By Michelle Fletcher, B.A., http://michellefletcher.net

For some, it appears constant crying is a normal occurrence in newborns. But is it? Colic is one of the most common reported ailments in infants aged 3 weeks to about 3 or 4 months. Extended periods of loud crying lasting longer than an hour are trademarks of the ailment, and are most frequent after being fed or late into the evenings.

By Michelle Fletcher, B.A., http://michellefletcher.net

We struggle with it every day, remembering Aunt Ella's birthday, when to pick up the kids from soccer practice, or even why you walked into the kitchen (what did I come in here for?). We've all been there, time and time again, struggling with memory.

For thousands of years, traditional Chinese approaches to excellent nutrition, health, and living habits are crucial to maintaining a balanced flow of qi, or life energy, through the body. An ancient Taoist concept of essential life force present in all objects and aspects of life, qi is balanced in the body through the integration of nutrition and medicine.

A balanced diet is more than just peas and carrots, but a thorough balance of warm and cool energy; the yin - cold, dark, and passive - and the yang - heat, light, and active - are combined in the forms of food to create balance and harmony within the body. Hot versus cold (yin vs. yang) are the two most important oppositions in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Legend and lore suggest Chai Tea was invented by a royal king in India who kept his recipe undisclosed and sacred. In fact Chai Tea is a product of Ayurveda, a science of India that dates as far back as five thousand years. Chai does not refer to a particular type of tea but the manner in which it is prepared and served, with milk/cream and honey/sugar. Traditionally each family would have their own recipe of herbs and spices to mix and boil with tea leaves. This recipe was based on available ingredients and the constitutions of family members. Typically this is a highly potent blend that has myriad medicinal and health promoting properties. Among these benefits of consuming Chai regularly is to increase the digestive fire, sooth and relax the digestive tract, increase waste and toxin excretion, elevate metabolism, and decrease appetite.

Science is finding Tea (Black, Green, and Oolong), the main ingredient of Chai, is an excellent source for anti-oxidants, good for the heart, and reducing cholesterol levels. In addition numerous herbs are combined with the Tea to give it its unique flavors and healing properties. It isn't one herb or spice in general that aids in digestion but the combination of many acting together. The result is a delicious, piquant, and often times dark brew.

• Important PCOM Dates
• Tai Chi As A Beneficial Exercise For Seniors
• Massage Benefits Women With Breast Cancer
• Chinese Medicine Helps Shed Those Extra Pounds
• Chinese Wisdom: Quote of the Day

Important PCOM Dates

• January 17 – Chicago Open House
• February 6 – San Diego Prospective Student Workshop
• February 10 – New York Open House
• February 10 – New York Chinese New Year Celebration
• February 24 – Chicago Chinese New Year Celebration

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By: Michelle Fletcher

More and more seniors are becoming physically active–reaping the countless health benefits associated with regular exercise. If power walking and your run–of–the–mill strength building exercises are uninteresting, the no–impact Chinese exercise Tai Chi is an excellent way to tone muscle, increase endurance, and gain balance

Adding to the list of its already known health benefits, modern science is coming to find chemicals found in Green Tea may also show promise for slowing the degradation of immune cells caused by HIV.  The immune cells that HIV attacks are the T-cells produced by the thyroid gland.  These cells are often referred to as “Generals” because they lead other immune cells to the areas of the body that require resistance or repair from pathogens. 

When left untreated, HIV can virtually wipe out the bodies supply and ability to produce T-cells thereby leaving it susceptible to other disease causing viruses and bacteria.  Eventually this leads to Advanced Immune Deficiency Syndrome, otherwise known as AIDS.  A person with advanced AIDS can die of the virus that causes the common cold because without immune protection there is a quick proliferation of the virus cells throughout the lungs which can cause pneumonia. Virtually any disease is a potential killer for a person with advanced HIV or AIDS without the proper medications.

Did you ever think that heroin addiction could be treated with acupuncture? Few of us have. Acupuncture has been used for 3,000 years for everything from allergies to chronic pain, but since 1973 there has been an increase in using acupuncture as a treatment for addictions.

Acupuncture works on the concept of yin and yang- two complementary and opposing dynamics found in nature. When we are healthy, our yin and yang is said to be in balance. Addicts are found to be lacking in yin, and since yin is like water and yang is like fire, a shortage of yin means the fire of yang can grow out of control.

By: Michelle Fletcher

An Athlete’s peak performance may be dependent upon the proper use and application of sports massage. More than a treatment for injuries, sports massage produces overwhelming benefits for athletes physically, physiologically, and psychologically.

• Important PCOM Dates
• Oriental Medicine & Breast Cancer
• Massage For Pain Relief
• Herbs for Heart Health

Important PCOM Dates

• December 12 – Chicago Open House
• December 20 – San Diego New Student Orientation

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