Health & Wellness in the Season of Love
By the Acuworx Team
In Chinese Medicine, the emotion associated with the heart is joy. Heart health is extremely important! Without a healthy heart, the body can’t function properly.
Traditional Chinese Medicine theory states the Heart houses the mind. This makes the Heart responsible for mental clarity and overall emotional wellbeing. Acupuncture has been shown to help lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, and calm the mind, which can ultimately strengthen the mind-body connection.
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to experience joy, and it doesn’t have to come from a significant other. Sharing special moments with those who are closest to us helps keep the heart full of joy. Even acts of “selfishness” can have profound effects on the mind, body, and soul. Spending time in solitude can also keep the heart healthy, as it gives us time to reflect, relax and take in the beauty all around us.
Regardless of whether or not you have a special someone to celebrate with, you should not forget to show love for yourself.
We’re sharing two easy ways (based on Warming the Body and a Sense of Touch) to nourish yourself this season, or to share with a partner or loved one.
Warm Your Body: Sweet Herbal Love Tonic
Made up of Da Zao (Jujube), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), and Mei Gui Hua (Dried Rose Buds), this herbal blend will help to support, tonify, and calm your body.
Known in Chinese Medicine for its tonifying and calming properties, Jujube benefits the Qi of the spleen and the stomach, nourishes the blood, and calms the Spirit.
Goji Berries help to nourish and tonify the liver and kidneys, benefit Jing, enrich yin, brighten the eyes, moisten the lungs, and promote longevity.
Dried Rose Bud is not only beautiful to the eye, but it also moves Qi, harmonizes blood, and disperses stagnation within the body
Make it yourself!
You will need:
8 Jujubes (or Chinese dates)
½ cup of dried Goji Berries
1 tablespoon of dried Rosebuds
1. Add all ingredients to any ceramic, glass, or stainless steel pot
2. Add 8-10 cups of water to the pot
3. Cover and bring to a boil
4. Simmer for 1 hour
5. Remove from heat and serve warm
Optional: garnish with the cooked herbs. You can eat these now, or save and enjoy separately for another time. Feel free to add a sweetener of your choice, though we think it's sweet enough as is!
Stop by the studio on Valentine’s Day for a sample!
Goji Berries can be found at your local market or Raine River Apothecary
Jujube (Chinese Dates) can be found at 99 Ranch
Rose Tea can be found at 99 Ranch and Rose Petals at Raine River Apothecary
Sense of Touch: Acupressure Massage
Acupuncture can open us up to more pleasure & body awareness. Regular treatments reduce stress, increase endorphins, and ensure balance in the body. Another way to incorporate acupuncture into your self-care routine is with Acupressure. Get the blood flowing this Valentine’s day (or any day!) with these acupressure points. Treat yourself to a self-massage, or share with a loved one.
Head Massage | Point: DU 20
Location: Top of head, above the ears.
How To: Locate the tops of the ears and draw a line using your fingers to meet at the top of the head. Using your thumb, apply gentle pressure in a small, circular motion.
Benefits: Helps to calm an overtaxed mind and allows blood to flow in the body
Foot Massage | Point: Kidney 1 & Spleen 4
Location: (KD 1) Bottom of the foot, third of the way down from the toes. Location: (SP4) On the inner side of the foot, at the base of the first metatarsal bone.
How To: Apply gentle pressure in small, circular motions using your thumb or fingers, moving downward toward the toes
Benefits: Massaging these foot points balance subtle energies while increasing blood flow. Both of these points are directly connected to the reproductive organs
Leg Massage | Points: Spleen 6 & Kidney 7
Location: (SP 6 & KD 7) Inside the calves, four fingers above the ankle. KD 7 is directly below and behind SP 6
How To: Applying gentle pressure with your thumb, moving in small circular motions over these two points. You can spend time working these two points separately, or you can expand your circles over both together.
Benefits: SP 6 promotes yin, the calming energy in the body. KD 7 promotes yang, the warming energy in the body. Together, these points represent the male and female energy, bringing balance to the body and promoting healthy blood flow.
Abdomen Massage | Point: Ren 6
Location: two fingers below the belly button
How To: Using your thumb or fingers, apply gentle pressure in small, circular motions.
Benefits: A tender point that is located closer to the reproductive organs and boosts energy.
Whether it’s for heart health, sexual health, or anything in between, contact us to book a complimentary consultation with one of our acupuncturists.
Why not get the treatment and care you deserve?