Gifts of the Rain: A Tribute to Medicinal Mushrooms

Ahhh, winter rains. Life awakens in the forest. The trees drink deep and spread their green needled arms wide to taste the mists. Fed by the moisture, licorice ferns spring forth from the crevices of rocks and the roots of oaks. We can hear the happy burble of seasonal creeks running once again. Gleaming emerald mosses carpet the trunks of the bay laurels. And miraculously, almost overnight, mushrooms pop forth from the earth. The lollipop reds of russulas, creamy orange chanterelles, turkey tails with cloud patterned bands like a Japanese painting, ghostly white amanitas glowing against the dark backdrop of the forest. Waking early after a long rainy night, I don my mud boots and rush off to the woods, excited as a kid on christmas morning, to enjoy these very special gifts of the rains.'

Please Note~ Wild mushrooms can be poisonous~ do not harvest or consume wild mushrooms unless you are directly under the supervision of a trained professional

Mushrooms are distinct from other plant life, a separate conciousness, and are classified in their own kingdom- kingdom fungi, a rollicking tribe of forest rebels who some say came originally not from the earth, but from the stars. Wherever they came from in the begininng, scientists tell us that mushrooms may be more related to insects than green photosynthesizing plants.

The ecological roles of mushrooms tell us something of their medcine- they act as tranformers and transmuters, metamorphosing decaying matter into new life, rejuvenating brain and body and transforming conciousness. They offer us new ideas, new ways of seeing and perceving, and innovative ways of doing. Mushrooms have a unique survival strategy and niche in the forest, thus they offer us a fresh look, a creative portal into the possibilities of life.

Mushrooms are also communicators, connecting the entire forest in hidden underground networks, they are the original information superhighway. These underground mycellial networks spread for miles as they share thoughts and even feelings from tree to tree. And of course, their appearance is uncannily similiar to that of neurons in the human brain.

Many medicinal mushrooms are staunch immune system allies which can prevent infections (including cancer) and bolster immune activity. Others can enhance energy, lower bad cholesterol and support the heart, repair damage done by toxic chemicals, balance blood sugar levels and mood, promote the growth of new neural pathways and more! Read on to learn about a few of the key species and how to use them:

Reishi/Ling Zhi is known as spirit mushroom in Chinese and has a thousands of year history of use in Asia to promote long life, calm the spirit and fortify the heart. Ancient lore describes reishi as “food for immortality”. Yet, many people are unaware that we have our own native Reishis (Ganoderma orgense and others) growing right here in North America! In addition to their other benefits, Medicinal mushrooms like Reishi have long been prized for their immunostimulating, strengthening and regulating properties. Reishi posseses an intelligence that can speak directly to the immune system, upregulating or downregulating its activity as necessary. It is also coming forward as a strong support to prevent cancer. On top of all that, it also safeguards the health and function of the Liver.

Oyster Mushrooms - also called the “mushroom flower of heaven”…say no more! Consuming these tasty mushrooms regularly can lower bad cholesterol in the body and protect the lining of the blood vessels. From a Taoist perspective, we can understand part of the medicine of oysters as balancing the waters of the body. They transform what is known as “dampness”, lowering inflammation, healing rashes and skin irritation, reducing edema, swelling and excess weight. Oysters are also hypoglycemic, they can promote healthy blood sugar levels.

Shiitake- Not just a culinary delight, shiitake mushrooms are an immune powerhouse, with strong anti-viral properties. They work best consumed a few times per week as prevention. Shiitake mushrooms also rejuvenate the liver and protect it from chemical damage.

Turkey Tails/Yun Zhi- Known as “cloud mushrooms” for their beautiful striped bands that do indeed resemble clouds. Turkey tails boost Spleen qi and give energy levels a gentle lift while also bolstering the Wei qi, the protective field of energy that surrounds the body and keeps pathogens and unwanted influences out. Modern science backs this up- Turkey Tails are a powerful immune activator that can prevent many kinds of infections. In addition, Turkey Tails offer significant protection from cancer- they help to conserve our DNA and protect it from damage as it replicates.

