Brighten and tone your skin and lighten up your facial lines as the days become lighter here in Northern California!  Start now and by the time that special occasion is here, you can look your best!

Marlene Klein, LAc, not only offers the best in acupuncture treatment but also specializes in Energy Light Rejuvenation (ELR), a non-invasive, one of a kind facial skin treatment that utilizes Microcurrent and Therapeutic Light and Color to re-educate facial muscles and address the underlying causes of visible aging.

ELR works in harmony with the natural energy systems of the body resulting in youthful, glowing skin and a relaxed, energized body.

Come try out this unique, enjoyable facial on us!  If you’re scheduled for an acupuncture treatment please let us know that you would like the FREE Energy Light Rejuvenation demonstration added on to your appointment, or if you would like a stand-alone 15 minute no-cost demo, please call 707-431-2528 to schedule your ELR.

1. 1.  Most facial appointments take 60 minutes and if combined with your acupuncture treatment you  will receive a discount on the total combined cost.
2. 2.  Facial sessions can be purchased individually or in packages, ask for our price list.
3. 3.  Please watch the less than 3 minute  video above and see what is in store for you.

Note:  Marlene sells the affordable skin care products that she uses during her facials separately and many patients have already converted to the Derma e line as a result.

Cleansing baths are important to healthy living, especially in our polluted and stress-inducing environment. There has been a long history of use of these baths in the naturopathic community and in Germany. Some of the following baths are quite effective in the removal of either environmental toxins, heavy metals, and radiation, or all of them.

In this day and age, these frequently encountered assaults on our systems can produce a low-grade and continuous drain on our immune system, and of course, on general body functioning. We have all been exposed (knowingly or unknowingly) to heavy metals, X-rays, surgery, CAT scans, chlorinated pools, or working or sitting for hours in front of computers, cell phones, iPads, Kindles, etc. We are exposed to chemicals and fumes (photocopy equipment, automobiles, printing presses, and general street fumes, etc.).

Having been exposed to the above for many years, you may have a fair amount of toxic “gunk” (to put it lightly) in your body. Taking these cleansing baths is a pleasant and inexpensive way to help clear some of this “gunk” out and ensure the maintenance of your health.

The following baths can sometimes be temporarily draining, so they are best done before your bedtime. Drinking extra fluids is recommended. Most individuals will simply experience the baths as a relaxing and pleasant experience, and others may at times feel uncomfortable, irritable, or “edgy” after the bath. This is often the result of toxins being pulled out of your body and may be a sign that the baths are working for you.

This is important: If you are in a state of ill-health, or a weakened constitution, it is advised that you replenish beneficial minerals, which may be leached out (along with the toxins) through the bathing process. You can do this by consuming seaweed products, or vegetables such as leafy greens, zucchini, parsley, jicama, and green beans on the day after the bath. Organic of course.

With any of these baths, fill the bath to the top, and immerse everything but your face and hair. If you become uncomfortable or dizzy while bathing, just sit up for a bit before returning to a reclining position. Stay within the recommended time for the bath, do not alter it. Just experiment until you find the right temperature for you to experience a pleasant bath. The hotter the water, the stronger the bath.

SEA SALT AND BAKING SODA BATH (Can be taken separate or combined)
Primarily clears radiation, and clears lymphatic congestion.  If you mainly want to clear radiation, just use baking soda alone.

Dosage for the combo is 2 lbs of each substance.  If Sea Salt alone, average is 3 lbs., Baking Soda alone is average of 3-4 lbs.

Soak for 20-30 minutes. Showering after the bath is not necessary.

Baking Soda baths can be taken between 4-10 times, depending on how much radiation you have been exposed to (relating to where you live, your job, the number of x-rays you have undergone.) If you are basically a well person, you can do 1-2 per week, if you are of a weakened constitution or in a deficient state, only take 1 bath per week.

EPSOM SALT BATH
A broad spectrum cleanser, fairly heavy-duty, Epsom Salt helps clear lymphatic congestion, remove heavy metals, and radiation. It is more powerful than Sea Salt and Baking Soda for cleansing the lymphatics.

