Lily Choi Natural Healing

Willpower is defined as "control exerted to do something or restrain impulses." It seems that certain people demonstrate so much willpower and others seem almost void in that sense. For example, I see patients who quickly adjust to the suggestions I recommend to them and others who can't seem to make a change to save their life literally. When I see lack of willpower, I actually gain more insight on how to treat my patient. In TCM, willpower is viewed similarly to a muscle, ...it can be trained. On the other hand, just like a muscle, willpower can be depleted. Over-exerting self control over time can drain the "muscle" and cause collapse if not used properly. What can you do if you’re somebody who has difficulty with willpower? You can actually use TCM to help build your willpower capacity. In TCM, the word for will is "zhi" and zhi is associated with the Kidney and the water element. Water is linked to the origin and beginnings of life, as are the Kidneys within us. The perfect will moves us toward our divine purpose in life and every day. If the energy of the Kidney system is strong, the will and willpower will also be strong. Talk about this with your acupuncturist and discuss the health of your Kidney organ system. Acupuncture helps this because the needles stimulate the energy of the Kidneys, thus increasing willpower. What depletes Kidney energy decreasing willpower? Poor diet, unhealthy habits, stress, over-exertion, over-work, environmental toxins and pollution and "burning the candle at both ends". Proper rest, warm foods, broths and self reflection is crucial. Check out my Kidney highlight for acupressure and beneficial foods. For herbal support, use Follicle Power+ or Kidney Recharge. These formulas help invigorate the energy and functioning of the Kidney and Bladder systems. You can read their full description, symptoms treated and purchase them here: http://lilychoinaturalhealing.com/store/

Throughout its ample and rich history, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has cultivated and developed a systematic framework which have greatly contributed to the mental and physical health of those who followed. As early as the Zhou dynasty, which was 510314 BC (!) diet doctors held official positions. These doctors treated the medical conditions of their patients through diet. Soon after, the book titled Shi Jing (The Classic on Diet) systematically defined the nourishi...ng functions of food from an energetic standpoint essentially, how food reacts to the body when consumed. Sun Simiao, writer of the Qian Jin Yao Fang, held the view that the medical treatment function of diet must never be neglected. It is his 13 part series that I am demonstrating in my reels titled "13 daily exercises for life preservation and longevity". It was said he lived well over 100 years old, in fact, records state that he died at 142 years old! His lesson was Proper food can beat back pathogenic factors, as well as tranquilize Zang and Fu (our organs), inspire the mind, and strengthen Blood and Qi. There are two methods of healthcare: To keep a sound mind by cultivating one’s character To keep fit through proper diet, with the latter as the basis During the Song dynasty 960-1279 dietetic healthcare was developed into a branch of science. Many of the theories developed then like "all disease begins in the gut" and using food as medicine have since been proven true by modern science. Stay tuned for the recommend diet which is called or Simple and Light Diet.

Our eyes are the sense organ related to our Liver. This pair is extra important now as they both correlate to the Spring season. This means that harmony within the correlated organ system is especially achievable, because our Qi, or energy, is strongest within that system during its season. We have spoken many times about the importance of our Liver, and that a healthy Liver equates to a healthy life. Did you know that through our eyes, and specifically our tears, we can prom...ote deep healing on a mental and physical level both for the Liver and our entire being? Tears can be associated with much more than sadness. Tears can express feelings of joy, fear, anxiety, grief, excitement and more. In ancient times, there was a saying that went like this: One teardrop can wash away thousands of years of sadness. And one teardrop can bring back a million years of happiness. Isn't that so powerful and inspiring? Different types of tears have different chemical compositions than each other. From a scientific perspective, tears are categorized in three groups, based on their origin. Both tears of grief and joy are psychic tears, triggered by extreme emotions, whether positive or negative. Basal tears, which are in the eyes all the time to lubricate, nourish and protect your cornea, are released continuously in tiny quantities. Reflex tears are secreted in response to an irritant, like dust, onion vapors or tear gas. Emotional tears, for instance, have been found to contain protein-based hormones including the neurotransmitter leucine enkephalin, a natural painkiller that is released when the body is under stress [1]. The composition of tears is what's important when it comes to our healing. That emotional energy that we feel, whether joy, sadness whatever it may be, can be turned into a tangible thing that we can allow to exit the body and physically let go and move on. Don't be afraid of a good cry, in fact, it can prove to be very beneficial. Stay healthy! [1:https://www.smithsonianmag.com//the-microscopic-structure/]