Poria/Fu Ling- A beautiful mushroom that thrives on the roots of pine trees. Poria can increase energy and digestive function, while also calming the spirit and promoting sound sleep. Like many of our mushrooms, poria thrives in a damp climate and thus has the intelligence with how to deal with excess water or “dampness” in the body. It is a mild diuretic which can flush the urinary passages and leach out unhealthy water retention. It can even be used to treat hormonal bloating and swelling, along with other herbs.

Cordyceps- These fungi are a true energy powerhouse. They directly increase activity of our mitochondria (our cellular energy production centers). Cordyceps literally raises our vibration, creating more energy by causing our mitochondria to vibrate at a faster rate. Cordyceps also enhance oxygen utilization, making it a wonderful tonic for athletes or folks at high altitude. It can also strengthen the respiratory system and benefit those suffering from asthma and long viral illness. In ancient Tibetan medicine, Cordyceps is revered for its ability to winter under the snow in the high mountains, which connects it with the hidden origin of life. It then emerges in spring to share its stong life force with us. Please note, Cordyceps is now endangered in the wild, only cultivated Cordyceps should be used.

Lions Mane- This special mushroom has gained much fame recently for its ability to support memory, cognitive function, and support nerve repair and neuronal regeneration. The mycellium, rather than the fruiting body, has the most medicine here. In Taoist medicine, Lions Mane mushrooms are prized as a fortifying tonic that strengthens all 5 of the vital yin organs- Lungs, Spleen, Heart, Liver, and Kidneys.

I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to some of our medicinal mushroom allies. Of course, there is so much more that could be shared, but that might best be done by communing with the mushrooms themselves. Enjoy the rains, enjoy the fungi and stay happy and healthy!

Please Note~ Wild mushrooms can be poisonous~ do not harvest or consume wild mushrooms unless you are directly under the supervision of a trained professional

The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness. Copyright 2024 by Dr. Athene Eisenhardt, L.Ac, DAIM

Nourishing the Mother: 5 Element Seasonal Wellness

Happy Fall!

Autumn, the season of the Lungs and the Metal element, also heralds the arrival of cold and flu season. The Lungs control our Wei (Protective) Qi, which acts like a forcefield around our bodies to keep illness and pathogens out.

How well we take care of ourselves in the weeks leading up to cold and flu season can greatly enhance (or weaken) our resistance to illness. Once we begin to fall ill, it can be too late! Wise use and nourishment of our inner resources can help us stay healthy, and diet is one of the foundations here. Even just cutting out white sugar, which reduces white blood cell activity by 30% for up to 5 hours after eating it, can do marvels.

The Taoist 5 Elements offer us a singular approach to building our Metal/Lungs/Immunity, based on interrelationsips between the elements and the seasons.

In 5 Element Theory, we work with the relationships of the elements in our environment and within ourselves. There is a 5 Element saying, “In order to nourish the Child, nourish the Mother.” Each element exists in a circle of generation, Water creates Wood, Wood creates Fire, Fire creates Earth, and Earth creates Metal. If Earth, the Mother of Metal, is well nourished and healthy, this in turn engenders healthy Metal (the Child). Since Earth is the Mother of Metal, feeding our Earth in order to support Lungs/Wei Qi/Metal is essential now.

The Lung (Metal) channel begins in the Stomach (Earth), so there is no better place to start! Squash and pumpkins are a wonderful, seasonal food that nourish the Earth and in turn the Lungs. Their yellow orange color, round shape, and sweet flavor tell us they are an Earth element food. The flavor of Earth is sweet,and eating balanced healthy sweet foods can help us- while eating empty unhealthy sweet like sugar depletes immunity, and unsettles the Spirit.

Below is a recipe for pumpkin soup, with a classic herbal immune combo- miso (which feeds beneficial bacteria and directly promotes immunity via the gut) ginger (warms and enhances bloodflow and kicks pathogens out from the body) and fresh green onions (which fortify and stimulate the immune system).

Nourishing Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 inch finely grated ginger

• half pumpkin, peeled & chopped in small pieces

• 2 tablespoons miso paste

• 3-5 fresh green onions, finely chopped

1. Put the pumpkin in a pan and add 3 ½ cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook over low heat to soften- about 20 minutes.
2. Save the water, and once the pumpkin is cool enough, mash it, add the miso paste (stirring well to dissolve) fresh ginger, and green onions. Add a little extra water to make a soupy consistency.
3. Top with nori seaweed.

