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Miley Cyrus: Tongue Diagnosis

Though is difficult to do face reading or tongue diagnosis from pictures due to lighting and limited angles, as an acupuncturist I found it interesting to track Miley Cyrus’ tongue. These are photos compiled on Digital Spy.

miley1-2008

Miley earlier 2008

Miley in 2008 presents with a pale enlarged tongue with a white coating.

Palor indicates Qi and/or Blood deficiency. The puffiness and white coating are a sign of Phlegm Damp accumulation.

miley2-2008

Miley later 2008

Miley later 2008, presents a redder tongue with a distinctly red tip and a yellowish/dirty coating.

The red tip shows Heat in the Heart, typical of emotional stress, insomnia, and agitation. The tongue body is also a bit red indicating generalized Heat. The coating would indicated Dampness had progressed to Damp Heat.

Miley3-2013

Miley earlier 2013

Jumping to Miley 2013, we see a pale tongue body, slightly red tip, and yellowish coating.

The pale tongue body indicates Qi and Blood deficiency. The redder tip indicates continued Heart Shen disruption as in emotional stress. The slightly yellow coating indicates Dampness with a little Heat.

miley4-2013

Miley 2013

Recent Miley shots sport this side tongue. It gives the tongue a “v” shape characteristic of Liver Qi stagnation. Also a tongue veering off to the side like that would typically indicate Liver Wind and potential serious conditions such as stroke or seizures. However, since this appears to be a practiced positioning, I would not worry.

miley5-2013(VMA)

Miley 2013 VMA Awards

This side angle from the 2013 VMA Awards again shows a pale tongue body with slightly yellowed coating.

If the pictures are an accurate indicator, Miley tends towards Qi and Blood deficiency with Dampness and occasional Heat flare ups, particularly in the Heart. Though her persona is that of a Liver excess personality (even going so far as to imitate the Liver excess tongue), she appears to be more of a Spleen deficient/Heart excess type. I would recommend perhaps a modified Gui Pi Tang.

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:42+00:00October 21st, 2013|Diagnosis|Comments Off on Miley Cyrus: Tongue Diagnosis
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Meeting Thich Nhat Hanh

We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.
― Thích Nhất Hạnh

I expected nothing today but a walk. My mind had been deeply troubled. I awoke early with these troubles, at first prodding me out of slumber, then pulling me out of my meditation. Suddenly the image of a monk came into my mind. As I looked closer it was Thich Nhat Hanh.

I felt the power of his gentle Presence, and it beckoned me to be present myself. It filled my mind and my breath. I felt him take my hand in the forest. As we walked together a peace settled into my mind, heart, and belly. This vision was so strong that I could feel the morning dew and the shift in my physical body.

I felt so grateful for his visit. I was going to his walking meditation this morning, but I knew I would not meet him there as he would be surrounded by 2,000 adoring fans. It did not matter. He took the time and energy to connect with me this morning, as he no doubt did with the others coming today. That is a feat of Presence.

Thich Nhat Hanh at Deer Park Monastery, Escondido, CA

Thich Nhat Hanh at Deer Park Monastery, Escondido, CA

Later, when I went to the walking meditation it was more of a spectacle than a spiritual moment. There was a great deal of uphill walking just to get to the walking meditation. It was difficult to quiet my mind in the sea of seekers, adherents, and the curious.

Going reminded me more of how I, like so many of us, practice mind-less-ness in the endless scurrying that has become modern life. The genesis of this scurrying is the belief in the illusion as reality. The truth is I connected with Thich Nhat Hanh more deeply in that vision than in participating in an event. In chasing the illusion how often do I skip over the reality?

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:42+00:00October 20th, 2013|Spirituality|Comments Off on Meeting Thich Nhat Hanh
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Generating Yin and Moisturizing Dryness

quan-yinVaginal dryness is an unspoken occurrence that affects many women. It is one of the two most prevalent symptoms of menopause (the other being hot flashes). Vaginal dryness, and the attendant reduction in plumpness, occurs due to a drop in estrogen. It can also happen in much younger women who are experiencing hormonal imbalances.

