Dear Vermont,
As our climate expresses ecological trauma in the form of erratic weather and temperature changes, human health is responding in a veryspecific way. In the last week and a half, I have treated many oddpathologies here in the clinic. From a Chinese Medicine perspective,erratic changes are viewed as wind. When we ourselves are low in yin(fluids and electrolytes) and blood (all the nutrients and minerals that make up our blood,) we are susceptible to this wind.
In its mildest and most common form, wind expresses as a cough or cold. These are viruses and bacteria that come into our bodies on the wind.They also can come in when our respiratory system is compromised fromthe dryness of heaters juxtaposed with the coldness of winter airdirectly entering our warm blooded bodies.
More severely, these winds can express as flus, eczema, vertigo, and even paralysis in the form of Bell's Palsy. Emotional conditions that hadsettled into peace can become aggravated once more. PTSD episodes,rage flare ups, and poor sleep all can occur quite easily in achangeable climate. Our clinic has been full of these cases in 2018.
While I was treating a patient with sever suddnen onset vertigo two nights ago, they asked me, "What do you think this is?" "Climate change," I replied.
Knowing that we are living in a time of climate change that is speeding up instead of slowing down, what can we do to brace ourselves fromdeveloping the nervous system disorders associated with wind?Maintaining solid health is more important than ever and resides inthe tending to our yin and blood. These essential fluids of oursystem are like the oil well of a candle. We have to keep them full if we want to continue to shine. Below are a list of dietary recommendations for healthy yin and blood. We also have herbs specific for both here at the clinic.
For yin:
Miso soup
coconut water
aloe juice
Shitake & oyster mushrooms
water with lemon, salt, and maple syrup/honey
blue green algae
fish
seaweed
adrenal support
For blood:
Meat
Bone broth
Cherry juice
pomegranate juice
berries
beets
Floradex
iron supplements
Cordyceps are great for yin and blood.
As with everything, yoga, meditation, joyful connections and activities,creative outlets, time in nature, adequate food and hydration,meaningful service work, mutually supportive relationships, andloving attitudes towards oneself and others are all essential aspectsto human health. We are social animals and need strong community inthese times. Acupuncture is a great way to continue participating in a much needed cultural shift toward sustainable medicine.
We are here for you with compassionate ear and hands at the ready. Don't let the wind carry you away! Get in here, warm up, and get atreatment! See you soon :)
With Reverence,
Lara Foy