Enjoy!

Copyright 2023 by Dr. Athene Eisenhardt, L.Ac, DAIM

The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness

A Revisionist History of the Smoothie

Is your smoothie as healthy as you think? This article offers some perspective based on tradtional systems of healing and food energetics. Pureed fruit drinks have been a part of Middle Eastern, South American, and Asian culture for 100s of years. Yet, these refreshments were never traditionally consumed as breakfast- rather as desserts or sweet treats.

So how did the breakfast smoothie begin? With the advent of the electric blender in the 30’s, came the birth of the North American smoothie. Blending a “mylk” (dairy or plant based) with fruits and other nutrient packed goodies for breakfast would seem to provide a quick nutritious meal, especially for folks on the go. But a daily smoothie might actually be draining to the digestive system, dampening our agni (digestive fire) and sapping our vital energy.

How can this be? First off, let’s look at how the digestion works. Our digestive system is like a cooking pot. Our body heats up our food, mixing and simmering it until breaks down into a soup or “chyme” that can be easilty absorbed. Digestion requires agni or fire to break down and transform our food. The temperature of the stomach is ideally 99.6 degrees F, and our digestive enzymes only operate within a narrow temperature range. If we consume cold or iced foods like smoothies, the body has to work much harder to warm us up and stoke the digestive fire.

Furthermore, the digestive process actually begins in the mouth when we chew our food and begin breaking it down with saliva. If we skip chewing, we don’t absorb as many nutrients from the food, and we can also throw off the entire cascade of digestive enzymes. In addition, raw fruits tend to make our digestion work harder and create cold and dampness in the body. When we are younger, and our yang fire is abundant, we may be able to get away with this. But by the time we reach 35, our digestive enzyme output has already declined by almost 30%. Add to this a diet of dampening, cold raw foods like smoothies, and we may be seriously depleting our energy, digestive function, and life force fire. As a result we may find our selves feeling bloated, sluggish, tired, cold, and unable to lose weight.

Summertime would seem to be the perfect season for smoothies, with all the fresh fruit in season. Yet, eating large amounts of fruit first thing in the morning also destabilizes our blood sugar, sending us on an energy roller coaster for the rest of the day. Eating a cooked, protein breakfast such as eggs, or quinoa with nuts and seeds can provide better, lasting energy for the entire day.

But what if you can’t give up your smoothie? Here are some easy hacks to have your smoothie and better support your digestive fire and long term energy.

1. Ditch the ice: drinking a smoothie room temperature, or even warm! without ice, will go a long way in making it more digestible.

2. Spice it up: warming spices like cardamom, cinammon, ginger, turmeric, or even fresh basil or rosemary warm and stimulate the digestion, helping offset the cold temperature of the smoothie and enhance the bodies’ absorption of nutrients.

3. Chew your smoothie: chewing helps to kick the rest of our digestion into gear, signalling the gut to prepare to receive food and secrete digestive enzymes.

4. Less fruit, more protein: The sweet flavor exists on a continuum- empty to full. Fruits tend to be more of an empty sweet- full of simple sugars, and because of this, too many fruits tend to throw off the digestion and cause dampness, inflammation, and fatigue. Ayurveda actually recommends that fruit be consumed by itself, away from other foods. In contrast, full sweet includes protein rich foods and healthy fats like nut milks or nut butters, flax, pumpkin, hemp or chia seeds, lecithin, or coconut, which are a better choice first thing in the morning.

5. Try an all vegetable smoothie! For those who have the taste for it, eliminate the fruit and load up on veggies instead.

   Check out the recipe below for a healthy smoothie that’s also better for digestion, energy, and blood sugar.

Gazpacho Greens Smoothie

• 1 avocado

• 2 tablespoons Green Pumpkin Seeds

• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

• 1 handful Chopped cilantro

• 1-2 teaspoons ground Cumin seeds

• 1/2 clove garlic, chopped

• 1-2 cups cooked spinach

• 1 celery stalk

• 1-2 small persian cucumbers

• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

• 1/2- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice

• Pinch of Salt

• Water as needed in order to blend ingredients

Blend and enjoy!

copyright 2023 by Dr. Athene Eisenhardt L.Ac, DAIM. the statments in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness.

Healing with the Wild Greens of Spring!

It’s been a long, wet, slog but Spring is finally here! In ancient times, people survived the winter eating meats and had little in the way of fresh vegetables. Thus emerging into spring they were both stagnant but also starved for fresh greens and minerals. The bitter, mineral rich green plants that emerge in early spring were a literal life saver, providing important nutrition at a time when peoples bodies were starved for vitamins and minerals, and also detoxing vital organs like the Liver and Kidneys.

Nourishment AND cleansing are essential after the confinement of winter, and naturally, in accordance with the healing intelligence of the plants, seasonal springtime greens provide the perfect medicine.

Tradtional wild spring greens include herbs like nettles, chickweed, cleavers, plantain, dandelion, and mugwort. These bitter spring greens both cleanse and nourish the body in tandem. In modern times, where Winter tends to be a time of stagnation and excess, these spring greens help cleanse and kick start us into health. The bitter flavor has a purifying, purging effect on the body and mind. In Ayurveda, bitter is seen as literally scraping excess fat and toxins out of the body. At the same time, it is also the flavor associated most strongly with spiritual cultivation and purification, promoting deeply meditative states. In Taoist 5 Elements, bitter drains excesses from the body, purifying and bringing us fully into the present moment. In modern Western culture, we are often averse to bitter, instead overconsuming sweet and salt, leaving our bodies out of balance and in need of the cleansing medicine of bitter. Asian cultures on the other hand, traditionally consume all five flavors at each meal, insuring the bodies’ well being.

The beauty of bitter early spring greens is not just in their ability to detox, but also deeply nourish. Our modern lifestyle tends to leave us overburdened with toxins and excess weight, yet underneath it, we are still undernourished, starving for minerals and nutrients.

We exist in a strange paradox of both excess and deficiency- overfed on the outside but empty on the inside . Lack of nutrtious food, and overuse of pesticides and other pollutants mean that our food is no longer as wholesome as it used to be. Certain nutrients, like Magnesium and Selenium, have been so depleted from the soil that it is nearly impossible to get enough from our diet. Even folks consuming plenty of organic veggies are still often lacking. The wild greens of early spring are thus the perfect support for modern life, not just in spring, but year round. Simultaneously detoxing and nourishing our bodies, and so sky high in nutrients they surpass even powerhouse greens like kale or spinach.

Here is some of the healing bounty that’s available now, right outside our doors!

Nettles (Urtica dioica) love to grow in sunlit clearings near seasonal bogs and streams

Nettles: Packed with Iron, Chlorophyll, Vitamin A and C, nettles are a natural anti-inflammatory that prevent seasonal allergies, and flush the Kidneys and Urinary system. Nettles also deeply nourish the Liver Blood.

Cleavers grow in abundance and are easy to harvest. They taste great juiced!

Cleavers: This herb literally tastes like spring! Excellent cleanser for the lymph, they drain sluggishness and damp from the body, and their green, tasty flavor helps attune us to the spring season. Cleavers soothe and heal the skin. They also tone the Kidneys and Urinary system, and can prevent Kidney stones. Cleavers are best used fresh.

Chickweed: Succulent, nutritious, and soothing!

Chickweed: Chickweed is a nourishing, soothing anti inflamatory that heals the gut lining and promotes healthy digestion, and it packs even more nutrition than Spinach. Higher in Iron! And adds a healthful dose of Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamins A and C to boot. Chickweed also cleanses the skin and can treat psoriasis and eczema.

Dandelion is a time tested cleanser for the Liver and Gallbladder. It is revered in Herbal Traditions worldwide.

Dandelion: Dandelion is the classic spring bitter, purging the Liver and Gallbladder, draining excess bile and preventing gallstones. It also clears and nourishes the eyesight. Dandelion is also a natural “potassium sparing” diuretic. It flushes the Kidneys and urinary tract, while simaltaneously replenishing electrolytes like Potassium. It’s also high in Iron and Vitamin A.

These are just a few of the wild spring greens that can support our health...

Want to learn more? check out Athene’s Community Herb Walk, Sat. April 8th in Oakland CA. And, Daylong Intensive May 20th on Mt. Tam.

