Prostate Spotlight
Prostate spotlight! 🍈 Symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a very common and great reason for men to seek out acupuncture treatment. 📍
BPH is the swelling of part of the prostate gland causing variable degrees of urinary obstruction. Night urination, hesitant or interruption of the stream, decreased size and force of the stream, sensations of incomplete emptying, dribbling after finishing, or complete urinary retention are symptoms of BPH. Here are some ways to help support the prostate and reduce symptoms: ✔️Maintain vitality and Kidney energy by avoiding overwork and stress ✔️Try to avoid substances which generate damp heat in the lower part of the abdomen like, spicy, fried foods, sugar, pork and lamb. ✔️Foods to include: pumpkin seeds (zinc!), and EFAs (salmon, flax seed, avocados, etc), High Vitamin C foods especially red bell pepper.
✔️Keep energy and Qi circulating: aerobic exercise 20 min per day, yoga, emotional stress reduction, and weekly acupuncture! . . .
#prostate #prostatehealth #menshealth #acupuncture #acupunctureworks #acupunctureforpain #oaklandacupuncture #bestofbayarea #rootandstem
Careful not to overdo it this summer on sugar!
It’s definitely summer ... but careful not to overdo it on the sugar! 🍡🍧🍨🧁🍦🍭😕
What Sugar Does: **Disclaimer: This message is not intended to shame or make anyone feel stressed about food! You know that I’m an avid believer of “everything in moderation including moderation” and I totally enjoyed a chocolate croissant today. ❤️
It’s all about the process of being more mindful with sugar 😉
Sugar makes fluids in the body thicker; it causes swelling in joints, and increased joint pain. Increased mucus in the lungs, throat and sinuses and impairs fluid circulation causing increased swelling.
. . .
Sugar robs the body of minerals that calm the nervous system and leads to increased insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety. . . . 🤒Sugar lowers the immune function: it slows white blood cells as they move toward bacteria and viruses to destroy them
. . .
Sugar creates a climate where “healthy” bacteria can no longer grow in the vagina and intestines causing increased yeast infections. “Healthy” bacteria in the intestines make Vit B which the body uses to make stress hormones. . . .
Coming off sugar may cause low energy, depression, feelings of alienation, lack of coordination for 1-5 days, but it will get better! 🤸🏽♂️
#sugarmoderation #sugarawareness #functionalmedicine #healthydiet #balanceddiet #rootandstem #eatwell #moderationnotdeprivation #moderationmovement
Sometimes we need a break from all the self care + work
I recently received an email from a patient of mine that I hadn’t seen in several months. Her email expressed her sadness and frustration that her symptoms had started to come back after taking a break from weekly acupuncture. 😕👎🏽
. . .
She had originally come to see me last year looking for help with her irregular and painful cycle. Her cycle hadn’t always been like this and recently took a turn for the worst. . . .
The OBGYN at Kaiser slapped the “perimenopause” label on her and had very little to offer her in the way of treatment. Thankfully after a few months of consistent acupuncture treatment, functional lab analysis, and a variety of herbs/supplements, we got her totally back on track!
🌟We both felt at that time, that her body was in a good place and due to time commitments, she wanted to take a break from the consistent routine of self care. When she emailed me this week expressing her feelings of defeat, I knew right away that it wasn’t a defeat at all! . . .
Our bodies are always ebbing and flowing. Staying in balance can take work and sometimes we need a break from the work. Just like exercise, we need more and other times less, but our bodies are so strong and adaptable that when we have done the work in the past, it will bounce back. ❤️
#acupuncture #functionalmedicine #chineseherbs #womenshealth #labwork #labanalysis #supplements #balance #bestofoakland
Brooke's Homemade Chocolate Scones
We’re loving these 🍪❤️ grain-free treats from @brookie.mackie **sans refined sugar** so you get all the flavor but without the sugar crash! 😀 👏🏽
. . .
Grain-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Scones ☀️
I call these “cookie scones” because while originally intended as a cookie, they came out with the light, airy crumb of a scone and not as sweet as your usual cookie. With almond flour, eggs, and butter as the main ingredients, these pack a lot of protein and fat for a treat—not just empty carbs. Also, since there’s no refined sugar here, you get to enjoy the flavor and experience of a “sweet”, without the roller coaster effect on your blood sugar. The sweetener here is honey and a scant amount of stevia (very scant as any more can push the flavor into a strange bitter territory). Also, as an option you can add some coarsely chopped dried fruit; I used dried apricots.
