Hello
We've had some great teasers of summer, and
sure enough, the fire of summer will arrive! I
hope this newsletter reaches you happy and
healthy. Welcome to the fourth in a series of
newsletters centered around health insights,
tips and on staying on an optimal path of
health & wellness, from a Chinese Medicine
perspective.
Announcements!
 Did you know that 85% of
women are wearing the incorrect size bra? Did you know that wearing the correct
bra, will increase the longevity of healthy breast tissue? If you would like to
find out more about proper sizing, healthy breast tissue, and would like to try
on a custom-fitted bra, please visit the FREE Bra Clinic hosted by Red
Tree Wellness and Serenity Therapeutic Massage, on Saturday, June 23, 2007.
If you have problems with shoulder straps falling down, bra sliding up, neck and
shoulder tension, as well as underwire discomfort, come to the bra clinic! Reservations for visit times are required, and can be booked online through our
regular booking system at (click the link on the menu bar on the left). For more information, you may also visit www.tabbra.com. |
Summer is element of Fire
Fire is related to the organ and
meridian system of the Heart and its partnered
organ the Small Intestine. While there are two
other organ systems that also relate to Fire,
the focus of this newsletter will be on the
main one of the Heart. In this season Fire is
predominant, and in our body, like in nature,
this Fire element is warming, heating,
activating, brings spark, spirit, love,
laughter and joy. This element and energy
system is also in charge of the tissue of the
blood vessels and the sense organ of our
tongue. Too much Fire, like in nature, can
cause heat, sweating, dryness, redness,
volatility and fluctuations in emotions and
anxiety. Often Fire conditions can lead to
insomnia, and deeper psycho-emotional states.
On the opposite end of the scale, too little
Fire will result in coldness in the body, body
fluid accumulation, lack of warmth and
affection in our emotions, nervousness,
anxiety, and depression. The goal of this
season is to promote the warming and
generating action of our energy, as well as
fostering our emotions of love, laughter, joy
and spirit. This season is also an important
season for those who have difficulty with
keeping their body warm, as this is the most
optimal time to strengthen the warming action
of the body, because at this time, the body is
most attune with the season of Fire. The
element of Fire is associated with the taste
of bitter. Eating or drinking bitter foods to
an optimal level, nourishes the Fire element,
the Heart, and all that the Fire element
encompasses. Thus, when we eat dark chocolate
or coffee, we are nourishing the Fire element
within us.
The Heart is in charge of the strength
of the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood,
and it governs our blood vessels. It governs
this movement upward, and outward, in an
expansive way. Physical weakness in the Heart
and Heart meridian show signs similar to
Western medicine cardiac conditions, such as
chest pain, chest pressure, irregular heart
beats, etc. The Fire element is unique in
Chinese Medicine in that it has 4 meridian
systems, rather than the regular 2: Heart,
Small Intestine, Pericardium, and Triple
Warmer. In order to keep things simple and
brief, I will only be addressing the Heart
meridian system.
Fire, and the Heart from a
psychological and emotional perspective, is
integrated with the emotion of joy. If our
Heart and Small Intestine are functioning
properly we give love and joy in equal amounts
to being able to accepting and feeling love
and joy deep within us. A weakened or
disturbed Heart energy system, shows up with
signs of anxiety, insomnia, and on the more
extreme end, volatile emotions, inappropriate
laughter or other psychological conditions. In
this season when Fire is strong, we feel
warmth, spark, spirit and joy. However, if the
Heart energy system is activated too much,
this excessive (flooding) condition can
eventually disrupt any one of the Heart's
functions. One of the most important functions
of the Heart energy system, is that it houses
the Shen, which is translated most closely to
our "Inner Spirit" in Chinese Medicine. The
manifestation of our Shen is seen in our eyes
and complexion, and should radiate outward,
like a light.
To further explain, from a deeper emotional
level, the Shen is our spark, our inner
spirit, joy and life force. It is the life and
spark behind our eyes, and it governs our
state of mind. Thus, if the Shen is oppressed,
or not receiving the proper governance from
the Heart meridian systems, then the Shen is
disturbed, and shows up in emotional states
such as anxiety, depression, volatile
emotions, or on the more extreme end,
psychological conditions.
If you enjoy using aromatherapy at home, using
essential oils is a great way to improve the
state of our emotions and promote the free
flow of Qi. As essential oils go directly to
our Limbic system, they directly affect the
physiological responses mediated by the Limbic
system of how we 'feel' about something. From
a Chinese Medicine perspective, essential oils
go directly to the head and Brain, which house
our Shen (Spirit) and hence can directly
affect our emotions. Use essential oils like
Jasmine, Melissa, Neroli, Palmarosa, Rosemary,
Rose, Ylang Ylang and Lavender, help promote
the Fire, love and joy within us, and the free
flow of Qi in the Heart and other fire
meridian Qi. Thus the oils can help reduce
stress, anxiety, depression, sadness, and help
us feel love, joy, spark, spirit and warmth
within us. However, be sure to use good
quality, 100% natural oils, as the synthetic,
chemical and adultered oils can cause
reactions, and there are many essential oils
out on the market that are of poor quality. If
you are unsure of the quality of your
essential oil, please send me and email or
give me a call, and I would be happy to advise
you.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this brief
insight on the season of Summer, the element
of Fire, and the Heart & Small Intestine
meridian systems. If there is any particular
topic you would like me to address and answer,
please feel free to email me, and I will make
sure to cover it at some point in one of the
newsletters.
Have a joyful and healthy Summer!
Sonia
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