In TCM vaginal dryness is a sign of Yin deficiency. Yin is the substance and lubrication of the body. It provides the luster, suppleness, flexibility, centerdness, and calm. Yin anchors our thinking and excitement and allows us to rest. Yin is the fuel for active Yang in the body.

Yin can become deficient due to overwork, mental and emotional stress, blood and fluid loss, poor nutrition, and lack of self care and rest. All women have a tendency to become Yin deficient with age. When Yin is deficient, Yang becomes relatively excessive which causes heat signs. Yin deficiency can manifest as dryness (skin, hair, eyes, mouth, stools, etc.), anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, emotional instability and sensitivity, excess libido, agitation, tinnitus, thinning skin, malar flush, and heat in hands and feet worse at night.

How do we protect our Yin and avoid or reverse vaginal dryness?

  1. Live a healthy lifestyle. This means getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night, eating regular nutritious meals, enjoying connection and laughter, reducing stress, and avoiding overworking. This is the foundation for everything.
  2. Practice proper menstrual and postpartum care. This keeps the hormones balanced and is essential for every woman’s long-term vitality.
  3. Drink sufficient fluids to avoid dehydration and limit alcohol and caffeine.
  4. Consume Yin tonics regularly like fish oil, black sesame seeds, avocado, bone broth, go ji berries, and American ginseng. The most effective and potent way to take Yin tonics is in the form of balanced Chinese herbal formulas that will include herbs to clear heat and astringe fluids.
  5. Take astringent herbs regularly such as Wu Wei Zi (schizandra) and Shan Zhu Yu (cornus). These are best taken in balanced formulas.
  6. Treat unresolved trauma, repression, or resentments in regards to sexuality, trust, and relationships. Vaginal dryness can be psychological or have a psychological component. The uterus and genitals are strongly connected to the heart. Most women need to feel an emotional and mental connection with their lover. If there are resentments, blockages due to past experiences, or you simply do not like the person anymore you cannot expect to feel excited. Your body may be trying to tell you something.
  7. Cultivate an empowered sexuality. Many women receive conflicting and negative messages that block sexual expression.
  8. Practice relaxation. This can mean daily meditation, spending time in nature, doing qigong or yoga.
  9. Get in touch with your creativity on a daily basis. Creativity and sexuality belong to the Water element and are strongly linked. Cultivating one will increase the other.

Maintaining juiciness is about more than just sexual functioning. Keeping your Yin strong means maintaining your womanliness: gentleness, grace, self-sufficiency, ease, peace, love…. all the things this world needs.

Andrews, Lia. “The ‘Three Golden Opportunities’: Key Times Women Can Improve or Damage their Health.” (The Journal of Chinese Medicine, October 2013, Number 103).

Andrews, Lia. “7 Times a Woman; Ancient Wisdom on Health & Beauty for Every Stage of Your Life.” (Alcyone Press: San Diego, 2013).

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:42+00:00October 19th, 2013|Beauty, Postpartum Care, Second Spring, Sexual Cultivation|Comments Off on Generating Yin and Moisturizing Dryness
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The ‘Three Golden Opportunities’: Key Times Women Can Improve or Damage their Health

Abstract

There are three times during a woman’s life when she has the opportunity to either improve, or else risk damaging her health. These are menstruation, postpartum and menopause. This theory has historically been used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and has more recently been popularised by Dr. Zhuang Shuqi, a Taiwanese doctor of TCM specialising in women’s health. This article expounds on this theory and explores its relevance to modern Western society, presenting a comprehensive description of the main pathologies, practices, prohibitions, dietary approaches and lifestyle choices that practitioners should be aware of in order to help women recover and optimise their health during these life transitions.

