BellaSpark Sept. Oct. 2010 : Page 36
the season for building our stores of nourishment for the coming months, yet modern agriculture has eliminated the need for this ritual, teaching us that it is no longer necessary. one glance at the Taoist 5 elements roots of Chinese medicine shows us just the opposite — that in fact there are critical activities we should engage in at this time of year to build and store our sources of nourishment or Qi (energy) so we can ensure ourselves a vibrant and emotionally balanced winter ahead. The fact is, even if we don’t grow our S own food or store the harvest in our homes, our body still needs to conduct the entire production of nourishment storage inside our organs and cells, building up stores of Qi for the year to come. as recognized by Chinese medicine, this time of year or “late Summer,” is associated with the earth element and the organs of digestion. It relates to taking in nourishment and distributing the resources so that the entire self, both body and spirit, are nourished. Its energy is reflected in the term “mother earth,” which reminds us of our primal source of nourishment, our mothers. Both her rich milk and her emotional reassurance prepare us to move out into the world with a deep well of fullness from which to give of ourselves. When we are adequately nourished we have a stability in us that goes beyond the physical, allowing us to nurture others as we have been nurtured and nourished. earth element “types” are natural caretakers. When balanced they have an abundance of reserves to give to others, but when imbalanced they can easily build resentment over how much they give. Their issues commonly manifest around the theme of feeling lack of nourishment from the world. Codependency is a common trait among earth element types and those who were neglected as children. If you recognize these traits in yourself, it is even more important to use this time of year to care for and nourish yourself. People who are under-nourished very often manifest digestive symptoms such as irregular bowels, bloating, loose stools or cramping pains, as well as fatigue and weak muscles. over time, if our digestive system is chronically unable to produce enough Qi from the food that we eat, all our organs and tissues suffer. Weight gain commonly ummer has come to an end, and the bounty of the earth’s harvest is pouring in. Traditionally, autumn was The Harvest Abounds: Time to Nourish Your Qi Inger Giffin As recognized by Chinese Medicine, this time of year or “Late Summer,” is associated with the Earth Element and the organs of digestion. follows. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome complicated with Fibromyalgia is a perfect example of an earth element imbalance that has gone on long enough that several systems of the body have become affected. Below are several tips anyone can use to balance and strengthen their earth element: • Focus your diet around foods that are in season. • Winter squashes are especially nourishing for your digestive organs. • any root vegetable, which grows deep into the earth, is an excellent source of grounding nourishment. • Soups, casseroles, baked, or roasted foods bring out the yang (warming) energy in the ingredients that your digestive organs love! • avoid heavy, greasy or cold foods, as these damage your digestion and are sure to set you up for a sluggish, low energy winter. • exercise regularly to prevent your earth energy from stagnating and “turning into mud,” slowing your digestion and bringing stubbornness and obstinacy. • as the earth rotates around the sun every 36 BellaSpark September/October 2010 www.BellaSparkMagazine.com single day, the earth organs thrive on regularity… so keep your daily routine as regular as possible. • If you truly tend to over-give and drain your own reserves, perhaps it’s time to back off and commit to care for yourself first. • Schedule acupuncture appointments to address issues of weight gain, digestive complaints or emotional emptiness. If they are deriving from earth element imbalances, this is the best time of year to work on them. The more we do nowto preserve and conserve our digestive energies, the more we reap the harvest, both physically and emotionally, of the sweetness that is the hallmark of this season. Inger Giffin, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., is the founder of Wisdom Ways Acupuncture in Fort Collins, CO. She has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine for nine years, and has successfully helped thousands of patients in their return to wellness. 970-266-0003.
The Harvest Abounds: Time to Nourish Your Qi
Inger Giffin
As recognized by Chinese Medicine, this time of year or “Late Summer,” is associated with the Earth Element and the organs of digestion.
Summer has come to an end, and the bounty of the earth’s harvest is pouring in. Traditionally, autumn was the season for building our stores of nourishment for the coming months, yet modern agriculture has eliminated the need for this ritual, teaching us that it is no longer necessary. One glance at the Taoist 5 elements roots of Chinese medicine shows us just the opposite — that in fact there are critical activities we should engage in at this time of year to build and store our sources of nourishment or Qi (energy) so we can ensure ourselves a vibrant and emotionally balanced winter ahead.
The fact is, even if we don’t grow our own food or store the harvest in our homes, our body still needs to conduct the entire production of nourishment storage inside our organs and cells, building up stores of Qi for the year to come.
As recognized by Chinese medicine, this time of year or “late Summer,” is associated with the earth element and the organs of digestion. It relates to taking in nourishment and distributing the resources so that the entire self, both body and spirit, are nourished. Its energy is reflected in the term “mother earth,” which reminds us of our primal source of nourishment, our mothers.
Both her rich milk and her emotional reassurance prepare us to move out into the world with a deep well of fullness from which to give of ourselves. When we are adequately nourished we have a stability in us that goes beyond the physical, allowing us to nurture others as we have been nurtured and nourished.
Earth element “types” are natural caretakers. When balanced they have an abundance of reserves to give to others, but when imbalanced they can easily build resentment over how much they give. Their issues commonly manifest around the theme of feeling lack of nourishment from the world. Codependency is a common trait among earth element types and those who were neglected as children. If you recognize these traits in yourself, it is even more important to use this time of year to care for and nourish yourself.
People who are under-nourished very often manifest digestive symptoms such as irregular bowels, bloating, loose stools or cramping pains, as well as fatigue and weak muscles. Over time, if our digestive system is chronically unable to produce enough Qi from the food that we eat, all our organs and tissues suffer. Weight gain commonly follows. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome complicated with Fibromyalgia is a perfect example of an earth element imbalance that has gone on long enough that several systems of the body have become affected.
Below are several tips anyone can use to balance and strengthen their earth Element:
• Focus your diet around foods that are in season.
• Winter squashes are especially nourishing for your digestive organs.
• Any root vegetable, which grows deep into the earth, is an excellent source of grounding nourishment.
• Soups, casseroles, baked, or roasted foods bring out the yang (warming) energy in the ingredients that your digestive organs love!
• Avoid heavy, greasy or cold foods, as these damage your digestion and are sure to set you up for a sluggish, low energy winter.
• Exercise regularly to prevent your earth energy from stagnating and “turning into mud,” slowing your digestion and bringing stubbornness and obstinacy.
• As the earth rotates around the sun every single day, the earth organs thrive on regularity… so keep your daily routine as regular as possible.
• If you truly tend to over-give and drain your own reserves, perhaps it’s time to back off and commit to care for yourself first.
• Schedule acupuncture appointments to address issues of weight gain, digestive complaints or emotional emptiness. If they are deriving from earth element imbalances, this is the best time of year to work on them.
The more we do now to preserve and conserve our digestive energies, the more we reap the harvest, both physically and emotionally, of the sweetness that is the hallmark of this season.
Inger Giffin, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., is the founder of Wisdom Ways Acupuncture in Fort Collins, CO. She has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine for nine years, and has successfully helped thousands of patients in their return to wellness. 970-266-0003.
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