Here's an easy way to break up congestion from a cough that won't seem to go away.
What you will need:
1 small onion diced
1 teaspoon of fresh garlic minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Place diced onion in a glass baking dish and heat in oven set to 350 for about 20 minutes or until onion becomes translucent and slimy. Remove from oven and pour onion in a clean bowl. Mix garlic and olive oil with the onion and allow to cool. Mixture should be warm but not hot. Place mixture on chest and cover with a warm, wet wash cloth. Cover with a dry wash cloth or towel. Keep poultice on for up to 2 hours, then remove. Repeat as needed.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
New Years Resolution to Quit Smoking
If your new years resolution was to quit smoking or has been for awhile here are some great reasons to stick with it. Its never too late to quit!
Benefits to your body after your last cigarette
Within 20 minutes
* blood pressure normalizes
* pulse rate returns to normal
* body temperature of hands and feet returns to normal
Within 8 hours
* Carbon monoxide level in blood drops
* Oxygen level in blood increases
* Smoker's breath disappears
Within 24 Hours
*Your chance of a heart attack decreases already
Within 48 Hours
*Nerve endings start to regrow
*Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced
Within 72 Hours
*Bronchial tubes relax making it easier to breathe
*Lung capacity increases maing it easier to do physical activities
Within 2 Weeks to 3 Months
*Circulation improves
*Walking becomes easier
*Lung function increases up to 30%
Within 1 Month to 9 Months
*Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease
*Your body's overall energy level increases, cilia regrow in lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean lungs and reduce infection
Within 1 Year
*Coronary heart disease risk is half that of a smoker
Within 2 Years
*Heart attack risk drops to near normal
Within 5 Years
*Lung cancer death rate for average pack-a-day smoker decreases by almost half
*Stroke risk is reduced
*Risk of mouth, throat and esophageal cancer is half that of a smoker
Within 10 Years
*Lung cancer death rate is simiilar to that of a person who does not smoke
*Pre-cancerous cells are replaced
Within 15 Years
*Risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a person who has never smoked
Come to NAP to quit smoking and take advantage of our smoking cessation program 6 treatments for $60.
Visit our website for more details www.clnap.com
Benefits to your body after your last cigarette
Within 20 minutes
* blood pressure normalizes
* pulse rate returns to normal
* body temperature of hands and feet returns to normal
Within 8 hours
* Carbon monoxide level in blood drops
* Oxygen level in blood increases
* Smoker's breath disappears
Within 24 Hours
*Your chance of a heart attack decreases already
Within 48 Hours
*Nerve endings start to regrow
*Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced
Within 72 Hours
*Bronchial tubes relax making it easier to breathe
*Lung capacity increases maing it easier to do physical activities
Within 2 Weeks to 3 Months
*Circulation improves
*Walking becomes easier
*Lung function increases up to 30%
Within 1 Month to 9 Months
*Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease
*Your body's overall energy level increases, cilia regrow in lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean lungs and reduce infection
Within 1 Year
*Coronary heart disease risk is half that of a smoker
Within 2 Years
*Heart attack risk drops to near normal
Within 5 Years
*Lung cancer death rate for average pack-a-day smoker decreases by almost half
*Stroke risk is reduced
*Risk of mouth, throat and esophageal cancer is half that of a smoker
Within 10 Years
*Lung cancer death rate is simiilar to that of a person who does not smoke
*Pre-cancerous cells are replaced
Within 15 Years
*Risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a person who has never smoked
Come to NAP to quit smoking and take advantage of our smoking cessation program 6 treatments for $60.
Visit our website for more details www.clnap.com
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Fight the Flu with Natural Remedies
The media loves to create a frenzy especially when it comes to the flu season. While this year has been particularly tough there are still may great ways to stay healthy. Here's a few that we do in our house.
Bone Soup
Making your own stock is great preventative medicine and is also great to use medicinally when you are sick as well. From a Chinese Medical standpoint making soup stock from bones is incredibly nourishing to the kidneys and the kidney system is most active during the winter months which is the best time to nourish them. Bone soup is also great if you are suffering from digestive troubles. I made garlic beef stock yesterday with this recipe and added red lentils, carrots, celery, rainbow chard, and broccoli this morning for dinner tonight. An added bonus is the house smells delicious.
