2010 Tiger Metal Year

February 14th 2010 marks the beginning of the Year of the Yang Metal Tiger. The Chinese horoscope is based on a cycle of 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig) and 5 elements, (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). Thus, a particular animal-element combination recurs only once every 60 years.

The white (=metal) tiger is one of the most potent magic symbols in Asian shamanic traditions. The tiger is dangerously powerful, intense, unpredictable and fearless. The metal element adds a quality of precision to temper the raw strength of the tiger but will not reach its full strength until September-November. Thus, this year is one with great opportunity for direct and forceful actions, but, especially in the early part of the year, there is much potential for mishap and instability. Following are some prognostications given by Liu Ming, a wise and witty scholar of Daoist philosophy and astrology, who annually gives a talk on what might be expected in the upcoming year.

General Recommendations: Delay actions if possible until after April when the Tiger energy will be less chaotic, more focused, and more productive. If you are a tiger or dragon, enjoy your power but be wary of impulsiveness and excess. Horses, roosters, dogs, and pigs can expect a good year. Small animals –rats, rabbits, snakes, and monkeys—as well as oxen and sheep should lie low to avoid the Tiger whirlwind.

Globally, instead of Earth-Oxen year earthquakes, the Tiger will bring heat and unpredictability. Expect volcanoes and explosions as well as water-related catastrophes.

Politically, it will be a poor year for diplomacy – tigers neither make nor keep treaties. Influenced by uncompromising and aggressive Tiger energy, world leaders are likely to listen to their military advisors.
In business and finance, competition will be fierce on all fronts but the recalibration of “big” and “small” that began in 2001 will continue. Big conglomerates have so far driven a growth economy, but increasingly, small businesses that retain integral ties with their local roots – local pride, sense of community and concern for environmental protection – will find opportunities to succeed. Hard work and good products may become the basis of a new economy as conglomerate power becomes slow to react and unreliable.

In regard to health, the Tiger is tremendously powerful but has little immunity to the slightest infection. Metal is associated with the lungs. This year, be prepared for lung diseases, flu, widespread virulent contagious infections, allergies, and recurrent illnesses. Pay attention and make good choices for your health. This is an especially good year to adhere to a regular health practice.

In the Inner Realm, self-righteousness and spirituality are a call to war in Metal Tiger years. Instead, use the daring of the Tiger year to examine the spirituality inherent in your own heart. This is a good year to plunge yourself in a meditation practice, go on a retreat, and dig deeply.

The Metal Tiger year ends and the Metal Rabbit year begins on February 3, 2011 – a good time for recovering from the excesses of Tiger energy.

-By Tatyana Ryevzina and Pam Chang of Sarana Community Acupuncture in Albany, CA

Winter Newsletter

Armonía Holistic Health
Winter 2010 Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR! February 14, 2010 marks the start of the Chinese lunar New Year. This is the year of the Metal Tiger; it is a year for action, seizing opportunities and making the most of our individual talents. The combined Metal and Tiger signify both the energy to begin an activity and the determination to follow it through to the end.

Chinese medicine’s approach to health focuses on living in harmony with Nature and being in tune with ourselves and our surroundings. Winter is a time of rest and restoration, exemplified in bears that hibernate and trees that stand dormant. Without stillness and sleep, there cannot be movement and manifestation. Winter can be seen as both a time of birth that is followed by spring and the death of the past year.

Winter is ruled by the WATER element: an agent of renewal and cleansing, the source of creativity, the tap from which ideas “spring”. The water element manifests in the body as the Kidney and Bladder meridians. The Kidneys are the source of all energy in our bodies, it is where Kidney Jing (essence or DNA) is stored. Kidney energy declines with age as our body’s resources diminish. Kidneys rule the bones and teeth, open into the ears, rule the low back and knees, the flavor is salty, its color is dark blue like the deep ocean. Low Kidney energy can manifest as cold of the whole body, like the wintry weather we’ve been getting!!!

There are many natural therapies, from Chinese herbal and food therapies to aromatherapy essential oils that can help you this winter to fight and protect yourself from the flu virus. The following recommendations are adapted from the “Handbook for the Prevention and Control of Influenza at Home using Chinese Medicine” by the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration, Golden Flower Chinese Herbs’ May 2009 Swine Flu treatment newsletter, Chinese herbalist Jake Paul Fratkin’s Jan. 2010 “Acupuncture Today” article, and my personal and professional experience. All recommendations are appropriate for adults and children and the Chinese herbal formulas mentioned can be purchased from my office.

