Perimenopause and How Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Can Help

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman's body undergoes hormonal changes. It is the slow and steady beginning of menopause that can actually start up to 10 years prior to going through menopause. This is an area of gynecological health that is just starting to get some attention but it has been quite the mystery and a forgotten phase of a woman’s life in conventional medicine. Many women do not know that some of the changes they are experiencing are even perimenopausal, which can then create a lot of emotional and physical upheaval.

Chinese medicine has been treating perimenopause for thousands of years and even though this is a natural progression and transition to go through, it should not be something women have to suffer through.

The symptoms experienced during perimenopause can vary from woman to woman. Many times these symptoms are without connected dots, happening randomly and unbeknownst to the person experiencing them they may not know they are in fact perimenopausal symptoms.

In Chinese medicine there are “Three Golden Opportunities” to change your health; regulating your period, recovering from childbirth and the transition into menopause. Balancing out symptoms of imbalance that may arise to more than help momentary suffering, it also affects the health of how you age and thrive into your later years.

Going through it in a state of balance vs. disarray has a lot to do with previous contributing factors from early hormonal health, postpartum health and lifestyle. How we experience perimenopause is 100% connected to how we will go through menopause.

Below is both a list of what Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine can help treat in perimenopause and also common symptoms of perimenopause

• Irregular menstrual cycles: Perimenopause often causes changes in the menstrual cycle. Periods may become irregular, with variations in the length of the cycle, flow, or skipped periods.

• Hot flashes and night sweats: These sudden sensations of heat, often accompanied by sweating, are common during perimenopause. Hot flashes can vary in intensity and frequency and may disrupt sleep.

• Mood swings: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even depression. Women may experience sudden shifts in mood or have difficulty managing emotions.

• Sleep disturbances: Many women experience difficulties with sleep during perimenopause. This can manifest as insomnia, trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restless sleep.

• Vaginal and urinary changes: Declining estrogen levels can cause vaginal dryness, itching, and discomfort during intercourse. Some women may also experience urinary changes, such as increased frequency or urgency.

• Changes in sexual function: Perimenopause can affect sexual desire and arousal. Some women may experience a decrease in libido or changes in sexual response.

• Physical changes: Women may notice physical changes like weight gain, especially around the abdomen, and a loss of breast fullness. Skin may become drier, and hair may become thinner or drier.

• Cognitive changes: Some women report experiencing memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, or "brain fog" during perimenopause. While the exact cause is unclear, hormonal fluctuations and sleep disturbances may contribute to these cognitive changes.

How We Treat Perimenopause in Chinese Medicine

Similar to treating other internal medicine issues we focus on both the symptoms that are at hand which may be disrupting the patients lives or creating discomfort and the root diagnosis. Once we figure out all of the above we prescribe herbal formulas that are taken daily for 3-6 months if not longer and weekly acupuncture as well as nutritional therapy and some supplements if necessary. The combination of acupuncture & herbal medicine for perimenopause has shown to be very effective in the treatment of symptoms associated with perimenopause.

Here is how Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal medicine have been proven to help with perimenopausal symptoms and overall balance during this transition.

• Hormonal balance: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine aim to restore balance in the body, including hormone levels. By stimulating specific acupuncture points and using herbal formulations, these therapies may help regulate hormones, potentially reducing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.

• Symptom management: Acupuncture is known for its ability to alleviate various symptoms. It can help reduce hot flashes, improve sleep quality, relieve anxiety and irritability, and mitigate vaginal dryness. By targeting specific points on the body, acupuncture may promote relaxation, stimulate blood flow, and regulate the nervous system.

• Stress reduction: Perimenopause can be accompanied by increased stress levels. Acupuncture has been shown to have a calming effect on the body and mind, potentially reducing stress and anxiety. Chinese herbal medicine may also include herbs known for their adaptogenic properties, which can help the body better cope with stress.

• Energy and vitality: Some women experience fatigue and a decrease in energy during perimenopause. TCM approaches, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, may aim to boost energy levels and overall vitality. Acupuncture can stimulate the flow of Qi (energy) in the body, while herbal formulations may include herbs traditionally used for tonifying the body's energy reserves.

• Individualized treatment: One of the strengths of TCM is its emphasis on individualized treatment. Each person's experience of perimenopause is unique, and TCM practitioners take into account the specific symptoms and constitution of the individual. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments are tailored to address the individual's needs and may be adjusted as symptoms change over time.

Acupuncture & Chinese medicine have been proven to help symptoms and ease the transition of Perimenopause and are a great place to start before jumping into HRT. HRT isn’t always the best answer for all women and many would prefer a natural option.

Acupuncture can also be done along side HRT to increase the best outcomes. Perimenopause and menopause have been treated for thousands of years in Chinese medicine and have shown to only be a positive and sustainable solution for many patients.

“Transitions can be graceful and sometimes can even lead to a metamorphosis. Perimenopause is a time when many women are learning more about who they are and knowing themselves in a deeper way.” Dr. Lauren Dulberg

The Year of The Yang Wood Dragon

2024 is the Year of the Yang Green Dragon. The overall theme of this year is Transformation. A time of letting go of what no longer serves us and an opportunity for great metamorphosis, while tapping into your internal power and resilience. The Dragon is also a symbol of peace. 

Dragons symbolize Resilience, Power, Brilliance, Strength, Luck and Ambition. They are Outgoing and Adventurous but also Demanding and Strong willed. Seen as a Magical and Mystical energy, as well as very Emotional. Dragons are considered the Earth element, so there needs to be a balance of both Earth and Wood since this is a Yang Wood Year. 

The year of the dragon symbolizes the time of growing from a teen to a young adult. As we awaken to this new stage of life, like the mystical dragon, we transform. It is a time of big changes and great movement 

“ The hexagram associated with Dragon is Guai, which can be interpreted as a body of water that is overflowing, requiring prompt drainage to avert flooding, thus symbolizing the need to be mindful of your actions and decisions to contain your power. Energy is reaching a tipping point and getting ready to break out. Tune into the force and spirit of the present moment. The dragon represents making good choices for your future during a crucial time or situation, making 2024 a great time to make an important decision!” ( CT Holman)

This allows us to let go of not being stuck in old patterns, letting go of what may no longer serve us and also give us the energy or force to move forward through these decisions and changes. 

Dragon years are also seen as magical, since they are a mystical animal who lives inside the rocks, come up through the water and soar through the skies. Dragons want to rise up and clear out old negative belief systems and cultivate peace. They are also seen as highly emotional and become overwhelmed through great transformations, so staying grounded and being aware of our internal environments is crucial. 

The Wood Element 

The Wood Element is connected with Transformation & Forward Moving. It Governs the Liver energy, Growth & Movement. It seeks balance & equilibrium but when out of balance can cause anger and irritability. Anger is a normal human emotion but learning how to process is important. The Liver moves our Qi. Wood energy is what causes tiny sprouts  to shoot up through the earth in Spring. 

Wood represents change, shifting, moving forward - creating something new and exploring new places and things and learning new things about yourself as well. Tuning into internal changes but also learning to stay grounded in those changes is key.

This is a great time to make changes and decisions but slowly. A tree does not grow overnight, it takes time to create its strength and its grounded roots into the earth. 

Combination of the Earth/ Wood Dragon  

Earth - The earth element is connected with worry and overthinking but also staying present and nurturing others and ourselves. Earth is all about acceptance and stability. Earth energy is also very social and loves community and gatherings.

With the combination of wood we must be like a healthy forest. If there is too much wood energy and not enough earth, the trees are not nourished and fall over. We need to manage our wood energy and nourish our earth energy as well. To do this we must have self acceptance, welcoming ourselves to the table this year and learn how to stay rooted and grounded like a strong tree.

Maybe learning new parts of ourselves and learning to work through them and love them will be part of our work. When wood overreacts on earth, it can cause great imbalance. Earth represents the digestive organs Spleen/ Stomach and Wood - Liver/ Gallbladder - if wood is too overpowering this can cause issues in the gut as well as our emotional body. Wood can overact on earth so regular exercise is needed to help keep wood flowing.

Healthy digestion needs to be focused on and eating what makes you feel good (i.e warm stews and soups vs. comfort foods). Also what you digest in your environment is crucial. We need to stay grounded and be aware of what you are taking in ( TV, Social media, News, etc) Instead we want to cultivate presence and also joy which helps nourish the Earth element. 

Yang  represents Strong Movement, Growth, Strength, Sun, Masculine, Change, Creation, Momentum and the energy behind it. Strong Yang Qi is a force that moves through the world. It is the force behind our actions. Because of all of this strong moving energy between Wood and Yang, we must stay grounded in our internal environments but also take advantage of this time of growth and transformation.

Health & Wellness Tips : 

Diet : eating green foods, soybeans, fermented foods, sea veggies and fish, sour foods, bone broth, apple cider vinegar. 

Exercise : Even 15 minutes a day. This is very important for moving Wood energy that can get stuck. Movement is needed and will help balance the physical and emotional aspects of the wood/ yang Qi of the year. 

Mind : Meditation and staying grounded. The emotions of the year may rise so it is important to have our feet planted like roots into the ground. Stay grounded with whatever practice helps you, meditation, acupuncture, hiking, reading. Also practicing compassion since the year ahead may cause more rifts and high emotions. Staying present with your emotions and focusing on the breath.

Happy Lunar New Year!

For the full Yang Wood Dragon forecast from Master CT Holman click here

The PCOS Diet - According to Chinese Medicine

Food is medicine in Chinese medicine, so as much as herbal medicine may be part of the treatment for PCOS, so is diet. PCOS is a “cold and damp” disease in Chinese medicine. It is understood the Spleen is Chinese medicine is also a cold and damp organ. When too much dampness encumbers the Spleen, it becomes slow, sluggish and contributes to various health issues in the body and in Chinese medicine 100% connected to cyst production and PCOS.

This concept of recognizing organs channels having their own property and temperature has been part of TCM for thousands of years as well as Asian culture. Typically in any Asian country, you would never see someone have a smoothie, juice or yogurt for breakfast but instead soup. This is because it is so important to keep the gut warm. For treatment of PCOS diet is a crucial part of the transformation in the body. Below are my recommendations for treating PCOS through food.

Foods To Take Out

In order to start healing the body from the inside out, we need to get to the root cause of why PCOS has happened. Diet is part of this equation, so to begin the road to cure; we need to let go of what is not needed and what may be creating illness.

• Dairy ( even yogurt)

• Soy

• White Wheat Flour

• Sugar

• White Potatoes

• Fried Foods

• Sweeteners of any kind ( aside from maple syrup or honey, monkfruit )

• Cold beverages (ice water, iced coffee, etc)

• Smoothies

• Juices

• Too many salads ( i.e eating them for meals everyday)

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Foods to Eat More of

Eat more of these to balance your hormones and nourish your body! 
Food can be our greatest medicine and our worst poison. Think about your food as medicine to help heal your body and create balance. 

Eat More Of These Foods 

• Root Veggies

• Steamed Veggies 

• Soups

• Bone Broth 

• Cooked Protein

• Warmer temp beverages 

• Whole grains 

  
  
   

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Bone Broth Soup 

This is one of the most important foods for PCOS. It acts as a medicine and balances the digestive system and giving the body an incredible amount of nourishment in the process.  Due to the breakdown of the bone and marrow after hours of cooking.

It is good for everything from boosting your immune system, to improving skin, hair, etc to balancing hormones, gut health, fights inflammation. You can use the bone broth to cook other things like rice or quinoa, or to incorporate into sauces. 

Bone broth should be drank 1-2 times a day to obtain it’s best properties.  Remember this is one of the most important medicinal foods you can eat (or drink)All food has medicinal properties, like herbs; they have a temperature, a specific organ or system they nourish and certain symptoms or issues they can help. 

Bone broth soup is part of almost every traditional culture’s diet. It is used as an important medicine for the mother after the birth of her child to help restore her vital resources and is used in diet on a daily basis because of its incredible nutritional properties. 

Bone Broth + Hearty Soup Recipe Part 1:

The Bone Broth

1 large Onion

1-2 pounds of chicken bones

1-2 teaspoons of salt

Roast your bones. Roasted bones allow for the mineral breakdown of the bones. Take your bones, chop an onion and fill up a large soup pot of water. Throw everything, plus a dash of salt into the pot. Cook for at least 6 hrs. I try to cook mine for about 10 if I am home all day. After it is cooked – strain everything. Sometime I do this in 2 days. Cook it all and at night before I go to bed, turn it off and let it cool and then put it in the fridge. Heat it up the next day so it liquifies and strain it.

Part 2:

The Hearty Soup

Veggies of choice – I love squash, carrots, mushrooms, onions, celery  and also some greens which I add at the end. Spices of choice – I use a lot of curry, coriander, cumin and sometimes ginger. Herbs – cilantro, green onions, fresh oregano, dill – get creative a couple chicken legsTake your amazing bone broth, add a cup or 2 of water  and put in the chicken legs, sometimes I will brown them in a separate pan in butter and curry. Throw in whatever spices you love. Chop all of the veggies and add them to soup – root veggies first and then after the soup cooks for another 1.5 -2 hrs. Make sure to add water if it needs it and cook the soup on a lower flame. Add greens in the last 5 minutes and the herbs in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Salt to taste.