Please do not harvest or consume any of the plants in this article unless you are under the guidance of a trained professional. The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, or sure any illness. Copyright 2023 by Dr. Athene Eisenhardt, L.Ac

Yin Wood: The Secret of Early Spring

The recent February Full Moon marks the offical entrance into Spring and the season of the Taoist Wood Element. Wood is focused on action, expression, and creativity, and Wood Season is the time when we birth new visions into being. Thus, in the system of 5 Elements, Wood is Yang- it relates to activity, movement, warmth and light. Whereas, other elements like Water and Metal are Yin- they relate to quiet, stillness,and inner reflection.

Yet, Taoist cosmology also tells us that each of the 5 Elements, whether yin or yang, actually posseses a balance of both. Every element has an outer, active yang nature- what we see and interact with in the world, and every element also has a more hidden, secret yin nature. In the case of Wood, we see its outer yang nature quite easily. Wood is all about having a plan and a vision, and making it happen. We can easily see the yang side of Wood anytime we start a new endeavor, or create a piece of art. Yang Wood is the Entrepreneur, the Artist, the Explorer .

“All things have an outer Yang nature, and a secret, more hidden Yin Nature….”

So what about the Yin side of Wood? Understand nature, and you will understand yin and yang, so the saying goes. When we look at a plant, we see only the parts that exist above the ground. Yet the plant can only grow as tall as its roots are deep. This provides an important teaching on balancing our growth with our resources. This hidden Yin Wood- the roots, can be likened to our deep reserves, the energy we have available to grow our visions into being. Yin Wood encourages us to stay rooted during expansion and make sure we use our resources appropriately. Yin Wood invites us to examine what is sustainable, not only in our own lives, but also for the planet. Just as all the creatures in a forest depend on one another to thrive, the Wood Element is not just about healthy growth for one tree, but healthy growth for the whole forest! So Yin Wood invites us to examine both personally and collectively, how we are using our resources.

As we emerge from winter and prepare to embark on new Spring ventures, Wood reminds us to first take stock before we forge ahead. How much rest did we give ourselves during the Winter? Did we replenish our well with rest and quiet, or were we out at too many parties? How are our energy levels? Are we feeling resourced? Are there new skillsets or tools we might need to get the job done? Are our goals realistic, given the resources we have to accomplish them? Will we be able to create enough to also share with others? As we use the precious resources of the planet, are our actions of benefit to all? How might we be able to accomplish the same tasks by using less?

Taking time to assess our resources as we grow our visions into being this Spring, we receive the wisdom of Yin Wood. Using resources responsibly, for the benefit of all, Wood reminds us how to live in balance on the planet. May everyone’s garden of dreams flourish!

Water Body, Water Wisdom: What can Water tell us about ourselves?

According to Taoist reckoning, winter has already arrived, and with it, the rains here in California. As we enter Winter, season of Water according to the Taoist 5 Elements, it’s a good time to reflect on our relationship with water. Water is Life. In Taoist understanding, Water is understood as the embodiment of the Tao. It holds the deep, mysterious source of all life, the ancestral codes of our DNA, the well of energetic reserves we tap into to get through life’s challenges. Our bodies are two thirds water. Ever flowing with life to follow the path of least resistance, water can take many forms. A tossed and stormy sea can become a calm warm tropical shore, or a gentle rain, even morning dew on green grass or a plunging roaring white waterfall…glacier ice, or delicate new snowfall.

So what is the state of your water? Just like the water in nature, our own water can take many forms, and reflects the state of our being.

Maybe your water feels tired and parched, like a spring running dry.  It could be time to refill your well and get some good quality rest. Perhaps your water is frozen- nothing seems to warm you, the joy and warmth is gone from life. You’ve become cold and removed in your interactions, emotionally unavailable. Perhaps your water has gotten a little murky, like a muddy lake? What are you hiding from yourself or others? Water is also the element of Wisdom. Just as a still lake reflects our inner state back to us, like a mirror, our water can tell us about our inner state of being, and be a wise guide on our journey.

