Tips from the Private Practice of Drs Julian and Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac, Doctors of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture

As the Holiday Season comes into full swing we always get asked “Help! The holidays are coming…. my family is coming to stay…. how can I make sure I don’t get sick?

So how do you boost Your Immune System over the holidays and not get sick?

First, do you know if your immune system, or Wei qi as we call it in Chinese Medicine, is weak?
Some key signs of a weak immune system:
·    Gas and bloating
·    Susceptible to weather changes
·    Aches and Pains
·    Low Energy
·    Weight Gain or loss
·    Skin Problems
·    Frequent colds and flu’s

What are the key challenges that will be stressing our immune systems this holiday season?

·    Rich foods – if your digestion is thrown off balance your immune system gets weakened
·    Sugar especially weakens the immune system
·    Lack of sleep as we party the night away, – or even irregular sleep like staying up later than usual watching that special holiday TV show
·   Stress – often parents are under super charged levels of stress trying to cope with everything with a smile on their face
·   stressful emotions such as depression and anger – both very common at this time of year.
·   Taking the wrong home remedies to combat flus and colds – so then you have to resort to strong medication that can weaken your immune system even more. (Yes, sometimes even home remedies can cause adverse effects.)

In this December article we draw on the principles of Ancient Chinese wisdom (TCM – Traditional Chinese Medicine) to clarify some important misconceptions. We’re focusing on some key Immune Boosters to help you to avoid getting sick over the holidays and in the January issue we will be focusing more on the Bug Busters.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention is KEY.

Immune Boosters are what you take to strengthen your immune system when you don’t have an infection – otherwise you are strengthening the bugs. We want to help prevent you from getting sick
Bug Busters are what you take as soon as you realize you are coming down with a cold. These are used specifically to fight bugs. They are NOT used for strengthening your system because they are often too harsh. You take them short term.

Immune System Boosters:                                                                                                                                       Get your digestive system nice and healthy. Did you know that 70 – 80% of your immune system comes from your digestive tract? So be mindful this season of what you eat. Consider tasty healthy alternatives such as fresh berries that boost your immune system instead of the sugary pies, simple baked yams without all the extra sugar. Every time you reach for the sugar pot, ask yourself if you really need it. Studies have shown that sugar literally stops the white blood cells from moving for several hours.  Yikes, that gives time for the bugs to invade! Choose organic whole foods to keep your energy up.

Take a break from TV, the computer and your cell phone to go for long walks with the family. You will sleep better and help your immune system.

Laugh and have fun with your friends. Watch funny movies together. You’ll be boosting your immune systems at the same time!

And finally, some remedies: Take extra probiotics to help your gut.
Here are some time tested herbs that have been extensively researched in China and found to boost the immune system:                                                                                                                                    Astragalus has been used for centuries,
Reishi mushrooms are a very popular Asian tonic,
Eleutherococcus regulates blood sugar levels naturally and boosts white blood cells
Codonopsis acts a little like ginseng but without disrupting or over stimulating other functions of the body. (Chinese Medicine doctors do not over use ginseng)
jujube dates pacify the digestion.
A traditional herbal formula like Jade Screen contains Astragalus and has been used for centuries to strengthen the Wei qi, boost the immune system and prevent susceptibility to flu's and colds. It is also used also for allergic rhinitis, allergies, hay fever.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and if you would like more in depth tips to boost your immune system check out our FREE audio recording: “Special Holiday Edition: Immune Boosters for your Health and Digestion” at:

http://www.MeridianHolistic.com/holidayspecial.html

If you would like a copy of the Digestive Health and Immune System Evaluator that we use to help you assess the effectiveness of any cleanse that you’re doing, whether off the shelf, with a fitness trainer, or a Celebrity cleanse (ie the latest and greatest) go to:

http://www.MeridianHolistic.com/holidayspecial.html

PS  Sources:
Even Wholefoods carries some of the items mentioned like the Astragalus, Reishi Mushrooms and Jade Screen. Many Health Food stores will special order for you if they don't have them in stock.
So you don't have to venture to China Town anymore!

Drs Julian and Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac can be found at

http://www.MeridianHolisticHealth.com

They hold Healing Retreats in Ojai and have their private
practice in Santa Monica, California.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease.  All material provided by us is for educational purposes only.  We always suggest that you seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified healthcare provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or taking any diet, exercise, or other health program.  Much of the material comes from the 2000 year old tradition of Chinese Medicine and has not been evaluated by the FDA. If you have any immune system concerns or are taking immunosuppressant medications consult with your qualified health practitioner, Acupuncturist or Chinese Herbal Doctor

She is Director, Southern California Health and Aging Public Policy Institute and the Center for Visual Gerontology

When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, lots of well-meaning friends suggested that instead of chemotherapy, I try alternative remedies and cures. While I was grateful for their interest and acknowledged that chemotherapy's origins are toxic, I responded that I was confident in my course of chemotherapy because it has a 95 percent success rate. Also, as a 35-year-old mother of two small children, choosing a less effective and unproven method of fighting cancer was not an option for me.