For full article please see:

Andrews, Lia. “The ‘Three Golden Opportunities’: Key Times Women Can Improve or Damage their Health.” (The Journal of Chinese Medicine, October 2013, Number 103).

By |2017-12-29T23:34:33+00:00October 15th, 2013|Acupuncture, Nurturing Life Project, Period Care, Postpartum Care, Second Spring, Sexual Cultivation, Traditional Chinese Medicine|Comments Off on The ‘Three Golden Opportunities’: Key Times Women Can Improve or Damage their Health
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PERIOD CARE AND WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR PERIOD

147a80e9e5def4407706fb3e183da02fWith all the Goddess talk going around, modern culture still views menstruation as an annoyance to be medicated and ignored. Daily I hear women describe their time of the month as a curse, and say they wish they could simply get rid of it. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), like many traditional cultures, views menses as a time of ritual and opportunity; and central to honoring women.

To understand this we need to take a step back and discuss the concept of Jing (Essence). Jing is a challenging concept to translate into English. It is our reserves of energy, contains our genetic material, and is deeply linked to our sex hormones and reproduction. We inherit our Jing from our parents. In fact, we are conceived of the meeting of the Jing of both our parents. Having strong Jing means we will stay young longer and recover from life’s challenges. If our Jing is depleted we will age, become infertile, and not be as resilient to stressors or disease. Since it is difficult to acquire more Jing we must focus on preserving what we have.

Men and women lose Jing differently. Men lose Jing through ejaculation and thus rejuvenation for men hinges on limiting ejaculation. Women lose Jing when they lose eggs (during menses and birth). Women’s rejuvenation depends on proper rest and self-care during menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum. This means that being educated on our menstruation is vital to reclaiming our power.

Menstrual Renewal is a system of practices and nutritional guidelines based on TCM that all women should follow. By practicing Menstrual Renewal we balance our monthly cycle, strengthen our hormones, increase fertility (if desired), boost immunity, increase work and athletic performance, and generally feel more vital. Additionally, Menstrual Renewal allows us to view being woman as a sacred gift. It is not possible to disparage your period and honor the Divine Feminine.

Basic Tenants of Menstrual Renewal:

  1. Rest.
  2. Protein-rich, warming diet.
  3. Taking appropriate herbs.
  4. Keeping warm.
  5. Honoring your womanliness.

For more on Menstrual Renewal please see:

Andrews, Lia. “The ‘Three Golden Opportunities’: Key Times Women Can Improve or Damage their Health.” (The Journal of Chinese Medicine, October 2013, Number 103).

Andrews, Lia. “7 Times a Woman; Ancient Wisdom on Health & Beauty for Every Stage of Your Life.” (Alcyone Press: San Diego, 2013).

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:42+00:00October 8th, 2013|Period Care, Traditional Chinese Medicine|Comments Off on PERIOD CARE AND WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR PERIOD
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Vulnerability as the New Hustle

Perhaps “new” is not the correct word, as cult leaders, politicians, and common sociopaths have always feigned commonality to feed people’s basic need for connection. However, there has certainly been a surge in vulnerability being used as a marketing ploy in the past decade. From orchestrated “reality” shows to marketing strategies.

What we are in fact discussing is the illusion of vulnerability. Vulnerability researcher, Dr. Brene Brown, defines vulnerability “as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure“. I would add that true vulnerability is a purely motivated impulse to move through the deepest part of ourselves, reaching out to connect with others. When the motivation is not the need to connect and to heal, but rather to gain money or power, such disclosures become a manipulation.

The issue is that we are still essentially wired for tribal living. As modernity leads us into greater social isolation, we crave real interactions more and more. Thus false vulnerability is becoming an increasingly powerful tool. When we see a person’s face repeatedly, or hear their voice express deep emotion, or learn intimate details about their lives, our tribal brain translates this into “they are part of my tribe or family group” when in fact we know nothing about them. This type of mass connection is useful to spread a worthy message, but we must also be aware that it can be misused.

wolf-childMy purpose for writing this is that we seek out real opportunities for connection. In which we are met with love and healing, and do not allow these false connections to become a substitute.