🌱Opt for grass-fed butter if possible. Eaten in moderation, a dessert like this that’s high in healthy fats and with a touch of sweetness can nourish the yin of the body—the part that keeps us feeling juicy, grounded, and calm. 💗
Makes approximately 30 cookie scones (I usually double the recipe)
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup honey (can increase for a sweeter cookie scone)
½ tsp stevia powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg + 1 egg white (save the other yolk for an omelet)
2½ cups blanched almond flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt
1 cup chocolate chips (I use a bar of dark chocolate low in sugar, chopped)
1 cup coarsely chopped dried fruit like apricots, cherries, dates (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix butter, sweeteners, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. Mix in eggs until well combined.
3. Stir in almond flour, baking soda and salt and mix well. Gently stir in chocolate chips.
4. Drop heaping tablespoon-sized dough onto baking sheets two inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
5. Enjoy! Preferably not all in one sitting!
Chinese Herb Spotlight - Peonies
Chinese herbal spotlight on the beautiful Peony! 🌺🌱 These babies are really popping up all over right now in this extended spring. Not only are Peonies one of my favorite flowers, they are also make one of my favorite Chinese herbs, Bai Shao! ❤️
#BaiShao is made from the root of this plant, and used to help harmonize the #Liver and reduce heat. This herb is commonly used in formulas that treat, abdominal pain, cramping, irregular menstrual cycles, irritability, and night sweating! . . .
There is also some great research that suggests this amazing herb has benefits in treating #autoimmune disease and #inflammation.
Eating with the Seasons
Eating with the seasons doesn’t just taste good it’s good for YOU and the planet! 🌱🥕🥦🌎🌍🌏🍒🍑
Buy local and organic, from your farmers markets if possible or stores that sell foods from local producers! Right now we’re seeing herbs like cilantro, mint, parsley, and veggies like fennel, carrots, beets, radishes, cucumbers, the first summer squash and even peaches, nectarines and strawberries locally (and so many more goodies)!
Can Acupuncture Treat HPV and Cervial Dysplasia?
Did you know that acupuncture helps treat Cervical Dysplasia and HPV? 💗📍
Most cervical dysplasia (abnormal pap) is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease and two of the types of HPV are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer. Other types of HPV cause genital warts. While there is no direct treatment for the virus, supporting your immune system is so key to help the body rid itself HPV on its own. 🌱🥦🥕💆🏽♀️💆🏻♀️💆🏼♀️
While most women clear the virus within 2 years, there is so much that you can do to support your body for this optimal outcome instead of the “watch and wait” scenario. 🤞
In Eastern medicine, we see HPV as a pathogen that causes stagnation in the Liver channel and damp heat in the Lower Jiao (lowest part of the abdomen). Acupuncture is great at helping the body circulate, break up the stagnation, and regenerate healthy cells. ✨ Herbs and supplements like Turkey Tail have been clinically shown to boost the immune system, helping to regress dysplasia. Enjoying a healthy, immune supportive lifestyle is certainly key. ✔️
Cortisol Levels and Coffee
I really, really, REALLY love coffee. ☕️I love the ritual of a thick, warm beverage in the morning. 🌞 I recently had my own labs analyzed and my cortisol levels are totally out of whack. I have high levels of cortisol upon waking, and in the afternoon and into evening my levels totally crashed. I wondered if this had to do with my caffeine consumption, so I decided to take a break from coffee and switch to green tea. I’m already noticing so many benefits! I’m not crashing at all in the day and I have a great level of energy without that slump in the afternoon. My stomach is less upset, and I swear the dark circles under my eyes are vanishing! 🤩
My plan is to keep this up and re-test in the next 3-4 months to see if my cortisol levels have improved. I’ll keep you posted! I’m still enjoying my cup-o-joe on the weekends, but for now I’ll try to switch it up!