Stews + Soups  Since we want to give the spleen warm and nourishing foods, stews and soups are a staple in a Goodbye PCOS diet. Stews and soups are very filling and warming for the body. You can make many different types from vegetarian stews and soups to meats, fish and chicken. They are also very easy to cook. 

Some of my favorite recipes which you can find easily on a google search are : 

• Lentil Soup

• Black bean soup

• Butternut Squash soup 

• Beef soup with bones

• Beef Stew with red wine

• Chicken Coconut Curry stew ( recipe below) 

• Lamb stew with Quinoa 

Most of my recipes I make up myself, adding spices that I love like curry or if I have fresh cilantro I will create a recipe around that. Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite chefs, so I take a lot of my base recipes from him and then create as I go along.  

Lauren’s Chicken Coconut Curry 

1-2 pounds of Chicken

1 large handful of mushrooms

1 cup of garbanzo beans

1 cup of butternut squash cut into pieces

1 cup of sweet potatoes

1 cup of carrots 

1 can of coconut milk

3 tablespoons of curry

1-1.5 tablespoons of cilantro chopped

1-1.5 tablespoons of green onions chopped

1-2 tablespoons of butter or ghee (ghee is ideal)

Lightly brown the chicken in ghee or butter and sprinkle a few pinches of curry on top and sauté. Add in coconut milk and chopped veggies, add 2-3 tablespoons of curry and some salt. Add mushrooms 1 hr after everything else has been cooking. Cook for around 2 hrs on a very low flame. Taste to see if you need to add more curry. Just 2-3 minutes before it is ready, add cilantro and green onions. Enjoy! 

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Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACm, L.Ac

Founder of Two Rivers Acupuncture & Wellness / Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncturist + Herbalist

Full Bio

The Year of The Black Yin Rabbit

On January 22, 2023 we will be entering the Lunar New Year of the Black Yin Water Rabbit.

The Black Rabbit year is an extra special one because typically the Rabbit is the color white and in Chinese astrology when the animal is represented by another color, there is an even more auspicious meaning to the year. The animal itself is considered wise, a little mischievous and a very hard worker. The Black color of the Rabbit signifies the Water element and Yin.

The Rabbit also represents the Spring time of year when animals emerge from their hiding places and start creating the movement needed for Spring. This is the time when the powerful Qi grows from a dormant winter and expands into new energy.

Spring is all about the energy of rebirth and renewal breaking its way out of winter and anticipating summer like a flower whose bud’s makes its way through the cold winter earth, shining its color upon a beautiful sunny day for all of us to enjoy. This is the same idea with the notion of Qi in Chinese Medicine, which rises up in Springtime and surges through our bodies in its splendor. With this, comes an energy of immense growth and the motivation to push through and forward into planning and projects that may now come into fruition.

Spring and the Rabbit are also represented in the Wood Element. Wood gently penetrates the earth to bring forth water, the source of all life. Drawing from our roots, we find the energy to push forward with strength and firmness of purpose, always remaining supple, yielding, and true to our nature. Gentle, Wise, Persistent and filled with creative potential

Spring is the time to move, be motivated and create. The Rabbit represents the month of March and the time 5am to 7am on the Chinese Clock.

“Rabbits live in dens, hidden securely underground, allowing them to restore their lively energy. They possess great strategic qualities and know when to act or retreat, thus 2023 holds awesome potential for putting a plan into action. The nimble nature of rabbit empowers us to maneuver around any obstacles that arise in 2023. There can be old patterns or belief systems that hold you back and the rabbit’s agility enables you to let go of these and just do it! Fortunately, rabbits are not risk-takers or fighters, and their cautious nature allows you to move forward with care and cultivate progress while considering all various outcomes. The doors are open, and growth is quick.” CT Holman

Black always represents the element of Water. Water is also the most Yin substance which is why this is a Yin year. The nature of water is to flow unobstructed and change, bend and adapt to it’s environment. The water element gives us the energy to adapt and to expand into 2023 and also is associated with mystical, spiritual energies. Water has the ability to hold and absorb emotion and as most of us experienced, 2022 was an emotionally charged year.

Water in Chinese medicine is also associated with the emotion of Fear. Fear can create inaction while the movement of Wood wants action. “This would be like the flooding of a forest. Take care to manage emotion by connecting to the earth and bringing grounding qi to daily life which controls the emotion of water.”

Yin is symbolized by going inward, the feminine, nighttime, the moon, retreating and resting. “Yin represents Mother Earth and feelings of safety, being held, and nurtured, which allows us to navigate the expanding growth of 2023 with an inner stillness.”

Yin water is yin within yin, the most yin substance, emanating gentleness & softness. The yin water also helps soften the hardness of wood, allowing ourselves to truly tune into our path and move forward with the both the force of the wood energy and the direction of water flowing within it’s own current. This allows us to take time to go inward, connect to the universe with the compassion and wisdom of the Rabbit.

The nature of each year represented by a specific animal and then the element and yin or yang component of that year in combination creates a forecast and overall energy for the year ahead. This is woven through all aspects from our health, to politics, weather, trends, finances and more. Each birth animal has then it’s own forecast for the year and some animals have better relationships with each other than others. For some a Rabbit year can be lucky, while others not as much. Either way, Chinese Astrology has had a strong hand in the outcomes of various aspects of life and overall energies that appear to come to fruition each year. Just like in Chinese medicine, all of this comes from the source of nature and what she teaches us through her creates, her movements, her seasons and her perfect imperfections.

Happy Lunar New Year!

*The reading above was summarized from the great Lotus Institute and from the teachings of Lilian Bridges that have been now passed down to CT Holman. To read the entire forecast please follow this link

The Summer Season According to Chinese Medicine

By Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.Ac

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Summer has two parts in Chinese medicine ; Early and Late Summer. According to Chinese astrology and the art of Yang Sheng ( Nourishing Life by Living in Harmony with Nature ) we have two separate parts to summer as well as two separate organ channels associated with it.

Early Summer

Early Summer actually starts in May and goes to about late July. This time of the year is focused on the Heart channel and Small Intestine channel. Our heart is represented by happiness excitement, red hot colors, and the element of fire, passion and movement. It is the best time for fun and enjoyment.

Fire is the element associated with Early Summer and with this element, the energy and temperature of Heat. The element is also associated with the heart, pericardium, small intestines.

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. Joy and happiness are also associated with the heart.

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.

Food Therapy & Early Summer

Eating in accordance with season has been a tradition of Oriental culture and medicine for thousands of years – this idea comes from the root of preventative medicine which is simply- how you live within one season will greatly affect the outcome or lack of disease in the seasons to come.

In summer we experience the natural feeling of heat. We find ourselves seeking refuge in the air conditioning, drinking ice cold drinks and eating ice cream ( how can we not! ). When in fact according to Chinese medicine going from very hot air into very cold air, drinking an ice cold beverage or eating cold delicious ice cream, can actually damage our health. Cold stagnates, so when introduced to a body that is experiencing a greater than normal heat, can cause major digestive issues and effect sickness in the months to come.. A happy and healthy belly = a better general health. Especially because ( spoiler alert) Late Summer is all about the Digestive system.

Each season comes with its own temperature disease patterns so to speak- In summer we can experience “Summer Heat ” which clinically manifests with a high fever, dizziness, skin rashes , excessive thirst, constipation, irritability , excessive sweating and weakness consuming the yin and Qi of the body- sometimes we may just get one or a few of these symptoms. Another pattern we typically see in summer is “Summer Heat Damp”. Usually Summer heat damp manifests with nausea , vomiting, diarrhea accompanied occasionally with a fever, general body weakness and fullness of the chest; which is why we tend to see more “stomach viruses” in the summer months.

Exuberant summer heat is seen as excess Yang in the body. In order to balance the Yang we need to nurture or enrich the Yin. Ultimately like everything in nature, our bodies are always in a constant ebb and flow of yin yang , trying to achieve the ultimate balance. Luckily Chinese medicine has understood this for centuries and through acupuncture, diet and herbal medicine this it is possible to achieve this balance.

In Chinese Medicine , we use “flavors” to help create medicinal reactions through our herbal medicine and foods. So the flavor of food can be just as important when eating for the season or treating a certain ailment. Food is considered to be just as powerful as herbs and diet is looked upon as the source of health, as it creates the Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang we need to thrive on. According to the ancient text , the Huang Di Nei Jing – sour foods go first to the liver, bitter flavors go first to the heart, sweet goes to the spleen, spicy to the lung and salty to the kidney. Its thought that when we crave a certain flavors, it is actually our bodies being out of balance and a certain organ calling out to get back into balance through a particular craving of flavor or taste.

The “flavor” associated with summer in Chinese medicine is bitter because of its ability to clear heat. As the medicine is a reflection of nature itself, we tend to categorize seasons into their elements. Summer being the element of Fire and its associated organ being the heart. The bitter flavor is also connected with the heart , since bitter herbs are used to treat conditions of the heart in herbal medicine, from actual cardiology ailments to emotional “shen” disturbances.

Bitter foods to help calm the heat

• Mustard Greens

• Alflafa

• Papaya ( Bitter & Sweet)

• Turnip

• Asparagus

• Quinoa (bitter& Sweet)

• Cooling foods to help the cool you down :

• Cucumber

• Watermelon

• Apples

• Lemons

• Salads! ( which we do not recommend in colder months)

• Tips for a healthy Summer season :

• Drink A LOT of water!

• Try not to eat to many heavy foods or too much alcohol

• When exercising , its best to not overdo it i.e keep sweaty Bikram style yoga for the winter months

• The most yang time of the day is noon, so make sure to being doing a more yin activity since summer is full yang

• Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables!

• Drinking hot teas can actually cool the body

Late Summer

Late Summer is associated with the Spleen/ Stomach and the color Yellow as well as the emotions of overthinking and worry when out of balance. This is the time of the year when the Yang Qi is full and nature is about to burst into Harvest time. We can think of it as a time that we are fully ripened like a fruit and nature herself is as well!

All organs channels in Chinese medicine have their own properties, emotions, time of season, foods, tastes they crave and so on. The Spleen is the element of Earth and is associated with the end of the summer. In Chinese Medicine the Spleen is known as a cold and wet organ who is in charge of making our body's Qi + Blood, which is what we need to stay healthy. The Spleen keeps various organs in the body such as the bladder and uterus, from prolapsing, holding the blood and most importantly, it transforms the food we eat into energy and transports that energy into nutrients to other parts of our body. It is also associated with the emotion of worry and overthinking. Meditation and keeping the overthinking at bay, trying to not stress the little things, and calming the mind are also very important for spleen health. 

The spleen when out of balance it is connected to various health imbalances from digestive to gynecological to emotional. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, muscular issues, fatigue and chronic immune problems are also connected to an unhealthy spleen. In Chinese medicine, a happy and healthy spleen can be nourished and helped via Chinese medicine and diet. Nutritional therapy related to the Spleen is key for maintaining good and balanced health. 

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How To keep The Spleen Healthy + Happy According to Chinese Medicine 

Regular acupuncture treatments, along with herbal treatments formulated for specific to conditions and symptoms related to weak Spleen Qi or Spleen Damp and Spleen Yang Deficiency,  can greatly enhance and change the health of the spleen and digestive system. Diet which is another aspect of Chinese medicine is one of the most crucial modalities for Spleen health. 

What we advise is contradictory to modern day health trends since one of the most important things we stress not to eat or drink are cold, raw foods and beverages. Salads, smoothies, juices and yogurt are all viewed as healthy dietary options in Western culture since the 1970’s but in Chinese medicine, they actually can cause a lot of damaged if consumed often, especially in women. 

Human beings for millennia have been eating very consistent diets. Cross culturally we can find certain traditional diet trends that stand through the test of time. Some sort of grain, animal stock or vegetable stock soups, animal protein, ( in some cultures just eggs + butter), and then lightly cooked or steamed vegetables. In Asia, Chinese medicine has been ingrained in the diet for 5000 plus years, so you would never see anyone eat anything but something warm for breakfast. Eating a salad for a meal or drinking a green juice is basically unheard of.

In Chinese medicine, cold raw food creates dampness in the Spleen which will then lead to a slower and colder spleen and ultimately leading to a sequela of health events but the spleen can not function nor produce abundant Qi or Blood when it is not healthy. Maintaining warmth in the Earth center of the body is very important. Gut health has been a key part of Chinese medicine since the beginning. Not only do we see foods such as wheat and sugar, that may not be good for you as negatively affecting the digestive organs, we also understand each organ has its own properties. We must live in accordance with those nuances, especially when nourishing our center and healing through our diet. 