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:42+00:00October 7th, 2013|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Vulnerability as the New Hustle
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Could This Be Your Tongue? TCM Tongue Diagnosis

Tongue diagnosis is one of many tools acupuncturists use to access the health of patients. Many people have a combination of patterns occurring at the same time, making diagnosis more complicated. First we will look at the tongue body then the tongue coating.

tongue-normalNormal Tongue
A normal tongue is pink, not too big and not too small, with a very thin white coating.

Tongue Body

tongue-juttingJutting Tongue
This tongue to “v” shaped and juts out forcefully. The tension in the tongue is indicative of the tension held in the body. It is a sign of Liver excess (Liver Qi Stagnation or Fire). Possible symptoms include muscle tension, stress, irritability, depression, and PMS. If the tongue veers to one side this indicates Liver Wind and potentially stroke or convulsions.

tongue-puffyPuffy Tongue
Also known as a enlarged or fat tongue. This indicates Phlegm and is a sign of congestion of body fluids. Phlegm is implicated in many modern diseases including sinus or lung congestion, excess weight, irrational thinking, obsessive thoughts, fatigue, foggy thinking, chronic joint pain, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and channel blockages.

tongue-smallSmall Tongue
A tongue that is smaller than normal indicates a deficiency of substance in the body, namely Blood Deficiency or Yin Deficiency. Common symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, tinnitis, insomnia, night sweats, and female hormone deficiency.

tongue-scallopedScalloped Tongue
Teeth marks on the sides of the tongue indicates Spleen Qi Deficiency. This can present as weak digestion, food allergies, fatigue, poor muscle tone, a tendency to bruise, low immunity, and organ prolapse.

Assessing Tongue Body Color
tongue-redRed indicates Heat.

tongue-palePallor indicates Cold or Deficiency (Qi, Blood, and/or Yang).
tongue-purplePurple or bluish indicates Blood Stagnation.
tongue-redtipRed Tip The very tip of the tongue corresponds to the Heart. A red tip indicates Heart Heat, or emotional unrest. This can manifest as stress, anxiety, or insomnia. If the tip has a cleft it indicates longstanding or constitutional tendency towards emotional issues.

Tongue Coating

tongue-white-coatThick White Coat
A thick tongue coating indicates Dampness. This is a pathological accumulation of fluids associated with digestive impairment. Common signs include weight gain, abdominal bloating, cloudy urination, mucous in the stools, edema, excessive vaginal discharge, poor digestion, and loose stools.

Thin Yellow Coat
The coating is thin, but distinctly yellow. This indicates Heat, either internal or Wind Heat (pathogenic invasion).

tongue-yellow-coatThick Yellow Coat
The tongue appears heavily coated and yellow. This indicates Damp Heat, the combination of Dampness and Heat (fluid accumulation mixed with inflammation). Commons symptoms include excess weight, feeling hot, anger, Liver/Gallbladder issues, and red weepy skin conditions.

tongue-mirroredScanty or Mirrored Coat
The tongue looks shiny, like liver. This indicates Yin Deficiency and the patient may present with insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, thirst, low back pain, tinnitis, hot flashes, and night sweats.

Common Combination Patterns:

tongue-various bigger-words

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:43+00:00September 13th, 2013|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Could This Be Your Tongue? TCM Tongue Diagnosis
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TCM Case Study: Canine Hemangiosarcoma

by Dr. Judith Andrews and Dr. Lia Andrews

Disclaimer: Though we are acupuncturists we are not veterinarians and thus cannot legally practice on animals in CA. This is our persona experience with our pet.