Beautiful Flowers Inside and Outside Today
Beautiful flowers 💐 inside and outside today at Harborside Wellness. 🌞 So cool to see bumblebee 🐝 nectars on Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) growing on the fence right behind the building! Jin Yin Hua is a Chinese herb used used to treat allergies and especially those itchy eyes! Come see Brooke for private or community acupuncture on Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-7pm. 🙏🏼💫
Do you know about Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture?
Do you know about Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture? 📍
It is a non-surgical method of reducing the signs of the aging process and has been shown to help with : * deep wrinkles
* fine lines
* bags under the eyes
* sagging + puffiness
* drooping eyelids
* double chin
* large pores
* dry skin or acne.
A study in 1996 in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that 90% of the 300 cases treated with Cosmetic Acupuncture had marked effects including the leveling of wrinkles, improved facial muscle elasticity and overall rejuvenation. 💗
***INQUIRE FOR MORE DETAILS + PACKAGE PRICING AVAILABLE*** To book your session with Marya Vohryzek please visit our Book an Appointment page.
p.s. we do recommend at least 6 sessions for maximum results.
Summer Nutrition Musings
Here are some Summer Nutrition Musings from the wise Lyssandra Guerra of Native Palms Nutrition 🥦🥬🍋💗
・・・
TIRED
BLOATED
FATIGUE
LOW CONCENTRATION
STUBBORN WEIGHT GAIN
GASSY
CONSTIPATED
MOODY
OVERALL FEELING MEH
MAYBE it's what you're eating, when and how you're eating? . . .
Sometimes a handful of very good recommendations is all that is needed to jumpstart a new health pattern. 🧡
. . .
Questions? Ping us and learn more about our 6 Weeks to Glow program in partnership with @lyssandra_nativepalms that combines nutrition, acupuncture, lab analysis and functional medicine to help you feel and look your very best from the inside out ✨
To take supplements or not?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with how many supplements you have to take in a day? 😧
I often find that people are taking waaaaaaaay too many supplements. I have been there too, trying to keep my body in balance and thinking that I need every possible supplement that will make me feel good and stay young, when all of a sudden I realize I’m taking handfuls of pills. Yuck. 👎
. . .
While I do think that the power of herbal remedies and vitamins are so important for boosting our health, it is really easy to over do it. One of the things I love the most about blending Functional Medicine with Eastern Medicine is that we are looking deep to see how your body can be in its most balanced state and function in a healthy way without the continued addition of supplements. 👏🏽💗 Sometimes we totally need the boost, but ultimately let’s work to find out what your body needs to work its best on its own. 😃
You Don't Have to Suffer from Cramps!
You don’t have to suffer from cramps! 💗
While it is common to have period pain before, during, or after your period, it is not something you have to live with. Cramping is a symptom of an imbalance and is not normal. 😟Dysmenorrhea, or cramps are often caused from blood that is stagnating in the Liver channel causing clots and uterine tension. Some women get cramps because they are blood deficient and lacking nutrients to support their period.
✨I have found that women who get regular acupuncture and as well as other modalities like Maya Abdominal Massage, dramatically reduce their cramps and similar issues related to their cycles. 💃🏻
The Self Healing Effect
“The Self Healing Effect” aka the #placeboeffect has been something that I have talked a lot about in my clinic. I’ve always thought that the idea of a placebo effect, is medicine on its own! .
The more we learn, understand, and research the power of how our mindset can affect our health, the more we realize how important it is for our healing process.
Here’s a link to a fascinating podcast that discusses the the latest studies on placebo, nocebo, and the belief in healing. 💡⬇️
https://chriskresser.com/the-placebo-effect-and-the-power-of-belief-in-healing
Connecting the Dots
One of the biggest dots 🔅that Functional medicine helps connect for people is the that we are seeing symptoms earlier than a conventional doctor. 📊📋👩🏻🔬
When your conventional doctor looks at lab work they are looking to see if you are in a diseased state. 🦠😦
We can have symptoms {before they are “abnormal”} and Functional and Eastern Medicine focus on preventing and reversing issues before the get out of control. 😃💪🏾💪🏼
✔️When we look at labs we are looking to see where your body is already in balance and where it needs support.
✔️We are looking to see if your body is absorbing enough nutrients, or getting enough electrolytes, and we can use food, acupuncture, and herbs/supplements to support your body’s ability to function as best as possible on its own.