Which element are you? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) works off of Five Element Framework. This ancient framework denotes the Five Elements, or Five Phases of life. They are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Just as each season and organ are associated with different elements, so are we. Though we are all a bit of each element, there is always a dominant element that helps us understand who we are on a mental and physical level in Taoism these are our "gifts" and also... our biggest challenges at the same time. I will go through all the elements. wood element associations: Liver, Gallbladder, Spring, green. To understand the wood element (and all the other elements for that matter) just look to nature for the perfect example. Trees are the reflection of wood, showcasing growth, change, and expansion. Trees are solid in their roots, possess determination and compete with those around them to grow and even under pressure. Wood types are confident, driven and courageous. Wood is correlated to Spring when the energy is new and all about renewal. The organs associated with wood are the Liver and Gallbladder. When physical imbalance manifests, it often looks like high Blood pressure, headaches, migraines, tight muscles and PMS in women. Emotions manifest as being easily irritable, stressed and angry. Wood types may crave alcohol or greasy food when imbalanced in hopes of relieving stress. Trees need to be flexible and adaptable, if not, imbalance occurs. Physically, wood types tend to have thin, lean bodies. They are agile and move with grace. How can wood types positively influence their health? exercise: swimming, walking in nature and relaxing activities like Qigong or tai chi are important for you. Make sure you sweat but don’t over-exert yourself. flow: be flexible and adaptable, go with the wind, don't resist change. expression: nurture your words, creativity and express yourself freely. If you are feeling frustrated, scream in your car or into a pillow. relax: unwind daily through natural stress relieving activities. Enjoy time with loved ones.

Coming from a lineage of herbalists, I am passionate about creating herbal formulas and decoctions. In fact, it has become my favorite thing to do. It all started with one Qi tincture, and slowly grew from there in order to help conditions I was seeing daily in my practice. Through this process I am able to not only help my patients, but help those that I'm unable to treat physically with acupuncture and in person sessions. My new website has launched, making it easy to vie...w all the tinctures, shop by various categories and read customer reviews. Visit it here: https://www.lilychoinaturalhealing.com/ or through the link in my bio. I am honored to be a part of your healing journey! Dr. Lily Choi

Have you tried fennel? It is one of my most favorite vegetables and one of the select few that I do consume raw. As you may know by now, I don't normally eat too many raw vegetables. In fact, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is recommended to eat foods in the form that they can be most easily digested which means lightly cooking them as opposed to raw. Our Stomach system needs warmth for proper digestion and constant consumption of cold foods hinders our metabolism.... Eventually it leads to common health issues like painful periods, excess weight and bloating. This versatile vegetable can be added to soups, stir-frys and sliced thinly with a mandolin to eat raw, just add some extra virgin olive oil, salt, and lemon. A cup of fennel tea proves to be a staple all year round. Let me know if you try it! Fennel (Xiao Hui Xiang) is part of the celery family and has a sweet licorice taste. The leaves, bulbs and seeds are edible. It has a long history in cuisine as well as medicine. Fennel enters the Liver, Kidney, Bladder, Spleen meridians when consumed. Fennel bulbs are high in fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, folate, iron, calcium, copper, zinc and selenium. According to TCM classification, fennel can warm the body and expel phlegm; spread Liver Qi; warm the Kidney system and expel cold; regulate Qi and harmonize the Stomach; tonify Spleen and Lung Qi; and relieve pain. The symptoms treated are indigestion, reduced appetite and vomiting; headache, poor appetite, malaise, fetid orange urine (due to uric acid or stones), gout, urinary tract infection (UTI), cough with thin white phlegm and asthma where breathing in is difficult. Fennel is also a powerful protector and treatment for bites, bruises, blemishes, rashes, along with being a parasite killer. Fennel seeds are the part of the vegetable that is used medicinally. Recent studies have found that fennel seeds contain diuretic, pain-reducing, fever-reducing and antimicrobial properties. Some practitioners believe it can be used to aid indigestion and increase the production of milk in nursing women [1].

Eating nourishing food is easier than you think. My go to soup recipe takes less than 20 minutes to pull together. The great news is that you can sub all the ingredients with whatever you have in the fridge. The base of all my soups is bone broth. I make a new batch 1-2 times a week and warm it up when I need it. Consuming bone broth has many benefits. In Chinese medicine, bone broth is used because it gifts us the deepest digestible elements available, nourishing our body's ...bones, joints, Blood building marrow, Kidneys, reproductive system and brain. In Western medicine, this correlates to the abundance of amino acids it provides and ability to heal and seal the gut lining and reduce overgrowth of harmful microbes. If you don't consume bone broth, try making a seaweed and mushroom stock to provide umami flavor. If you’re feeling fatigued in the winter season, this soup will help your energy levels and hydration. in Chinese medicine, when we are healing, we refer back to a bland and warm diet. This soup fits that territory but any desirable amount of flavor can be added. Its warming essence activates the digestion and soothes the Spleen and Stomach, expelling dampness and pathogens, while strengthening the immune system. Here's how cook rice noodles or desired noodle according to package directions, set aside warm up your bone broth, add a knob of ginger to it and let it simmer cut up any vegetables you have: carrots, daikon radish, broccoli, fennel, all greens, celery, potatoes... add in vegetables in order of cooking time. Simmer until tender add in noodles add in herbs (greens, sprouts, eggs) plate in your favorite bowl add seasoning on top: olive oil, salt, sesame oil, scallions, sesame seeds, tamari... I love topping mine with cayenne pepper and a pinch of Ginger Power my bowl has chicken bone broth, yellow carrots, celery, ginger, cilantro, parsley, olive oil and sea salt.

Though we have more keeping us awake now more than ever, the better your foundation for a proper night's sleep is, the better chance you have to get good quality rest. Insomnia or not being able to sleep well should be addressed as it is tied with much deeper organ disharmonies. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, insomnia is a manifestation of the Shen (Spirit and mind) disorder which can look like a variety of internal dysfunctions or imbalances manifesting to a rest...less Spirit. Just as any disharmony, TCM treats the full body to recognize and resolve the root problem. In Chinese medicine, insomnia is categorized by patterns. Below are the four most common patterns along with a harmonizing herb blend formula for each one. Insomnia I. emotional disturbance: excess heat or toxins in the Liver can result in the organ responsible for the smooth flow of emotions to become imbalanced. This leads to insomnia symptoms that manifest as anger, stress, easily agitated, nightmares, restless sleep, headache, red eyes, red tongue with red sides, bitter taste and dry mouth, yellow urine. Insomnia II. dampness: one of the "six evils" in Chinese medicine, this pathogen often manifests as fatigue, swelling and excess weight. Symptoms related to insomnia are chest and Stomach distension; nightmares; easily woken up in the middle of night; thick yellow tongue coating. Insomnia III. deficiency of the Spleen: when the Spleen is deficient and unable to transmit and assimilate food and nutrients properly, it loses its smooth connection to the Heart. This pattern looks like symptoms of excessive dreams; easily woken up, then unable to fall back asleep; palpitations, dizzy, blurred vision; fatigue; over worry; poor memory. Our Shen is what we refer to in TCM as the Spirit and the Mind as one. The Spleen and Heart need to be connected with proper Blood flow in order to keep this connection strong. Insomnia IV. disconnection of the Kidney and Heart: when the Kidneys don't have enough energy to warm up the digestion in order to nourish or "mist" the Heart. This mist is comprised of the energy the Spleen transmits from the food we eat. Continue in comment

Everything is energy. You may or may not have heard that before but what does that mean? Everything in our Universe is made up of energy, including you. Energy vibrates at different frequencies. Your vibration is one way to describe your overall state of being. How can you raise your vibration? mindfulness: the practice of meditation has been around since the beginning of time for a reason it is essential in growth, self-acceptance, self-realization, self-reflection and so... much more. The answers we seek are always within us, not outside of us. thoughts: negative thoughts don't feel good. Often, our negative thoughts create a negative symptom whether it be a stomachache or headache, our body quite literally reacts to negativity. Words hold vibrations, choose wisely when thinking and speaking to yourself and others. nourishment: fruits, vegetables, herbs and quality foods show your body are sources of life-force energy which elevates your frequency. Quality food is grown by the sun and nourished by the Earth, which the body recognizes. Chemicals like preservatives, additives, hormones, sugars, weaken your state of thinking and being. It is wise to avoid them as much as you can. grateful: appreciating what you have now in your life raises your vibration instantly. There is no better feeling than feeling gratitude. There is alway something to appreciate. How good does it feel when you feel appreciated? It warms the Heart. acts of kindness: selflessness is a true virtue. Our job on this Earth is to be of service and to help our community, our circle and beyond. No act is too small to have a positive impact beyond only those involved. art: high vibrations are expressed in art forms like music, paintings, poems and more. Turning on some high frequency sounds, reading beautiful words from spiritual masters can really tune you into a positive perspective fast. Expressing your own creativity helps do this as well. Make sure you listen to your intuition and express yourself, your Heart and Liver will be especially happy. Continue in comment