 Here's a simple meditation you can do to connect with your own Water, and receive the wise reflections your Water can offer you. Find a comfortable place where you can lie down and relax. Allow the body to ease itself into a natural place of stillness and repose. Imagine a body of water, one you know and connect with in real life. Really see and feel that water, as though you were sitting right beside it. Think about all the gifts that water has given you, and say thank you. Feel how that water is also a part of the water of your own body. Your water connects you to all life, and is wise. Feel the water of your body, moistening the skin, flowing through the blood, creating saliva and other fluids, nourishing the organs and keeping them healthy, gently bathing the heart and brain. Feeling the water in every cell, the intelligence of all life, the memories of algae and glaciers, whales and butterflies, wise ancestors, are all a part of you and your water. Ask your water to show you its current state in your body. What do you need to know about the state of your water? What wisdom does your water have to share with you?

Slow down, take your time, and really let yourself listen and receive. Like dropping a stone into the depths of a well, give the water time to respond from its depths, and you may discover your own hidden wisdom.

And…If you feel called to take a deeper dive into Water, check out Athene’s Winter Solstice Five Element Acupuncture Sound Bath, Sunday 12/18 at Window of the Sky Oakland!

Redwood Herb Walk: Saturday 11/5, 10am-2pm SOLD OUT!!!

SOLD OUT!!!! Stay tuned for the next one in March 2023!

Join the community for a half day Herb Walk and discover the unique medicinal herbs of the Redwoods! Of all the places in the world, these beloved trees grow only in coastal California, creating a singular ecosystem with its own special medicine. Athene brings her 25+ years of knowledge- as a professional Field Botanist, Clinical Herbalist, and Licensed Acupuncturist, to illuminate the redwoods and their medicinal plants. Using the lenses of the Taoist 5 Elements and Clinical Herbalism, we’ll explore plant ID, ethical wildharvesting, and practical medicinal uses of these herbal allies.

WHEN: Saturday November 5th, 10am-2pm

WHERE: Redwood Regional Park, Oakland, CA

$40 general public

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local indigenous peoples in the spirit of reparations.

Want to learn more about the topic? Athene speaks on Native Herbs- benefit for the Lillium Initiative

Thursday October 20th, 5:00pm- 7:00pm, sign up here

Native California Herbs & 5 Elements with Dr. Athene Eisenhardt, L.Ac

Traditional Herbal Medicine all over the planet is founded on understanding our relationship with the natural environment and the elements, and how plants and herbs can be used to harmonize with nature and the elements within us for healing. Local, native plants live in the same climate and environment as we do, and therefore possess a special connection and healing intelligence they can impart to us.  As we create a sustainable herbal tradition, these local herbal allies have much to offer! In fact, we can find many medicinally applicable TCM relatives growing right here in our California ecosystems. In this talk, we explore the 5 Element nature of some of our common native herbs, as well as look at their clinical uses within the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  

Fall Equinox 5 Element Acupuncture Sound Bath- Sunday 9/25, 7pm

As Fall approaches, we harvest our endeavors from the busy summer months and begin to send our energy inside. Fall is the season of roots, of storing our reserves for the winter ahead. Fall is also the season of the Metal Element, and the Fall Equinox marks the most Metal day of this Metal Season. The virtue of Metal is being able to discern what is truly of value to us in life, and let go of what is not. Metal relates to the Lungs, to our ability to be inspired, and to spiritual purification. The breath, of course, is the perfect embodiment of Metal: every inhalation we take in nourishment and inspiration, and with every exhalation we let go of what does not serve us.

Come join the community for a special Fall Equinox Acupuncture and Sound Healing Session at Window of the Sky! We’ll work with the Taoist Healing Sounds to connect with the Metal Element and what is truly of value and inspiration for each us. You’ll receive a Metal Seasonal Acupuncture attunement, while enjoying a healing soundbath with Athene on flute, singing bowls, didjeridoo, and more! Sunday September 25th, 7pm, at Window of the Sky Oakland, $25.

Space is limited, sign up to reserve your place!