Food The Spleen Does Not Like 

• Iced Beverages

• Smoothies

• Juices ( yes even green juice )

• Raw vegetables as a meal ( a little on the side is ok ) 

• Yogurt, Cheese, Milk

• Wheat 

• Sugar 

Foods That Make the Spleen Happy + Healthy 

• Warm soups

• Warm food in general

• Steamed and lightly cooked vegetables

• Orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, and squash 

• Rice, Barley, Oats 

• Legumes

• Turmeric, sage, black better, ginger, nutmeg 

• Bone broth 

• Lemons, strawberries, cherries and in season fruits 

Here are a few Traditional Chinese Medicine Tips for Summer Health

• Awaken earlier in the morning, to take advantage of the full YANG energy of daytime.

• Go to bed later in the evening. There is plenty of time to rest in the winter darker shorter days.

• Rest at midday, where possible, it is a time of year that if we are holiday our digestive system can also rest. Between 1pm and 3pm is our natural biological clock´s time for our small intestine.

• Drink plenty of fluids; if you forget to drink put an alarm on your phone.

• Eat more YIN foods, which are light and less-greasy

• Eat “Cooling” foods; these tend towards the green end of the spectrum such as lettuce, cucumbers, and watercress, generate healthy body fluids

• Fish and seafood are also good for you, in TCM we refer to these foods as having cooling property, therefore best eaten in hotter seasons.

• In the summer eat with moderation; we tend to get more indigestion in the summer months.
  

When we live in harmony with the seasons and learn about ways to create balance and health in the body in one season, it can affect how our immune system responds in the seasons ahead. Fall is the season of the Lung and this is when we to see a lot of colds and flus starting as well as allergies. Keeping the spleen healthy in late summer contributes to strong and healthy lungs in Fall. 

Preparing for the seasons ahead is one of the oldest forms of preventative medicine. Know the clouds before the storm. 

To a Happy + Healthy Summer! 

Spring Health, Wellness + Wisdom with Chinese Medicine

By Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.AC

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Spring is all about the energy of rebirth and renewal. It’s a force that is breaking its way out of winter and anticipating summer like a flower whose bud’s makes its way through the cold winter earth. This is the same idea with the concept of “Qi” in Chinese Medicine, which rises up in Springtime and surges through our bodies in its splendor.

With this, comes an energy of immense growth and the motivation to push through and forward into planning and projects, that may now come into fruition. There is also an underlying feeling of restlessness with all of this movement that also occurs naturally.  

In Chinese Medicine, we take these seasonal changes as opportunities to help us increase our health and prevent illness. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, we are in fact reflections of nature and our bodies are like microcosms of the universe.  Which is why in Winter, we may feel more inward, conserving our energy and stoking the internal fire. We are encouraged in winter to eat warm foods, decrease our physical activity and increase our internal activity such as meditation. In Spring it is the time to move, be motivated and create.

Spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine is related to the Liver and Gallbladder. Every season in TCM is connected to a different organ, emotion, energy, color and sound. This is all based off of the philosophy of the 5 elements and how as in nature, our own bodies reflect these 5 aspects or elements of the natural world.

When the liver Qi is flowing as it should, we feel at ease and in good balance but when it is blocked we feel stressed, irritated, uneasy and sometimes angry. Anger is not always a negative thing or is being stressed, but usually a response to something that does not agree with you or something that you do not resonate with, can make these feelings arise. Sometimes this is the catalyst we need in order to change and move forward. Anger can actually end up being very constructive and motivating. Of course when we experience too much of any emotion and are overtaken by that emotion, our mind/body/spirit feel out of alignment and illness can arise.

Going from one season into the next, can cause stress on the body and a lot of times, sickness occurs or outward manifestations of imbalance both physically and emotionally. In Chinese Medicine, we avoid this by preparing the body the season before, by following certain health principles.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, to help this transition and give balance to seasonal changes and concurrent illnesses. The medicinal thought that goes along with acupuncture, is one of a preventative medicine whose strength is not only curing the root of disease but curing the disease before the disease occurs.

There is an old story, about how the local doctor in a village would get paid from the families of the village, as long as they were healthy but not when they were sick. This is because Chinese Medicine is stellar at keeping people healthy and preventing illness from developing by observing certain patterns and adhering to nature’s changes. With this idea we look at all aspects of health including lifestyle, diet and other practices which may increases one’s potential towards optimal health for the seasons to come.

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Spring + Chinese Medicine

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The Big Picture

Element: Wood

Color: Green

Nature: Yang

Organs: Liver, Gallbladder

Emotion: Anger

Voice/ Sound : Shout

Flavor : Sour

The Wood Element

Wood gently penetrates the earth to bring forth water, the source of all life. Drawing from our roots, we find the energy to push forward with strength and firmness of purpose, always remaining supple, yielding, and true to our nature. Wood is gentle, persistent and filled with creative potential

The Liver Meridian

Emotion : Anger / Out of balance emotions : Explosive Anger, moodiness, bitterness, irritability

Function : Stores the blood, responsible for smooth flow of Qi + Blood throughout the body, regulates the secretion of bile, connects with the tendons, nails and eye

Liver Qi when flowing smoothly through the body : ( picture a flowing river or stream) allows for our emotions to feel at ease and good balance. When they become blocked or “stagnant” we call this Liver Qi Stagnation.

When liver Qi gets blocked : We feel easily irritated, stressed and angry. This can then lead to physical manifestations and various illnesses associated with this pattern. Bottled up Liver Qi a.k.a Stress has become such a norm in modern day life. We have learned to function with it everyday = SELF CARE.

Self-Care has become such a buzz word because modern life has created this constant need to find balance to harmonize our stressful lifestyles. There is great importance of being aware of stress since it has been connected in both Eastern + Western medicine to various diseases. We have acupuncture points and herbal formulas that specifically release stress and move Liver Qi and actually change how your body responds to stress. Chinese medicine has been proven to rewire the brain since acupuncture puts the body into a deep state of Theta and Beta waves and changes the receptors that normally get overstimulated in the brain when the body is under a deep state of stress.

Anger - The Emotion of The Liver Meridian

Anger which is another aspect of the Liver and the emotions associated with it, is not always a negative emotion. Sometimes it is the catalyst needed to move forward and take charge and create change.

Anger and frustration can be very constructive and motivating providing the energy needed to move through certain times in our life. Too much anger and outbursts in Chinese medicine, can lead to physical manifestations. When we have too much anger this can lead to unhealthy forms of reactions and violence. Of course this is the extreme end of Anger but we need to look at our anger and learn to work with it or release it. This is unhealthy anger vs. healthy

Working with the emotion of anger has been part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. There are actual points and various herbal formulas associated with different aspects of anger. We also recommend meditation and therapy to get to the root of your anger and releasing it.

The Spirit of Spring



Chinese medicine has 5 different aspects of the Spirit. The Hun Spirit, which is the Spirit of the Liver and the ethereal soul, resides in the liver. It is understood as the spirit that doesn’t die and goes from one life to the next .

The hun contains our reason for being, our purpose and our path. As it is reflected in nature the Spirit of Spring uncovers what has been kept under the ground for months. Now with the energy of Spring, we have the yang qi to face all that comes in our path and to avoid nothing that stands in the way of our growth and expansion.

Spring is the time when we need to excavate and extract what is needed to be cleared out from our depths and bring all to surface for a conscious spring cleaning, of what may need to be released.

Just as the leaves on the trees are expressing themselves, Spring is the time to hide nothing from ourselves and to allow what needs to be expressed be FULLY expressed.

Spring Spirit

1. Rebirth + renewal  - We are a reflection of nature breaking our way out of winter + anticipating summer like a flower bud making its way through the cold winter earth. This is a time of rebirth of the soul and renewal of the spirit.

2. Surge of Yang Qi - making a time for immense growth and expansion Creation - Bringing ideas into Fruition

3. Courage + Willpower - the Gallbladder governs this energy to follow through on dreams and goals. During Spring we have the momentum of courage and willpower to made dreams become reality.

   
   

Physical Manifestations of the Liver + Gallbladder

• Muscle tension, prone to have tendon and ligament injuries

• Sciatica (radiating pain from lower back into buttocks and down the leg)

• Headaches, especially migraines

  Irritability and outbursts of anger

• Visual disturbances

• Menstrual irregularities, PMS, fibroids

• Digestive disturbances, including heartburn (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, bloating

• High blood pressure, with tendency toward atherosclerosis

• Some Patterns of the Liver + Gallbladder

Nutritional Therapy For Spring

There are specific flavors and taste that correspond to each organ. There are flavors that nourish and flavors that can cause more imbalance. Food is seen as medicinal with specific properties, temperatures and actions. While certain foods can be used as medicine, others can do the opposite and make certain imbalances worse. Food is understood in Chinese medicine in very detailed and powerful way and when applied to season health, nutritional therapy and food medicine is key. Below is some Chinese Medicine Nutritional therapy specific to Spring.

Avoid Sour

Sour is connected to the liver so in Spring we recommend reducing sour and increase sweet nourishing the Spleen and calming the liver. Sour can affect the liver and increase it’s yang, impairing its function.

Eat Sweet and Pungent foods

The taste of “sweet” in Chinese medicine is actually not sugar but the sweet taste in rice. Sweet enhances Qi in spring . The Yang Qi in spring becomes dynamic and vigorous. Qi movement in the body tends to be upwards and outward which is why we suggest eating a lot of Pungent Foods!

Sweet Foods

• Rice

• Honey

• sweet fruits

• nuts, yams

• sweet vegetables such as carrots and potatoes,

• sweet cereals such as corn, rice and millet

  
  
  Pungent Foods

• Scallion

• Onion

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Radish

• Daikon

• Leeks

• chives

Eat Local

Physiological changes in the human body correspond with this natural diversity. Local and in season is what is best for your body in any season, In Spring so many foods and herbs are starting to grow. Eating those foods are key. Go to your local farmers market and

Avoid Foods Cold in Nature

In Chinese medicine the Spleen is a cold wet organ and unless it is hot outside, we advise not eating cold natured or too much raw food because it can damage the Spleen Qi and Yang Qi which leads to array of health imbalances from gynecological to digestive and various other issues. Since Spring is the time with Yang Qi starts rising to be in full force in the summer, eating foods that are cold can damage yang which can then create health issues in the months to come. Instead of your morning smoothie, have eggs or oatmeal. In Asia, breakfast is always soup. Keep it warm, to help the body maintain health Spleen Qi which in Western medicine = a healthy gut.

5 Tips on Staying Healthy This Spring



1. Move

Since spring is a time of renewal and rebirth it is also a time to let go of any stagnation you may have in your life. A good way to do this is through exercise.  It’s a better time than ever to start a routine. Exercise also allows the Liver Qi to flow as it should which is why most people feel great after a good yoga class or run.

2. Make A List Of Ideas – Then Do It

Remember all of those little projects you were thinking of starting, that letter you needed to write, how you want to stop smoking, start writing more or work on that dream you have been putting off for some time – Now is the time to start.  Springtime is a moment when after a long Winter, where the energy is more inward and Yin, the Yang comes back around and is infused into our daily energy (back to the flower breaking through the cold winter soil). The Gallbladder governs courage and the willpower to follow through on goals, dreams and decision making. With strong Gallbladder Qi we can put that first foot forward and jump right in.

3. Eat Your Greens

Green is the color of Spring – this is no coincidence. And it is also no coincidence that the green edible plants that grow during spring can greatly help course the Liver Qi such as mustard greens, dandelion greens, sprouts, celery, cilantro, mint and spinach.

4. Detoxify

Spring is the time to cleanse – both physically and emotionally. Winter is not the time, according to Chinese Medicine to eat less or cleanse since we need to stock up. Spring is when we can cleanse with a healthier outcome. Take a week or two, to cleanse the body of wheat, dairy and sugar (what I call the 3 evils).  

Most people have a hard time in modern life to do more extreme cleanses such as juice cleansing ( I recommend soup cleanses instead), listen to your body if you do decide to do this and be aware of how you are feeling throughout the cleanse.

Detoxification of the mind is also ideal for this season. When I say “detoxify”, I mean – release. Take some time to go within and try and see what you may be holding onto and what you are ready to let go of. To Marie Kondo the mind. When we internalize our emotions and hold onto them for a long period of time, disease can occur. Through meditation, acupuncture, herbal medicine and yoga we can help ourselves release and let go of things that are causing these blockages – wishing them good riddance. Ciao! Hasta La Vista!

5. See Your Acupuncturist For A Seasonal Tune-Up

Seasonal change comes with its own fair share of issues. Since we are always trying to go from imbalance back into balance and achieving a harmonious equilibrium, just as in nature, we easily fall out of sync and have our own versions of storms, volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. We see these imbalances through injuries, irregular sleep patterns, digestive issues, gynecological issues, emotional issues, allergies, colds and stress – to name a few.. Seasonal acupuncture or regular acupuncture treatments help keep you in harmony and prevent issues even if you are not experiencing any. When we keep our Qi flowing as nature intended, harmony and equilibrium is achieved and health is a constant state of being.