Cancer itself is no picnic, but surviving chemotherapy was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Some people keep working and exercising, looking normal, and getting by without too much change in their lifestyles. Some drug therapies are harsher than others, and I am told ABVD for Hodgkins Lymphoma is a rough one. However, I am sure many patients are tougher than I am. I didn't have a lot of extra energy to pretend I was feeling fine or to invest in cooking, cleaning, exercising or my graduate studies. Any energy I could muster was spent trying to be a mother to my two small children. I didn't want to be a superwoman, just a mom.

When I told my 6-year-old, first grade daughter that my hair would be falling out, she said, "If you are bald, who is going to take me to school?" I suggested I could wear a wig, and she said, "They'll know." My 3-year-old son thought my wig was funny, and he would just rip it off my head. I pretty much stuck with hats and was thankful I started with an abnormally large amount of hair. I always expected one of the more outgoing first grade classmates to ask me about my hair, but none ever did.

After chemo Fridays, I usually felt like ants were crawling all over my body for the first day or two, and then I would basically crawl into a debilitating and nauseous cave for the next 5-6 days, coming out only to hug, smile at, and occasionally feed my family. During 6 months, I had 12 sessions of chemo — every other week. I would feel better after 10 days, in time to go back for more.

A few things helped me survive chemotherapy.

My community of women in the megalopolis of Los Angeles was amazing. Other moms I hardly knew would leave food and gifts on my doorstep, play with my kids, clean my house, hold prayer circles for me and even offer me medical marijuana to reduce my nausea. (My doctor advised me not to smoke anything as lung problems are a side effect of my chemotherapy drugs). Friends and family from all over the country came to help out. My husband received random phone calls from people around the world who sensed we needed help. We did, and learned to accept it with a grateful heart.

Two days before each chemotherapy session, I had a blood test to be sure my body could handle the next onslaught of drugs. Incredibly, my blood cell counts never went too low and I never needed a booster shot to reduce my risk of infection. My oncologist told me I had "miraculous blood", which I found ironic since I was battling a blood cancer. "Just keep doing whatever you are doing," she said.

Apart from the community that surrounded me, I had three personal practices to help me survive. One was a weekly trip to an acupuncturist, Dr. Julian Lange Using alternative medicine helped my body with energy and blood counts. My oncologist advised me not ingest any herbal remedies that could alter the chemo drugs, so Dr. Lange stuck with needles only.

The second ritual that helped my mind was a trip to In-N-Out Burger after every blood test. Since it was always 12 days after my previous chemo round, I could enjoy my Double Double Animal Style enough to keep me going. A few weeks into my ritual, I noticed the bottom of the paper wrapper had Nahum 1:7 on it. I was encouraged when I looked up the verse upon getting home: "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."

My third ritual for surviving chemotherapy was exactly what the burger wrapper advised — helping my spirit. My church sent two amazing women to pray with me every week, for six months. Whether or not you believe that God heals people, research has found that the practice of prayer during the course of chemotherapy treatment — and also during chronic illness and pain — improves patients' emotional well-being, depression, and anxiety.

Being diagnosed with cancer is scary, especially for moms. Living through it and chemotherapy are difficult too. Accessing treatment, developing coping strategies, and accepting help make survivors

posted by Dr Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac  www.MeridianHolisticHealth.com

excerpted from the Huffington Post, Dr Caroline Cicero

To find out more and to get our free special gifts why don't you check out our Comedy blog on the healing benefits of laughter. We are building a collection of tons of fun suggestions for you to help you have …

more fun and play, – and boost your health … on the way!

Remember, Your Laughter Heals!

Go to: http://www.ComediesThat Heal.com

Tell us what you want and have some fun!

offered by Drs Susan and Julian Lange OMD, L.Ac from www.MeridianHolisticHealing.com

HOLISTIC HEALING MADE EASY

1. Acupuncture Treatment: Acupuncture treatment of "toxic" scarring by a qualified acupuncturist inserting acupuncture needles around the scarring can be very beneficial.