Brooke's Treatment Room at Harborside!
Check out Brooke’s beautiful treatment room at @harborside_stores in Oakland! We offer both private and group community acupuncture in this great wellness space on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 💗📍
Check out our schedule and book your appointment ↖️
13 Ways to De-Stress!
It’s time to de-stress this week! Do at least one of these today and you’ll thank us later. .
Plus we’d add acupuncture to that list 📍😀 Gratitude to @refinery29 for this reminder. 💗💆🏻♀️💆🏽♂️
✨You deserve peace of mind⭐️
Beneficial Foods for Spring!
I love this rundown from @phasesacupunture of all the beneficial foods for the spring time! . .
.
Here are 5 foods recommended to eat throughout the season of spring
🥬Green Foods: During spring, it is recommended to eat foods green in color and rich in chlorophyll that help accelerate rejuvenation of the liver. This includes things like alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, parsley, wheat grass, kale, Swiss chard and collard greens.
🌿Spring Vegetables and Herbs: peas, watercress, asparagus, barley grass, and radishes-all of these help move liver Qi and open up the liver meridian.
🍋Sour Foods: lemons, limes and grapefruit are all good choices that help cut fats that may have been stored up in the body during the winter months, while also keeping the liver Qi moving smoothly. Other sours include dill, kombucha, pickles, vinegar, and kimchi.
Naturally fermented sour foods are also beneficial as their live enzymes improve digestion.
🌱Pungents: Spring onions, garlic, scallions, turmeric, basil, cumin, fennel and pepper can help be the extra kick we need to get things flowing.
🥕A Little Sweetness: Think young vegetables such as young carrots and beets. This nourishes the blood and helps keep you vital during all the new activity. Just make sure you're cooking by stir fry or steam grilling in order to allow your body to easily digest all of the nutrients!
📍And acupuncture can help address any imbalance or health issues that are occurring due to diet, stressors, autoimmune disorders, or injury.
Face the spring with hope! ❤️
Spring Wishes!
It’s almost May - May your week ahead be happy, joyful and full of ease.
Sending you some metta today and every day!
Brooke's Healthy Chocolate Bark (recipe)!
Make Brooke's Healthy Chocolate Bark! ❤️🍫 I love to make my own chocolate! I have dialed in this recipe over the years, but it is originally based on a #wellnessmama recipe. This is one easy way to add coconut oil and magnesium to your daily diet!
Magnesium is depleted in much of our soil and many people are deficient in this important mineral.
✔️
Signs that you need more magnesium in your diet are muscle cramps, insomnia, low energy, constipation, migraines, low bone density, and mood issues. I add spices used in Chinese Medicine like Gui Zhi (cinnamon), Sha Ren (cardamom), and Huo Ma Ren (hemp seed hearts) for awakening the Heart and Spleen, and soothing the Large Intestine.
⬇️✨Get The Recipe✨ ⬇️
Ingredients
1 cup of Coconut Butter*
1 cup of Organic Cacao Powder
1/2 cup Raw Honey or to taste- using half this amount or less will make a bittersweet chocolate.
1 teaspoon of Real Vanilla Extract
Optional Spices: 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1 tsp Cardamom, ½ tsp Sea Salt
Optional Toppings: Toasted chopped nuts, goji berries, hemp seed
♾ Instructions
Melt coconut butter in a double boiler or a glass bowl on top of a small pan with an inch of water (make sure water isn't touching bowl) over medium heat.
When cocoa butter is completely melted, remove from heat and add cocoa powder, honey, vanilla and other spices. If using a solid raw honey like Tropical Traditions, melt with the coconut butter.
Make sure all ingredients are well incorporated and smooth. At this point, make sure that no water or liquid gets in to the chocolate as it can cause the texture to get mealy! Be careful even with wet hands or a drop of water in the mold! [Note: I've also just melted all of this on very low heat in a small pan and not had a problem with it, but this isn't as reliable as the double boiler method]
Pour the chocolate into molds or onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a glass pan to harden. Add toppings to back of chocolates.
Let harden in the fridge until solid, then remove from molds. If using a baking sheet for bark, break into chunks. Will store for over a week in fridge or can be kept in the freezer for longer.
NOTE : *You can also use half coconut butter & oil! Enjoy!!!