Seasonal Acupuncture can also help during seasons you have a harder time with. Such as if you are someone who suffers from allergies in Spring. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have both been proven to alleviate and treat even the worst seasonal allergies.

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Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.Ac

Dr. Lauren Dulberg is the owner of Two Rivers Acupuncture & Wellness in Nyack, NY which is located in Rockland County, where she specializes in Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Emotional Health and Internal Medicine. She is a Board Certified Herbalist and Rockland County’s first Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine

How We Can Help Ukraine

Things are getting worse each day in Ukraine and if you are like me, you feel helpless and want to try and do anything you can in order to make the suffering of the Ukrainian people even a little bit better.

At Two Rivers Acupuncture, we have dedicated our work to improving the lives of others, alleviating suffering and helping people live healthier and happier, so when there is a humanitarian crisis like this we cannot help but want to not only be involved but try and draw in our local community to make things better for the Ukrainian people.

Here are some ways we plan on doing this

Donations

Two Rivers Acupuncture is offering to match any donations made to the organizations below with proof of donation. Take a screenshot of your donation amount, even if it is $5 and we will match the donation from March 10th through March 15th and email it to us at info@tworiversacupuncture or text us at 845-418-0809

Where we will be donating :

HIAS Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. This organization who historical aided Jewish immigrants and refugees now works with all people who are refugees. HIAS helped my own family, my Grandparents and Aunts who were refugees from the Holocaust and if it wasn’t for this organization, I may not be here today. I am a living example of what is possible when a refugee is given a chance of a new life and support. My family endured suffering and hardship and I cannot imagine what is in store for the millions of displaced families right now in Ukraine. Besides my own personal connection of being a descendant of refugees who were helped by this organization, they are on the ground in Ukraine helping and they need our help! To Donate Click Here

My Grandparents & Aunts just before they arrived to the US in the Refugee DP Camps in Germany

Doctors Without Borders

“As the war in Ukraine escalates, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is mobilizing to set up emergency response activities. We now have teams in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, and Belarus. MSF is an independent and impartial organization committed to providing medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war no matter who they are or where they are.

We have had to halt normal activities in Ukraine and switch to emergency operations. Teams are preparing for a range of scenarios, including providing surgical care, emergency medicine, and mental health support for displaced people. On March 6, our first shipment of emergency supplies was safely received by the Ministry of Health in Kyiv. The shipment includes surgical kits, trauma kits, and basic necessities for intensive care units, emergency rooms, and surgical operating theaters—approximately 1,400 cubic feet of supplies. These supplies are now being sent on to hospitals in the city and other towns further east where they are urgently needed.” Click here to Donate

Supply Drive

Two Rivers Acupuncture & Jamie Surya Yoga are joining forces to help with collecting more supplies for Ukraine.

We need :

First Aide Kit, Band Aids, Blankets, Anti-Inflammatory Ointments, Alcohol wipes, Antibiotic ointments, Formula, Diapers, Bottles, Clothes, Women’s Hygiene Items, Advil, Tylenol, Non Perishable food

Our Addresses : @Two Rivers Acupuncture - 265 N. Highland Ave, Suite 105 Nyack NY

@Jaime Surya - 222 Ash St, Piermont, NY 10968

Help us Help Ukraine!

The Year of The Metal OX

A Forecast For The Year Ahead

“The Farmer stares out across the fallow field and sees mud and downed branches from the storms of winter, knowing that first he must clean up the field and then wait patiently until the land is ready. When it is time, the Farmer puts the yoke on the Ox and slowly plows the field. Then the Farmer plants the seeds and waits for them to grow. Eventually the Farmer brings in a good crop, maybe two if luck is with him. This is the story of this Ox Year.” 

Hard Work, strength and endurance, constancy and cooperation, slow and steady growth, kindness and compassion, community and being of service. These are the overall themes of the year ahead. The Ox is a slow moving and even tempered animal. They are considered yin earth animals even though this year is a yin metal year, so we have this complimentary mix of energies. 

The element for the year is Yin Metal, which is harmonious with the Earth Element, as Earth generates and feeds Metal. In Chinese medicine yin earth and yin metal are a harmonious couple called Tai Yin ( Lung + Spleen ) and work together. 

What this means in layman's terms is a calmer and more stable year without as much anger and potential for violence. Yang energy and behavior - which many can look at as the “angry old man” or the oppression from the patriarchy just won’t be tolerated or supported anymore. 

Yin nature is softer and more subtle. Yin metal focuses more on our inspirations, our hopes and dreams, which as we all know, were severely tested this past year.  However, the turbulence and trauma we all experienced from 2020, left us with great insight, when we were forced to really look at our relationships and spend more time inside at home with family. This year will slowly unfold into a more positive one as we move into summer and fall. This corresponds to when more of the population may in fact be vaccinated, with hope that the pandemic will die down a bit and hopefully start to become less of a collective public health  crisis. 

The overall message for the year is that life will start to become less stressful and more peaceful for many but it will take time and patience. Just as the seasons slowly go from one to the next, so will this change. We are looking at the Ox, who moves slowly and steadily over the fields, with no rush to complete the task, with strength and focus. 

It seems that this year, we will slowly with great precaution, start to come together again in community, locally and globally. Smaller gatherings, dining and travel may be on the horizon but this will be a process we will ease into carefully. 

The Metal element is about virtue, precision and truth. This energy allows for more peaceful times between nations and more virtuous governing. Since there is also an Earth aspect, compromising and agreements between countries will be more possible. Earth is all about nurturing relationships and long term friendships, so renewal in this globally and personally will be more abundant this year. 

Accountability and responsibility are also big themes this year. Those who stray from this will be held accountable and censorship will happen in order to create the balance needed by Metal.  

As for weather and earth related issues, since Metal = Lung, air quality especially from wildfires may play an important role as well as more volcanic eruptions. The need for clean air may cause such detrimental issues for the global community,  that it will speed up possible environmental laws and a collective movement for environmental protections and Climate Change science. These laws may not be implemented until the wood years in the upcoming couple of years but the issues with wildfires and air quality this coming year will be speeding up this very needed process. 

An important value of Metal is education, while nurture is part of the earth element, so we will see a lot of change within the school systems. Our kids have been through so much this past year and we cannot go back to what was “normal”. Teachers have truly been our superheroes. This appreciation for them will continue to shine through and our children’s relationship with learning and school will be on a whole new level. 

Physically, Yin Metal is all about the Lungs. This year, though covid will still be an issue, it will calm down towards early summer and the intensity will be less than the Yang Metal year of 2020 with less inflammation overall. Allergies may be worse this year as will drier Lungs, hair and skin. It is recommended to use humidifiers, hydrate yourself often and also get in touch with your breathing patterns and breath-work ( and see your local acupuncturist + herbalist for optimal Lung health) 

Since Metal is also about the large intestine which is a Yang organ and this is a Yin year, digestion may be an issue for the masses so it is important to learn more about traditional nutritional health rather than trends. Things like juice cleanses and morning smoothies are very cold and yin in nature and can be damaging even more so when there is less Yang in the digestive system. Eating locally and eating fruits and veggies that are in season is ideal for this year. Tapping into our ancestral foods is also key in optimal nutritional health.  

Like the Ox it is important we take care of ourselves and not over exert, over work or over exercise and connect with our yin nature energy. This is very important for the year to come. We must honor our body, rest and tune into our needs so we’re  not burning the candle at both ends. 

Emotionally speaking, perfectionism, anxiety and OCD may be more prevalent this year which are all metal and earth related. While the Lungs in Chinese medicine are all about letting go of what no longer serves us, with the Tai Yin channels ( Lung + Spleen ) we will see a focus on inclusion, acceptance and truth. This past year we have seen conspiracy theorists rise and over the next year, this will slowly unravel. Yin metal is all about facts, truth and being clear minded and with earth, this will slowly bring more people together vs. being divided. This is also a year to really hone in on our inner truth and what we need to live with more integrity and authenticity. 

Important Take Aways For The Year Ahead

“Yin Earth is about being of service and engaging in small acts of kindness. People will care about their communities more and want to share resources. The most important ideals this year are kindness and compassion. It is not wise to provoke anger or act in aggressive ways, as the elements will not be with you. Instead, caring for others in small ways will be remembered and make a big difference. These may be small things like helping when you can. 

The Ox Year suggests that you stay in touch with loved ones, gather together in small family or friendship groups, eat together and share resources with those who have less. More inclusivity and tolerance will be promoted and practiced by many and will make the hardships and struggles of the past start to fade. We are all the same under the skin. Although the tail of the Rat will cause some trouble at the start of the year, the Ox will take over in a slow and steady way to improve circumstances in our lives in so many ways.  However, it will take time. So be ready to see incremental growth and avoid impulsiveness. Try not to be discouraged and have faith. Better times are coming….” 

Lilian Bridges

To Read the full reading by Lilian Bridges - leading Chinese Astrologer click here

My Own PCOS Fertility Story - A Journey from Imbalance to Balance

My story is a common story, especially at the beginning but then instead of heading down the same path of Western gynecological care as most young women, I chose a different way.

Ever since I could remember, my periods were irregular, severely painful and coupled with intense PMS or as we now know it as PMDD, that greatly affected my mental health in a very negative way. It was a challenge and there were absolutely no answers. I was always someone in touch with my body, eating organic since the early 90s, aware of my sugar intake, never partook in drinking too much in college and became a yoga teacher in the late 90s. Things were still not right, something still felt off.

My Dr.s and gynecologists always told me my symptoms were “normal”. Severe painful cramps, PMS, debilitating periods, irregular periods, are all normal in Western medicine and the only way to “treat” them is by completely shutting them off with The Pill.

In Chinese medicine, all of these symptoms and suffering are actually seen as abnormal. I was 28 years old when I started Chinese medicine school and started learning that what I was always taught as a normal period, was in fact completely not normal at all. That being in pain, suffering with hormonal imbalance and having PMS that would prevent me from living a normal life was simply, not OK. Not only was it not OK but it was treatable!

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In the same year I started Chinese medicine school, I also met my husband and knew this was the man I wanted to make my babies with, one day in the future. I knew things were off with my body so I went to I highly renown endocrinologist in Manhattan. She did detailed hormonal testing and sent me for scans. When I got all of the tests back not only was I diagnosed with PCOS but severe PCOS.

In this moment, seated in the Dr. s office on 5th avenue in Manhattan my life changed. The Dr. looked me right in the eye and told me point blank “ With your FSH levels and severity of PCOS, having children will be impossible, IVF will be almost impossible and if by chance you do get pregnant you will only have miscarriages. “

Yes, this is what the Dr. told me. I looked right back at her with tears in my eyes and said “No, I am in Chinese medicine school and I know getting better and getting pregnant is possible!” She looked at me like I was crazy and I never went back.

Typically, what happens next with 99% of the women out there, (because I have heard this same story hundreds of times in my clinic ) is you start down the path of clomid, letrozol and assisted reproductive technology to try and force things to happen out of a damaged and imbalanced system that most likely will not produce healthy eggs and make it nearly impossible for successful IVF outcomes.

I chose a different route and have made it my life’s goal to help other women do the same.

I worked on my health first.

I decided to give myself a year. I knew that I could maybe change the story of my health sentence that this Dr. gave me by committing myself to Chinese medicine, dietary changes and lifestyle changes. So I did just that. I started getting regular acupuncture. I took my Chinese herbal formulas every week, ate a PCOS Chinese medicine based diet and started really taking inventory on my health and my life. I did what I call now “Preparing The Fertile Soil”

After 6 months my hormones regulated. I went from having FSH levels of 14 which are incredibly high to FSH levels of 7. My periods also started regulating and with that, my mood and mental health started balancing out and I no longer experienced PMS. I decided to keep it going and did 6 more months of Chinese medicine, acupuncture and maintained my new diet since it really seemed to be such an important aspect of my treatment.

In January of 2009, I felt like a different person and no longer had one symptom of PCOS. Everything seemed to of reversed and I felt healthier than I have been in many years. We decided to start trying and within 2 weeks I was pregnant. The anxiety that came over me was immense because I was told by multiple Dr.s I had such a high chance of miscarriage because of my PCOS history but what they couldn’t counter into the equation was that my PCOS was most likely gone.

Nice months later, my son Noah was born as healthy as can, be weighing in at 9 lbs and just two years later, my son Ariel was born weighing in at 11lbs!

My Dr.s were wrong but I also had the privilege to have the knowledge that let me choose a different path. They told me I COULD NOT. But I said NO and then I DID. I believed in my body. I knew there was another way. I did not give up. I never gave up and now 11 years later, I am still PCOS free.

Because I see it time and time again, women given clomid and then other assisted reproductive technology drugs with no success and then told to do cycle after cycle of IVF without positive outcomes, I know that if I chose that path I might not have my boys today. You can force nature but typically if we work on the health of the soil first, the outcome is healthier and more likely to bare fruit. Of course IVF may be the right choice for the right situation but in women with PCOS, ideally doing Chinese medicine for even 3 months prior to starting an IVF cycle has been researched and proven to not only create better outcomes but many time more than none, women get pregnant naturally.