Apple Cider Vinegar
"Cold Season Prevention & Remedy #3 for Pregnancy - Drink 1 - 2 Tablespoons of RAW-Unfiltered-Organic Apple Cider Vinegar each day. You can mix it in 8 oz of water or apple juice to make it more palatable. This improves your body's PH balance and strengthens the immune system. Also fends off yeast, speeds healing of infections, soothes a sore throat, and relieves heartburn. We like Bragg brand." -Mamaste Yoga
Also equally good if you are not pregnant. :) For more info about apple cider vinegar check out here. Whatever brand you choose make sure it has the "mother" in it for optimal results.
Thieves Essential Oil
I know, I talk about this all the time. Thieves essential oil is a blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon. It was named thieves after the infamous band of apothecaries that would use these herbs and spices to cover their faces when robbing the dead bodies during the black plague. It is 99.9% effective in killing bacteria and other sickies and because its a natural source bacteria can't mutate to it like anti-bacterial soaps. We diffuse thieves at home and in the office to clean the air and spray thieves on door handles and other surfaces. You can also put a drop of thieves in your water or tea if your feeling run down or have a scratchy throat. Young Living essential oils carries this essential oil blend and if you need some I can order it for you at wholesale price.
Alternative Home Remedy for Sore Throat
For a sore throat and overall immune boosting - cut up 2 lemons, drop them in a small mason jar. Finely grind 1/2 - 1 fresh ginger root. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon or pumlin spice mix. Pour raw honey over. Stir well. Store in the fridge. Take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day (or more if desired). Can be added to a cup of cold or warm (NOT HOT!!!) water or tea.
Alternative Home Remedy for Pedialyte and Gatorade
Don't forget that acupuncture is a great preventative tool as well. Studies have shown that acupuncture points carry higher concentrations of white blood cells and when stimulated give a boost to the immune system. You can also use acupuncture for a persistent cough, congestion or the onset or a sore throat. If you have a fever though please stay home and use the natural remedies above.
Bone Soup
Making your own stock is great preventative medicine and is also great to use medicinally when you are sick as well. From a Chinese Medical standpoint making soup stock from bones is incredibly nourishing to the kidneys and the kidney system is most active during the winter months which is the best time to nourish them. Bone soup is also great if you are suffering from digestive troubles. I made garlic beef stock yesterday with this recipe and added red lentils, carrots, celery, rainbow chard, and broccoli this morning for dinner tonight. An added bonus is the house smells delicious.
Apple Cider Vinegar
"Cold Season Prevention & Remedy #3 for Pregnancy - Drink 1 - 2 Tablespoons of RAW-Unfiltered-Organic Apple Cider Vinegar each day. You can mix it in 8 oz of water or apple juice to make it more palatable. This improves your body's PH balance and strengthens the immune system. Also fends off yeast, speeds healing of infections, soothes a sore throat, and relieves heartburn. We like Bragg brand." -Mamaste Yoga
Also equally good if you are not pregnant. :) For more info about apple cider vinegar check out here. Whatever brand you choose make sure it has the "mother" in it for optimal results.
Thieves Essential Oil
I know, I talk about this all the time. Thieves essential oil is a blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon. It was named thieves after the infamous band of apothecaries that would use these herbs and spices to cover their faces when robbing the dead bodies during the black plague. It is 99.9% effective in killing bacteria and other sickies and because its a natural source bacteria can't mutate to it like anti-bacterial soaps. We diffuse thieves at home and in the office to clean the air and spray thieves on door handles and other surfaces. You can also put a drop of thieves in your water or tea if your feeling run down or have a scratchy throat. Young Living essential oils carries this essential oil blend and if you need some I can order it for you at wholesale price.
Alternative Home Remedy for Sore Throat
For a sore throat and overall immune boosting - cut up 2 lemons, drop them in a small mason jar. Finely grind 1/2 - 1 fresh ginger root. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon or pumlin spice mix. Pour raw honey over. Stir well. Store in the fridge. Take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day (or more if desired). Can be added to a cup of cold or warm (NOT HOT!!!) water or tea.