The Virgo Sword of Perfection

On this Virgo New Moon, a few reflections on how the energy of this most most etheric of Earth signs relates to the Taoist element of Metal, purification, and divinity. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods. Thus, she is a conduit between the earthly realms and the spiritual realms, and she understands and moves through both. In Taoist 5 Element cosmology, Virgo is expressed as the energy of metal. Metal is concerned with spirit, purity, righteousness, and worth. Metal is often considered the most elusive and hard to understand of the elements, as its manifestation in the body is through the breath, and not via any actual physical substance. Metal and Virgo connect us to the most precious substance of life- the spirit…It’s what everyone is seeking for and yet, it is constantly here, all around us, just like the air we breathe. We mistakenly look for outer expressions of value and perfection, while forgetting that when we know our own inner worth, we can find value and divinity in even the seemingly most mundane. When we chose to contemplate our breath in meditation, it can become a miraculous vehicle which opens us to vast universes. Yet, the breath is always here with us, it is also ordinary and even unexciting. The breath is always changing and it’s the same. How we experience it is because of what changes is inside us….

Through her connection to sprit, Virgo intuitively senses the divine order in every circumstance, and how it must be expressed in physical form. The shadow side of this is that because she is so exquisitely tuned to the divine, physical reality can be too jumbled, coarse, and chaotic for her. When this happens, she can become critical and cutting, like a metal sword of righteousness. The lesson here for us is to stop criticizing ourselves for being unable to meet such an impossible standard, and simply remember our inherent worth, and the inherent worth of others, as we are…in this way we begin to step into divinity. Our shadows and imperfections come up- when we love and accept them, they broaden and deepen our understanding of the divine as it lives and breathes in us... we have the choice to use our experiences to expand our capacity as vessels of spirit, or not. In ancient Chinese alchemical medicine, Mercury, which rules Virgo and is therefore intimately associated with her, was used in the form of cinnabar to preserve the immortal aspects of life. Virgo is the alchemical place where matter becomes energy, where the physical becomes psychic, where scientific becomes spiritual. Virgo season, the months of late August through Septmeber, offers a very real portal of cleansing and purification, to connecting us more deeply to spirit in the process.

This New Moon in Virgo is squaring Mars in Gemini, thus it’s also a purification of our thoughts. Gemini is also ruled by Mercury, and governs the mind. Gemini considers all the possibilites, and can be fickle and indecisive, unpredictable. This can be a challenge for Virgo, who is rather infamously known for an obsession with cleanliness and details. It can amplify our own feelings of personal disorder and “messiness”. But if your inner world is looking messy, you’re probably right on track. Resist the war-like, Mars urge to cut yourself down with the Virgo sword. Giving ourselves permission to be imperfect makes space for truth and divinity to emerge. Taoist wisdom of inter-transformation tells us that when we reach one extreme, energy will naturally shift. Disorder ultimately engenders order. We can relax, put down the sword, and allow the alchemical quest for perfection to simply unfold in its own natural way. After all, noone needs to tell a flower how to become itself. it just does, when the moment is right. And so, we find our way one step at a time into the perfection that never went anywhere.

Harmonizing with the Heat- the Climate of Summer

“Tian Ren Xiang Ying- Heaven and Humanity are direct correspondences of one another” (Nei Jing Classic). Our bodies are microcosms of the macrocosm of the natural world. Thus we find health and healing through harmonizing with the elements and the seasons.

Taoist medicine is founded on the idea that our bodies are microcosms of the macrocosm of the natural world. Thus, the seasons and the climate outside of us also influences our health and internal state of being. This was easy to observe and understand when people lived in and were constantly immersed in nature. Taoist medicine was created for people living an agrarian lifestyle, spending long hours working outside, exposed to the elements. Thus it came as no surprise that winter cold would engender seasonal imbalances like exhaustion, low libido, or stiffness and pain in the low back. Or, that the winds of Spring would exacerbate hay fever, cause dizziness and headaches, and stir up unresolved emotions and illnesses from the past. Each season is understood as having an associated element and climate, and when we understand how that climate influences our body, we can find balance and healing. Here in the modern worls, those influences may be more subtle, but are still very real.

 Summer is the season of Fire, and the climate is Heat. Here in California, that Heat is all too apparent as we approach mid-August. As an Acupuncturist, this is the time of year I often see clients with heat type conditions. When we consider the climate of Heat, we observe how heat tends to speed up biological processes, thereby creating restlessness and agitation. This causes conditions like insomnia, night sweating, and anxiety or irritability. Heat rises and affects the upper parts of the body, thus causing  headaches or migraines.  