Take a hotter bath, but again to your comfort. Average amount is 4 lbs. DO NOT SPEND MORE THAN 12-15 MINUTES IN THE TUB.

You can take a total of 2 of these baths, spacing them a week apart.

Epsom Salt baths are also beneficial for muscle relaxation, but at a much lower dosage, usually 2-3 cups.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR BATH
Good for infections, particularly bacterial, apple cider vinegar helps to acidify the body (having an antibacterial effect). It is useful for women with vaginal and/or bladder infections.
Use 1 quart in the tub, soak for 1/2 hour and use hot water (within your comfort level).

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please call me at my office 707-431-2528 or email me at:  acupherbctr@comcast.net

Happy bathing!

Many people are turning to acupuncture and natural remedies for allergy relief

Are you among the 50 million people in the United States who suffer from allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, with itchy watery eyes, dripping noses, aching heads and sinus congestion?

When your sinuses (the air-filled hollow cavities around your nose and nasal passages) become inflamed, fluid can accumulate and interfere with normal drainage of mucus. When this happens it’s called acute sinusitis. You may have trouble breathing through your nose, and feel your eyes and facial tissue swell.

Symptoms may also include a headache, fever, cough, post-nasal drip, a thick green or yellow discharge, and a feeling of facial “fullness” that increases when you lean forward. A toothache can also occur during a severe sinus infection.

There are many causes of these symptoms including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; allergies or a deviated septum. Symptoms with allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as hay fever, is the inflammatory result of your immune system’s overreaction to allergens in the air. Pollen is one offender, but others include dirt, pollution, animal hair, cloth fibers, and mold.

Acupuncture treatment can relieve allergies by boosting the immune system, decreasing inflammatory responses and symptoms.

In addition to acupuncture, there are also natural ways to help you combat the springtime allergy season.

Clear your sinuses and your mind with a steamy stovetop spa. Add a few drops of wintergreen oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam. Take care not to be burned by the vapor.

Ginger, scallion, basil, garlic, oregano, cayenne pepper, white pepper, horseradish and turmeric are very good at unblocking your sinus passageways.

The supplement bromelain – a papaya and pineapple-based enzyme – helps reduce histamine release, the body’s natural allergic response.

Daily, use this solution to clear your nasal passageways: 1 tsp sea salt, 1 drop of wintergreen oil to 1 cup of warm water. Fill a small-spouted bottle with this warm solution. Squirt into one nostril at a time and blow out through the nose, alternate nostrils.

Wash nostrils with warm salt water. Soak a clean cotton ball in the following mixture: 1 clove of pressed garlic and 1 tsp olive oil. Place cotton balls in nostrils and leave in for 20 minutes. Repeat three times a day until the symptoms clear up.

Try these massage practices to relieve sinus congestion.

Sit at the tip of a sturdy chair with your back erect, spine stretched, and your head tilted slightly forward:

1. Inhale and gently press your forehead just inside the temples with your palms. Exhale and release. Repeat three times.
2. Cross your middle and index fingers by placing the tips of your middle fingers on top of the fingernails on your index fingers. Rub the sides of your nose 36 times in a circular motion. (Warm your fingers first if they’re cold.)

What you eat does affect your sinus health. Avoid foods that produce mucous and dampness: dairy products, cold and raw foods, corn (including corn syrup), and simple sugars. Choose whole grains like quinoa, amaranth and brown rice instead of wheat, rye and barley, which are typically high allergy grains. Opt for papaya, cranberries, pear, pineapple, cherries, mango, and citrus fruits. Eat more green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.

Both alcohol and smoking irritate the respiratory tract and amplify nasal inflammation, so avoid them during sinus flare-ups. Stress and lack of sleep can also worsen your sinus congestion, so be sure to get plenty of quality sleep, and keep your stress level low.

*Of course, do not use any of the above-mentioned foods or products if you are allergic to them.

Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivated energy. It comes from two Chinese words: qi which is the life force or vital energy that flows through all things; and gong meaning a skill or accomplishment mastered through practice.

The practice of Qigong is the alignment of breath, movement, and awareness. It involves posture, breathing techniques and mental focus.

