Skin Is Your Third Lung

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views skin with great reverence. It’s more than a barrier between the inside of the body and the outside environment. Skin is linked to the organ function of Lung—a breathing and eliminating function. Consequently, TCM links Lung to the energy of the Metal element.

But there’s more: Your skin is particularly important because it is a reflexive organ that provides important telltale signs of what is going on within your body. Any recurring skin problem in the same area is an indicator of your health condition. Your skin’s role as a provider of natural early warning signs can help you maintain or achieve an improved state of wellness.

We all know that smoking is very bad for our health, but few realize the particularly dreadful cumulative effect smoking has on skin health and quality. This is because the lungs and skin have a very specific and direct connections and is why Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to the skin as the third lung.

For most people, twenty to thirty minutes of accelerated breathing three times a week is quite sufficient for the health of their skin and body. During these sessions, the breathing should be deep enough to completely empty out the lungs and then fully renew the oxygen content of the lungs. Lack of frequent and deep breathing causes parts of the lungs and a significant portion of the lung alveolus to remain collapsed.

Experts point to the necessity of breathing from the abdomen and not simply from the top of the lungs. This action helps the movement of the diaphragm, the largest muscle in the body that acts as a major pump for the movement of lymph and of water throughout the body.

The lungs (along with skin, kidneys, and colon) are one of four major organs for eliminating bodily waste (gas, fluids and solids). Poor lung energy manifests as disorders of skin and mucous membranes as well as poor venous and lymph circulation. Lungs and the large intestine are responsible for separation, distillation and elimination.

The reflex zone for lungs is found on the face, namely on the cheeks extended from the corner of the mouth, alongside the jawbone to the ear, on both sides.

Lungs are paired with the large intestine in TCM (lungs: yin and large intestine: yang). They belong to Metal element/Fall season. Lungs are where internal energy from nutrients in the blood mixes with external energy of air to provide vital energy.

Skin is called the third lung in TCM because it is the limit between the internal and the external. For this reason, skin is regulated by Metal energy. Breathing (lungs) affects the movement of vital energy through the body.

It is said, “Where chi goes, energy flows.” Body-mind exercises such as yoga demonstrate how intent and breathing can direct energy with its attendant therapeutic benefits.

“As the interface between our inner and outer world, the Lung manages external security. Sometimes referred to as the “third lung,” the skin is the outermost surface of the self, providing an elastic envelope that contains us, shielding against intrusion. The Lung transpires across the dermal layer: through perspiration, plus opening and closing the pores, it constantly adjusts the moisture and temperature of the body. Like a screen of variable porosity, the Lung tightens and thickens the skin to ward off undesirable influences and seal in valuable internal resources, or it loosens and thins the skin to release unwanted internal substances or feelings and permit penetration of desirable influences.”

— Beinfield, Harriet, and Efrem Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York: Ballantine, 1992. Print.

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Source:

Canas, Jon. Energetic Skincare, Naturally. Eustis, FL: Phyto Distribution, 2010. Print.

How Reflex Zones Provide Telltale Signs of Our State of Health and Vitality

The Metal element in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manages the interface between our internal and external energies. The skin is a reflexive organ, in part, composed of a patchwork of reflex zones. Reflex zones in the body point to skin manifestations. They indicate energies in our bodies that are out of balance.

This property stems from the huge energetic network of channels connecting the energy of the organs to the surface of the skin. It means that the skin reflects the internal activity of the body viewed from the outside.

Most people have heard of reflexology but they think it is limited to the bottom of the feet or to the hands. Few know that the entire skin surface has a reflective quality.

That is why proper skin evaluation can provide precious telltale signs. Most often, when something goes wrong inside the body, the skin lets us know in a visible way before it becomes a serious health condition.

It is only when we ignore the warning signs that the condition might evolve to a more critical stage. PHYTO5 trained technicians have learned how to read the face since so much is happening there.

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All five organic energies are reflected on the face. Hormonal energy is also reflected on the face. The face is a mirror of our internal activity.

The organ system reflected on each area of the face is identified by the color of the corresponding element (see illustration above).

Wood Reflex Zones:

• Liver: in between the eyebrows

• Gallbladder: temple areas

Fire Reflex Zones:

• Heart: upper lip and tip of nose and around nostrils

• Small Intestine: forehead

Earth Reflex Zones:

• Spleen: bridge of nose and sides above the nostrils

• Stomach: extension of the spleen area over the cheekbones, on both sides. Also the frontal part of the neck, below the jaw and between the large intestine areas

Metal Reflex Zones:

• Lungs: cheeks extended from the coner of the mouth, alongside the jawbone to the ear, on both sides

• Large intestine: extension of lung area down the side of the neck, on both sides

Water Reflex Zones:

• Kidney: lower part of the circle around the eyes

• Bladder: upper part of the circle around the eyes, as well as hair line, above the forehead

Hormonal Reflex Zones:

• Chin area, from below the lower lip, the width of the mouth, down to the jawbone.

Reiki is similar to acupressure. It is specifically concerned with moving energy through the body in order to balance it. Reiki is thought to affect the energy field and the endocrine system. Thus, healing occurs in the body as a whole, and is not specific to a particular disease. Followers of reiki believe that because our skin comes into direct contact with the world, it is a symbol for making contact with others, as well as drawing boundaries between ourselves and others. Reiki therapy is aimed at helping those with skin problems to break through the boundaries they have made between themselves and the world, as symbolized by rashes from within or injuries from outside the boundaries of their skin. 

—Jacknin, Jeanette. Smart Medicine for Your Skin: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Conventional and Alternative Therapies to Heal Common Skin Problems. New York: Avery, 2001. Print.

How to Tell if You Have Over-Processed Skin and How to Resolve It

A relatively new skin condition has evolved. Many doctors call it “over-processed” skin. As the name implies, over-processed skin an excess of invasive treatments causes over-processed skin. Here the skin is so abused it eventually loses its natural properties—from appearance to its capacity to heal.

Over-processed skin:

• looks like paper and is void of vital energy;

• displays an uneven color or a great deal of redness;

• is flaky even after exfoliation;

• may exhibit a shine though it is actually dehydrated and taut;

• causes wrinkles and lines prematurely especially around the eyes and upper cheeks.

Too many chemical peels, excessive dermabrasion and maybe even excessive or unsuccessful surgery have affected the skin to the extent that the natural vital flow of energy is blocked. It creates two negative conditions:

• the stripping of trace minerals essential to natural osmosis within the skin layers

• proper fluid movement.

As blood, lymph and water no longer flow properly, the skin is lacking nutrients. Oxygenation does not reach all the layers of the skin. Elimination of toxins is affected. In short, the skin has lost its capacity to hydrate and to heal from within. More procedures only aggravate the condition and skin products no longer produce their former effects.

Our experience is that the condition of over-processed skin is best met with:

✔︎PHYTO5 Metal element energetic line; this line focuses on mineralizing and promoting oxygenation.

✔︎The Metal element PHYTO5 facial, recommended in a series of treatments.

✔︎Oligo 5 by PHYTO5; a mineral spray and essential add-on to be used morning and evening as well as a few times during the day.

✔︎A recommended series of energetic drainages to stimulate and balance all five fluids (lymph, red blood, blue blood, water and energy).

✔︎Balancing Five Clay Mask facial by PHYTO5

✔︎Ageless LaCure by PHYTO5 Face Kit cure

The very existence of this condition is a sad but very good demonstration of what happens when the skin is not respected for the organ it is, and when it is treated as if it were a mere piece of cloth.

Holistically minded estheticians are alert to these risks and educate their customers that more invasive treatments are not better.

Prevention and Restoration of Over-Processed Skin

Let’s remember that major skin conditions do not erupt overnight unless they are related to food intolerance, chemical poisoning, or infection. Undesirable esthetic manifestations evolve progressively.

To pay attention to, and to know how to read the signs your skin is giving you is up to you and your PHYTO5 professional.

Most skin conditions, including over-processed skin, can be remedied favorably when they are addressed at their early stage. Of course, the knowledgeable esthetician knows how to recognize the root cause of esthetic manifestations and how to select the appropriate energetic tools to use.

Benign conditions left untreated can become chronic over time. This increases the difficulty of resolving them by natural solutions. Often, adjustments to lifestyle must parallel a well-conceived treatment series and home product selection.

Balanced skin is a blessing to be preserved. It can be maintained with good lifestyle habits and personalized skincare regimentation.

The PHYTO5 Balancing Five Clay Mask facial is a treatment protocol well adapted to balanced skin. Alternatively, we highly recommend the treatment of the energetic season, supported by seasonal home-use products.

An occasional Ageless LaCure by PHYTO5 Face Kit cure is a good three week balancing home treatment and is particularly adapted to maturing skin.

Preventive and restorative skincare represents an investment on your part. In view of the high cost and high risk of invasive facial techniques that lead to damaged, over-processed skin, one ounce of holistic PHYTO5 prevention is worth a pound of invasive treatment!

“Irritant reactions are characterized by red, flaking, and uncomfortable skin. The skin often stings after almost any product is applied. This is caused by irritants easily penetrating the damaged barrier function and stimulating nerve endings that cause the feeling of stinging and burning. The redness is caused by the immune response. Estheticians often refer to this as overprocessed skin.”—Lees, Mark. Skin Care: Beyond the Basics. Albany, NY: Milady, 2001. Print.

“Overprocessed skin can lead to premature aging, overly sensitive skin, and rosacea.”—Douglas, Kym, and Cindy Pearlman. The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2006. Print.

9+ Ways to Prepare for TCM's Energetic Fall Season Beginning August 7

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Energetic Fall and the Season of the Metal Element begins August 7 and ends October 20.

As the wheel of the seasons turns to fall, the days shorten, the earth cools, and the expanded energy of summer begins to consolidate. – Bliss, Nishanga. Real Food All Year: Eating Seasonal Whole Foods for Optimal Health & All-day Energy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 2012. Print.

• Metal energy is consolidating with inward movement, like a flower closing its petals. Be one with nature. It's okay to close your petals for awhile.

• Metal’s motion is determined, forceful, strong, unyielding, self-reliant, reserved and sophisticated. Use these to your best advantage.

• Metal is associated with the lungs, respiratory system and is related to the nose. Take in the heavenly Chi.

• Metal is also associated with the large intestine, an organ of elimination. Through the lungs we not only regenerate from the air we breathe, but we also eliminate the carbonic gas produced by the metabolism of our cells. Elimination and cleansing is both a physical and a psychological activity. It is one of the purposes of this energetic season.

• Both courage and sadness are emotions associated with this season. Allow yourself to weep when you feel to but also find the courage to face what's ahead. 

• Metal represents the direction West (the direction of dreams and visions). In Taoist mythology, West is guarded by the White Tiger, known for righteousness, independence and determination. Stand facing West and honor the "Westness" of Autumn.

• This season's color is represented by white or blue; light white candles against the growing darkness of the season.

Here are 9 More Tips to Thrive During the Energetic Season of Fall

1. Practice letting go in all things.

2. Release old resentments or hurts. Start fresh.

3. When feeling sad or stuck, remember that nothing is permanent. It will pass.

4. Eliminate negative and destructive habits.

5. Meditate or pray. This is the time of year when spiritual vision comes easier.

6. Cleanse your body. Support the immune system by eating more fresh fruits and veggies and less animal products.

7. Help your body to rehydrate by drinking lots of water and eating high water content produce.

8. Breathe and smell the new scents of nature and the season. Note the subtle or remarkable change in the quality of the air.

9. Complete unfinished projects. Prepare for the winter.

Skin

Dryness is the ruling chi of the Fall season. For skin, the Metal energetic season is the optimum time to address demineralization, surface dehydration, puffiness and congestion, and dull, lifeless skin. PHYTO5’s quantum energetic Metal energetic line has mineralizing and anti-inflammatory properties, increases circulation, promotes oxygenation of skin, diminishes swelling and puffiness, and rehydrates and rejuvenates the skin.

Food

Sour foods like lemon, plum, pear, and mango work to obstruct bodily functions, which make them helpful in alleviating diarrhea, excessive perspiration, and hemorrhoids, among other conditions. Sour foods are most active in the liver, where they counteract the effects of rich, greasy food. Sour foods are related to the fall season. – Ross, Rosa, and Suzanne LeVert. Chinese Healing Foods. New York: Pocket, 1998. Print.

Your diet should be dictated by the rhythms of the external world. Food gains power to maintain health from its relationship to the external world...  Root vegetables, such as burdock and turnips have downward-moving energy, so give in to the natural desire to eat them in the fall. – Cohen, Misha Ruth. The New Chinese Medicine Handbook: An Innovative Guide to Integrating Eastern Wisdom with Western Practice for Modern Healing. Fair Winds Press, 2015. Print.

For an excellent Fall season Qi Gong exercise, check out the YouTube video below.

All About FOOD for the Energetic Earth Season

The fifth or transition season between seasons according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, we call it the Earth element season. It runs until August 6 when energetic Fall begins.

In Chinese medicine, our bodies are microcosmic mirrors of the world. They are hemselves small worlds containing all the energies and elements of the Earth. Our bodies are fully connected to our environment whether we live as if we realize this or not.

Our organ systems, our emotional beings, our energies, even our personalities will reflect the color, the energetic characteristics, the flavors, the sounds, the tastes, the direction and the striving for certain perfections of the season.

Because we’re so intrinsically connected to our environmental world, our bodies must change as our environment changes.

When we move into the Earth transition season of late Summer (according to TCM), the 18-day bridge period between energetic Summer and Fall, our diets should change.

We should adjust our way of eating in a way that builds and tones the body. Mild tasting simple foods are best. As we get ready to move into energetic Fall, we need more fat and proteins than with our previous Summer diet.

We might start craving more sweets at this time. Be sure to choose smart sugars like those below as much as you can.

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Here are some of the best naturally sweet foods to eat during energetic Earth season:

• millet

• rice

• corn

• amaranth

• carrots

• parsnips

• sprouts

• potatoes

• sweet potatoes

• lettuce

• apples

• cabbage

• peas

• cucumber

• dates

• figs

• grapes

• olives

• peaches

• pears

• squash

• tomatoes

• apricots

• cantaloupe

• kidney beans

• string beans

• walnuts

“The Earth Element has a strong influence over the fifteen days surrounding each of the two equinoxes and two solstices (7-1/2 days before and after). These are neutral buffers between the seasons, which change at the equinoxes and solstices. These interchange periods represent pivotal pauses in the light patterns we experience from the sun, the center of our solar system… To attune with the seasons, choose some foods for each meal that harmonizing and represent the center–mildly sweet foods, yellow or golden foods, round foods, and/or foods known to harmonize the center… – Healing with Whole Foods, Paul Pitchford, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 1993.

Season your food minimally with onion, leek, ginger, cinnamon, and fennel. It is now time to begin purifying and cleansing after a season of summer fun and indulging.

Now that we know what to eat, it is also important to acknowledge how we eat them. With stomach and spleen being the organs of the system, we want to assist them to function most easily by practicing more deliberate eating, chewing and digesting. Eat more slowly and with consciousness. Pay attention to portion sizes also.

Take a short rest after eating and follow it with some sort of movement. A simple short walk will assist digestion.

Late Summer is associated with community and mealtime. Share meals with friends in the open air, if possible, and take a walk en masse.

Our digestion represents and is located in the core center of our bodies. When the stomach and spleen organs are balanced and healthy we obviously will be full of vitality and energy. As a result, we will be more productive in our work and able to fulfill our responsibilities.

If our digestion is out of balance with the Earth season, we will experience fatigue, lethargy, lack of motivation and stuck behavior that prevents us from being truly creative.

Poor digestion and imbalance with Earth will show up as nausea, abdominal bloating, loose stools, loss of appetite.

18 Keys to Inner Beauty

We've all encountered a person who’s not obviously physically beautiful but was more than beautiful nevertheless. He or she was the total package radiating outward an inner beauty. People like these are more beautiful than mere physical appearance could ever boast on its own. They’re far more beautiful than supermodels. Their inner beauty glows and affects their outer beauty.

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Here are 18 Keys to Inner Beauty You Can Simply and Immediately Put Into Action:

1. Become rooted in your spirituality–your connection to a higher power (not religiosity); inner beauty is a spiritual thing;

2. Resolve to be kind to everyone; let your light shine through your eyes and in every smile you give;

3. Be a generous giver; an unexpected benefit of giving charitably of your time and service is that you feel gratified and it radiates outward;

4. Focus on letting go of the need for approval from anyone; stand firm in what you feel is right for you to do and don't look back; this kind of confidence is utterly attractive;

5. Be compassionate; put yourself always in the other one's shoes; when you do your heart warms and shines;

6. Allow other's their path; let go of the need to correct anyone else no matter how off track you think they are; don't worry, they'll find their way;

7. Eradicate judgment from your life; know that there are always other sides to the story and that everything we perceive goes through our own personal not usually objective filters;

8. Practice the art of zen, of being in the now moment; you won't necessarily achieve perfection or come even close to it but the moments of success you will have will take you very far along the road to inner stillness;

9. Practice meditation every day; it will engender a tantalizing peace about you;

10. Refrain from talking about yourself unless someone asks; don't be the one who is so self-consumed, every conversation must revolve around you;

11. Nourish your mind and soul with uplifting, inspirational and spiritual texts;

12. Resolve and know that every single thing you do you do on purpose; this higher level of consciousness will make you very attractive;

13. Just as we feed our physical bodies with nutrition, our auric fields require nutrition, too; attend bonfires or sit in front of a bank of candles and let the light of the flames feed your aura;

14. Consciously open your communication channels with the Divine who resides within you; re-esta blish the easy back-and-forth flow of communion between you and your Creator;

15. Feel; don't think so much; get attuned to your heart and live by it;

16. Be an integrity person, a person of your word; say what you mean and mean what you say;

17. Live in accordance with your core values and beliefs in all arenas of your life; don't compromise these or you will become very sad, unhappy, maybe even depressed which is completely contrary to inner beauty;

18. Make your heart and soul an inner altar where prayers and offerings are placed; build your altar over time; create a relationship with it and intentionally and always infuse it with light and love.

PHYTO5 five element lines of natural skincare, in essence, help you achieve your natural beauty aligning your skincare regiment with the five seasons of traditional Chinese medicine.

Stay Well. Don't Ignore the Transition Period Between Summer and Fall.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we strive to live in harmony with the seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. But TCM also has a fifth season which occurs four times a year. These are TCM’s 18-day "between seasons" periods called Earth that form bridges of energy from one season to the next.

"...the Earth element governs the change in the seasons, and ... thus the Earth element’s season, by definition, is the transition point between all seasons. By this logic, a weakness in the Earth energy of the body (which governs our Spleen, Stomach, and digestive function), could lead the body to be susceptible to outside illnesses when it is dominant–the time between all seasons." – from "Why Do I Get Sick When the Seasons Change?" by Marcie Griffith Bower, Lic.Ac., MAOM, Dipl. OM

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We are an inherent part of nature. We are not separate from it. Logically speaking, living in harmony with nature will assist us to have physical bodies that are in harmony in all its internal systems. We will eat in a certain way, exercise in a certain way, sleep and wake accordingly, give, love, contemplate, and nurture ourselves in alignment with the ways of the Earth season in TCM. Not only our physical bodies will benefit with health and vitality thereby preventing illness, our mental, emotional and spiritual aspects will be kept on balance and thrive as well.

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

The element associated with this transition period is Earth, the color is yellow, the organs are stomach and spleen, and it's now the time to think about harvesting what we have sown throughout the summer. It's a time of "decrease" or slowing down and at the same time, abundance, when we can:

• realize the fruits of our labor (in the relationships we enjoyed this summer, in our exuberance of life, in the care of our hearts, both literally and figuratively);

• begin again to nurture ourselves in whatever way that looks;

• to intend to digest not only our food very well but our thoughts and emotions enabling them to reach our minds and spirits;

• start slowing down and gathering in all that we have created throughout the Summer;

• recognize the bounty of the earth as harvest is about to begin and to see how we can be bounteous in our lives in our giving to others;

• contemplate the harvest aspect of our lives to see the areas that are bearing fruit and which are not; then to determine in the Fall (beginning August 7) which ones can be let go or given focus;

• determine what is truly necessary in our lives and what is superfluous and a distraction then take steps in alignment with our discoveries; this is important as we prepare to enter the Fall season where letting go is paramount;

• observe and mirror nature at this time of year; the metaphor of the cycles of nature has much to teach us; now is the time to begin contemplating how the seeds we plant (both physically and metaphorically) reap corresponding harvests; we can contemplate the seeds we have sown and realize that every harvest bears the seeds for the next one.

The Four 18-Day Transition Periods Between TCM's Seasons and How to Harmonize With Them

There are four Earth energetic seasons in the Five Element Theory and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

These are 18-day transition periods between each of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. TCM principles tell us the energy of that seasons element “returns to earth." For example, the Fire element of Summer returns to Earth to be transformed into the energy of the Metal element for upcoming Fall.

This concept of transitional seasons repeats another three times during the other three transitional periods in the year from one season to another. Together, those four periods of 18 days each every 12 months constitute the full Earth energetic season, the fifth energetic season of TCM.

The Earth season is particularly important as it is a stillpoint in the yin/yang dance of energy throughout the year. In particular, from July 20 to August 6, the yang of Wood (Spring season) and of Fire (Summer season) has faded, and the yin energy of Metal (Fall season) that will peak during Water (Winter season) is poised to rise.

The color for Earth is yellow.

Yellow fruit and vegetables are highly recommended to consume during the transitional Earth season in order to be more in alignment with the energy of the season.

A more toxic body condition found more in some people than in others is what TCM refers to as an Earth condition, or imbalance.

Earth imbalance in the skin usually manifests as:

• blemishes, toxicity, acne, psoriasis, enlarged pores

• heavy looking hair, pimples on scalp

• lymph circulation problems (Lymph is the fluid associated with Earth.)

Acne is an Earth condition that needs to be treated with targeted Earth skincare and therapies. Severe conditions will require a pointed series of treatments to balance the energetic root cause. Drainage of the lymph is essential, not only on the face but also all over the body, especially in severe cases of acne. The condition of acne tends to flare up during the four yearly transitional periods described above (the Earth season).

Lymph drainage is essential.

When waste does not fully migrate out of cells, we manifest the most typical cellulite—an Earth energy deficiency. Cells have become increasingly more bloated with waste material. The condition is aggravated when there is already too much waste in the interstitial fluid. In this case also, lymph drainage is sorely required.

Although there are a few contraindications for lymph drainage, it is safe to say that, in general, most people will benefit from regular drainage, particularly people of the Earth type. A good drainage gives instantly visible results making lymphatic drainage a worthwhile spa treatment.

If your body is very toxic which is very common with Earth types, it is advised to do the entire body in two or more sessions as toxins released too quickly over a large surface might induce fatigue and headaches. It is always imperative for everyone to drink plenty of water before and after any body drainage treatment.

The energetic drainage is not painful at all. In fact, it is considered very pleasant and relaxing. Most people feel quite rejuvenated at the end of the treatment.

In light therapy, also known as chromatherapy by PHYTO5, we use blue light to target the fluid of Earth, lymph, with our award-winning light technologies.

The morphology* associated with Earth can be described as:

• good proportions between upper and lower body (yin and yang in balance).

• likely to develop a belly

• thinking type with stable demeanor

• can be nervous when problems occur

• sensitive to humidity.

The elements in TCM are also associated with epochs in our lives. Earth tends to be the time for more mature adults while Fire, for example, is the time of young adulthood.

The PHYTO5® facial for the transitional periods between seasons/Earth element addresses energetic imbalance with two energetically potent products–the high vibration Earth serum (Phyt’Ether) and the Yellow Colored Clay Mask.

Spleen and stomach are the organs of the Earth seasons.

Spleen has a critical and ongoing management function in Chinese medicine converting and distributing energy from nourishment. It also regulates lymph flow, a major actor in toxin removal from tissues and a critical function of the immune defense system.

Earth is a time to regain our physical and psychological balance and to be prepared to sustain the energetic influences of the next season.

Indeed, during each of the other four seasons, either yin or yang will be on the rise or on the decline.

Each one of us will react to the changes in our own particular ways that can lead to imbalance, but Earth provides the perfect time to detoxify both our physical body and our mental/emotional one. It is the time to be grounded, and to cherish our CHI.

*Morphology is the study of body shapes. Your physical appearance is the specific manifestation of the sum total of all hidden and subtle energetic influences at work within you—what you were born with as well as what results from where and how you live your life. While there is an infinite number of body shapes, they can be classified according to TCM into five groups based on specific characteristics. To each of the five elements corresponds a body type—a specific morphology.

Earth Season Morphology

#tcm #morphology #acne #lymph #toxicity #skincare #Swiss #organic #natural #drainage #lymphatic drainage #holistic

A List of Foods to Eat for Glowing Skin (+Bonus Recipe!)

Make your skin glow with light enriched foods.

Sunlight puts light into food. That light, when consumed, radiates through the skin. If you want to be sure if the produce you’re eating is filled with light, there’s one rule of thumb: If it's green, you'll glow.

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Eating these is the same as ingesting life-promoting light:

• Sprouts (nice and green ones) including wheatgrass

• Dark, leafy greens

• Green algae: chlorella

• Blue green algae: spirulina and aphanizomenon flos aqua (AFA)

• Seaweeds

• Ceremonial grade match green tea

• Other green teas

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in all plants, algae and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Vital for photosynthesis, chlorophyll allows plants to obtain energy from light by converting the sun’s rays into chemical energy. Since all life on earth—with the exception of some bacteria—is supported by the sun, photosynthesis is a fundamental and essential process.

A More Complete List of Chorophyll-Rich Foods:

• Green and Blue-Green Algae

• Cereal Grasses (wheat, oats, barley, etc.)

• Buckwheat

• Sea Vegetables

• Green Leafy Sprouts

• Spinach

• Asparagus

• Green Bell Peppers

• Broccoli

• Brussels Sprouts

• Green Cabbage

• Celery

• Collard Greens

• Green Beans

• Green Peas

• Kale

• Leeks

• Green Olives

• Parsley

• Romaine Lettuce

• Sea Vegetables

• Swiss Chard

• Turnip Greens

How to Make Matcha Green Tea Latte

First, make your own almond milk from raw imported (not U.S.) almonds by blending one cup of drained and rinsed almonds that have previously been soaked in pure water at least four hours along with two cups of chilled pure water. Run in a high speed blender about 45 seconds. Next, pour through a nut bag to filter out the almond pulp.

Place 3/4 cup of your fresh-made almond milk (or store bought) into a heatproof mug. Add one teaspoon of ceremonial grade matcha green tea. Next pour just-to-boiling water, about 1/4 cup and WHISK briskly together. Add some raw blue agave to sweeten and to taste.

Note: Ceremonial grade matcha green tea is worth what you pay for it. (The lesser grades are used for cooking.)

"Many studies have determined that matcha has 60 percent Epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG]. EGCG is tea's most abundant antioxidant catechin; it is one hundred times more potent than vitamin C, twenty-five times more potent than vitamin E, and may have therapeutic applications in the treatment of many disorders since it aids in the destruction of free radicals." –The Healthy Matcha Cookbook

Matcha is just about the most potent agent against cancer, viruses (studies are now showing even HIV), hepatitis B and C, and bacteria.

At Least a Dozen Ways You May Not Have Thought of to Make Your Home Environment Radiate with Peace

1. Burn unscented candles with prayer intentions embedded into them.

2. Keep everything in order. Get organized. Chaos creates more chaos. Clean and straighten as you go.

3. Keep your decor simple and refined.

4. Cover your television screen with a beautiful tapestry when it is not in use.

5. Keep your home aired out by opening doors and windows periodically.

6. One simple fresh flower or a plant will impeccably enchant the room.

7. Light a Himalayan salt lamp in each room. It purifies and deionizes the air. Explore Evolution Salt.

8. Keep your home accessories and supplies vegan and fair-trade friendly. They carry a vibration of non-aggression.

9. Watch and feel how energies feel in your home and shift furniture until it feels better.

10. Make your home decor meaningful to you. Your home reflects who you are.

11. By all means, post a picture or a statue of peace hero in your home such as the Buddha, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, or Kwan Yin. You will be surprised at how it makes the room feel.

12. Have a set of tingshas, a bell or crystal bowl nearby and gently clang periodically to clear the energies of the room.

13. Never hesitate to do yoga in your living or bedroom. The energies you generate will uplift the room.

14. Play a continuous "OM" soundtrack in the background. The best one we've found is Eternal Om by Dick Sutphen. Or play chanting Buddhist monks. Their guttural chanting is amazingly comforting. Here is an amazing cd by Deval Premal and the Gyuto Monks (Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times) that is enthralling, reverential and moving. [All proceeds of this CD are directed to the Gyuto Monastery in Dharamsala, India; the Phowa Project; and Veggiyana.]

15. Use color and light therapies to bring gentle vibrations into your home. See our blog post of June 20.

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Feng shui is (in Chinese thought) a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy (qi), and whose favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into account when siting and designing buildings and rooms.

You can become a feng shui expert OR you can simply tune in to how placement and orientation of objects and sounds in your home FEELS. You will know immediately if a placement or addition is right for you just by the way it feels. Tune in to both ways: the way it was before and the way it is with the changes you have made. Your answer will tell you all you need to know!

It doesn't take a super built out plan or a lot of money to make your home environment the kind you desire. It merely requires:

• simplicity

• order

• a touch of creativity

You can transform your home in a matter of minutes just by clearing out the old and chaotic, rearranging items and adding sound and good vibrations to your living environment.

More Than a Dozen Ways to Start Living a More Peaceful Gentle Life Right Now

In the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, ahimsa is the principle of nonviolence and compassion toward all living things; it is considered one of five great virtues of man; its origin is from the Sanskrit language: from a ‘non-, without’ + hiṃsā ‘violence’

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi promoted Ahimsa in his life and in his life's service. He applied Ahimsa to all arenas of life. He said, "Ahimsa is in Hinduism, it is in Christianity as well as in Islam... Nonviolence is common to all religions, but it has found the highest expression and application in Hinduism (I do not regard Jainism or Buddhism as separate from Hinduism)."

Ahimsa tends to include the following loving lifestyle practices and leads to an overall more peaceful life:

1. Practicing vegetarianism and even greater, veganism in both food and clothing choices

2. Refraining from hunting and fishing whether to kill or to wound and release

3. Eliminating the caging of animals and visiting animals in zoos (animal sanctuaries for the wounded would not apply here)

4. Treating pets with love and respect, and creating structure within ourselves and for our pets so we may engender their obedience

5. Refusing to patronize companies that practice cruelty toward animals

6. Taking in abandoned pets in shelters; consider adopting an aging pet who is more likely to be passed by.

7. Taking loving care of our own bodies with high frequency exercise such as yoga, martial arts, distance meditative walking; see our blog post of June 10, 2016 for one such simple exercise.

8. Espousing moderation in what we take into our bodies such as quantities of food, alcohol, sugar, fats, drugs, tobacco

9. Meditating daily for at least a short period of time being sure to include some form of prayer before or after

10. Creating a home environment of peace and order that will support nonviolent tendencies within us

11. Gently rejecting negative and destructive self-talk realizing this is the ego talking and not us and that exactly the opposite is true about ourselves; this is practicing non-violent thinking.

12. Enriching our attitudes towards life by reading uplifting, inspiring books; see list below

13. Slowing down if we tend to rush through life; getting present to life

14. Recycling all that we don't use including clothing, furniture, tools; recycling food scraps

15. Buying organic and vegan

16. Walking or riding a bicycle whenever possible

17. Cutting way back on our consumption of paper, plastic and synthetic products

18. Becoming more acutely aware of our individual carbon footprint overall and how to reduce it

Some Titles to Read for a More Peaceful Loving Life:

• The Official Ahimsa Dog Training Manual: A Practical, Force-Free Guide to Problem Solving and Manners by Grisha Stewart

• Living Ahimsa Diet: Nourishing Love & Life by Maya Tiwari

• Gandhi: An Autobiography - The Story of My Experiments With Truth by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Mahadev H. Desai

• Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words by Peace Pilgrim

• The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Compassion by the Dalai Lama

• Personality Development by Swami Vivekananda

All PHYTO5 Swiss-made skincare products are crafted in the spirit of Ahimsa. Animals are not tested and the highest good of the planet is at the core of all our manufacturing practices.

6 Reasons Why Buying "Organic Made In Switzerland" Assures Super High Integrity

Buying Organic Skincare Made In Switzerland Assures Super High Integrity.

In many countries (including the U.S.), skincare product manufacturers are not inspected for good manufacturing practice and neither are the ingredients they use.

Since there are thousands of untested ingredients used in skincare products, consumers should be really concerned about how suitable the products are for use on their bodies. Some may actually pose dangers to your health.

In today's world of "info.-by-internet," there are all kinds of misinformation posted by people who will benefit from it and which internet searchers buy as valid and correct.

If you buy organic products made in a country like Switzerland, you can be assured it goes through a multi-tier certification process, much more so than in the U.S. Add the final step of USDA organic certification once the products reaches the country and you and your product are virtually assured of its authenticity and benefit to your health.

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

NOTE: Ageless La Cure skincare products by PHYTO5 are organic certified. PHYTO5 seasonal skincare products are not organic certified but many of the products contain organic ingredients and all are formulated with plant-based ingredients.

The 6 Tiers of Organic Certification for Skincare Made in Switzerland and Imported into the U.S.

1. Organic certification is required from the ECOCERT organization for European manufactured products as well as products from a number of other countries and the products are clearly marked as such.

2. European Union regulations for skincare products are very stringent and require many toxicology tests to verify them as completely harmless.

3. Toxicology tests on skincare products are conducted not only at the time of inception/formulation of the product but for every production batch.

4. European-made organic skincare including Swiss-made bears the professional organization COSMEBIO® icon which designates the product as natural, eco-friendly and organic.

5. Only in Switzerland, the government conducts regular inspections of manufacturing plants to asure they are using good manufacturing practices.

6. Organic skincare must additionally pass USDA organic certification once in the country.

More About Ecocert Certification for Organic and Natural Cosmetics

Introduced in 2003, the specification was drawn up in conjunction with all stakeholders in the value chain, i.e. experts, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, consumers and development organizations. Ecocert currently supports and guides more than 1,000 companies through their certification processes.

The basic principles of the Ecocert standard: To ensure an environmentally friendly cosmetic product, the Ecocert standard lays down:

1. The use of ingredients derived from renewable resources, manufactured by environmentally friendly processes. Ecocert therefore checks:

• absence of GMO

• parabens

• phenoxyethanol

• nanoparticles

• silicon

• PEG

• synthetic perfumes and dyes

• animal-derived ingredients (unless naturally produced by them: milk, honey, etc.).

• biodegradable or recyclable nature of packaging.

 2. A minimum threshold of natural ingredients from organic farming to be reached to obtain certification: For both labels, Ecocert Standard imposes that a minimum of 95% of the total ingredients come from natural origin;

• For the natural and organic cosmetic label: A minimum of 95% of all plant-based ingredients in the formula and a minimum of 10% of all ingredients by weight must come from organic farming.

• For the natural cosmetic label: A minimum of 50% of all plant-based ingredients in the formula and a minimum of 5% of all ingredients by weight must come from organic farming.

/!\: Some ingredients very frequently found in cosmetics (water, salts, minerals) cannot be certified as organic because they are not sourced from farming. For example, shampoos and some creams, mostly composed of water, contain between 10% and 40% organic ingredients, and always 95% natural ingredients. An essential oil, which does not contain water, can be up to 100% organic ingredients.

3. On-site audit is performed by an Ecocert auditor.

21 Short and Long Term Ways to Cope

Everybody runs into rough patches. That's the nature of life. Here are 21 enjoyable ways to transform the heaviness of life into light. Pick and choose.

1. Try not to isolate yourself. Align with a positive minded and emotionally healthy friend or friends. Reach out and share.

2. Read spiritually uplifting books in your time of need; try reading The Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East, or Autobiography of a Yogi. Your life will be changed.

3. Read and study A Course In Miracles. There are concepts in the book you can immediately put into practice for your peace of mind.

4. Read success coaching books by people like Brendon Burchard.

5. Step out into nature for a walk or a visit. Let nature embrace and love you. It works. You'll feel better.

6. Get out of town for a few hours. Drive to a place you've been wanting to visit but kept putting it off. Enjoy the change of scenery.

7. Remember that nothing is permanent. It will pass.

8. Have at hand or in memory a number of mantras to repeat either aloud or silently that resonate with you.

9. Turn on some music and even better, sing and/or dance to it. The physical exercise of dancing will change you.

10. Adjust your physical posture. If you address your physiology, your mental will follow suit. Stand or sit erect, relax your face and make yourself smile.

11. Go be in service to someone somewhere. Don't put it off. Do it now.

12. Set up reminders in your smartphone to cue you throughout the day to stop for a moment and acknowledge the Divine lives within you as you.

13. Interrupt your pattern. Stop doing everything the same way every day at the same time of the day. Mix it up. Right now. Get up and do something different.

