Sun, 20 May 2012 05:29:38 -0800WeeblyTue, 29 Jun 2010 06:13:43 -0800http://www.newleafacu.com/1/post/2010/06/mulberry-friend-or-foe.html Sweet, juicy mulberries—such a treasure, but so often scorned.  While the majestic Morus alba may not be suitable for city sidewalks, these trees are totally worth a trot into the country to find.  A mature tree, which can reach 50ft tall, will be heavily laden with mild tasting blackberry-like fruit during summer.

As a horticulture student at UW-Madison, I knew where to find heavily bearing specimens around town—at the arboretum, near the zoo, on the back 9 of the 100 acre golf course where I worked.  In fact, I frequently spent a lunch in the shade of the mulberry instead of retiring to the air-conditioned break room.  The break room didn’t offer free dessert!  Any given day I knew the fruit were ripe, I would bike miles out of my way to gorge on this fleeting delicacy.  It has always been a shock to me how few people were aware of this treat, and that so many harbored such contempt against the entire species just because of an encounter with one ill-placed tree over a drive way raining dark-staining berries.

                As an acupuncture student, I was tickled to discover that for millennia the Chinese have shared my opinion of this tree as a treasure.  In fact, nearly every part of the tree is used in traditional Chinese medicine.  The fruit is used to build blood, quench thirst, moisten the intestines and prevent premature graying.  The leaf treats fever, cough and red eyes.  The root reduces edema and cough, while twigs reduce edema and treat arm pain.  Furthermore, tree is the platform for other treasures.  Mantis egg cases collected from mulberry trees can treat urinary disorders.  The leaves are famous as silkworm food, as the rubbery, milky sap is thought to give tenacity to silk filaments.  Modern research indicates mulberry extracts may decrease blood sugar and inhibit tumor growth.

Unwashed mulberries will keep several days in a refrigerator in a covered container.  They can be eaten out of hand or used in any way that other berries are used, such as in pies, tarts, puddings or sweetened and pureed as a sauce.  Mulberries blend well with other fruits, especially pears and apples. They can also be made into wine and make an excellent dried fruit.

While the fruits make a great treat, be sure you have identified the tree correctly before eating and avoid unripe mulberry fruit as it can be mildly toxic.  If you think Mulberry may be the right medicine for you, please seek guidance in preparation and use at New Leaf Acupuncture in Fish Creek.  Finally, be a good neighbor!  Always get permission before exploring or removing anything from private property.  

]]>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:48:06 -0800http://www.newleafacu.com/1/post/2009/09/you-are-invited-to-post-a-question.htmlIf you're reading this, you're probably interested in learning more about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, or more about the  services offered here at New Leaf. 

Please feel free to send me your question(s), I will answer them by e-mail, blog post, or both!
]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:22:38 -0800http://www.newleafacu.com/1/post/2009/08/why-leave-the-needles-for-20-minutes.html Acupuncture treatments are usually 15-20 minutes in length.  This treatment length originated from The Classic of Difficulties (Nan Jing), a highly revered ancient textbook of Oriental Medicine.

It was discovered through Daoist meditation practices that Qi and Blood move through the meridians at the rate of six cun* for each complete inhalation and exhalation.  The total length of the Meridians and Collaterals equals 1620 cun (Nan Jing, Chapter 23).  1620 divided by 6 equals 270, so it is said that 270 breaths are required for Qi to make one complete cycle through the body.  However, this number could vary based on a person’s breath rate.  If a person breathes 14 times/minute, it will take 20 minutes (270/14) for Qi to make a complete cycle.  If a person breathes 18 times/minute, only 15 minutes (270/18) will be needed for Qi to make the complete cycle.  Therefore, according to the  Nan Jing, treatment time can be calculated around 15-20 minutes. 

Treatment time may be altered based on a variety of factors.  The type of acupuncture theory used, body constitution of the patient, excess or deficiency condition, and hot or cold environment or season may influence the total treatment time.

As a patient, the Nan Jing's explanation has an important message for you:  Breathing is important during your acupuncture treatment.  It is important for Qi to make a complete cycle through your body during the treatment, and breathing is what drives the Qi. To make the most of your treatment, breathe slowly, deeply and consistently throughout. 

*Cun is a Chinese proportional unit of length; pronounced “chun.”

]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:35:59 -0800http://www.newleafacu.com/1/post/2009/07/first-post.htmlNearly everyone seems curious about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine these days.  The most common question I've been asked over the past couple of weeks is, "Can acupuncture help (fill in with affliction of your choice)?" 

The answer is undoubtedly: "Yes."  Acupuncture can treat everything from the common cold to internal medicine, and from anxiety to stroke rehab.  The reason it is so widely applicable is because it activates the body's innate capacity for self-healing and self-regulating. 

Following the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, a unique custom treatment is designed for each patient.  The treatment always has a two-pronged approach: (1) treat the branch and (2) treat the root.  The branch means symptoms and manifestations of the condition.  The root refers to the internal state or lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of the condition.  This unique and insightful two-pronged approach is one of the many aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine that make it so successful in treating a wide variety of health problems.

Acupuncture is an ideal therapy on its own, or in conjunction with conventional medical care.  Since there are no drugs or chemicals involved, it can not interact with medications.  There are virtually no side effects from acupuncture, and it will more than likely improve your symptoms... so why not give it a try? 

Want to learn more?  Check out an interesting BBC documentary about acupuncture on my Video page. 

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=acupuncture%3A+the+evidence&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=acupuncture%3A+the+evidence&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f&dur=3

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