JADE TORTOISE CLINIC OF
NATURAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER,
Summer 2010- 2011
So it might be a bit of a wet summer this year………..
Though the humidity looks like it will stick around for us!
This time of year seems to be full of joy, laughter and fun, as well as stress, exhaustion and
Although we love the family get-togethers, we tend to put a little too much upon our shoulders come
Xmas, we tend to forget that it is the end of what has been a bit of a tough year for all, and our fatigue
levels are high, and rushing around to find the “perfect” present, turkey or cracker, can take it right out
of us.
So what do we do? For the in-laws are arriving Xmas day and Grandma is demanding fresh cranberry
sauce with her Turkey?!?! Well apart from splitting town to join the peace core for the next month, I have
included in this newsletter a few ideas to settle the mind and take as much stress away from a situation as
possible.
The key is YOU!! If you are feeling fit and healthy and have enough reserves in your tank, as well as
time out for yourself during the days ahead no matter how many in-laws or Grandma’s come your way
you can deal with it. This means watching the over indulgence into food or alcohol to “escape” a
situation, it’s like throwing a blanket over something and thinking its gone, IT’S NOT!
Take your time with things, remember to breath, and think back to your childhood Christmas’s, simple
was always better, allow your children (or friends) to be able to enjoy you on the day, not the stressed
out tired grumpy individual who has had enough by 10am…
Merry Christmas to All and enjoy the days off and rest that is on offer!!
Kate O’Loughlin
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SUMMER- The Fire Element
The element, Fire is associated with the Summer season
and with heat. The element is associated with the heart,
pericardium, small intestines and related to the tongue.
Emotionally, this element is associated with the mind and
it's stability. The heart is the "seat" of the mind and
therefore, its highest expression is love. Enthusiasm,
warmth in human relationships and conscious awareness,
but it can also have a tendency towards anxiety, stress and mania, when the ego is in control and
one is focused on “perfection.”
When imbalanced, we may either lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy (maniac condition).
Fire is symbolic of maximum activity or greatest Yang; nature at its peak of growth, and the motion
is upward. Agitation, nervous exhaustion, heartburn and insomnia are other indicators of imbalance
in this area.
Physically, when the fire element is balanced, the heart properly governs and circulates the blood
and insures proper assimilation of the beginning breakdown of food in the small intestines.
Emotionally, when the fire element is balanced, sensitivity and expression, true fulfillment and the
equilibrium between heart and mind are our greatest rewards.
Late Summer- this is more in related to us for our wet summer this year!
Late Summer is considered the "dog day afternoons" or "Indian Summer" are hotter and damper
days rich in humidity and a feeling of heaviness in the air. This often parallels the way our bodies
feel during this period.
Chinese Medicine acknowledges Late Summer as a fifth and separate season, with slightly higher
humidity, stillness in the air, and the warm weather. Late Summer is governed by the earth element
and is associated with the Stomach and Spleen. The Stomach and Spleen in Chinese Medicine are
involved in digestive function and mental acuity. Conditions associated with weak earth energy
include poor concentration, fatigue, bloating and fluid retention. Many people with an earth
disharmony are famous for "thinking too much"!
Things we can do to strengthen the digestion include:
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regular moderate exercise such as walking,
tai chi,
swimming
or yoga;
giving the brain some time off from thinking and reading by doing some non-intellectual
hobbies and activities;
eating a large breakfast each day and eat smaller meals at night; (look at food section for list
of foods)
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Christmas the time for giving- What we can give ourselves?
I guess I can only answer this for myself….
Giving myself the space to be me!
That seems like a big statement and the most
complicated in the world! But often the most simple
become the most complicated when our mind gets in
the way!
So let’s see if we can make this as simple as possible:
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This means that when I make a mistake, that is all it is, a mistake, something to learn by,
what ever your mind is telling you, it is not the end of the world, you are still here, loved
and breathing and the world is still spinning. I am sorry to say but regardless of what our
minds tell us, we are not the centre of the universe. A mistake is not something to beat
ourselves up with.
Having a few hours a week with the phone “out of range” or ‘off the hook’, no one else
around to ask for something, and the TV/radio/chatter all turned off.
Treating yourself to a home made Epsom salts foot bath, and cup of tea ( hopefully hebal),
add the tea leaves to the bath and smell the aromas.
Allowing oneself to feel what they are feeling! This means if you are angry that’s ok, you are
not going to the depths of the underworld, you’re just not happy the way things are going.
This doesn’t mean you can inflict your anger on others, but to experience what you feel is
fine, you can be angry, it is a great energy! It’s a magnificent mover and shifter, it does get
you into action! So be ok with what you feel even if it’s uncomfortable and your mental and
physical health will thank you for it!
Your answer is completely PERFECT! Coming from someone who has been very good at
‘fitting in’ having to find the perfect answer can drain your energy and also put one in a tissy
of which one is perfect! We are complex human beings, not cardboard cut-outs of each
other, how you see something is perfect for you, be ok with that, and know that it can
change but don’t change it unless you think it is prefect, it is right for you! This means that
you can actually join with others sincerely, even with your differences.
And FINALLY- remember that Xmas Day is just one day a year and in the scheme of things a
small event! If we make it bigger than what it is (which is a common tendancy in our society)
we can become overwhelmed, forget to breath effectively and indulge in anxiety which
elevates stress levels.
So enjoy Christmas and give a little to YOU!
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MELONS: Capture the Health of Summer
December 22 is the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and marks the first day of
the season of summer. Though it may not be the hottest day in the year, it definitely is the
longest day of the year when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and takes the
most amount of time to cross the sky… seems dropping a hint to us—eat melons!
Indeed, Chinese in particular consume many melons in terms of variety and amount in
summer and even call it the season of melons. Stuffed Bitter Melon, Cucumber Salad
Tossed In Housing Dressing, Stir-Fried Loofah, Fuzzy Melon Soup… are only a few household
dishes. What makes melons so popular in summer not just because they are in season,
they actually are very good for the season, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Let’s take a look at three of them:
Honeydew (winter) melon
It has received so much praise from the Chinese. In
TCM theory, winter melon is considered being able to
promote urination, reduce swelling, clear heat,
remove toxic substances, and mitigate high blood
pressure.
In fact, from nutrition perspective, the potassium
content in winter melon is proved to be capable of
facilitating the body to eliminate excess sodium, which
helps reduce swelling and lower blood pressure.
Moreover, because of its extremely high water content
(approximately 96%) and 0% fat properties, winter melon is often used in dieting and has
become an ideal weight-control food for dieters especially in hot summer months.
Bitter Melon(Gourd)
While many people may just have one reason to enjoy bitter
melon: the unique bitter flavour, and there are plenty of
health benefits that we should fall in love with this particular
gourd. For example, according to TCM, although bitter melon
is bitter in flavour, it actually can improve our appetite and
spleen function those usually are our trouble spots in summer
thanks to the bitter principles content. While alkaloids,
another compounds found in bitter melon, are capable of
diminishing inflammation and relieve fever.
Furthermore, it is reportedly that an element called
hypoglycaemic principle contained in bitter melon has the
same effect of insulin that helps lower the blood sugar levels,
making it an ideal food for diabetes patients. What’s more,
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research studies learned that bitter melon extracts have shown anti-cancer activities
which can decrease tumour significantly when used in short and long-term treatment.
Watermelon:
From TCM perspective, watermelon is cold/cool in nature which can clear heat and
relieve summer heat, regenerate body fluid and quench thirst, and promote urination.
Indeed, with a water content of 92%, watermelon has the highest water content among
all fruits, making it the perfect treat on a hot day.
Besides water, watermelon contains many essential and beneficial mineral nutrients such
as Vitamin C, sucrose, glucose, organic acid, amino acid,
calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc. that we humans need. People
who suffer from kidney inflammation, high-blood pressure, and
constipation are especially beneficial from eating watermelon.
Talk about the watermelon rind that we usually throw away, its
diuretic effect in fact is even higher than the flesh. And for ladies,
watermelon rind can also be used as a natural beauty aid.
Summer time brings out some of the freshest and tastiest food !
Finding a balance between raw and cooked food is essential at this time of year, so as not to tax the
digestive system too much, to avoid bloating, diar hoea/constipation and nausea.
In summer, indigestion can easily occur, so a light and less-greasy diet is strongly recommended. It is the
perfect season to introduce some cool, yin foods into your diet. Chinese nutrition classifies food
according to its energetic qualities of temperature, taste, and ability to moisten and strengthen the
body. Food with cool and cold properties can clear heat, reduce toxins, and generate body fluids.
In general, cooling foods tend towards the green end of the spectrum — lettuce, cucumbers, and
watercress are some of the coolest. Few vegetables are warming. Fish and seafood are also cooling,
while most meats are warming.
Note, however, that it is also important to use warm teas and soups to induce sweating, since the heat is
on the surface of our bodies in summer, and is more easily dispersed, taking with it toxins, minerals and
oils. It is very important to avoid overeating very cold foods in summer as this can cause weakness in the
digestive system. Coldness causes contraction; it holds in sweat and heat, and interferes thereby with
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digestion. This is why many Asian people and cultures drink warm soups or teas with their meals.
Here are some suggestions to keep you cool and balanced all summer long. These fruits and vegetables
will help your body adjust its temperature and protect you during the long, hot summer days:
I have put together a list of foods that benefit the body at this time of year also some great recipes as
well. Enjoy !
