Celebrating Chinese New Year: New Lunar Cycle Remedies

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Good Morning!

 

Celebrating Chinese New Year: New Lunar Cycle Remedies

 

This is the beginning of the new lunar calendar. In celebration of

the Chinese New Year, I will be discussing the many wonderful

contributions the Asian cultures have given the world in relation to

alternative medicine.

 

 

Winter Time Bath

 

Here is a simple recipe for a winter hot soak. It will keep you warm and healthy

all winter long. The sea salt bath gives our bodies much needed minerals. The

sweet orange and lavender calm the nervous system and release tension. The

ginger warms the muscles and relieves pain. The oil or milk acts as an

emulsifying agent.

 

1 Cup bath sea salt

1 tbsp almond oil or 2 tbsp whole milk

3 drops sweet orange essential oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

1 - 2 drops ginger essential oil

Mix together.

 

 

 

Black Sesame and Goji Berry Tea

 

1 cup black sesames

2 Tbsp goji berries, rinsed

3 cups water

Brown sugar (raw, unprocessed)

 

Bring sesame seeds, goji berries and water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer

partially covered for about 20 to 30 minutes until 1 cup of tea remains. If it

does not cook down in 30 minutes, the flame is too low. Strain tea and sweeten

to taste.

 

Black sesames are very calming and good to drink in the morning if you have

morning anxiety, or in the evening if you have trouble winding down. Black

sesames nourish and calm the adrenals, as do the goji berries; overall the

formula is very moistening. Brown sugar is full of minerals as are the sesame

seeds, so this formula is rich in calcium and good for the bones. Brown sugar

can be avoided for those sensitive to sugar, but the seeds are bitter. Maple

syrup and honey are also suitable sweeteners as is agave; however, I prefer

maple syrup or brown sugar for their high mineral content.

 

 

 

Chicken Congee

 

1 cup white rice

3 cups water

3 cups chicken stock

4 - 6 dried shitake mushrooms

10 - 20 Chinese red dates

Scallion

Ginger

Sea salt

Chicken meat from stock if desired

 

This congee or rice porridge is incredibly easy to digest and very soothing to

the digestive system. The cooking process does all the digesting for you so your

stomach does not have to work, a feel good for your stomach.

 

The red dates are available at your local Chinese grocer. Substitute unsulphered

dried apricots if red dates are unavailable; about 10 is plenty.

 

In a slow cooker on low, or on the stovetop, bring rice, water and chicken stock

to a boil. Meanwhile reconstitute mushrooms in a little water, soak 10 minutes

and add mushrooms, dates, and a little sea salt to the soup. Let simmer very

low, covered for about 2 hours stirring occasionally. After 2 hours add

scallion, ginger and chicken meat and serve, discarding the mushrooms and dates

if desired. Salt to taste.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/proacumed.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit