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Fall 2018 Essential Oil Blends

In Chinese Medicine, seasonal transitions are important times of the year for rebalancing health. It is said that if you get acupuncture during the change of season, imbalances that lead to illnesses are less likely to manifest. The change of season affects the body’s Central Energy, Zhong Qi, (Qi = Energy) because Central Qi rebalances and recalibrates the body for the different environmental influences of the next phase. Secondarily, the body’s Defensive Qi, Wei Qi, which loosely correlates to the immune and upper respiratory system, also plays a role in adjusting to seasonal change and is similarly affected.

At the end of a long, hot, humid and slow summer our bodies are trying to expel the hot and humid residue of the season and step into a drier, faster pace with fall. In Chinese Medicine, the Lung Qi becomes active in the fall. The dryness typical of fall energy impacts the functioning of the Lung Qi. The past several years have presented us with an extended summer, as well as an overlapping of excess heat and humidity over the natural cool and dry energetics of fall, resulting in a longer allergy season in late September and early October. The fluctuating climate, from typical cool and dry days, alternating with hot humid summer days, combined with the high pollen count can create an environment where the already sensitized lungs and upper respiratory tract easily become inflamed.

I have created two essential oil blends, available for purchase in the office, to help soothe and nourish the Lung energetics for this relatively new early to mid-autumn pattern. The blends can be customized for each patient’s individual symptoms.

For adults, we start with Niaouli, an aromatic Australian myrtle, which soothes, cools and calms inflammation in the lungs. It combines well with Oakmoss, a lichen extract, which nourishes the lung fluids and resolves latent congestion. Finally, Orange is added for its ability to soothe the spirit and balance Central Qi.

For children, Rosalina, another Australian myrtle, with a gentle aroma and action, is more subtly calming for children. I have paired it with Tangerine, because it is gentler than Orange and thus more appropriate for children.  A touch of Cardamom is also added to strengthen the delicate digestion of children.

Adult Blend: Niaouli 50%, Oakmoss 30%, Tangerine 30%, Orange 20%

Children’s Blend: Rosalina 50%, Tangerine 30%, Cardamom 20%

For acute conditions apply a stronger dilution, up to 8% for adults, and 6% for children. For everyday us, a 6% dilution for adults and 4% dilution for children is suitable. Custom blends can also be created for patients when they have a treatment with me.

I hope you enjoy the new blends this fall season,

Ioana Boambes 

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Recipes from the Summer Newsletter

Watermelon Gazpacho

4 ripe vine tomatoes
Watermelon, an amount equal to the tomatoes
1 cucumber, skin removed
1 red bell pepper, deseeded
10 fresh basil leaves
5 sprigs Flat-leaf Italian parsley
½ teaspoon dried chili flakes (or one small Thai chili)
1 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)

For garnish: finely chopped red onion

Combine all ingredients in a food processor, and blend until completely liquefied. Serve chilled with chopped onion sprinkled on top.

 

Tonno e fagioli (tuna and bean salad)

10-12 ounces Italian tuna in olive oil
1 lb. butter or Cannellini beans
½ red onion, finely sliced
5 sprigs Flat-leaf Italian parsley, leaves only
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ lemon, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste

Italian tuna in olive oil is far superior to the white albacore we’re used to from childhood tuna sandwiches. This tuna is usually available in glass jars, but can be found canned. Tuna in glass jars is ideal because there is no risk of exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA), a powerful endocrine disruptor.

The weight of the beans is the final weight after cooking. Dried beans should soaked overnight, the soaking liquid discarded, before cooking. Canned beans can be used, too, but be sure to get a BPA-free can (like Eden Organics), discard the water from the can and soak the beans in water for at least 30 minutes.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Serve at room temperature.

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Foods for Dampness

TREATING DAMPNESS

Foods to Eat

The best way to remove Dampness is to nourish the Yang Qi and invigorate Qi circulation. This can be done by eating foods like beans, sprouts, radish, savoy cabbage and celery. Spices and pungent herbs like nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, chives, basil, black pepper, garlic, marjoram, coriander/ cilantro and turmeric can also be beneficial. Green tea is also a better alternative to coffee.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid sweets, alcohol, dairy, fried/greasy foods and foods that contain gluten (wheat, rye, spelt, triticale, some oats). If you chose to eat dairy products, foods made from goat milk are preferable to cow milk.

Other Things to Do

Dry brushing helps to stimulate the circulation of blood and lymph. Use a natural bristle brush, starting at the tips of the fingers and toes and moving towards the center of the body, to vigorously but gently brush the skin. You can read more about dry brushing here.

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Musical Selection for Winter

Winterreise (Winter Journey) is a song cycle by Franz Schubert.   The link below will take you to an excellent recording of Winterreise.  The music is beautiful and the singer’s voice really captures the feeling of winter.  There is a deep longing in his voice and the music is very reminiscent of the feeling of winter.

Click here Winterreise in the iTunes store.

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Essential Oil Blend for Winter

Warm the Joints Blend

  • 8 drops of Orange
  • 12 drops Carrot
  • 14 drops Ginger
  • 6 drops Cinnamon
  • Almond Oil base (10mL bottle)

This soothing blend nourishes the blood and warms the channels to ward off cold in the joints.  Apply to the spine at Du 14 and Du 4, which are located on the spine where the neck meets the shoulders, and on the spine in the low back region.  It can also be applied to the ankles and wrists and anywhere you feel stiffness or cold in the joints.  Apply 2 to 3 times a day and enjoy.  The blend is also available at our clinic.