The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It’s also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

When our digestive system is weak, fuel doesn’t get transformed into energy. When it is strong, the food we eat is immediately transformed into energy instead of being stored as fat, causing weight gain, and imbalance.

Through deep breathing exercises, activating the body’s internal energy, muscle conditioning and flowing movements, Qigong will help you lose weight and feel balanced.

Here are some simple exercises to wake up your metabolism before a meal.

2 Minutes Before You Eat

Breathe deeply. Start with deep abdominal breathing. Bring both hands over the lower abdomen. Take a few long, slow, deep breaths. Feel the abdomen expand on the inhale, and relax on the exhale.

Next, practice ‘Fanning the Fire’. This is a faster breathing exercise to charge up the metabolism. First, focus on your exhale and squeeze all the air out, bringing the abdomen toward the spine. Don’t worry about inhaling, it will happen by itself. Continue this pattern of breathing, but speed up the pace. Do this exercise as quickly as you comfortably can for best results. It takes practice, so start slowly and enjoy.

2 Minutes After You Eat

After eating, the stomach needs energy and circulation to process and digest your meal. We eat for energy. When your organs are strong and healthy, they will absorb more energy from the food you eat. After you eat, try a simple Qigong massage to help the process of digestion.

• Bring both hands over the left side of your rib cage. This is where the stomach is located.
• Circle your hands over this area about 50 to 100 times.

In Qigong, they say this exercise is excellent for digestive health, and is said to increase longevity.

Chinese Herbal Medicine includes over 1,000 medicinal substances including plants, minerals, roots, parts of animals and flowers. Chinese herbs generally focus on balancing the body’s Yin and Yang and the function of the vital organs.

The carefully crafted prescription of custom herbal formulas allows me to fine tune the body’s functions and helps my patients to achieve optimum health.

I use herb capsules, tablets and tinctures that are easy for patients to use effectively. All of the formulas I use are purchased from reputable companies that I have used for 25 years, and are always tested for purity and potency.

Just for fun, here is a list of common things you might have at home and their traditional
Chinese medicine uses.

Nutmeg – rou dou kou. Nutmeg is used to stabilize and bind chronic diarrhea that occurs
at daybreak. This is “cold” diarrhea caused by a deficiency of the kidney and spleen-not the kind
when you travel to Mexico.

Tangerine Peel – chen pi. Dried tangerine peel is used to help the digestion for bloating,
fullness, nausea, and vomiting. It has a drying nature so it helps dry up excess phlegm that
causes a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue and loose
stools.

Peppermint – bo he. Peppermint is spicy and cool. Also used to sweat out a common
cold that manifests with sore throat, red eyes and more fever than chills. It helps express the
rash of measles or chicken pox, thereby speeding recovery. It can also be used in many
formulas for gynecological problems.

Corn Silk – yu mi xu. Corn silk tea is very soothing for a urinary bladder infection. It promotes urination and treats edema. It has been used to treat jaundice and gall bladder disorders.

Ginger – sheng jiang (fresh), gan jiang(dried). Fresh ginger is spicy and warm, used to
help sweat out a common cold, stop nausea, vomiting, cough, and treat the overdose of other
strong herbs. Dried ginger is warmer in nature and used for chronic cough with thin, watery,
clear sputum. It is also an important herb for “rescuing the devastated yang” where the patient is
extremely weak and cold.

Cinnamon – gui zhi (twigs), rou hui (bark). Cinnamon twig is also used to sweat out a
common cold. It disperses cold from the meridians for that cold achy feeling especially in the
shoulders. It is also good for menstrual cramps and palpitations caused by “cold blockages” in
the abdomen or chest.

Honey – Feng me. Honey is used to tonify the qi, meaning it gives energy. It treats
abdominal pain, constipation and dry cough. It can also be applied to burns to prevent infection.
Many strong herbs are cooked in honey to neutralize their strong nature.

Turmeric – yu jin. Turmeric moves the blood and breaks up blood stasis. For this reason, it
is applied topically to traumatic injuries like a sprained ankle or taken internally to speed the
healing of chronic sores and ulcers. It is also used in formulas for menstrual pain, anxiety and
jaundice.

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