14. Watch a comedy. Get laughing. You can't ever laugh too much. Laugh till it hurts!

15. Pray. Call on your celestial guides to help carry you through your challenge. They can't help if you don't ask. They are waiting to respond to your call!

16. Set up an altar with an unscented candle(s) and pictures or even statues of your favorite spiritual figures throughout history. Say your prayers in front of this altar and know you and these people are one and the same, you have only to realize it.

17. If you can afford it, go get a massage right away.

18. Cleanse the energetic envelope that surrounds your physical body by smudging it with sage or whisking a bird feather through it. Keep cleansing the bird feather by sharply whisking it down towards the floor every few seconds. You can also sounds bells or gently beat a drum in your energy field (also known as your auric field).

19. Resolve to change the behavior that has brought you to a place of overwhelm. Choose just one thing to change and then take one small action toward making that change and do it immediately, no matter how small or trivial that action might seem.

20. Refuse to entertain all thoughts simultaneously which lead to overwhelm. Practice and learn to deflect them. You have the power, not they. This will help you to be in this moment NOW where there can be no overwhelm or worry. Practice being in the now by reading and studying the works of Eckhart Tolle.

21. Be with an animal. Go get near some animals, even if cows or horses grazing in a field. Adopt an aging animal from a shelter. Spend time with your neighbor's pet. They will all be present to you. They have no judgment.

18 Avenues for Releasing Stored Emotional Pain

All emotions, pain in particular, are recorded at the cellular level. Emotions stem from the body’s experiences and its mental interpretation of those experiences. Because of this, emotions are closely related to our bodies. They’re actually an extension of our bodies.

There is also evidence that mental pain and anguish have an impact on the body as if they were physical bodily injuries. This helps to explain why many massage therapists have experienced involuntary emotional reactions from their clients like unexplainable cries, shrieks, or tears. These happen when there is a release of a painful event which has been stored in the physical body as a physical and/or energetic blockage.

It's a good thing to get these blocks of energy released otherwise they might cause a physical illness down the road. Think about it: When energy is blocked from flowing in the body, how can that be good? It causes pain, dysfunction and illness.

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

Make it a habit, within the constraints of your budget, to see a holistic healthcare giver on a regular basis. If they are truly holistic, they will take your ability to pay into account and create a sliding scale for you. This is the meaning of holistic–taking all aspects of a person into account when treating, including the means to pay for services. Bring it up to your therapist if this is the case for you.

Here's a partial list of types of holistic practitioners* you might want to look into for yourself:

1. Massage therapist, of course, but preferably one with knowledge of balancing chakras

2. Doctor of Oriental Medicine or Acupuncturist

3. Energy medicine practitioner

4. Ayurvedic practitioner

5. Reiki practitioner

6. Biofeedback specialist

7. Chromatherapy specialist

8. Guided imagery practitioner

9. Therapeutic touch therapist

10. Doctor of Homeopathy

11. Thai yoga teacher/practitioner

12. Bach flower remedy specialist

13. Rolfer

14. Pranic healing specialist

15. Rebirthing expert

16. Sound therapist

17. Myofascial/trigger point therapist

18. Chakra balancing expert

*Some of these healthcare givers may require licenses to practice. Be sure to verify before accepting treatment.

The 7 Types of Ayurvedic Massage

Abhyangam
A full body hot oil massage with medicated herbal oil in the patient's particular dosha (dosha: each of three energies believed to circulate in the body and govern physiological activity). A comfortably warm temperature is maintained in the room and energy centers are stimulated to assist the body in releasing deep seated toxins.

Udvartana
In Udvartana massage, an herbal paste or dried herbal powders are applied oppositethe hairgrowth i.e. in an upward direction. This breaks down the adipose tissues in the body, increases circulation and releases toxins.

Garshana
The Garshana massage is a process of stimulating the body using raw silk gloves only minus the application of any lubricant. Light and vigorous movements eliminate toxins from the body by stimulating the lymphatic system and fat cells in the body break Dead skin cells are sloughed off leaving the skin clean and radiant.

Njavarkijhi
This massage increases perspiration in the body. A pressurized massage is given with the help of small cotton ‘blouses’ filled with a special type of cooked rice called Njavara. During the massage, these blouses are dipped in cow’s milk and a special herbal paste and applied to produce sweat. It is de-stressing and revitalizing.

Shirodhara
Here a stimulation of the nerves in the scalp is activated by pouring herbal oil on the head in a constant stream or ‘dhara,' thus relieving mental fatigue, increasing focus and clarity and alleviating headaches.

Ubtaan and Elakijhi
Various herbal or animal centric materials are used to vitalize the skin texture and nourish the body.

2 Effective and Natural Ways to Fight Potential Superbugs

On May 26, 2016 Sanjay Gupta, MD of CNN reported, "New ‘superbug’ no antibiotic can combat arrives in U.S." We've all heard how antibiotics aren't working like they used to. Microbes are adapting. They're learning how to survive the attacks of antibiotics.

In another CNN interview with a microbiologist, the health pundit was asked what new approach we could use to combat superbugs and he answered, PROBIOTICS. He said we have to start looking at probiotics for our health. Hello?! Where has he been?! I guess just steeped in the world of allopathic medicine but it's nice to hear they're more and more willing to give a real alternative like probiotics a good hard look.

What a simple, affordable and really healthy way to fight such pathogens! Keep your intestines populated with probiotics (also known as friendly flora).

Another microbiologist, Larry Harris, formerly of the CIA, was asked on national television several years ago about how we can effectively combat lethal pathogens and he said:

The only natural substance I know of that is effective against these microbes is colloidal silver. I tested that myself when I was with the CIA, and found it effective against both anthrax and the bubonic plague pathogens. –Former CIA microbiologist Larry Wayne Harris

The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual. Barwick, Steve. Peoria, AZ: Life and Health Research Group, n.d. Print.

Concerning PROBIOTICS: Get a good one at the health food store. They are usually sold in the refrigerated section. Keep them refrigerated so that as many as possible of the millions and millions of friendly flora organisms stay alive. Don't take too much. Just take what the bottle says every day, at least until you learn how your body responds to them. There will be other benefits including much better waste elimination, glowing skin, resistance to colds, flu, healthier bones, nicer breath and more!

On COLLOIDAL SILVER: Again, get a good brand at the health food store, preferably one that uses nanotechnology. You want a silver with nanoparticles because nanoparticles are so small they can penetrate your mucous membranes far more effectively than regular colloidal silver. You can buy it in spray form or liquid dropper form. I use the liquid dropper form. It tastes fine.

Just put the prescribed amount under your tongue, hold it there for 20 seconds or so and swallow. Don't overdo colloidal silver either. Just take the amount prescribed on the label. And remember this mantra when taking colloidal silver, "Less is more and more is less." This means that if you take a much larger amount of silver than is suggested, it will be ineffective. But you can take it several times throughout the day.

We've all heard of rare people who turned blue after going wild on colloidal silver. Though this is rare, be smart. There's nothing to fear even if you take it every day.

Not only are probiotics and colloidal silver effective at outsmarting bugs and superbugs, they're a whole lot cheaper and with no ill side effects.

#superbugs #health #holistic #healing #probiotics #colloidalsilver #beauty #skincare

Laughter and Joy In Balance Are Two of Chinese Medicine's Summer Attributes. Here Are 15 Spectacular Benefits of Having Fun This Summer.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) philosophy there are five seasons or phases. These are comprised of the four seasons we all readily know plus an in-between-seasons period (there are four of these periods) in the cyclical year. To each of the seasons corresponds one of the five elements (Wood–Spring, Fire–Summer, Earth–Between Seasons, Metal–Fall, and Water–Winter). In addition, each of the five seasons bears an array of attributes that when understood and embraced can assist us to better live in harmony with the season.

