Posts Tagged ‘Traditional Chinese Medicine’

Natural Remedies Can Soothe Spring Allergies

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Now that spring has finally arrived in the northeast, complaints of seasonal allergies are on the rise. Whether you suffer from itchy eyes, scratchy throat, or other upper respiratory complaints, a few natural remedies can really help boost your immunity and leave you feeling like a new person. Here are some of our favorites!

Eat Local Honey

One teaspoon daily, on your favorite whole grain bread, is packed with immune boosting medicinals as well as bits and pieces of local pollen, which in turn, boost your immunity to local plants. Use raw, unpasteurized local honey for best results.

Cook With Immune Boosting Mushrooms

Maitake, shitake and reishi are the “Power Mushrooms” that pack a punch. Not only will they help with allergies, but they also boost your immunity to other pathogens that commonly attack as the seasons change. Added to stir-frys and light summer broths, these mushrooms boost up your immunity and keep your sinuses free and clear. They are already showing up at local farmers markets, so get cooking!

Take Propolis

This waxy resin is collected by honeybees from botanicals to create the cement-like structure of the bee hive. It has many immune boosting qualities and may help boost immunity from allergies. Propolis should not be taken if you have a bee allergy. Easily found at your local green market or health food store.

Astragalus To The Rescue

Astragalus is a traditional Chinese herb that boosts immunity specifically for the respiratotry tract. Taken by itself or within a Chinese herbal formula, astragalus has many benefits to the immune system. Ask a qualified herbalist to recommend the best way for you to add astragalus to your diet.

Flower Power

For those of you with itchy, watery, burning eyes drink one cup of chrysanthemum tea daily. Make a compress from the tea bag and place it directly on the eyes. This common Chinese herb is one of the best for treating eye problems, so stock up on it and drink one cup daily and watch those tears disappear.

Use Your Neti Pot

Happy sinuses make happy people! A neti pot is a traditional ayurvedic pot used to cleanse the sinuses. Clean sinus cavities can be a preventative for those with a propensity for chronic sinus problems. Neti pots can be used to enhance immunity of the upper respiratory tract and are easy to find at your local health food store. Use ½ teaspoon of seasalt and a ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water. Cleanse twice daily for best results, first thing in the morning and right before bed.

Let us know your favorite natural remedy for allergy relief. We’d love to hear from you.

Laura and Beth

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are licensed acupuncturist and board certified Chinese herbalists practicing in New York City.

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Posted in Natural Allergy Relief | 1 Comment »

Product of the Month – Sore Muscle Balm

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Therapeutic essential oils, Chinese herbal extracts and certified organic oils make this balm a true winner in our book. The Chinese herbalists of ancient dynasties treated injuries with the blood invigorating qualities of frankincense and myrrh, along with the aromatic healing power of camphor. We have combined those ingredients with the warmth of ginger, eucalyptus, and the anti-inflammatory effects of castor seed oil, arnica and St. John’s wart to create a truly dynamic product that heals sore muscles quickly and naturally.

The warming and blood moving quality of this product can be further activated with vigorous massage. As the area warms and relaxes, the muscles are stimulated by the therapeutic ingredients. While stretching and massage are key to initiating muscle relaxation, we have added very high quality essential oils to trigger a mind/body response, ultimately resulting in full body relaxation. Lemongrass calms the mind, frankincense, myrrh and camphor activate blood, and ginger and eucalyptus warm the muscles to promote healing, both inside and out.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine there is a saying that when there is pain, the blood is not moving. The goal of the treatment is to move blood to alleviate pain. Our new Sore Muscle Balm does just that, and then some! Visit our online store and receive 20 % off all purchases of $50 or more between now and October 4th. Use coupon code Fall2010 at check out.

Here’s to getting back in the race!

Laura and Beth

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are chinese medicine practitioners, licensed acupuncturists and organic skin care entrepreneurs. they live and practice in New york City.

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Posted in Product of the Month | 11 Comments »

Eating for Beauty Inside and Out

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

As summer comes into full bloom, we are once again surrounded by an abundance of high quality, organic, local produce at neighborhood farm stands and green markets. Whether it is the sweetness of freshly picked corn, the zing of a tomato, or the juiciness of a peach, this season sharply reminds us of why it is important to eat seasonally and locally.

To put it simply; the fresher, the better. The Chinese ancients wrote about the Qi (pronounced “chee”) of food in a very matter of fact way. Food was considered medicine and therefore had properties that could heal. A vital energy source found in every living thing, Qi gives food its healing nature. Internally, it corresponds to the energy that gives us our life force. One way we replenish our Qi is by eating nourishing foods. So, when you eat local, organic, seasonal food, the amount of Qi available is at its peak. This is how we should think about what we put into our bodies. Know where your food is coming from, and choose it because it resonates with you.

How does this relate to our skin? Beauty starts on the inside with the digestive system, so choosing foods that are fresh and colorful will ultimately have a positive effect both inside and out. According to Chinese medicine, the digestive energy sends the nutritive energy of the food upward. All the digestive channels start or end in the face, so a strong nourished digestion will reflect in your complexion first. There is nothing to get overwhelmed with here: Eat simply, eat fresh, and pick it yourself.


Our favorite local beauty foods this summer are:

Watermelon: Clears heat, relieves irritability, and replenishes the skin. A great dietary addition for those with hot-type skin conditions like rosacea and acne.

Dandelion greens: Clear heat, detoxify the liver. Do you tend to be irritable, or break out in the summer? These are your greens.

Cherries: Benefit the skin by regenerating fluids, and strengthening digestion. Apply topically to heal burns.

Lettuce: Invigorates the Qi, and removes stagnation, making it a great addition to summer meals. Stick with the darker green and bitter varieties as these are better for the skin. Eating lettuce at the end of the meal can give your digestion an extra boost.

Spinach: A great detoxifying leafy green that strengthens all organs and lubricates the intestines. Apply a poultice to bug bites and hot toxic skin conditions for soothing relief.

Cucumbers: Clear heat and relieve irritability. Apply topically to hot scratchy swollen eyes for 10-20 minutes. You will be amazed at the results!

Remember, just because a certain food may be good for a condition that you experience never over do it. Too much of a good thing will always have a negative effect. Eat a variety of colors and eat in moderation, always.

Laura and Beth

Laura Kauffmann and Beth Hooper are licensed acupuncturists and certified Chinese herbalists practicing in New York City. Co-Founders of Shē Essential Beauty, a natural and organic skincare line based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Posted in Beauty and Diet | 10 Comments »