The Many Uses of Ginger, Sheng Jiang

 

Oh the many wonderful uses of ginger! Ginger isn't just a spicy herb used for cooking up delicious recipes. It's also great for calming digestion, reducing nausea & vomiting, and relieving or preventing a cold.  Thanks to a recent study reported in WebMD, pain relief can be added to ginger's list of beneficial uses.  This study, which focused on exercise-induced muscle pain, showed that ginger was effective in reducing muscle pain by 23-25%.  This coincides with past studies that have shown ginger's anti-inflammatory properties.  

 

In Chinese Herbal Medicine, ginger or sheng jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) is warm and pungent in character, which promotes circulation of Qi and blood.  Proper circulation of Qi and blood promotes health and lack of pain.  Ginger enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach energy systems.  Because it enters the Lung, it releases the exterior and dispels cold which means that it is beneficial in treating the common cold or flu.  It's warming nature is helpful in calming digestion and alleviating nausea and vomiting because it enters the Spleen and Stomach.  This is useful for morning sickness or motion sickness from travel. Have you ever wondered why pickled ginger is served with sushi? In addition to warming the digestion, ginger is also used to reduce toxicity, especially from seafood.  In many herbal formulas, ginger is often used to balance and harmonize the rest of herbs to enhance its efficacy.     

 

Ginger is a great herb to keep on hand in your kitchen for not only culinary uses but home remedies as well. Try this if you ever have an upset stomach or feel like you may be getting sick, boil about 4-5 slices of ginger in water and drink it as a tea.  Or, spice up some steamed vegetables by adding a few slices of ginger into the water.  As you can see, ginger has many benefits.  Enjoy!

Lemons and Recipe for Avgolemono: Lemon, Egg, Chicken Soup

To follow up with my blog about the Calamansi, here's a blog about lemons complete with a recipe. I recently acquired a ton of lemons (2 grocery bags full) from my cousin's lemon tree so for the past 2 weeks I've been using lemons in everything I've cooked at home. I've used it as a marinade, soup base, or simply to dress up a salad. It's been a delicious experience so far.

In Eastern nutrition, the lemon is cool in temperature and is sour in taste. It helps promote fluids, relieves thirst, and harmonizes the Stomach. It's a great summer drink (lemonade) to keep you hydrated and cool.

As a citrus fruit, it is loaded with Vitamin C, as well as bioflavonoids, and potassium. It's a great immunity booster, and is also good for mouth ulcers and gum disease. This corresponds with Chinese Medicine theory. In theory, the Stomach channel connects with the gums and mouth, as well as the physical Stomach, which are all associated with digestion. Lemons benefit the gums and mouth, and also benefit digestion.

Lemon is a great compliment to meats such as fish, pork, or chicken. Or it can be mixed with a little bit of olive oil for a homemade salad dressing. It is also used in desserts to add a fresh note. Lemon is also found in tea often combined with ginger, rosehips, hibiscus, and orange to name a few, and all of which help boost immunity as well. Lemon zest can be used to garnish a dish or to even more lemon flavor. It's acidity is useful in preventing the browning of certain foods such as apples, bananas, avocado, and eggplant. Because of this acidity and it's fresh scent, lemons can also be used to clean and deodorize and is a great alternative to all of the harsh cleaning products out there. Overall, the lemon is a great citrus fruit with many health benefits, delicious possibilities, and unconventional non-food uses.

The most recent recipe I made with lemons was Avgolemono, a Greek soup made from a base of chicken broth, eggs, and lemons. After trying it for the first time at a Greek restaurant, I've been wanting to make at home for myself, so it was perfect that I had loads of lemons in my possession. For the recipe, I pretty much used a combination of sources (thank you, Google) to develop my own. Keep in my that I tend to cook with minimal salt and often with just enough seasoning and flavor with herbs, nothing ever overpowering. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (I used boneless, skinless)
3 carrots, chopped (about 1-1.5 cups)
2 stalks of celery, chopped (about 1-1.5 cups)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, sliced
2 bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
2 quarts of water
1/2 cup rice
2 eggs
1 lemon (juiced)
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme in a large pot. Add the water and bring to a boil. Allow the chicken to cook through.
2. Once cooked, remove the chicken, shred the meat, and set aside. (Optional: remove the vegetables for a finer looking soup. I took them out but ended up putting it back in at the end because I like a chunky soup with lots of vegetables).
3. Add the rice to the remaining broth and allow it to cook through.
4. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and lemon juice together in a bowl. When the rice is cooked, slowly ladle about 2 cups of the hot broth into the egg and lemon mixture and whisk together to combine.
5. Return the chicken to the pot. Turn off the heat and slowly add the egg-lemon-broth mixture into the pot. Stir well to blend the mixture with the rest of the broth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot. Can be garnished with some parsley.

