Health is Wealth Tip, February 27, 2013, Year of the Snake:

Lemon juice is very important to your health.
Lemon is used medicinally in almost all cultures.
Lemon is a natural preservative.
Lemon juice used internally can clear inflammation in the skin.
Lemon juice is soothing for the throat.
Lemon has the property of cleansing and stimulating the Liver's function.
Lemon is alkalizing for the body.
Lemon is stress relieving and great to soothe stress headaches.
Lemon juice reduces anger and depression.
Lemon juice supports your immune system.
Lemon is used in Chinese medicine to move Liver Qi.

Why not try a shot of lemon juice every morning? Is is very easy to incorporate to your routine, just add a squeeze to your water bottle before leaving your house every day.

Have a peaceful day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Health is Wealth Tip, February 13, 2013, Year of the Snake:

I love hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts. They are the easiest healthy food to add to my diet. Just today I sprinkled some ontop of my eggs in the morning, salad later on, and peas and corn side dish for dinner. I even sprinkled them ontop of my strawberry ice cream! They have a light nutty flavor with a fatty texture. Other great meal ideas to add hemp seeds to are breakfast cereals, smoothies, yogurt, tacos, chicken and fish, or just about anything.

There are many nutrients in hemp seeds. They are a rich source of protein, which can sustain your satiety between meals. They are even a complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids. The fatty taste of the seeds comes from the omega fatty acids of 3-6-9, with a well balanced proportion of omega 3 and 6. other nutrients include magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc.

The seeds are digestible right out of the bag, and a wonderful way to supplement the diets of all ages. So why not pick up a bag of hemp seeds the next time you visit your natural foods store. You will have fun with your creativity of incorporating these into your diet!

Have a peaceful day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Health is Wealth Tip, February 8, 2013, Year of the Snake:

If you want to have a healthy digestive system, stimulate your metabolism, and increase longevity, you should eat more warm and cooked foods versus raw and cold foods.

In Chinese medicine, the Spleen is in charge of your digestion and metabolism. The Spleen is also in charge of transforming your food to usable energy, and sending the waste downward to the intestines. Since this is how we get our nutrients after birth, the Spleen is a major role in enhancing longevity. The Spleen is also the source of your immune system. It is mother of the Lungs, in Chinese energetic relations.

The Spleen loves warmth, and hates cold. Warm and cooked foods support the Spleen's natural function, such as steamed, baked, boiled, and lightly frying. Hot tea and soup are also great choices. Drink room temperature water instead of adding ice. Eat less raw and cold foods such as salad, sushi, iced drinks.

You will notice great energy, wonderful digestion, and you will not feel sick!

Have a peaceful day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Health is Wealth Tip, February 5, 2013, Year of the Snake:

Here is a great tip I learned a few years ago in school. If you have a choice between white and yellow cheese, pick the white cheese because it is less inflammatory than yellow cheese.

This makes sense in Chinese medicine. Yellow color of the tongue coating reflects a heat type of condition in the body. This translates to inflammation in the body. White color is more cold, and will not cause any heat or inflammation.

So, when you have your breakfast taco tomorrow morning, ask for monterrey cheese instead of cheddar!

Have a peaceful day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Health is Wealth Tip, February 3, 2013, Year of the Snake:

In modern times, our bodies are bombarded with electromagnetic waves. They come from our wireless devices, computers, cell phones, iPads, etc. These days we have an electrical outlet in every wall, which shows a commonly large use of electronics.

Studies have shown that the electromagnetic waves inhibit the pineal gland from releasing melatonin, your sleep hormone. One researcher in Australia has studied these affects, and he hypothesizes the pineal gland recognizes the electro magnetic frequencies as light, which decreases the melatonin secretion.

Here is the biggest thing you can do to improve this inevitable affect. Most of us use our cell phones as alarms, so we keep it nearby. The electro magnetic waves from our cell phones may easily cause insomnia, especially in sensative individuals. All you have to do is turn your phone to airplane mode, and this will dramatically reduce the amount of waves your phone releases. In addition, black tourmaline is incredible at absorbing the electromagnetic waves, and protecting our body from this constant bombardment. I like to use a piece of black tourmaline on my cell phone, and I notice a huge increase in focus and concentration.

Here is a picture of my phone with a black tourmaline wand. I will use both my tourmaline and the airplane mode tonight!

Have a peaceful day and may you sleep well!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Health is Wealth Tip, February 2, 2012, Year of the Snake:

Learn to deep breathe with every breathe. So many of us breathe very shallow, and we sometimes hold our breathe without even knowing it.

Your body needs oxygen. The modern human was genetically made for an oxygen content in the air that was a lot higher before the industrial revolution. And many of us live in cities, so there is even less oxygen with all the city pollution.

