The Hermit. I learned about the lineage and history of ancient practices and how information was passed down orally from student to teacher.

We were at the Monastery during the Moon festival, an ancient harvest celebration. We were served cakes with salted yolks that represent the moon, and preserved eggs.

The trip to Chengdu was eventful—on the ride into town we saw the New Century Global Center, the largest building in the world by floor space at 1.7 million meters! After a VERY spicy lunch we visited a tea school where Mr. Yang Tailun shared his knowledge of preparing and serving tea.

We all needed a break from spicy tofu, so we headed to a Michelin star Italian restaurant in an upscale shopping area in Chengdu.

This trip gave me the opportunity to experience the culture that created the medical marvels that I practice and to dive deeper into my interests in moxa and the healing properties of tea. I am so grateful to have had this experience and I’m looking forward to chatting with each of you about ways to incorporate into your healing journey, what I learned during my weeks of study in China.

We are currently creating a China Trip 2024 portfolio on the website that will have more highlights and pictures from the time I spent there. Check back soon!

A Preventative Approach to Kid's Colds

In the West, we tend to get sick and then look to medicine to heal us. In Chinese Medicine we look toward preventative medicine to stop illness from taking hold. This is a particularly effective and beneficial approach with children—they are bombarded by germs during close contact at school and in day care, and their developing immune systems need some help to fight off the invaders. With preventative strategies that boost children’s immune system, cold and flu season will be less miserable and possibly even nonexistent! Most herbal formulas for adults can be diluted for children, but parents are often unsure of dosages, and reluctant to give their children these beneficial medicines. My favorite Italian herbal company, Erbenobili, takes the guess work out by making a full line of children’s therapeutics with the dosage adjusted for their small systems.

Carezze Nobili products are designed just for the little ones. These food-based supplements are fully natural substances that protect and strengthen the respiratory tract, immune system, intestines, and urinary tract while promoting general mental and physical health for children.

• Pacini Leggere is a tincture for digestive health. Fig and fennel extracts promote gastrointestinal health, while manna ash contributes to bowel movements.

• Bimbi Forti is a food-based supplement with Rosehips and Echinacea to support immune function, with zinc as an added defense.

• BabyGola promotes respiratory health and immune support with cinnamon essential oils, red thyme, tea tree, vitamin C and zinc.

All of these formulas are available at the Acupuncture by Andrea clinic or can be ordered and shipped to your address. Chat with me about the right formula for your little ones and keep a bottle on hand for prevention to keep those cold and flu germs away!

Help Hurricane Helene Victims

We are all shocked by the destruction Hurricane Helene has wreaked on the southeast regions of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South and North Carolina. So many good people have volunteered or sent donations to provide help. If you are interested and able to contribute, the Samaritan’s Purse group is getting things done in the disaster zones. This organization is transparent about the funding they receive and the direct effect it has on the people it is intended for. 

I am not affiliated with Samaritan’s Purse in any way, but I have donated to them and recommend them and the work that they do.

Vitally Delicious

Goji berries are a staple in many TCM formulas. Known for their liver, kidney and lung nourishing powers, these berries are tasty and medicinal! Goji berries are considered anti-aging in China because they tonify the blood and the jing whiich helps the eyes and the energy level of the body. They are also beneficial in treating symptoms of anemia, dizziness, tinnitus, greying hair, sore back, painful knees, cough and diabetes. 

Shop for these delicious berries at Asian grocery stores around the country or order them online. Red and somewhat juicy is what you are looking for. If they are brown and dried up, they have lost most of their vitality. You can even get chocolate covered goji berries, yum!

Courage

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.

—Anais Nin