Heat can also affect the blood, causing rashes, eczema, cold sores and herpes outbreaks, acne, and can even contributes to autoimmune flares. Heat in the blood contributes to the underlying  inflammation we see in rashes of all kinds. When the blood is “hot” the vessels struggle to hold it in its proper channels, this can cause bleeding- in particular, excessive menstrual bleeding or nosebleeds .

Heat can also disturb the digestion. Just as food moves down and through our digestive tract, the qi of the digestive system also needs to flow downwards through the body. Heat can disrupt the proper movement of digestive qi, causing it to flow up instead of down. This causes acid reflux, belching, and nausea.

Heat over time causes dryness in the body- just look at how the sun bakes the California hills, and by late summer the earth becomes hard and dry, unable to absorb water. The same is true for our bodies- after 3 months of summer heat, our tissues can become dried out, and no matter how much water we drink we don’t feel hydrated.

 So how can we take care of ourselves, and stay balanced amidst the Heat? First off, know your Five Element constitutional type. Certain constitutions are more predisposed to being adversely affected by Heat. Specifically, Fire and Wood, the two most yang or “hot” constitutions, are more likely to be overheated and develop heat imbalances.  

 Fire and Wood constiutions easily develop anxiety and insomnia, headaches, irritability, and rashes during the summer months. They need to be sure to consume a more cooling diet and avoid spending too much time in the bright sunshine. Cooling, calming herbs like Chrysanthemum, Lemon Balm, Peppermint and Motherwort can benefit these people.

 Metal types also need to take care, they dry out easily, and at the end of a long summer they may experience chronic dry coughing and dry sore throats. During the Summer, Metal folks need to stay hydrated with herbs like lilly bulb and marshmallow root, and avoid too many spicy foods. Foods like squash and pears are also great for Metal people.

When the weather is hot, Earth types can more easily develop damp heat conditions like stomach flus, genital infections, and digestive issues like bloating and nausea. Earth people need to avoid consuming too many rich heavy foods and fats, cut back on sugar, and focus on lean proteins with plenty of greens to keep the body balanced. Earth people with sluggish digestion can still benefit from some spices  in their food during the Summer. Drinking tea with equal parts of fennel, fenugreek, and licorice is also an excellent support for Earth types at this time.

Water types often endure the Heat the best, they may even benefit from it, as their constitution can tend to be cold and damp. Water people should be sure to consume plenty of berries while they are in season- blueberries and raspberries in particular can aid the brain and Kidneys, 2 important organs we associate with water. Water folks can also benefit from supporting their electrolyte balance. Be sure to avoid table salt, and instead have high quality himalayan salt or natural sea salt. Instead of sports drinks, which are mainly just processed sugar and water, try lemon juice, a little honey, and a pinch of salt to support your electrolytes naturally.

 Here's a list of common Heating and Cooling Foods. If the heat has you down, or you’re experiencing heat type condition in the body, you’ll want to focus more on cooling foods and avoid heating foods, until your condition resolves. Of course, it’s best to get a good diagnosis and constitutional assessment from your Acupuncturist or Herbalist first.  

Heating Foods (avoid)

• Lamb

• Beef

• Turkey

• Shrimp

• Peanuts

• Cashews, Walnuts, Pecans

• Tomatoes, esp concentrated tomato sauces

• Pineapple

• Mango

• Ginger

• Onions, garlic

• Hot Peppers

• Black Pepper

• Cinamon

• Cloves

• Mustard Seed

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Sesame Oil

• Quinoa

• Hard, aged cheeses

• Puerrh Tea

• Cacao

• Coffee- even consumed iced it is heating to the body

• Alcohol

Cooling Foods (emphasize)

• Fish

• Soy, Tofu or Tempeh

• Eggs

• Hemp seeds

• Green pumpkin seeds

• Almonds

• Cucumber

• Okra

• Arugala

• Dandelion Greens

• Raddichio

• Snow Peas

• Spinach

• Burdock

• Asparagus

• Celery

• Seaweed

• Mint

• Dill

• Cilantro

• Coriander

• Fennel

• Melons- honeydew, cantaloupe

• Pears

• Coconut Oil

• Brown Rice

• Barley

• Millet

• Buckwheat

• Mung Beans

• Tea with peppermint, chrysanthemum, marshmallow root or hibiscus

• Green Tea