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Watermelon
Apricot
Cantaloupe
Lemon
Peach
Orange
Asparagus
Sprouts
Bok choy
Broccoli
Chinese cabbage
Corn
Cucumber
White mushroom
Snow peas
Spinach
Summer squash
Watercress
Seaweed
Mung beans
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Cilantro
Mint
Dill
Bamboo shoots and tips
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Celery
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Chinese barley
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Chinese red dates
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Ginger
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Lotus seed
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Peanuts
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Pineapple
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Red beans
Red and white daikon radish
carrot, potato, sweet potato, pearl barley, adzuki beans; adding lots of aromatic spices and
herbs to cooking like star anise, cardamom, coriander root, turmeric, cumin, caraway,
marjoram and tarragon to help stimulate digestion. Our Earth energy is most adversely
affected by an excessive amount of sweet foods in the diet - reducing sweets and high GI
foods like fruit juices will help to improve your Earth energy.
Green tea, or one of the flower or leaf teas, such as chrysanthemum, mint or chamomile,
help induce slight sweating which actually cools the body.
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RECIPES:
Watermelon rind porridge:
Ingredients:
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250 grams watermelon skin
100 grams rice
Dash of salt
2 liters water
Method:
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Cut the watermelon rind in strips before peeling. Remove the green rind and pink flesh.
Wash and dice the rind, season with salt.
Wash and drain rice.
Place water, diced watermelon rinds, and rice in a pot.
Bring to boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Add salt and then serve.
Efficacy:
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Relieve summer heat
Regenerate body fluid and slake thirst
Facilitate urination and disperse swelling
Mitigate heat stroke and diabetes
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EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES SOUP
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Ingredients
1 cup bamboo shoots, fresh if possible, cut into ½ inch cubes if
necessary
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
12 – 14 ounces (1 medium package) soft tofu, cut into ½-inch
cubes
1 1/2 cups (6 to 9 ounces) fresh mushrooms (such as shiitake,
oyster, button, enoki, or a mixture), chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup (2 ounces) mung bean sprouts (commonly sold as “bean
sprouts”)
2 cups spinach or other leafy green vegetable, well-washed and
chopped
Salt and/or soy sauce to taste
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
2 medium green onions, roots and tough tips discarded, cut into ¼-inch pieces
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, boil enough water to cover the bamboo shoots, then put the bamboo
shoots in, cover, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, and drain.
2. In a medium to large saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil.
3. Add the fresh ginger, cover, and simmer for about 3 minutes.
4. Add the tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and mung bean sprouts. Cover the pot, bring the
broth back to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and stir for about 30 seconds.
6. Add salt and/or soy sauce to taste, then sprinkle the dark sesame oil and green onions on top.
Asparagus salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
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4 cups water
One (1) pound asparagus, cut diagonally
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2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
Preparation:
Bring 4 cups water to boil in saucepan. Drop in the pound of asparagus. Boil 1 minute. Drain. Rinse
with cold water.
Mix next four ingredients (the light soy sauce, sesame seed oil, sugar and chopped garlic) in a bowl.
Pour over the asparagus.
*Note: The dressing may be kept in covered jar in the refrigerator for about a week.
Morrocan Mint Tea
Ingredients
Green Tea
Boiling water
Fresh mint (prefer short leaf bunch, with less stem)
Agave Syrup to taste (or sugar if you don’t have)
Preparation
Place the tea in a tea pot (allow 3 tablespoons for a large tea pot about 5 to 6 glasses). Pour over
½ cup fresh boiling water. Allow the tea to steep (let stand) for 10 seconds only. This will rinse the
gun powder tea and allow the leaves to open up. Pour out the water.
Add all the mint and sugar to taste. Pour fresh boiling water onto mix to fill the pot.
Allow the tea to steep for a few minutes. (If you prefer your tea strong, you may bring the full tea
pot to boil and let it stand for a couple more minutes)
Pour 3 to 4 cups, but do not stir. Simply pour back into the pot, this allows the mint tea mixture to
blend naturally.
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PractitionersKate O’loughlin – Kate is now practicing Acupuncture specialising in Women’s Health, Facial Acupuncture, as well as
Herbal Medicine, Chinese and Remedial Massage and Dietary Therapy. She is here on Tuesday, Wednesdays, Friday
and Saturday every week, from 9am till 7pm.
Tim Lyne – Tim is practicing Acupuncture, Remedial Oriental Massage Therapy, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Qigong
on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 7pm.
David Ackerman – David Is with us every Monday and Thursday from 9.00am to 7.00pm offering Chiropractic,
Cranio-sacral balancing and NET or Neuro-Emotional-Technique.
Greg Foster – Is a Massage Therapist specialising in Deep Tissue and Remedial Massage. He is her Thurs and Fri from
9am till 7pm. Health Fund Rebates Available!
Jade Tortoise Clinic of Natural Medicine
8 Strand Ave, New Brighton
NSW 2483
Ph: 02 6680 5602
www.jadetortoise.com.au
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