Summer’s organs are heart and small intestine. In the human body, Fire obviously manifests in the heart (called in TCM, The Utmost Source), pericardium (the protective membrane around the heart–called by TCM, The Protector), the triple heater (regulator of internal temperature) and the small intestine (called the Heavenly Window by TCM). Since the blood vessels deliver blood to the heart and the heart pumps blood through the vessels, blood flow represents joy of life. Just as the heart and small intestine are the organs of focus during Summer, the blood vessels are the tissue of focus during TCM’s Summer.

The emotion therefore of Summer is joy, but not overflowing joy: joy in balance. (Being overly joyful or gregarious indicates a person who is out of balance with the season and the element.)

It follows then that the sound of Summer and Fire is laughing.

The weather in Summer is associated with the qualities of heat and dryness.

The movement is ascending, and the direction is South.

The color of Fire is red and therefore the color of the season. The taste is bitter or burned, the sensation is taste, and the sense organ is logically the tongue.

If you find yourself in Summer which runs from May 6 to July 19 according to TCM, then now is the time to take advantage of Summer's energies and attributes so that you will be able to easily carry all Summer’s feel-good benefits into Fall. Taste the flavors of the season, enjoy the color, the warmth, the increased light, and the sound of laughter and you’ll be considered to be living in harmony with energetic Summer.

In line with Summer’s sound of laughter, have fun during Summer and laugh.

The following are 15 spectacular benefits of having fun at any time of year, but most especially during energetic Summer.

• Pain can be lessened and relieved.

• Brain function improves. You’ll gain clarity of mind and memory.

• Now that you’re more relaxed, your innate creativity surges.

• Mental, even physical youth is fostered. The brain becomes more plastic and your body alive with energy and light.

• Relationships are strengthened when having fun with others. It builds connections and solidifies social bonds—one of the major focuses of energetic Summer.

• Emotional wounds may be healed. With the walls around the heart crashing down, the way is paved for appreciating what you’ve learned as a result of your traumas so you can integrate them simply as part of your being and something you had to go through to be an even better person.

• Sleep patterns become more regulated because serotonin in the brain increases when you’re enjoying having fun.

• Your body temperature becomes more balanced again because of increased serotonin levels.

• Coping skills seem to be magically more available to you.

• Physical energy increases.

• Overall positive feelings become the norm in your emotional body.

• You become more productive in your life.

• LOVE happens!

• You become transformed at a cellular level.

The Incredible Benefits of Red Fruits and Vegetables for Heart Health During Energetic Summer and All Year ‘Round

Energetic Summer according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the time period from May 6 to July 19. TCM’s astute observations beginning as early as the 14th–11th centuries BCE tell us that Summer encourages us to live in an emotional state of joy-in-balance. The element associated with Summer is Fire. The color is red and the organ is the heart.

Living in harmony with each season as it comes is integral to TCM philosophy. By doing so, we enjoy higher levels of health and vitality.

To create harmonious living with the season TCM also advocates incorporating the color red into our lives more prominently during Summer and this includes the consumption of red fruits and vegetables. Most red produce is seasonal to Summer, is actually somewhat heart-shaped, and most of it supports healthy heart function. (Remember that the heart is the organ of Summer.) Red fruits and vegetables indicate the presence of high levels of lycopene and other powerful antioxidants proven to be heart disease fighters.

Though all produce offers an entire array of nutritional and health benefits, in this article we’re looking at what red fruits and vegetables of Summer offer cardiovascular health.

Strawberries

With a high polyphenol content (plant compounds that act as antioxidants which neutralize harmful free radicals), strawberries are rich in anthocyanins and have been shown to remarkably help lower your risk of myocardial infarction.

The flavonoid quercetin in strawberries is a natural anti-inflammatory which appears to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

Finally, the healthy fiber and potassium content in strawberries supports heart health.

Cherries

“Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits, including a reduction in risk factors for heart disease. A growing body of science links cherries’ red color (provided by the fruit’s powerful antioxidants (anthocyanins) to heart-health benefits related to reducing inflammation, total cholesterol, and belly fat. With more than 80 million Americans living with some form of heart disease, the heart-healthy qualities of eating red fruits and vegetables have more relevance than ever.” —Shari Steinbach, MS, RD in Cherries and Heart Health; https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/iv-for-021511-shari-steinbach/

Raspberries

Disease-fighting compounds in red raspberries have the ability to fight back against oxidative stress thereby lowering the risk of atherosclerosis development, improving vasodilation of blood vessels, and reducing blood pressure.

What is particularly interesting about the research on red raspberries is “their potential to help reduce factors contributing to metabolic syndrome which has implications for diabetes development and overall cardiovascular and brain health,” so says Britt M. Burton-Freeman, PhD, of the Center for Nutrition Research, Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology.

Tomatoes

Lycopene in tomatoes help lower your levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol and they help regulate blood pressure, too. Both of these may lower your chances of heart disease. Other nutrients in tomatoes like vitamins B and E and flavonoid antioxidants work to boost heart health as well.

Red bell peppers

Full of lycopene (just mentioned above), consuming red bell peppers can be excellent for heart health. Antioxidant vitamins A and C abound in red bell peppers. If you choose the chili pepper varieties of red bell peppers, the phytochemical capsaicin helps reduce inflammation, another important factor for heart health.

Red beets

“A daily serving of beet juice may improve quality of life for heart failure patients, based on recent findings linking beetroot juice to blood pressure reductions and improved exercise endurance.” —Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure and Boosts Exercise Endurance in Heart Failure Patients

Based on recent findings published in JACC: Heart Failure, drinking beet juice may be an effective way for heart failure patients to improve exercise endurance and quality of life.

Red grapes

Resveratrol, a polyphenol in red grapes, have antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to lessening your risk of cardiovascular disease. Eating red grapes helps the body to prevent platelet build-up and reduces blood pressure and the risk of irregular heart rhythms.

Pomegranate

The juice of pomegranate seeds appears to protect the heart and arteries. This sweet red juice helps to improve blood flow and keeps the arteries from becoming stiff and thick. It seems to help slow the growth of plaque and buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, studies show.

“Drinking pomegranate juice daily may also help lower systolic blood pressure. A comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials stated that it would be beneficial for heart health to include pomegranate juice daily.” —Mandy Ferreira and medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, RD, LD in Fifteen health benefits of pomegranate juice, Medical News Today

Red pears

Since pears are high in potassium, they have a significant impact on heart health. Potassium acts as an excellent vasodilator assisting to lower blood pressure. With improved blood flow to all parts of the body oxygen is well delivered to all organs causing them to function more effectively. The high fiber content of pears also ensures good heart health.

THE EMOTION OF JOY

In the seminal holistic healing book, You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, she tells us how blood flow and joy are related. Anger constricts the flow of blood and makes a destructive impact on the heart. The heart and joy or lack of it exist in symbiosis. One begets the other.

Her “dictionary” of diseases and their associated emotions says this about the heart:

“…Represents the center of love and security.

– Heart Attack: Squeezing all the joy out of the heart in favor of money or position. Feeling alone and scared. 'I’m not good enough. I don’t do enough. I’ll never make it.'

– Heart Problems: Longstanding emotional problems. Lack of joy. Hardening of the heart. Belief in strain and stress.”

Summertime can be a joyful time of open hearts and love. Align with the energies of Summer and do everything you can to keep your heart pumping joyfully. Consuming red fruits and vegetables can help in more ways than one.