I hope my story gives other women hope. Just know, Chinese medicine really can work, it takes a lot of work and a lot of commitment but not only have I helped myself but hundreds of patients with similar stories.

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Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.Ac / Doctor of Chinese medicine, Acupuncturist + Herbalist

Full Bio

The PCOS Diet - According to Chinese Medicine

Food is medicine in Chinese medicine, so as much as herbal medicine may be part of the treatment for PCOS, so is diet. PCOS is a “cold and damp” disease in Chinese medicine. It is understood the Spleen is Chinese medicine is also a cold and damp organ. When too much dampness encumbers the Spleen, it becomes slow, sluggish and contributes to various health issues in the body and in Chinese medicine 100% connected to cyst production and PCOS.

This concept of recognizing organs channels having their own property and temperature has been part of TCM for thousands of years as well as Asian culture. Typically in any Asian country, you would never see someone have a smoothie, juice or yogurt for breakfast but instead soup. This is because it is so important to keep the gut warm. For treatment of PCOS diet is a crucial part of the transformation in the body. Below are my recommendations for treating PCOS through food.

Foods To Take Out

In order to start healing the body from the inside out, we need to get to the root cause of why PCOS has happened. Diet is part of this equation, so to begin the road to cure; we need to let go of what is not needed and what may be creating illness.

• Dairy ( even yogurt)

• Soy

• White Wheat Flour

• Sugar

• White Potatoes

• Fried Foods

• Sweeteners of any kind ( aside from maple syrup or honey, monkfruit )

• Cold beverages (ice water, iced coffee, etc)

• Smoothies

• Juices

• Too many salads ( i.e eating them for meals everyday)

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Foods to Eat More of

Eat more of these to balance your hormones and nourish your body! 
Food can be our greatest medicine and our worst poison. Think about your food as medicine to help heal your body and create balance. 

Eat More Of These Foods 

• Root Veggies

• Steamed Veggies 

• Soups

• Bone Broth 

• Cooked Protein

• Warmer temp beverages 

• Whole grains 

  
  
   

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Bone Broth Soup 

This is one of the most important foods for PCOS. It acts as a medicine and balances the digestive system and giving the body an incredible amount of nourishment in the process.  Due to the breakdown of the bone and marrow after hours of cooking.

It is good for everything from boosting your immune system, to improving skin, hair, etc to balancing hormones, gut health, fights inflammation. You can use the bone broth to cook other things like rice or quinoa, or to incorporate into sauces. 

Bone broth should be drank 1-2 times a day to obtain it’s best properties.  Remember this is one of the most important medicinal foods you can eat (or drink)All food has medicinal properties, like herbs; they have a temperature, a specific organ or system they nourish and certain symptoms or issues they can help. 

Bone broth soup is part of almost every traditional culture’s diet. It is used as an important medicine for the mother after the birth of her child to help restore her vital resources and is used in diet on a daily basis because of its incredible nutritional properties. 

Bone Broth + Hearty Soup Recipe Part 1:

The Bone Broth

1 large Onion

1-2 pounds of chicken bones

1-2 teaspoons of salt

Roast your bones. Roasted bones allow for the mineral breakdown of the bones. Take your bones, chop an onion and fill up a large soup pot of water. Throw everything, plus a dash of salt into the pot. Cook for at least 6 hrs. I try to cook mine for about 10 if I am home all day. After it is cooked – strain everything. Sometime I do this in 2 days. Cook it all and at night before I go to bed, turn it off and let it cool and then put it in the fridge. Heat it up the next day so it liquifies and strain it.

Part 2:

The Hearty Soup

Veggies of choice – I love squash, carrots, mushrooms, onions, celery  and also some greens which I add at the end. Spices of choice – I use a lot of curry, coriander, cumin and sometimes ginger. Herbs – cilantro, green onions, fresh oregano, dill – get creative a couple chicken legsTake your amazing bone broth, add a cup or 2 of water  and put in the chicken legs, sometimes I will brown them in a separate pan in butter and curry. Throw in whatever spices you love. Chop all of the veggies and add them to soup – root veggies first and then after the soup cooks for another 1.5 -2 hrs. Make sure to add water if it needs it and cook the soup on a lower flame. Add greens in the last 5 minutes and the herbs in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Salt to taste.

Stews + Soups  Since we want to give the spleen warm and nourishing foods, stews and soups are a staple in a Goodbye PCOS diet. Stews and soups are very filling and warming for the body. You can make many different types from vegetarian stews and soups to meats, fish and chicken. They are also very easy to cook. 

Some of my favorite recipes which you can find easily on a google search are : 

• Lentil Soup

• Black bean soup

• Butternut Squash soup 

• Beef soup with bones

• Beef Stew with red wine

• Chicken Coconut Curry stew ( recipe below) 

• Lamb stew with Quinoa 

Most of my recipes I make up myself, adding spices that I love like curry or if I have fresh cilantro I will create a recipe around that. Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite chefs, so I take a lot of my base recipes from him and then create as I go along.  

Lauren’s Chicken Coconut Curry 

1-2 pounds of Chicken

1 large handful of mushrooms

1 cup of garbanzo beans

1 cup of butternut squash cut into pieces

1 cup of sweet potatoes

1 cup of carrots 

1 can of coconut milk

3 tablespoons of curry

1-1.5 tablespoons of cilantro chopped

1-1.5 tablespoons of green onions chopped

1-2 tablespoons of butter or ghee (ghee is ideal)

Lightly brown the chicken in ghee or butter and sprinkle a few pinches of curry on top and sauté. Add in coconut milk and chopped veggies, add 2-3 tablespoons of curry and some salt. Add mushrooms 1 hr after everything else has been cooking. Cook for around 2 hrs on a very low flame. Taste to see if you need to add more curry. Just 2-3 minutes before it is ready, add cilantro and green onions. Enjoy! 

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Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACm, L.Ac

Founder of Two Rivers Acupuncture & Wellness / Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncturist + Herbalist

Full Bio

Year of the Yang Metal & Water White Rat

The Year of the Yang Metal and Yang Water White Rat seems like it will be a monumental and life altering year for many. It is the beginning of a 12 and 60 year cycle and new beginnings create great rebirths and change. The rat is quick, alert, energetic, a bit sneaky and incredibly adaptable. There is a lot of energy and movement this year but having the Yang Metal as the driving force creates more precision, direction and learning truth within ourselves and our environments that may be hidden. This is a pivotal year of truly creating a better world for ourselves and for others in our local and global community. The rat year is also a year to aspire to being our best selves in our own lives but also for the people around us. 

Some Overall Themes of The Year of The White Rat

Yang Metal : In Chinese astrology and Chinese Medicine - Yang is always more masculine with immense life force, like the sun. We are moving from the year of the pig which was a double Yin year into a double Yang year so with that there will be great movement and transformation. In Chinese astrology Yang Metal is symbolic of a sword. A sword that has power and strength but moves with precision. Metal’s main values are respect, loyalty and commitment as well as perfection. Standing in one’s truth with perseverance and resilience is a thread throughout the year. 

Yang Water : Picture strong powerful movements, like an ocean wave. Our emotions coming to surface but also the strength behind those emotions. Social movements is a big theme this year but also truth and clarity in all circumstances. This may create personal shifts that are more like leaps and bounds, finding not only our inner truth but having the momentum behind it to move through the year wearing it like a beautiful cape full of diamonds. This is also a year of deep healing emotionally and physically. 

Political : This is where things start to get interesting. 60 years ago in the year of the rat was when Martin Luther King began his Civil Rights Movement revolution. This is a year of the voice of the people, of political and social movements, large protests and shifts into more progressive government ( lets hope!). The people want the truth with decent and virtuous leaders and this year has the Yang behind it to create true change 

Climatic : Hold onto your hats and boats? Yang Metal and Yang Water forecast a year with tremendous storms and flooding. Our climate is changing dramatically and quick, we are seeing this extremes of temperature, storms, fires and melting of our ice caps. In the year of the rat, it is predicted there will be coastal cities flooded to the level of needing our political leaders to step up and create change. “Nature will be in charge and she will be temperamental, so be prepared by stocking emergency supplies in your homes, offices and cars and stay warm when the storms come.” 

Health : This is a great year for health. It is a year of vitality and energy and focusing on a healthier lifestyle. “Metal Element increases the dedication to self-improvement.” Taking charge of your health is a driving force and permeating energy this year.

Acupuncture will also shine bright this year being it is a metal modality. “Acupuncture, which uses metal needles, is another profession that will see gains in the number of patients and gain popularity for more conditions. Natural and Ancient remedies of all kinds, especially from foreign countries can enhance healing and many Old Wives’ tales may be validated scientifically.”

It also seems to be a year of deeper spirit and soul healing in general. “The Water Element also adds strength to the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry and Philosophy and experts and the information these professionals present will be seen as valuable. People will want to go deep into their own psyches this year and they will be more willing to go into therapy” 

We will see more lung issues and virus epidemics that are related to the lung since in Chinese medical astrology - Metal is the Lung and Yang Metal is related to heat and viral epidemics but also strengthening the Lungs. 

The Year of the Rat is a very good year for improving health. People will feel more vital, alive and awake. Minor health issues can clear up easily and more serious or chronic illnesses can stabilize, as Yang Metal enhances the immune system and the Lungs. When people do get sick this year, they can recover quicker and easier. People will also heal from broken bones faster due to the strength of the Water Element. People will want to take charge of their own health and there will a renewed focus on a healthier lifestyle, as the Metal Element increases the dedication to self-improvement.

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Full Reading on The Year of The White Rat

By Lilian Bridges

January 25, 2020 is the start of the Chinese Year of the White Rat (or Mouse). The Rat is the first animal in the Chinese Zodiac system and this is the beginning of a completely new 12-year and 60-year cycle and is therefore considered the beginning of a new era. It is also the start of another decade, all of which makes it an especially important year for new beginnings and new possibilities. It is time to bring out new ideas, new plans and say yes to new opportunities. It is a good year for reinvention and starting over. Rats are considered mostly positive animals to the Chinese and are appreciated for their cleverness and the ability to always find food. People born in the Year of the Rat are considered charming, adaptable, witty and sociable. Rats favor their young, so this is a year of youth empowerment and reclaiming one’s youthful self. People will feel younger and livelier

According to the legend, the Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride, jumping off right before the finish line to come in first. The energies of this year will no doubt inspire some of the tricksters and opportunists in society, so be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true! 

This is a Yang Water Year with Yang Metal on top. These two elements are considered compatible and harmonious, as the Metal Element feeds the Water Element in the Parent - Child cycle of the Five Elements. This means that there is the potential for a peaceable year. However, there is an underlying, hidden aggression that these two powerful Yang elements bring to the year that should not be ignored and may emerge if provoked. 

Yang Metal is symbolic of the sword and military might. The Chinese believe that it requires many years of training to yield a sword properly and that a warrior must have the correct mental orientation to wield it judiciously. Expect to see a renewed emphasis from military and political leaders about important Metal values such as: honor; courage; duty; respect; service; loyalty and commitment. These ideals will be valued and appreciated in society as well. Having Yang Metal in the Rat Year indicates that there may be a gathering of troops in new places or the movement of troops, as the seeds of future conflict will likely be planted in the coming year. Forging a sword is a difficult process requiring the use of fire - the forge, where metal is heated and hammered multiple times until it becomes the right shape. Then grinding, hardening, quenching and tempering are done repeatedly until a formidable weapon is formed with very sharp edges. Applying this metaphor to people, it means that those who have suffered in the past will see rewards for the character building they went through and the strength achieved from their previous pain and hardship. Those people who are willing to stand upright or “stand in the light of their own truth” without fear repercussion will be particularly respected and will shine.

People who embody the strength of self that comes from overcoming obstacles and are resilient will emerge as heroes or social icons and gain large followings. They will be admired and appreciated for their resilience and integrity. Some will no doubt be athletes, as it is an Olympic year. Yang Water is represented by the ocean, or large water, which also includes large lakes and large rivers.

There is tremendous power in water this year and it is expected that there will be major flooding events caused by high tides, rising sea levels or larger than normal waves. Be prepared for saltwater intrusion into fresh water. Low lying coastal areas, particularly cities on the coast, will be very vulnerable to the flooding that comes from storm surges, possible tsunamis from large earthquakes, or from icebergs calving. There will be blizzards and rain events are likely to be deluges. It is anticipated that there will be more atmospheric rivers and large snow events will cause avalanches. Major rivers will also likely overflow their banks or lakes will rise, particularly near cities and flood expensive homes. Have your sandbags ready! Yang Metal is the autumn and Yang Water is winter. This combination forecasts some very strong storms in these seasons. There will be extreme cold in many places; some that will be unused to such low, freezing temperatures. Because Metal and Water push into Wood in the Five Element Cycle, which in weather is Wind, you can expect some major windstorms, especially in the fall and this will also drive small water, which is rain and snow, making all the usual storms involving wind and water more Yang and therefore more dangerous. This will undoubtedly cause plane and car crashes due to the effects of severe weather conditions. The strength in Water could also forecast some big social changes.