What can you do about it? Consciously breathe deep with every breathe we take. You will notice a huge reduction in your stress, your shoulder tension will diminish, you will naturally expand your chest and shoulders like a proper posture should, your energy will increase, and you will sleep more soundly.

So start now, take a deep breathe! Here is a photo of the sky I was looking at while practicing my deep breathing :-)

Have a peaceful day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Health is Wealth Tip, January 30, 2013, Year of the Snake:
In November I suffered from a dreaded Kidney infection. I have never had one in my life, and now I know what everyone talks about. During my treatment, I cut caffeine from my diet.
Boy was that hard! This is coming from a one cup of coffee a day (at least) drinker for the past few years. But, I have been wanting to nix coffee for a while, so I figured with 2 weeks of detoxifying during my treatment, I would just ride with that "no caffeine kick". So, I have been experiencing with several different caffeine-free coffee alternatives.
I have tried many different blends, some with roasted chicory. I like Teechino the best, but it can become expensive. I started to think about trying some dandelion blends, as I heard a lot about that being a great coffee alternative.
Now I've tried several cups of roasted dandelion root tea. I seem to like it better than the Teechino because it quells by coffee craving (even though the flavor of Teechino is more like coffee). Maybe the suttle bitterness of roasted dandelion tea does it for me. I know the many benefits of dandelion from a Chinese medical perspective, so it got me thinking of how other cultures used this herb.
First of all, I noticed all cultures use the whole plant for most purposes. Typically the roasted root is the coffee substitute. You can even go to your own backyard and pull out a fresh dandelion plant and use it medicinally. You want to harvest the plant when they "consist of yellow, almost globular, unfragmented and stalkless flower buds with an aromatic fragrance". When the flowers have fully opened, it's too late. You may dry the herb or use it fresh, and cook it as a decoction or use it topically.
The first recorded reference to the use of dandelion in Chinese texts was AD 659, treating appendicitis and digestive disorders, and stimulating milk flow. . Chinese medicine also uses this herb both internally and externally to treat eye redness, firm and hard nodules, internal abscesses, and external sores, hepatitis, and UTI. Pu gong yin (Chinese pin yin for dandelion) is particularly useful in treating breast and intestinal abscesses. Pu gong yin is harvested in the spring season.
By the Tenth century Arabian doctors began using dandelion, and introduced it to European medicine for its treatment for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, diarrhea, and Liver problems.
There is a place in Greece known as Ikaria, and the locals specialized in longevity techniques. They used herbs and wild greens for their diuretic effects to stimulate Kindey function, and regulate blood pressure through sodium excretion. Dandelion also has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a great preventative for dementia.
Native Americans used dandelion to treat kidney disease, swellings, skin problems, and heartburn. Western medicine uses dandelion for its diuretic action, easing digestive distress, joint inflammatory conditions, inflammative skin problems, liver problems, and a mild laxative effect. In Western medicine dandelion leaves are harvested year long with the roots in autumn.

Research has proven that dandelion is rich in potassium. That is why it has a great diuretic effect, but it does not deplete your body of potassium. Some studies also show it can normalize blood sugar, anti microbial and antibacterial effects, antioxidant properties, and anti-inflammatory properties, especially with tumors and breast, lung, intestine, and skin cancers.

So, why not add a cup of dandelion tea to your diet every day?

Have a peaceful day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Hello to everyone who loves Natural Medicine!

Everyone tells me I am a wealth of knowledge. I make a point to learn something new every day. I have decided to share my knowledge with the world through my blog, every day.

This is my pledge to you. Every day, I will post a health tip on Ra Harmony's Health is Wealth Blog. Please follow me, and I love feedback, so please do not hesitate to contact me!

Health is Wealth Tip, January 29, 2013, Year of the Snake:
A recent study (October 2012) revealed that regardless of lifestyle or gender, trans fats consumption was directly correlated with "later aggressive behaviors", or aggression showing months or years later. The explanation for this effect is that trans fats damage omega 3 metabolism. Omega 3 is essential for neuron function, and counteracting the amount of inflammation in the body.

This study brings forth yet another reason to stop eating trans fats. Fast food is a great place to start. The less trans fats in your diet, the more smoothly your Liver Qi will flow.

Have a Peaceful Day!
-Rachelle Lambert, L.Ac.

Have you ever wanted to try acupuncture? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to feel no pain, or having enough energy through the day without having to take any stimulants? Well now is your chance!

Ra Harmony Asian Medicine is offering a Spring Savings Event May 12-18. You can purchase up to three sixty minute acupuncture treatments at half price, which is $35 in savings. And a ten treatment facial rejuvenation package at half price, which is $500 in savings!

You must purchase the treatments during the promotional period. They may be redeemed at any time for a period expiring in six months after the promotional period.

The treatments can be purchased online through LivingSocial. You may email Rachelle Lambert with any questions.

Thank you! And enjoy your gift of health!