This blog was originally published on May 27, 2016 but has been extensively updated and expanded on June 18, 2021 for freshness and comprehensiveness.

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Endnotes:

“Strawberries: Benefits, Nutrition, and Risks.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271285#benefits. 

“Cherries and Heart Health.” Have a Plant: Fruits and Veggies for Better Health, https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/iv-for-021511-shari-steinbach/

“What Red Raspberries Can Do For Your Heart.” Labroots. https://www.labroots.com/trending/cardiology/2440/what-red-raspberries-can-do-your-heart

“Beet Juice Lowers Blood Pressure and Boosts Exercise Endurance in Heart Failure Patients. CardioSmart: American College of Cardiology. https://www.cardiosmart.org/news/2016/3/beet-juice-lowers-blood-pressure-and-boosts-exercise-endurance-in-heart-failure-patients

“What are the health benefits of grapes?” Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271156

“Fifteen health benefits of pomegranate juice.” Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318385

Hay, Louise. You Can Heal Your Life. Hay House. 2004.

6 Important Foods to Keep You Cool as a Cucumber This Summer

The heart and small intestine are partners in the human physiology according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Heat disperses and eliminates itself from the body through increased urination. This is why you want to stay hydrated and cool with these six foods. They'll help you keep heart in balance during the lazy hazy days of Summer.

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6 Cooling Foods for Summer Heat (No spicy-greasy here!)

1. Coconut milk; slightly sweet and a relatively neutral food. Buy the better brands in the health food stores. You can make your own in a high speed blender by blending some young Thai coconut meat with pure water. It is very nourishing to the spleen, stomach and kidneys, generating fluid and relieving thirst.

2. Mung beans; they're great sprouted. Learn to sprout them. They only take a couple days or else find them in the produce aisle in the grocery store. Mung beans are sweet and cooling and they nourish both heart and stomach. They're rich in protein, iron and fiber and they help lower blood fat and strengthen arteries. They help clear toxic heat and promote urination.

3. Cucumber, of course! This fruit is sweet and cold, and very nourishing to the stomach and small intestine. It helps relieve thirst, promote urination and clear toxins.

4. Eggplant; it grows in abundance in the summer–you just have to learn how to prepare it to make it taste great. Eggplant is relatively sweet and cooling, and renews the spleen, nourishes the liver and keeps the stomach regulated. It helps reduce swelling and promotes urination.

5. Watermelon, absolutely! Sweet and cold, watermelon is great for the heart, bladder and stomach. Believe it or not, it helps eliminate restlessness. It's thirst relieving and promotes urination.

6. Bitters*;  so good for you, they're actually important to eat every day. See list below for veg examples of bitters. And hey! have some Jägermeister, but not too much! It's a German digestif made with 56 herbs and spices at a strength of 35% alcohol by volume. Bitters such as Jägermeister are used as a medicinal substance to promote digestion.

*amaranth, arugula, beet greens, broccoli raab, chard, chicory, cress, collard greens, curly endive, dandelion greens, kale, endive, escarole, frisée, mizuna, mustard greens, nettles, puntarelle, radicchio, rapini, rocket, spinach, turnip greens, watercress

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8 Tips for a Radiant Summer Heart

Summer is the season of the heart and small intestine (in Traditional Chinese Medicine on whose tenets we base our PHYTO5 skincare philosophy). Today, we're looking at how to keep our heart in tip top shape taking advantage of the Summer's energy.

In Western medicine, the heart does nothing more than pump blood. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the heart is so much more. In Chinese medicine, life is more than form just as are our lives which include relationships, career, emotions, traumas, education, finances, love, and joy.

Fire Element • Summer Season • Heart Organ

In TCM, they are one and when aligned with each other, we live in harmony and our vitality results in every aspect of our lives.

When there is too much fire in any fire pile, heat blazes upwards. In the human, anger bubbles up, emotions get charged and the face and neck turn red.

When there is too little fire, warmth begins to dissipate and so does its light. In the human, necessary heat cannot reach the head as well and the face becomes pale and the person lethargic. Heart palpitations may occur intermittently.

With just the right amount of fire, all systems are go! The blood is circulating optimally and the human feels at ease, relaxed and happy. His or her facial complexion looks balanced and robust.

In TCM, the heart is the Emperor Fire, governing the blood and blood vessels and actually housing the mind which interprets our feelings and emotions. It is the king of all organs meaning all the other organs will sacrifice for the heart so that balance may be achieved.

The small intestine is partner to the heart and the liver is known as the mother of the heart. They both work to support the heart.

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So how do we keep the heart in balance? Take care of the liver and the stomach! Let's begin with the liver. Here are several arenas to focus on for liver health:

1. Consume bitters. They strengthen digestion by causing a reflexive secretion of gastric juices and they tone the muscles of the digestive tract.

2. Take herbal purgatives, if necessary, to keep your bowels moving. There are tasty teas in the health food stores designed for this purpose.

3. Take liver tonics such as what your Doctor of Oriental Medicine will prescribe for you. Or consume milk thistle, commonly found in health food stores.

4. Do juice fasting. If the liver is burdened, fasting will assist it to bounce back resiliently.

5. Eat high fiber foods and keep well hydrated. Both of these keep the bowels moving.

6. Practice breathing. Stress can exacerbate liver congestion. Breathing is very calming.

7. Avoid overeating and putting undue stress on the liver. We really don't need to eat as much as we do!

8. Cut the chemicals. Chemicals can overload the liver especially if we've never done a liver cleanse or if we don't consciously read product labels and buy with discernment.

6 Great Reasons to Consider TCM for Your Health and Vitality

Do you think Chinese medicine would have survived for more than 3,000 years, its practice spreading all over the world, if it weren’t a potent, total, proven, and truly holistic system of medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is actually rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism* and dates back more than 2,500 years. TCM is a functional, “flesh and bones” medicine based on the same fundamental physiology as Western medicine. You don't have to be a Doctor of Oriental Medicine or licensed acupuncturist to practice its principles and reap many rewards from its practice. Its principles are practiced in beauty salons, skincare institutes, spas, and wellness centers all over the globe, especially where PHYTO5 skincare is offered.

Chinese medicine was passed down through the centuries by some of the most exquisite learned minds of China. Chinese medicine assisted emperors and the royal courts to live well into their 90s, even remaining fertile into their 80s at a time when the average life expectancy in the West was 30 years.

Do a Google search for "five elements skincare" and discover that PHYTO5 and its “energetic skincare” method is at the forefront of the industry because it offers energetic principles of both TCM and Ayurveda** and with superior results. Balanced vital energy achieved by TCM is a prerequisite of real health and when you feel better, you also look better!

Distinctions of Chinese Medicine Practice and Philosophy:

1. Your physician spends more time interviewing and examining you.

2. Your physician takes factors over and above your physical health into account.

3. The therapies are non-invasive.

4. The philosophy also takes the environment into account including the seasons and the elements comprising the earth.

5. The practice realizes that the body is not just matter but 50% matter and 50% vital energy and therefore carefully considers your body's energy envelope and energy pathways when providing treatments.

6. Lifestyle in alignment with the five phases (seasons) is a core tenet because it brings harmony to the body, the mind and the spirit.

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*Philosophical Taoism emphasizes inner contemplation and mystical union with nature; wisdom, learning, and purposeful action should be abandoned in favor of simplicity and wu-wei (non-action, or letting things take their natural course).

**Literally meaning 'life science,' Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine which is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and utilizes diet, herbal treatments, and yogic breathing as major tenets of its system.