2. Silica & Silicone Gels: Silica (microscopic quartz crystals) gel and silicone (a polymer with silica as a component) gel impregnated sheets which promote healing of scarring and the skin. The gel can be applied directly to the scarring and neighboring skin. Re-usable adhesive strips of fabric that are impregnated with silicone are also available. These strips may have an advantage over the gel because they are adhered directly over the scarring and can be worn for extended periods of time. The gel has to be reapplied to the scarring through out the day, especially if covered by clothing. Some people may find the adhesive on the strips irritating to their skin.

3. Essential Oils: These are extracted from plants and can be beneficial for scarring and skin healing. Generally, essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin or the scarring. Prepare a liniment by mixing 10 – 20 drops of the essential oil with 10 ml of a vegetable oil like apricot oil, grape seed oil, or almond oil. Helichrysum is a "skin regenerative", it is good for tissue trauma, reduces scarring and skin discoloration. Geranium and Moroccan Blue Tansy are also good for repairing damaged skin.

4. Herbs: There are Chinese herbal formulas which are ideally administered about 6 hours after surgery in order to prevent adhesions from forming. These formulas encourage intestinal peristalsis and the circulation of Qi in the abdomen.

The herbs, Arnica (Leopardbane) and/or Calendula (Marigold) promote healing and in a gel (preferably without alcohol or a petroleum base) can be applied to the vicinity of the surgery.

5. Homeopathic Remedies: A long history of use and can be very useful in addressing post surgery scarring.

• Arnica for bruising, any injury, and surgical trauma.


• Silica for scarring, keloids, and wounds that are slow to heal and suppurate.


• Graphites for scarring and keloids.

7. Neural Therapy: A scar therapy that is commonly used in Germany and Austria to treat pain and other conditions. It involves the injection of procaine around scarring and other areas to normalize the electro chemical activity of the local cells. Neural therapy is thought to correct regulatory dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system and because of this it is used to treat a surprising range of disorders in people with scarring of any kind.

BONUS TIP. Enzymes: Enzymatic action may make the scarring more elastic. Bromelain for post surgery swelling and inflammation. Injections of Hyaluronidase, a mucolytic enzyme, directly into the scarring to soften and break it down.

And if you would like further information about acupuncture treatment for post surgery scarring or to ask me any other questions visit: http://www.MeridianHolistic.com/askthedoctor.html Dr Julian Lange, OMD, LAc. "The Holistic Health Strategist."

Post surgery pain can be so strong that sufferers can't function normally.  Often drugs used for post surgery pain can only be taken for so long before something stronger and more habit forming needs to be used for that pain.

Or maybe the post surgery pain isn't as much of a problem as numbness.  Numbness can be challenging because the part of the body where the numbness is, just feels like it's missing or kind of dead.  Activities like bathing and sensing if something is too hot or cold, or even wet or if someone is touching you are hard when you have numbness and can't feel a part of yourself.

• A policeman in a shoot out had to throw himself down on the ground, just like in the movies.  His shoulder took the fall and, unlike the movies, it took a lot of damage.  Several surgeries later he had a working shoulder but also post surgery pain which nothing helped.  His post surgery pain forced him in to early retirement.  Three acupuncture treatments got rid of his post surgery pain.  He was amazed that acupuncture works that well.

• A woman had her tongue removed because of cancer.  Her amazing surgeon built her a new one using muscle from her forearm but this left her with a lot of post surgery pain and numbness in that area.  Her inner arm is totally numb and in pain; the post surgery pain goes to her fingers.  After five acupuncture treatments her post surgery pain is gone and she is recovering sensation.  Her numbness is also improving!  She feels lucky and is grateful to have found acupuncture to help her post surgery pain and numbness.

• A tourist visiting Israel had to have her arm amputated after the Jeep she was riding in rolled over and crushed it.  She had "phantom limb" post surgery pain, or pain in a limb that is no longer there.  She was suffering severe post surgery pain in the arm that had been removed!  Three acupuncture treatments later and her post surgery pain was gone when nothing else had helped.

Acupuncture has existed for 1,000s of years.  Millions of people all over the world have been treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

Even though medical science has yet to figure out exactly how it works doctors commonly recommend acupuncture to their post surgery pain patients.  They have seen acupuncture treatment benefit many conditions and specifically post surgery pain and numbness.

These people are only a few of many cases of post surgery pain and numbness that I have treated in my decades' long career in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and while on staff at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, Pain Management Center.

For more information on acupuncture for post surgery pain and numbness contact me at:

http://www.MeridianHolistic.com. 

This is Dr Julian Lange, OMD, LAc. 

"The Holistic Health Strategist."

Are you continually wrestling with your weight and feeling deprived by austere diet regimes? Maybe you are living on salads and forever counting calories?