Prep time: 15minutes. Cook time: 1 - 1.5 hour. Serves: 4-6 people

What We Eat is Our Own Natural Chemotherapy Against Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases

Great talk by William Li from the Angiogenesis Foundation!

Mr. Li's talk centers on angiogenesis, or blood vessel growth, which is a natural and essential process for the body's development, repair, and regeneration. However, in the case of cancer, tumors release chemical signals that trigger the formation of new blood vessels solely for the purpose of feeding the tumor's abnormal growth, which, if unchecked, ultimately leads to enlargement and eventual invasion of surrounding tissues (metastasis).

Mr. Li speaks of targeting the process of angiogenesis as a tool for cancer treatment and even prevention. Although he does mention the various drugs that are available to do just that, it's important to note that Mr. Li brings attention to the fact that properties to regulate angiogenesis are naturally found in the very foods we eat or drink: green tea, berries, tomatoes, mushrooms, soy, bok choy, garlic, kale, apples, and even the Chinese herb, ginseng (Ren Shen). This drives home the idea that eating complete and whole foods are essential for your overall health, for prevention and even support during disease. As he describes in his speech, Mother Nature gave us the tools we need; thus, food is our natural chemotherapy against cancer and other chronic diseases.

Imagine all of the tasty and delicious possibilities of incorporating such foods into your meals. Your mouth will be in for a treat while you fuel the health of your body. Simply be mindful of what you eat and you'll be on your way to optimal health.

Enjoy!

Oriental Medicine: a brief overview

Oriental Medicine is an ancient form of medicine that is highly effective in treating a wide range of disorders from pain to internal medicine to stress and anxiety. It has many facets and styles that have developed over it's 2000 year history. Acupuncture itself is just one component and treatment method of Oriental Medicine. In addition to acupuncture, practitioners can utilize herbal medicine, tui na massage, qi gong and tai chi, and dietary medicine. Together these components are considered the Five Branches of Oriental Medicine and used to help an individual achieve internal well-being.

Other treatment methods that can be used are moxibustion, gua sha, and cupping. Moxibustion involves the burning of the herb mugwort to provide warmth and promote healing. Gua sha and cupping involve the use of specialized tools and techniques to promote circulation. Oriental Medicine encompasses these treatment methods as well as the various styles that have evolved over thousands of years. Among these are Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Japanese Acupuncture, Korean Acupuncture, and Five Element.

In my practice, I particularly practice Japanese Acupuncture in addition to TCM. Japanese Acupuncture utilizes abdominal palpation as an additional diagnostic tool and often involves a treatment of the root cause of an individual's condition as well as addressing any outward symptoms. It is a gentler form of acupuncture: needles are lightly inserted or delicately held in contact with the skin without insertion. This form of acupuncture may appeal to those who are sensitive or may even be wary of needles. In my practice, I find that I have incorporated the gentle technique of Japanese Acupuncture into my TCM treatments. Because of this, I am able to provide patients with a unique acupuncture experience that is gentle yet effective.

Each form of acupuncture is special in its own way but they have a common ground. Japanese Acupuncture, as with all forms of acupuncture, all evolved and developed from the same theories that came from China: yin and yang, the five elements, Qi and blood, and the channels of the body. These are the foundations of Oriental Medicine. This foundation, the many treatment methods, and styles of acupuncture are what gives this medicine the amazing ability to address many conditions and achieve results. As a practitioner of this ancient medicine, I am honored and grateful to have this ability to provide individuals with a way to achieve inner health and well-being, to be pain-free, and to simply feel well.

Yours in health,

Lesley