There may be uprisings of like-minded people over important causes, like the start of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. 60 years ago. Or there may be massive shifts in public opinion or in politics that ushers in a new, surprising leader, like John F. Kennedy, who was elected in the U.S. in 1960. You can expect to see large, primarily non-violent protests across countries, many of which are a continuation of last year’s protests. Violence is only forecast if the military gets involved in breaking up these demonstrations. These demonstrations will show governments how they can correct the course of their previously repressive and unfair policies. You may see long-term politicians being voted out of office and replaced with younger, less conservative candidates. New ideas will spread like a tide across countries and previously separated people will come back together.

My Chinese family has a saying that “all rivers will become one ocean,” and this is an appropriate truism for this year when all kinds of people will come together to create waves of change. Many people will have become dismayed and even disgusted by the bad behavior of politicians and celebrities in the previous years. Many have become fed up with rude and crude behavior. There will be a call to return to more Metallic ideals of behavior and this year. People will want to lead by example, showing more civility, politeness and displaying manners again. People will also demand more ethical business practices and will want people and businesses to uphold important values, act appropriately and take responsibility for their actions. There will be a strong desire to root out corruption and reward those companies that act ethically. Hypocrisy will not be tolerated this year and it may actually be dangerous this year for public figures to compromise their principles. Unfortunately, this will also lead to many people proselytizing about morals, which will show up as rigidity that can feel oppressive and even argumentative, as they will be quite sure that they are right. However, the Metal Element is more about a code of virtuous behavior that is individual and will manifest as behaving with decency and moral courage. When people embody and live by their own values, they will attract others who believe and act in similar ways.Those who “take the high road” this year will be admired and rewarded. However, in contrast to the more serious Metallic aspect of the year, the Rat brings vitality into popular culture and there will be a sense of youthfulness that has not been seen or felt in many years.

Peach Blossom Luck, a Chinese term for charisma and charm will be abundant this year. These flowers, like Cherry Blossoms, are a symbol of renewal – the promise of spring after a long hard winter. It will manifest in people as a joie de vivre, lightness of spirit and in playfulness. Peach Luck will make people feel more flirtatious and it is a very good year for having more sex. Rats are also known for having lots of babies, so you will see an increase in pregnancies and multiple births, especially in families that already have children. People will want to refine their image and dress in classic styles, or they will want to dress in more youthful styles, or in bohemian styles with flowing ethnic prints. Knit fabrics, silk and iridescent fabrics will also be valued. The colors of the year will be dark colors, primarily blue, blue-green or black for Water and the Metal colors of white, grey and pastels. Precious metal jewelry made of Gold and Platinum will be more popular and Pearls will become fashionable again. Beaded necklaces made by craftspeople from indigenous cultures will also be trendy. Because White Rats are lab animals, you can expect to see a renewed interest and respect for science, especially involving laboratories. New discoveries are likely about both space and the deep sea.

Allopathic Medicine is a metallic profession and there will be medical breakthroughs, especially involving pharmaceuticals. This is a good year for surgery, as the Metal Element enhances precision and there will be fewer medical mistakes. Acupuncture, which uses metal needles, is another profession that will see gains in the number of patients and gain popularity for more conditions. Natural and Ancient remedies of all kinds, especially from foreign countries can enhance healing and many Old Wives’ tales may be validated scientifically.

The Water Element also adds strength to the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry and Philosophy and experts and the information these professionals present will be seen as valuable. People will want to go deep into their own psyches this year and they will be more willing to go into therapy. Water is an element that wants clarity and therefore truth, so past deceptions and secrets will continue to rise up to be seen and deep personal process work can be accomplished. Another interesting metaphor of 2020 implies that people will be able to “see” better and will have more clarity about what is true, especially regarding the past. This may also be literal, where vision improves in those who have vision problems.

The Year of the Rat is a very good year for improving health. People will feel more vital, alive and awake. Minor health issues can clear up easily and more serious or chronic illnesses can stabilize, as Yang Metal enhances the immune system and the Lungs. When people do get sick this year, they can recover quicker and easier. People will also heal from broken bones faster due to the strength of the Water Element. People will want to take charge of their own health and there will a renewed focus on a healthier lifestyle, as the Metal Element increases the dedication to self-improvement. The Yang aspects of this year will make people want to exercise more in a natural way. Swimming, especially in saltwater pools or directly in the ocean is recommended and spending time in and around water will be very healing. Sleeping more is also recommended and insomnia should improve this year. There may be problems with edema, i.e., water retention, this year, especially in the lungs. And people who are prone to blood thinning will have to watch for excessive bleeding and those with weak hearts may find their condition exacerbated by the lack of fire in this year. However, many people with Kidney or Lung diseases will be given respite, as these organs will be stronger overall this year. The cold weather, wind and the viruses of the fall and winter seasons will lead to cold conditions in Chinese Medicine, like circulation problems in the extremities, arthritis and tightness in the neck and shoulders from Wind-Cold. This may also lead to bouts of dizziness and heart palpitations. Remedies involve warming the body, like taking baths or soaking your feet are good, and remember to wear gloves, hats and scarves. And this is a particularly good year for drinking hot beverages like Tea with Lemon and Honey and for taking distilled spirits medicinally, as in Hot Toddys or Hot Buttered Rum, or pouring Brandy into your Coffee. Chicken Broth, Bone Broth and Vegetable Broths are also good for enhancing the immune system. The Earth Element is weak this year and unfortunately this may mean that some areas of the world will experience famine or food insecurity due to crop failures and weather related problems, such as flooding of fields.

However, the Metal Element involves technology and this may help get food distributed when needed and even before it is needed, as computer modeling may be able to forecast the needs ahead of time. This may also indicate that there will be problems with digestion for many people, especially with an increase in food intolerances. The Metal Element requires simple, fresh food and the savory and pungent flavors will be more popular than sweet. Ethnic food and recipes that have been handed down in families will also be more appreciated.

Diets this year will be more omnivorous and flexitarian, due to the Rat energy and there will be a renewed interest in foraging. It is advised that people eat more warm food and cooked foods this year and foods that are easy to eat and digest. This includes soup, stews, yogurt, steamed foods and pureed foods. Fire is still hidden underground, as mentioned earlier and will continue to cause earthquakes and volcanic eruption and fires that burn out of control as fire fights fire and there simply isn’t enough fire this year. It also means there will be power outages from storms.

The Stock Market is expected to be a bit sluggish in terms of gains and less reactive to market pressures. People will be feeling less optimistic about the economy and may want to revert to safer and more secure investments. There will be a slow-down in economic growth for the next several years until the Fire Element reemerges in 2025. The good news is that the Water Element is good for international trade between powerful countries and trading blocs. There will be more agreement between states, provinces and united countries, such as the EU. Organizations involving member nations will also return to power due to the strength of the Water Element, which enhances merging. So company mergers will also be given extra luck this year for succeeding.

It is a good year for startups and for new ventures, especially in the technology sector and for getting a steady job. It is also a good year for accumulating personal wealth, especially if you are an Ox, Dragon or Monkey or have one of those animals in your Four Pillars.

The Power of the Ocean makes it a precarious place to be, so expect problems with cargo ships, cruise ships and luxury yachts. It will be easier to capsize, be hit with rogue waves, or to take on water. It will also be easy to be swept off piers, bridges and breakwaters, so use extra caution around the sea. However, deep-sea exploration will be benefitted by the energies of the year, with discoveries of ancient shipwrecks and possibly finding new species in the depths of the ocean.

Important studies about climate change will emerge and will be taken more seriously, as the sky and space are part of the Metal Element. Any manufacturing involving Metal is benefitted this year. This includes the auto industry, the airplane industry, the steel industry and even the mining industry when it involves mining for metals. And products that involve distillation, like liquor, or vinegar, or flower essences, or tinctures to chemicals, or water will flourish in both production and sales. It is also a good year for the high tech industry.

The action of the Water Element is willfulness. It will be hard to talk people out of what they want to do. They will also be more stubborn and intractable once they have made up their mind. Only fear will move these people, as fear is the emotion associated with the Water Element and the Kidneys. People will also want to have stronger boundaries in interpersonal relationships and will feel more independent, due to the strength of Metal. There is a strong desire for personal freedom, equality and fairness. People will feel the urge to be involved in social advocacy and this may manifest as the upwelling of renewed social movements and the desire to change the established order. Many revolutions had their start in a Rat Year. The Metal Element also adds the discriminating power of the intellect that will be activated in people. People will become more skeptical and less likely to follow others, preferring their own counsel about what they should think or how they should act.

Many people will need to check an enhanced need for perfection this year, but will probably enjoy creating more order and beauty in their lives and in their personal environments. People will want to collect more ethnic artifacts, due to the Water Element and will want to buy quality, luxury items because of the Metal Element. It is recommended that people buy fresh flowers this year and to burn candles to enhance the Fire Element in their homes and offices. It is a good year for Feng Shui practitioners and for interior designers.

The Water Element is about the upwelling of creativity so all creative people will be increasingly inspired. This will especially apply to writing, music, art, photography and graphic design. Refinement will be appreciated in the arts. Many people will feel their ambition rise this year. But a realistic and somewhat skeptical appraisal of the steps necessary to accomplish goals will also be needed, as luck will be gained through discipline and consistency.

This is also a good year for Higher Education and for people who hold advanced degrees. Significant life experience will also be more appreciated and the stories from elderly/older people will help younger people see the cycles within history. This will help alleviate some of the anxiety and stress of the last few years when events are seen in a bigger context. Wisdom will be much more appreciated and honored this year. Clairvoyance will also be enhanced this year and many people will gain insight through their dreams and in meditation. There is an interesting dichotomy in the social aspect of this year. People may find themselves vacillating between being alone due to the Metal Element and to sometimes feeling too close to others from the Water Element. There will also be a desire to find time to think deeply about things and then a desire to share those thoughts with people that you trust. The Rat is a sociable creature, so be sure to make time for some enjoyable gatherings. Overall it will be a very dynamic year. Mother Nature will be in charge and she will be temperamental, so be prepared by stocking emergency supplies in your homes, offices and cars and stay warm when the storms come. Luckily, many people will experience enhanced health and vitality and the winds of change will be blowing, altering the status quo for years to come! 

Why The Gift Of Health + Self Care Is the Best Gift You Can Give

Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.Ac

Towards the end of the year and during the holidays we tend to run on overdrive, not just in our own lives but also focusing on our family and friends. Social and family functions ( only COVID safe and distanced gatherings of course) gift buying and giving, and maybe letting some of our healthy eating habits fall to the side lines creating a bit of imbalance entering into the new year.

The holidays may also be a time of grieving for many, reminding us of who may not be celebrating with us or for some echos feelings of loneliness and solitude and in 2020 this has become more than ever. Feeling extra lonely and disconnected from loved ones on the holidays bring out a lot of grief and sadness. This is why we need to focus on the light inside and feed the hearth.

Below are a few ways we can do that.

Take A Walk Outside

Wherever you are in the world, whether it be the city or the woods. Just something as simple as taking a walk and breathing in the air immediately starts affecting your nervous system and boosts endorphins, which ultimately lowers stress and increases your mood.

Start Some Good Habits + Get Into A Routine

Humans are creatures of habit. This is how we are designed. Personally, I notice when I schedule in regular exercise and regular acupuncture treatments or energy healing, massage, yoga - my entire perception changes. Routine is something that takes work. Many times, it’s very hard in the beginning. Setting the alarm for earlier than normal so you can work out or go to yoga class. Making sure you make time for cooking healthy meals. Scheduling in weekly acupuncture, massage, therapy or whatever deeper healing modality calls to you. Drinking enough water everyday. Most of my patients struggle with these things and changing lifestyle to adapt to healthier routines can change your life, always for the better. Once you start a routine, it takes at least 21 days for your body to really get used to it. Don’t give up and just keep going. You will feel like a different version of you!

Cook Your Food

Again another simple sounding idea. Most Americans do not do this on the regular. After living in South America where no Trader Joes exists, nor Seamless or DoorDash, I learned how to cook everything from scratch with nothing but fresh ingredients. I will admit here in the US, I do love the convenience of organic frozen veggies when needed or organic frozen cauliflower rice but try and cook 95% of the food I eat. Home cooked meals are always made with better ingredients and of course the most important of all - Love! They also help your gut health.

In Chinese medicine, cooking is actually a healing act for your gut, while takeout salads and smoothies and colder natured food damage your gut. One of my motto’s is connect with your inner grandmother or great grandmother and channel her recipes or how she may of had oatmeal, eggs or even soup for breakfast instead of a quick shake. Same goes for all the other meals. Also, when we cook our food, we get to pick our own ingredients. Ideally, organic and locally sourced!