PREVENTION:
a) Jade Windscreen Formula (Yu Ping Feng San): This is a common Chinese formula that helps strengthen the immune system. The formula contains Astragalus (Huang Qi), available in natural food stores, an herb now common in western herb formulations for the immune system.
b) Immune Enhancing herbal formulas that contain tonic mushrooms and/or ginseng
c) Acupuncture to keep the Qi energy flow circulating properly and to optimize your mind-body balance, address any underlying imbalances that can tax the immune system.
d) Two Whites Soup: 3 scallions (white parts only), 1 inch slice of daikon radish, ½ tsp of coriander seed or ¼ inch slice of fresh ginger, 2 shitake mushrooms thinly sliced. Add 1 cup of water, simmer 15 minutes. Salt with miso or pinch of salt to taste. Drink hot.
e) Green tea or mint, chrysanthemum flower and licorice tea. Equal parts of each by weight. Simmer chrysanthemum flower and licorice for 15 minutes, add green tea/mint & steep for 1-2 min.
f) Ginger and red date tea. Simmer 1 inch slice of fresh ginger and 10 Chinese red dates for 30 minutes in 3 cups water. Sweeten to taste with jaggery, sold as Panela or Piloncillo in Hispanic markets; can substitute with pure brown sugar.
g) Many essential oils contain antibacterial and antiviral properties, the ones I have used most often for these purposes are: lavender angustifolia, eucalyptus globulus or radiata, tea tree oil, lemon, frankincense, and Clean Air and Immune Enhancing blend by The Aromatherapist USA. I dilute the Clean Air and Immune Enhancing blends in a glass spray bottle and have been using it in my office after each client visit and in the community clinic. I also rub a drop of lavender essential oil behind my ear lobes (always test for skin sensitivity when using essential oils undiluted). Occasionally I burn frankincense or copal in my home to clear and clean the air. Frankincense essential oil, which strengthens the immune system, can be added to body oil or a fragrance-free moisturizer. Spicing cider with cinnamon and cloves is another great way to fragrance the home.
h) Improve the quality of the air at home by using an air purifier, essential oils, or ventilate appropriately. Maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity.
i) Wear suitable clothing for the weather, get regular exercise and fresh air, eat regular cooked meals, drink plenty of water, wash hands, get enough rest, limit trips to public places (especially for children) keep a regular schedule, maintain a balanced state of mind since anxiety or negativity over catching the flu disturbs the Qi flow, making it more likely to fall ill. =)

EARLY TREATMENT PHASE: The key to treating a viral infection with herbal therapies and keep it from progressing or developing into a bacterial infection is timing, it must be treated as soon as possible. Herbal formulas are best taken within 4-8 hours of the onset of symptoms: sore throat, fatigue, muscle soreness, malaise, sneezing, nasal congestion. Also the dosage of Chinese herbal formulas that is written on the bottle is maintenance dosage, so during this stage increase the frequency and take the dosage every 2 hours. Many times I’ve woken up in the middle of the night with a sore throat, taken Gan Mao Ling/Cold Formula and by the morning the sore throat was gone.

The H1N1 virus is highly contagious and can quickly develop into a cough, though it appears to be milder in symptoms and duration than the common flu. Without knowing whether it’s H1N1 or the common flu, the treatment is still the same. Take preventive measures when someone around has flu-like or cold symptoms.
a) Gan Mao Ling/ Cold Formula- Very popular modern Chinese formula for early signs of cold/flu: sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, headache, fever
b) Zhong Gan Ling- A modern Chinese herbal formula for severe cold and flu symptoms, including strep throat. Alternate this formula with Gan Mao Ling.
c) Andrographis Germ Fighting Pill (Chuan Xin Lian Kang Yian Pian)- Is an antiviral and anti-inflammatory formula
d) Windbreaker for infants and children. This formula can be used preventively, offering protection from exposure to allergens and also addresses the early stages of otitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis.
e) Avoid dairy, minimize sugar intake, rest, drink plenty of liquids and broths.
f) Supplement with vit C and/or elderberry syrup/lonzenges found at natural foods stores.
g) Rub the chest and sinus area with Breathe Free diluted oil, which contains eucalyptus and lavender and other essential oils that help open the respiratory pathways and relax the chest.
h) Fritillaria and Pinellia cough syrup as an expectorant and demulcent if cough develops.
There are more prescription Chinese formulas when the virus has affected the lungs that are prescribed according to the symptom presentations. If natural remedies aren’t working and the symptoms become critical, see a medical practitioner.

Hope this information was useful to you, if you enjoyed it, please pass it on to friends and family. If you have any questions email me at lilan_acupuncture@yahoo.com or call.

In Health and Peace,
Li-Lan

Lilan