Lola, a ten year old shepherd/rottweiler mix developed bloating that would come and go for a few days. We gave her digestive herbs. She was her usual crazy self so we casually took her to the vet for what we assumed was a digestive issue. After initially finding nothing wrong with her, the vet discovered that Lola was suffering from internal bleeding. They operated on her immediately. It took two vets and several hours of surgery to stop the hemorraging and remove her spleen. A subsequent biopsy showed that she had hemangiosarcoma, a type of cancer that affects the blood vessels of the spleen and heart causing them to rupture. It is a very aggressive cancer and there is no Western treatment for it.

The vet didn’t think Lola would make it through the night due to the blood loss. We took Lola home and began treating her with nutrition and herbs, and decided to put her to sleep when she showed us a sign.

That first night we made her a liver congee traditionally used for postpartum women after c-section. She was extremely thirsty and this formula also helped her to retain urination.

Liver Congee with Herbs    recipe video
1 cup Fresh (Huai) Shan Yao (Chinese yam, Rhizoma Dioscoreae) or 12g of dried Shan Yao, chopped
¼ cup Yi Yi Ren (Job’s tears, Semen Coicis)
½ cup white rice (broken rice is best)
5 pieces of Fu Ling (poria, Sclerotum Poriae Cocos)
6 pieces of Lian Zi (lotus seed, Semen Nelumbinis)
6 Bai Guo (gingko nuts, Semen Gingko)
¼ cup Qian Shi (foxnut, Semen Euryales)
½ lb organic liver, chopped
4-5 cups of water

Preparation:
1. Rinse all dried medicinal herbs with hot water and soak in water for 45 min.
2. Wash pork liver and cut into cubes.
3. Place all ingredients  into a crock pot or rice cooker. Cook for 6 hours or overnight.

After a few days of this congee Lola’s tongue was a healthy pink (it had always been a little pale, and had turned blue-tinged white after her operation). She ate congee four times a day. After the first week we alternated different protein (chicken, fish, organic liver), added vegetables and seaweed, and alternated the herbs (we dropped the gingko and Qian Shi and often added Gou Qi Zi (go ji berries) and Ling Yan Rou (longan berries).

Lola’s Supplement Schedule:
Yunnan Paiyao – 1-2 capsules, 2 x a day
Supreme Defender – 1 capsule, 2x a day
Avogen – 1 capsule in the morning

Dosage was based on Lola weighing 80 lbs. Yunnan Paiyao was the primary herbal treatment. It both moves Blood and stops excessive bleeding. Blood regulators are key to any cancer treatment, but more so with a cancer that affects the blood vessels. If she became Blood deficient (pale tongue), we would lower the dosage. Had we known she was bleeding internally we would have given her the little red pill before her surgery.

Supreme Defender was an economical and practical way to administer important immune-boosting herbs used in cancer treatment: Ling Zhi (reishi mushroom, Ganoderma), Dong Chong Xia Cao (cordyceps), and Huang Qi  (astragalus, Radix Astragali). Other herbs we could have added are Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) and Ren Shen (ginseng, Radix Ginseng).

Avogen is a an avocado extract that has shown promise in pre-clinical trials for cancer cell inhibition. It is a Western supplement, but its ability to restore the extracellular matrix also places it in a Jing tonic category.

Lola’s Progress
Lola was healthier than she had ever been for 3 months after the operation. She woke up one morning with labored breathing that declined rapidly. We knew it was her heart and had her put to sleep before she could suffer any more. Though we were only able to extend her life by 3 months, we consider it well worth it. She would not have survived that first night without the liver congee, and her quality of life would have been poor on chemotherapy. With this treatment she had an excellent quality of life until shortly before her death.

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:43+00:00September 12th, 2013|Chinese Herbs, Dogs|Comments Off on TCM Case Study: Canine Hemangiosarcoma
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The Gift of Lola

lola

I tried to find a picture of her where she did not look goofy, but couldn’t find one. I think this represents her well.