Find Yourself A Healing Modality You Can Stick With

Whatever calls you, just go for it. Find what you connect with. Acupuncture is a great one! I might be biased but there is more than 3000 years of proof as to why this medicine is around and as of lately, thousands of medical research studies on why everyone should stick with it for almost everything from mental health to hormones to complementary oncology care, pain management, pediatric issues, autoimmune and the list goes on and on and on. I personally use acupuncture because it helps prevent aging, lowers inflammation, puts me into a meditative state and regenerates cells. I also take Chinese herbs for hormonal balance, mental health balance and to nourish my blood and Qi. Besides that my other modalities I love are energy healing with my husband who practices shamanic energy medicine and I also try and get massages when I can.

The Gift Of Self Care and Health Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

The idea is that we really cannot drink from an empty cup, we need to nourish ourselves, feed our spirit, our body and sometimes that takes a team of healers, therapists and health care practitioners. Find your team, they will become your net and support you. When our body, mind and spirt are stronger, life events and stress become something we are more equipped to deal with. Stress happens, this is part of life and we live in a world where there are constant stressful and anxiety inducing events happening all of the time around us. This is why it is so crucial to give yourself the gift of self care and working on your health. It is more valuable than anything else than money can buy.

Spring Health, Wellness + Wisdom with Chinese Medicine

By Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.AC

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Spring is all about the energy of rebirth and renewal. It’s a force that is breaking its way out of winter and anticipating summer like a flower whose bud’s makes its way through the cold winter earth. This is the same idea with the concept of “Qi” in Chinese Medicine, which rises up in Springtime and surges through our bodies in its splendor.

With this, comes an energy of immense growth and the motivation to push through and forward into planning and projects, that may now come into fruition. There is also an underlying feeling of restlessness with all of this movement that also occurs naturally.  

In Chinese Medicine, we take these seasonal changes as opportunities to help us increase our health and prevent illness. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, we are in fact reflections of nature and our bodies are like microcosms of the universe.  Which is why in Winter, we may feel more inward, conserving our energy and stoking the internal fire. We are encouraged in winter to eat warm foods, decrease our physical activity and increase our internal activity such as meditation. In Spring it is the time to move, be motivated and create.

Spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine is related to the Liver and Gallbladder. Every season in TCM is connected to a different organ, emotion, energy, color and sound. This is all based off of the philosophy of the 5 elements and how as in nature, our own bodies reflect these 5 aspects or elements of the natural world.

When the liver Qi is flowing as it should, we feel at ease and in good balance but when it is blocked we feel stressed, irritated, uneasy and sometimes angry. Anger is not always a negative thing or is being stressed, but usually a response to something that does not agree with you or something that you do not resonate with, can make these feelings arise. Sometimes this is the catalyst we need in order to change and move forward. Anger can actually end up being very constructive and motivating. Of course when we experience too much of any emotion and are overtaken by that emotion, our mind/body/spirit feel out of alignment and illness can arise.

Going from one season into the next, can cause stress on the body and a lot of times, sickness occurs or outward manifestations of imbalance both physically and emotionally. In Chinese Medicine, we avoid this by preparing the body the season before, by following certain health principles.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, to help this transition and give balance to seasonal changes and concurrent illnesses. The medicinal thought that goes along with acupuncture, is one of a preventative medicine whose strength is not only curing the root of disease but curing the disease before the disease occurs.

There is an old story, about how the local doctor in a village would get paid from the families of the village, as long as they were healthy but not when they were sick. This is because Chinese Medicine is stellar at keeping people healthy and preventing illness from developing by observing certain patterns and adhering to nature’s changes. With this idea we look at all aspects of health including lifestyle, diet and other practices which may increases one’s potential towards optimal health for the seasons to come.

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Spring + Chinese Medicine

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The Big Picture

Element: Wood

Color: Green

Nature: Yang

Organs: Liver, Gallbladder

Emotion: Anger

Voice/ Sound : Shout

Flavor : Sour

The Wood Element

Wood gently penetrates the earth to bring forth water, the source of all life. Drawing from our roots, we find the energy to push forward with strength and firmness of purpose, always remaining supple, yielding, and true to our nature. Wood is gentle, persistent and filled with creative potential

The Liver Meridian

Emotion : Anger / Out of balance emotions : Explosive Anger, moodiness, bitterness, irritability

Function : Stores the blood, responsible for smooth flow of Qi + Blood throughout the body, regulates the secretion of bile, connects with the tendons, nails and eye

Liver Qi when flowing smoothly through the body : ( picture a flowing river or stream) allows for our emotions to feel at ease and good balance. When they become blocked or “stagnant” we call this Liver Qi Stagnation.

When liver Qi gets blocked : We feel easily irritated, stressed and angry. This can then lead to physical manifestations and various illnesses associated with this pattern. Bottled up Liver Qi a.k.a Stress has become such a norm in modern day life. We have learned to function with it everyday = SELF CARE.

Self-Care has become such a buzz word because modern life has created this constant need to find balance to harmonize our stressful lifestyles. There is great importance of being aware of stress since it has been connected in both Eastern + Western medicine to various diseases. We have acupuncture points and herbal formulas that specifically release stress and move Liver Qi and actually change how your body responds to stress. Chinese medicine has been proven to rewire the brain since acupuncture puts the body into a deep state of Theta and Beta waves and changes the receptors that normally get overstimulated in the brain when the body is under a deep state of stress.

Anger - The Emotion of The Liver Meridian

Anger which is another aspect of the Liver and the emotions associated with it, is not always a negative emotion. Sometimes it is the catalyst needed to move forward and take charge and create change.

Anger and frustration can be very constructive and motivating providing the energy needed to move through certain times in our life. Too much anger and outbursts in Chinese medicine, can lead to physical manifestations. When we have too much anger this can lead to unhealthy forms of reactions and violence. Of course this is the extreme end of Anger but we need to look at our anger and learn to work with it or release it. This is unhealthy anger vs. healthy

Working with the emotion of anger has been part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. There are actual points and various herbal formulas associated with different aspects of anger. We also recommend meditation and therapy to get to the root of your anger and releasing it.

The Spirit of Spring



Chinese medicine has 5 different aspects of the Spirit. The Hun Spirit, which is the Spirit of the Liver and the ethereal soul, resides in the liver. It is understood as the spirit that doesn’t die and goes from one life to the next .

The hun contains our reason for being, our purpose and our path. As it is reflected in nature the Spirit of Spring uncovers what has been kept under the ground for months. Now with the energy of Spring, we have the yang qi to face all that comes in our path and to avoid nothing that stands in the way of our growth and expansion.

Spring is the time when we need to excavate and extract what is needed to be cleared out from our depths and bring all to surface for a conscious spring cleaning, of what may need to be released.

Just as the leaves on the trees are expressing themselves, Spring is the time to hide nothing from ourselves and to allow what needs to be expressed be FULLY expressed.

Spring Spirit

1. Rebirth + renewal  - We are a reflection of nature breaking our way out of winter + anticipating summer like a flower bud making its way through the cold winter earth. This is a time of rebirth of the soul and renewal of the spirit.

2. Surge of Yang Qi - making a time for immense growth and expansion Creation - Bringing ideas into Fruition

3. Courage + Willpower - the Gallbladder governs this energy to follow through on dreams and goals. During Spring we have the momentum of courage and willpower to made dreams become reality.

   
   

Physical Manifestations of the Liver + Gallbladder

• Muscle tension, prone to have tendon and ligament injuries

• Sciatica (radiating pain from lower back into buttocks and down the leg)

• Headaches, especially migraines

  Irritability and outbursts of anger

• Visual disturbances

• Menstrual irregularities, PMS, fibroids

• Digestive disturbances, including heartburn (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, bloating

• High blood pressure, with tendency toward atherosclerosis

• Some Patterns of the Liver + Gallbladder

Nutritional Therapy For Spring

There are specific flavors and taste that correspond to each organ. There are flavors that nourish and flavors that can cause more imbalance. Food is seen as medicinal with specific properties, temperatures and actions. While certain foods can be used as medicine, others can do the opposite and make certain imbalances worse. Food is understood in Chinese medicine in very detailed and powerful way and when applied to season health, nutritional therapy and food medicine is key. Below is some Chinese Medicine Nutritional therapy specific to Spring.

Avoid Sour

Sour is connected to the liver so in Spring we recommend reducing sour and increase sweet nourishing the Spleen and calming the liver. Sour can affect the liver and increase it’s yang, impairing its function.

Eat Sweet and Pungent foods

The taste of “sweet” in Chinese medicine is actually not sugar but the sweet taste in rice. Sweet enhances Qi in spring . The Yang Qi in spring becomes dynamic and vigorous. Qi movement in the body tends to be upwards and outward which is why we suggest eating a lot of Pungent Foods!

Sweet Foods

• Rice

• Honey

• sweet fruits

• nuts, yams

• sweet vegetables such as carrots and potatoes,

• sweet cereals such as corn, rice and millet

  
  
  Pungent Foods

• Scallion

• Onion

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Radish

• Daikon

• Leeks

• chives

Eat Local

Physiological changes in the human body correspond with this natural diversity. Local and in season is what is best for your body in any season, In Spring so many foods and herbs are starting to grow. Eating those foods are key. Go to your local farmers market and

Avoid Foods Cold in Nature

In Chinese medicine the Spleen is a cold wet organ and unless it is hot outside, we advise not eating cold natured or too much raw food because it can damage the Spleen Qi and Yang Qi which leads to array of health imbalances from gynecological to digestive and various other issues. Since Spring is the time with Yang Qi starts rising to be in full force in the summer, eating foods that are cold can damage yang which can then create health issues in the months to come. Instead of your morning smoothie, have eggs or oatmeal. In Asia, breakfast is always soup. Keep it warm, to help the body maintain health Spleen Qi which in Western medicine = a healthy gut.

5 Tips on Staying Healthy This Spring



1. Move

Since spring is a time of renewal and rebirth it is also a time to let go of any stagnation you may have in your life. A good way to do this is through exercise.  It’s a better time than ever to start a routine. Exercise also allows the Liver Qi to flow as it should which is why most people feel great after a good yoga class or run.

2. Make A List Of Ideas – Then Do It

Remember all of those little projects you were thinking of starting, that letter you needed to write, how you want to stop smoking, start writing more or work on that dream you have been putting off for some time – Now is the time to start.  Springtime is a moment when after a long Winter, where the energy is more inward and Yin, the Yang comes back around and is infused into our daily energy (back to the flower breaking through the cold winter soil). The Gallbladder governs courage and the willpower to follow through on goals, dreams and decision making. With strong Gallbladder Qi we can put that first foot forward and jump right in.

3. Eat Your Greens

Green is the color of Spring – this is no coincidence. And it is also no coincidence that the green edible plants that grow during spring can greatly help course the Liver Qi such as mustard greens, dandelion greens, sprouts, celery, cilantro, mint and spinach.

4. Detoxify

Spring is the time to cleanse – both physically and emotionally. Winter is not the time, according to Chinese Medicine to eat less or cleanse since we need to stock up. Spring is when we can cleanse with a healthier outcome. Take a week or two, to cleanse the body of wheat, dairy and sugar (what I call the 3 evils).  

Most people have a hard time in modern life to do more extreme cleanses such as juice cleansing ( I recommend soup cleanses instead), listen to your body if you do decide to do this and be aware of how you are feeling throughout the cleanse.

Detoxification of the mind is also ideal for this season. When I say “detoxify”, I mean – release. Take some time to go within and try and see what you may be holding onto and what you are ready to let go of. To Marie Kondo the mind. When we internalize our emotions and hold onto them for a long period of time, disease can occur. Through meditation, acupuncture, herbal medicine and yoga we can help ourselves release and let go of things that are causing these blockages – wishing them good riddance. Ciao! Hasta La Vista!

5. See Your Acupuncturist For A Seasonal Tune-Up

Seasonal change comes with its own fair share of issues. Since we are always trying to go from imbalance back into balance and achieving a harmonious equilibrium, just as in nature, we easily fall out of sync and have our own versions of storms, volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. We see these imbalances through injuries, irregular sleep patterns, digestive issues, gynecological issues, emotional issues, allergies, colds and stress – to name a few.. Seasonal acupuncture or regular acupuncture treatments help keep you in harmony and prevent issues even if you are not experiencing any. When we keep our Qi flowing as nature intended, harmony and equilibrium is achieved and health is a constant state of being.

Seasonal Acupuncture can also help during seasons you have a harder time with. Such as if you are someone who suffers from allergies in Spring. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have both been proven to alleviate and treat even the worst seasonal allergies.

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Dr. Lauren Dulberg DACM, L.Ac

Dr. Lauren Dulberg is the owner of Two Rivers Acupuncture & Wellness in Nyack, NY which is located in Rockland County, where she specializes in Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Emotional Health and Internal Medicine. She is a Board Certified Herbalist and Rockland County’s first Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine

The Year of The Pig

Personal Fortune, Health & Wellness, Climatic and Political Forecast for The Lunar New Year 2019

By Dr. Lauren Dulberg

Chinese astrology has been intertwined with Chinese medicine for thousands and thousands of years. Each new Lunar Year brings about another elemental energy that dictates what illnesses may be present and how many herbalists in China, create specific herbal formulas for the year to come.