A good night's sleep should never be overrated. I am hearing so many people who list insomnia as one of their main concerns. With everything going on in the world, it makes sense but a good night's sleep should be your top priority, especially if you have other health concerns. Sleep is imperative in order to revitalize the body, give the organs rest, let certain organs like the Liver properly detoxify and help cells and Blood regenerate. Think about how you feel after a good... night's rest renewed and nourished compared to a poor night's sleep agitated, fatigued and foggy. Insomnia is defined as persistent problems falling and staying asleep. Without proper rest you may crave certain foods that you wouldn't normally eat or be more emotional than usual. These symptoms are all related! Most cases of insomnia are related to poor sleep habits, depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, chronic illness, or certain medications. Symptoms may include difficulty falling or staying asleep and not feeling well-rested. In Western medicine, treatment for insomnia consists of improving sleep habits, behavior therapy, and identifying and treating underlying causes. Sleeping pills may also be used but the root cause isn't normally addressed. In Chinese medicine we want to harmonize the root imbalance in order to naturally restore sleep function. Stay tuned for more info.

Please refer back to the prior post titled "Baby's first foods" for part one. As the baby matures, you can introduce more foods. Keep the same techniques in mind make sure foods are cooked (steamed, baked, sautéed) and then pureed. You may need to try the same food 5-10 times before they show interest. In Asia, we use rice milk it is a great alternative to dairy and formula. 2Phase II. About 8-12 months or whenever they are out of Phase I. broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bo...k choy cabbage (red or green, but very well cooked) cooked cherries, cooked dates wild salmon organic chicken, homemade chicken stock and/or bone broth virgin coconut oil organic, avocado oil organic 3Phase III. About one year old. At about one year you can introduce organic grains. There is one grain above all, however and that is rice. Congee, which is rice cooked with extra water or stock for a long time is considered a super healing food for babies, elderly or those with gastrointestinal problems. Congee particularly benefits the Spleen, Stomach and Intestines and is most suitable for babies because it is nourishing, hydrating and yields instant energy. In Chinese the symbol for rice gives way to Qi (our vital energy). It is a great source of B-complex vitamins, non-allergen food and soothes conditions like eczema, diarrhea and constipation. Make sure to cook the rice until it's so soft that you don't even see the individual shape of the rice. For grains, be sure to soak them overnight in water to increase digestibility. Cook them longer in at least twice the amount of water to create a porridge or congee. You can add in nourishing vegetables and warming spices (fennel, black pepper, ginger, cardamom, and/or cinnamon). oats certified gluten free: steel cut or old fashioned, no instant type. rice, quinoa red lentils (soak overnight also) avocado berries (cooked) potatoes, red beets

Pumpkin, ginger and honey (optional add tapioca) From coffee shops to grocery store shelves, it is clear that pumpkin season is here. Though the iterations we may be seeing are much more processed than the original thing pumpkin is one of the most consistent and celebrated foods in Chinese medicine. Eating yellow and orange foods such as pumpkin benefits digestion and supports the Stomach and Spleen. By strengthening the Stomach and Spleen "the mother", the Lung is suppor...ted, as the Lung is the "child" in this nurturing relationship, according to the Five Element Framework in Traditional Chinese Medicine. We need a strong digestive and Lung system to get us through the transition of seasons, to keep the immune system in check and fight off external pathogens. Pumpkin contains complex carbohydrates and provides zinc, vitamin C, potassium, iron, riboflavin, fiber, magnesium, vitamin A and carotenoids, an essential vitamin for proper protein metabolism and anti-cancer support. They supplement Qi (energy), are anti-inflammatory, strengthen the immune system, help manage symptoms of diabetes and can reduce blood pressure and protect heart health. Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds help support menses, strengthen the prostate and aid fertility. They can also help treat urinary tract infections and support the Kidneys. TCM and pumpkin temperature: warm flavors: sweet, cooling, slightly bitter meridians entered: Kidney, Large Intestines, Spleen, Stomach actions: circulates Blood, disperses cold, clears damp, resolves phlegm resolves: dysentery, diarrhea, eczema, stomachaches, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms relieves: joint pain and swellings due to dampness, improves lactation, benefits postpartum fluid metabolism (especially hand and feet swelling) What’s your favorite way to eat pumpkin?