Every death is different, just like every birth. Lola’s breathing is labored. She is having trouble walking. She won’t eat. Normally an attention whore, she wants space. I know it is time.

I feel a peaceful white presence. I have felt this before when someone was near death. I cry because I miss her already. I will not see her little eyebrows, or wake up to her stealing food off the counter. I will not be able to feel her fur or smell her scent. And, at the same time, for her I feel peace.

Lola gave me the gift of redemption. I have lived with animals all my life and never have I felt such peace at the end.

She was perhaps the most challenging dog I ever had. She was big and hyper. I cannot count how many times she threw me on the ground during walks, or the bizarre items she would collect in her bed, or the constant indiscriminate need for attention (whether for good or bad you could not ignore her). Others would remark what “good people” we were for keeping her.

What they did not know was that she was our blessing. As a small puppy she had locked eyes with my mom in the pet emergency room. We had brought our other dog there and Lola was brought in by a good Samaritan. She had been hit by a car, her pelvis broken, yet she did not make a sound. (I later found out my mom quietly paid for her operation or else she would have had had to wait for a vet to volunteer.) Lola was put under the care of the humane society, but my mom gave them her information and said she would take her if she was not adopted. Lola recovered and was adopted and returned, twice. She had set her sights on my mom.

She was a quirky yet healthy dog until the age of 9. One day her belly started getting swollen. Her appetite went down a bit, but otherwise was her normal crazy self. We took her to the vet assuming she had digestive issues. They discovered her spleen had burst and she was bleeding internally. It took two vets and hours of surgery to remove her spleen and patch her up.

I prayed for her with all my heart and asked forgiveness for not understanding her. I promised that if she lived I would fully accept her as she was.

Lola had lost “gallons” of blood so the vet was surprised to find her walking around hours after surgery. They predicted she would not make another 24 hours due to the degree of her anemia. We took her home and made her liver congee, a postpartum recipe, and gave her herbs (I will post a case study on this later). She rebounded unbelievably. Lola had signs of Blood deficiency all her life (dryness and issues with her coat and skin, a pale tongue, timidity, etc). Here she was displaying a vitality like never before. She was like a puppy, despite the fact she was diagnosed with visceral (spleen and later heart) hemangiosarcoma.

I delighted when she stole bread off the counter or pulled on her walks. She was back!

I am grateful I was given 3 months to love her with an open heart. She taught me on a profound level not to fear cancer (which is how my last dog passed). Lola lived at least as long as she would have if she had undergone chemo, only in this case with an excellent quality of life. She had no discomfort until the last few hours of her life.

More than this, she gave me the opportunity to redeem myself and be the guardian she deserved. I had not been a bad owner, I had simply not recognized how amazing she was until the last 3 months of her life. Thank you for letting me see you, Lola.

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:43+00:00July 12th, 2013|Dogs|Comments Off on The Gift of Lola
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Intention as the First Step

Intention is everything.

If you ever study Chinese medicine, qigong, or tai chi teacher you will hear this many times. The directive is to learn to harness your attention and to place it on your goal, as this mental focus is what will create changes in your life. Standing in a particular pose can be a deeply transformational event, or it can be just standing in a particular pose. What gives the action power are the thoughts you attach to them.

This concept applies to far more than qigong, tai chi, or acupuncture practice. It applies to every action in your life. The intention you place behind your action will determine the energy you receive back from the universe. For example, you can touch someone in love or anger or in a state of disconnection with markedly different effects. People can use metaphysical principles and healing modalities to heal or manipulate.

The most important practice is to hone our intention, to align it with our heart, and with a higher purpose. When we do this we may still stumble on our path, but we will make sure progress, both for us and those we touch. This is why clarifying intention is the first and the final step.

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By |2019-03-26T14:29:43+00:00July 7th, 2013|Spirituality|Comments Off on Intention as the First Step
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