Would you be suprised to know that eating nothing but salads can actually make you gain weight? Well it’s so!

What about weight loss without dieting? What a concept!

We always teach that to reach and maintain a healthy weight it’s important to have really healthy digestion. We believe that good digestion is the foundation for good health. If you would like to learn more you can listen to our FREE recordings where we talk about digestion that are archived under "resources" at our main website, www.MeridianHolistic.com <http://www.meridianholistic.com/>

We also offer a FREE monthly teleseminar on the first Monday of each month where we answer your questions and debunk myths about digestive health and digestive cleanses.

*But here’s a completely different “Quantum Weight Loss Approach” that we want to share with you …***

Yesterday, Susan and I had a fun visit with the psychotherapist and author of the book “Freedom from Food", Patricia Bisch. Patricia is a lovely person who drew largely from her own experience in creating her book. What I think is unique about her approach to weight loss is that she isn’t promoting a new kind of diet, instead she addresses one’s need to eat and what one is trying to emotionally fill or solve by eating. Her approach is directed towards identifying the psychological wounds that drive us to consume food and gain excess weight. She then gives really practical advice about how to resolve these issues with the ultimate goal being that we can eat what we want to without having to be over weight.

I believe “Freedom from Food” is a worthwhile read and presents a good method for anyone interested in weight loss without dieting. But the main reason I want to bring Patricia’s work to your attention is that it furthers the ideal of achieving better health through inner change and that is something that Susan and I will always support.

And by the way, when she wasn’t looking we spied in her refrigerator and it was stuffed with all kinds of goodies. She told us that she’s famous for having a fridge with no room in it. And Patricia really enjoys her food, we know, because we saw her freely savour several slices of the date bread we brought. I wonder how she stays so slim and gorgeous? Find out in her book which you can get, along with her CD, at her website www.FreedomFromFood.net <http://www.freedomfromfood.net/>

And if you'd like some ongoing tips and encouragement to reduce bloating, improve your digestion and to feel better about yourself join us on our free monthly conference calls at http://www.My-Digestive-Health.com 
 

Susan and I have just returned from Santa Barbara where we spent the afternoon catching up with our old friend, an international authority and scholar of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Giovanni Maciocia . We discussed his line of Chinese herbal  formulas and looked at his amazing library of Chinese language reference books.  He is doing such great work for everyone in our profession.  His most recent book, the subject of which I can’t reveal but which is with his publisher now and will be available in about 12 months (too long!) is going to be a revelation for the Chinese Medical community. 

The book at the top is Giovanni's copy of the "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine", one of the oldest medical text books in the world. Susan and I often use some of the poetic quotes from this famous tome. This is what it looks like inside:

From Giovanni’s we drove to Joanne Hsian’s intimate restaurant, “Spirit Land Bistro” at 230 E. Victoria where we enjoyed a marvelous organic dining experience.  Ken, her maitre d’ steered us in the direction of a very pleasant glass of biodynamically grown 2004 Tempranillo wine from Hice Cellars in Paso Robles which Ken tells us uses “old world” methods in it’s production.  I am anticipating visiting Hice Cellars and seeing exactly what they do. 

We discovered that though Spirit Land Bistro is only a little over a year old Joanne has found the time to launch her free “Tuesday Night for Healing” series of dialogues where anyone who’s interested can hear a variety of local healers speak about their methods and philosophies.  These evenings are moderated by the nutritionist Dale Figtree and the speakers include acupuncturists, medical doctors, Hawaiian bodyworkers, cleansing experts, and many others. 

 Since Joanne is very interested in bringing Chinese Medicine and other healing modalities into the local community we have been invited to teach at Spiritland. We will keep you posted. Julian

Further information is available at:  www.spiritlandbistro.com or www.dalefigtree.com 

If you are suffering from any kind of symptoms such as leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual problems, or hormonal issues please read Catherine's story  before you take any kind of drastic action.

Excerpt from a Hysterectomy Testimonial by Catherine
about the benefits of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

 “My name is Catherine and I first came to Dr Julian Lange probably about a year following a hysterectomy in which I fought for my right to keep my ovaries.What began to happen is that the ovaries, particularly my left ovary, began to swell and I was in a considerable amount of pain on a daily basis, but also had intermittent, what I called, attacks, where basically I was bedridden. These attacks came once a month, once every couple months, as time went on they became more and more regular. My GI tract was completely stopped up and I was in pain whenever I ate. [The] surgeons recommended that I have surgery again.

(This does have a happy ending. To find out  go to the next page.)

]]> http://meridianholistic.com/healthyliving/healthy-digestion/from-hysterectomy-and-despair-to-healing-and-hope/feed 0