Alternative Home Remedy for Pedialyte and Gatorade
Lemon Electrolyte Drink
- 1 quart of water
- juice of 2-3 lemons (fresh is preferable, but I’ve also used 1/3 c. lemon juice concentrate in a pinch)
- 1/3 c. raw honey (do not give raw honey to children under the age of 1) (see my note at the bottom for an alternative for little ones)
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. sea salt (not table salt – but unrefined sea salt)
Don't forget that acupuncture is a great preventative tool as well. Studies have shown that acupuncture points carry higher concentrations of white blood cells and when stimulated give a boost to the immune system. You can also use acupuncture for a persistent cough, congestion or the onset or a sore throat. If you have a fever though please stay home and use the natural remedies above.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Thank You
Happy New Year Nappers!
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for being a part of the NAP community. NAP treated 2469 patients in 2012 and none of that could be possible without you letting your friends and family know about affordable acupuncture. Thank you for your flexibility with the more reduced hours so that I can spend as much time as possible with my daughter and still be able to contribute to my family and a healthier community. It is an honor to serve this wonderful community.
Due to vacation schedules and requests I will be holding a 2nd Yogapuncture class this month next Friday Jan 18th at Radiant Heart Yoga from 7:00-8:30pm
Yogapuncture has evolved since we first started classes and some of you have had questions about what this is all about so read on if you've been curious.
Yogapuncture gives a brief snippet of Chinese Medicine theory about how your body relates to the seasonal influences around us. Acupuncture was originally designed to be a medicine of prevention. In fact, ancient doctors had to pay their patients if they got sick because it was their job to keep the community well!
There are components of yoga postures and breathing, qi gong and self massage that are incorporated into the class all with the intention of balancing the meridian system most active for the season we are in (currently kidney/urinary bladder). Aromatherapy is also used to help balance the body mentally and emotionally as well. These restorative exercises all lead up to an acupuncture treatment designed for harmony (specifically now for kidneys, urinary bladder, spine and center of the body).
If you've wanted to have a better understanding of the background of Chinese Medicine, self care, or are in need of a "tune-up" this would be a great class for you. In the winter months we focus on the prevention of sadness, strengthening the lower back and knees, warming the body, and building our energy reserves to be used in the spring and summer. Keep in mind this is an interactive class so you will need to be able to get up and down from the floor. Acupuncture is done on a yoga mat with support for the spine and under the knees and no prior understanding of yoga or acupuncture is needed.
Space is limited to 10 participants so please RSVP by emailing that you plan to attend and let me know as soon as possible if you can not make it so someone else can take your spot. The cost of Yogapuncture is $35.
Radiant Heart Yoga is located at 1130 Main St in Algonquin about 1 mile north of Algonquin Rd. The studio is located within the Algonquin Business Center and you will want to park and enter at the back of the building. Neiquist Chiropractic is the next building over from the business center and there is a costume shop kitty corner.
Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Acupressure for Stiff, Achy Joints
Winter is a rough season for many people that suffer from chronic pain, especially pain that is worse in the cold. In Chinese Medicine we call pain an obstruction or blockage and classify the pain based on environmental factors: heat, cold, dampness, dryness and wind. Whatever environmental factors make the pain worse are usually the culprits behind the pain and sometimes its more then one like wind, cold and dampness, for example.
Luckily, there are acu-points that work at removing the factor causing the pain. If you are waking up with sore, stiff, joints and they seem to be worse now that we've settled into winter try doing a little acupressure.
The point to remove cold is poetically named 'clear cold abyss' and is located on the san jiao or triple warmer meridian.
To find this point bend your elbow and slide your finger from the tip of your elbow up towards your shoulder just an inch of so. When you extend your elbow their will be a tiny hollow your finger will fall into if you are on the right spot and it might feel achy or tender to the touch if you've been really sore or stiff.
Once you've found the spot gently massage tiny circles for about a minute on both elbows. You can do this as often as you need to.
Sarah Canga LAc
Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com
Luckily, there are acu-points that work at removing the factor causing the pain. If you are waking up with sore, stiff, joints and they seem to be worse now that we've settled into winter try doing a little acupressure.
The point to remove cold is poetically named 'clear cold abyss' and is located on the san jiao or triple warmer meridian.
To find this point bend your elbow and slide your finger from the tip of your elbow up towards your shoulder just an inch of so. When you extend your elbow their will be a tiny hollow your finger will fall into if you are on the right spot and it might feel achy or tender to the touch if you've been really sore or stiff.
Once you've found the spot gently massage tiny circles for about a minute on both elbows. You can do this as often as you need to.
Sarah Canga LAc
Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com
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