Besides possible medical issues that may occur, Chinese astrology is also used to predict climatic changes, energetic tendencies, finances and many personal fortunes and misfortunes. Warnings and good omens alike. The Year of The Pig is a Double Yin Earth and Water element year which creates an abundance of Yin energy and also Water and Earth based energetic properties.

Overall Themes and Happenings for The Year of The Pig

• Water, mud, landslides

• Muddy vision, lack of clear thinking

• Pigs symbolize - family, friends, home, good food

• Yin Earth Cycle - good for farming, crops, farm animals

• Government - more focus on local state government, internal affairs vs foreign + peaceful transitions of heads of state

• Not a good year for risky investments

• A good year for business/ small businesses

• “Businesses should plan in the Pig Year and launch new projects and expand in the Rat Year”, which is in 2020. Home building, publishing, environmental/ecology industries and businesses based on natural sciences should all have good years. Earth Businesses such as real estate, education, healing, medical, dinning, farming all have good outcomes this year as well as partnerships.

• Themes : Generosity, Peace, Nourishing, Family , Forgiveness, Community, Truth

• Domestic skills and crafts

• Yin nature -women's health, men tuning into their yin nature

• Family, Friends and Community

• Yin Energy : “The previously disenfranchised will gain more rights. This includes: women’s rights, gay rights; and children’s rights too. The silent minorities will find their voices and be heard. Expect to have more spokeswomen emerging to fight for these causes, not just against men in power or the current system”

• Health : “The combination of Earth and Water signifies Spleen Dampness in Chinese Medicine. To counterbalance this dampness, saunas can be helpful. This dampness can manifest as problems with the Spleen, Pancreas and Stomach, which are Earth organs. This may cause digestive disorders, so warm, cooked foods are recommended to ease digestive distress. The lack of fire makes circulation problems increase and there is slightly more risk of heart failure and small blood clots, hemorrhoids and varicose veins due to stagnant and thicker blood.”

• Health continued:  “The combination of elements symbolized as muddy water can also affect the Kidneys and Bladder. This can manifest as more Urinary Tract Infections, which make the urine cloudy... Or, there may be an increase in small kidney stones . It is unfortunately easier for Kidneys to fail, requiring dialysis or even transplants. Kidney deficiency may also manifest as lethargy, low back problems, teeth problems, knee problems or as a low sex drive. Be sure to rest and sleep more to support your Kidneys. Interestingly, although people may not be having as much sex this year, they will likely be much more fertile and many babies will be conceived. Phlegm is another manifestation of muddy water, so the number of people who fall ill with respiratory infections is expected to rise”

• Politics and energetic themes “ Those who attempt deception must be very good at keeping secrets as water is always trying to become clear. So this year, their deceptions will likely not be as hidden as they think or won’t stay hidden as long. The downward push of Earth into Water makes mud, but then rises up to dry in the sun. This means what’s been hidden below must come out. So, past venial sins will rise up to be remembered and will need to be cleansed and consciences cleared.”

Full Reading

The Year of the Brown Water Pig - A.K.A “Yin Water Pig “

By Lillian Bridges

This is a Yin Earth Year with the Yin Water Pig. This combination is a tricky one as the Elements are in opposition. Luckily, they are in the Yin form of the elements so any skirmishes or conflicts should be minor. The combination of Earth and Water together make mud, which is why this year’s Pig is brown! This can be taken literally, meaning that there will be more mud created in the natural world, or it indicates that there may be a lack of clarity in people’s thinking. Taken even further, it may be that there will be some mud-slinging politically – a messy proposition!

The Pig is the final animal of the Chinese 12 animal system. This means that many long-term projects, ongoing investigations or delayed lawsuits will be finalized. There is a lot of energy around completion and concluding things that can’t make the jump into the next cycle. Pigs are peaceful animals, except when angered, which is rare. To the Chinese, Pigs symbolize the values of family, friends, home and good food. In fact, the pictogram for home is a roof with a pig under it. So plan on being more of a homebody or staying closer to home this year, as that will bring more fortune than traveling around. The Yin Water of this year is embodied by what is called small water – clouds, mist and rain - especially consistent rain over a long period of time. As rain feeds the streams and then the rivers, it is easy for two rivers to join and cause the water level to rise.

This indicates the dangers of flooding over low-lying ground in many places in the world. The rivers run to the sea, which in large quantities carries mud that clouds the water. Unfortunately, this water runoff can cause pollution, increased bacterial levels and algae growth, which impacts sea creatures and animals as well as tourism, fishing and shellfish farming. The symbolism of muddy water also means that there may be oil spills or problems with water quality and the safety of water supplies in many places. Water borne illnesses may be the catalyst for action. Clean water will become a major governmental issue with more money being dedicated to water safety, clean water distribution and replacing and repairing aging water infrastructures. Marshes and swamps will increase in size. Lakes, reservoirs and some major dams, levees or dikes may be breached or overflow, and soil or sand erosion is expected. Water supplies can increase if steps are taken to retain the water.

As for natural disasters, volcanoes and earthquakes will calm down, although they will still be a factor on a lesser scale. Earth is on an unstable foundation, so landslides are definitely predicted, especially in burn areas and in arid places that are not used to an increase in rainfall. Flash floods can be a problem and may cause washouts of roads and bridges. Water always seeks to go down, so expect that caves, mines, and tunnels will flood and basements will flood. Bogs and quicksand may become an issue in some places and sinkholes may also become more prevalent. There may be problems with buildings built on unstable Earth that will create problems with the foundation sinking, the building tilting and some may possibly collapse.

Storms should be less intense this year, with storm surges as the bigger threat along with sand and soil erosion. There will be bands of weather across large areas that stay put for long periods. There will be more drizzle and more fog, which may cause car crashes. And, there will also be a lot of sea mist, which may cause some problems with shipping. Some areas will experience freezing fog and sleet rather than major snowstorms. Be careful and cautious while traveling in the winter months, as there may be an increase in icy sidewalks, black ice on roads and frozen bridges. In summer months, there will be an increase in humidity, even in places that don’t usually experience it. The lack of fire in this year means that this may overload the electrical grid and cause outages.

Farming is actually benefited due to Yin Earth, except where flooding occurs. Crops requiring a lot of water will flourish. These include: rice; cotton; legumes; wheat; alfalfa; sugarcane; lettuce; cruciferous vegetables; and almonds.Livestock - all farm animals - will have more than enough water this year, which they need. Grass will flourish and will feed range and migrating animals, so there will an increase in offspring. Yin Water nourishes Yin Earth and makes things grow. There should be a bumper crops in fruits and vegetables and there will be a renewed increase in biodynamic and organic farming.

Water has a cycle: evaporation of water makes clouds; then clouds make rain fall which makes streams flow to rivers; and rivers flow to lakes and oceans; eventually evaporating again. The Yin Earth cycle makes everything grow and is symbolic of the soil, which nourishes plants that feed insects and animals and composts to create more fertile earth. Both elements are involved with recycling, especially of organic material. This will give a big boost to the recycling industry and scientists will find new ways of dealing with or processing food waste and trash as well as water reclamation.

Governments will pay more attention to the internal workings and policies of their countries. States or Provinces will have more influence on their populace than the central government and representatives of these regions will have a strong impact on legislation. Countries will be less focused on relationships with other nations or with foreign affairs. There will be withdrawals from occupied or foreign territories and past differences can more easily be resolved. Negotiations, treaties, agreements and alliances between countries will be given blessings from the Pig Year. Changes in command or government positions will be smoother and more peaceful than usual.

Internationally, most relationships should be harmonious and amicable. If heads of government or politicians choose to fight with others, they will find that they will be more evenly matched this year and will not be able to dominate as they have in the past. Resistance will meet an equal resistance. This can lead to impasses where both sides need to lower their expectations considerably in order to compromise and find solutions. Incremental gains and small wins will be much easier to achieve this year.

It is not expected to be a good year for the Stock Market and it looks to become decidedly Bearish. This is due to Fire being trapped inside Earth and put out by Water. The stock market’s volatility is considered fiery and there is a dampening energy on market growth. Risky investments or investing for quick profits is not advised. Investors will be feeling less optimistic and more fearful, so more conservative investment strategies will become more popular and more comfortable for investors. It is a time to hold onto your money and for the first time in a long time, savings accounts may do better than many investments.

Overall this is a good year for business because both the Earth and Water Elements feed the Wood Element that business runs on. However the Chinese saying is that “Businesses should plan in the Pig Year and launch new projects and expand in the Rat Year”, which is in 2020. Home building, publishing, environmental/ecology industries and businesses based on natural sciences should all have good years. Earth Businesses, like Real Estate home sales and all businesses involving Food will get a boost: food growing, production, distribution, preparation, and sales will also have a good year. Farm to Table restaurants and family dining restaurants will do best. Beauty products and spa treatments using mud, clay, seaweed or stones will be very popular. Partnerships and businesses working together and joining forces will become stronger and gain mutual benefit.

The energy of the Pig will make Education-related businesses flourish, particularly involving children and children’s educational toys. The Pig also benefits all professions involving caring – healing, therapy, counseling and social work. Charities and nonprofits that focus on the welfare of children and the disenfranchised, as well as shelters for the homeless and feeding the hungry will receive more donations and gain more volunteers. This is definitely not a year to flaunt money, power, status or conspicuous. Generosity will be one of the themes of the year and people will be more inclined to help others less fortunate.

This is a year for cultivating all domestic skills – cooking, scrapbooking, housekeeping and gardening and these skills can more easily be made into professions this year. People who practice these crafts will be more appreciated and those who work in support positions, such as all assistants or those working on assembly lines in manufacturing, will get more credit.

One of the curious aspects of the elements of this year is that they are both Yin – Yin Earth and Yin Water. Because both the Earth and the Water Elements are also considered more Yin, it is almost like having a quadruple Yin year. Yin and Yang are often misconstrued as opposites, but they are actually interdependent and can transform to become the other, as each carries the seed of the other within. In Chinese Medicine, men are said to be Yang on the outside and Yin on the inside, whereas women are said to be Yin on the outside and Yang on the inside. So everyone certainly has both Yin and Yang characteristics. However, most societies have been incredibly Yang-focused for a very long time and that balance is about to change.

This points to the rising power of Yin in 2019, and it is important to find strength in a Yin way, not in a confrontational Yang way, particularly for women. There will also be an expectation for men to express more of their Yin nature. Men need to be brave enough to start exploring their inner selves and bring forward more Yin actions, like compassion. This is a year of focusing on family, friends and community.

The Yin issues are important this year and improvements in these areas of life can and will be made legislatively and as movements. This involves things like: birth control; pregnancy; parental leave; childcare; children’s health; women’s health; family health; and eldercare. The previously disenfranchised will gain more rights. This includes: women’s rights, gay rights; and children’s rights too.

The silent minorities will find their voices and be heard. Expect to have more spokeswomen emerging to fight for these causes, not just against men in power or the current system. Educating children will become a priority and other social causes, such as feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and caring for refugees, particularly child refugees, will become rallying causes.

Aggression and violence will not be tolerated this year and strides will be made in creating systems or passing legislation to deal more effectively with these societal problems. This is not a year for holding grudges or plotting revenge. These energies will not be appreciated or allowed and will bring rebukes and ostracism and censure. Conciliatory words and soothing tones of voice are advised in communication for harmonious interactions. People will feel much more Pro-Peace and will find it easier to cooperate and compromise.

The energies of this Pig Year will also encourage retirement in those that are close to retirement age, as the Pig values the reward for working hard and the relaxation and rest that comes at the end of effort. This coincides with the peak of the Baby Boomer generation who are reaching retirement age. So if you are not retiring this year, you may find yourself wanting to retire. Be sure to dedicate more time to rest and relaxation and vacations this year.

People will be very interested in food this year and the theme is that food must taste good. They will be less concerned about the calories or the nutrients and more focused on flavor. People will be cooking more; gathering and eating together more. They will cook family recipes and from their heritage. Comfort foods will bring pleasure. It is important to eat more cooked foods this year instead of so many raw foods. Fruits and Root Vegetables and Pulses all belong to the Earth Element and will be very nourishing this year. Yin Earth is also lightly sweet foods or sweets eaten in small quantities, so small pastries, light desserts, and creamy custards will be popular and consumed more than dense heavy desserts.

Weight gain is very likely this year, especially around the stomach. But it will occur in small increments and may not be noticed until the end of the year. This might also occur because people will be drawn to wearing comfortable, oversized clothing that drapes and hides weight gain well. Because the Pig energy can be somewhat sedentary, light exercise, particularly bouncing with rebounders and shaking Qi Gong is recommended for moving the lymph fluid. Massages, including Lymph Massage or Bodywork will help alleviate tension and enhance relaxation. Calisthenics and stretching like Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi are also good and taking frequent strolls will be enjoyable forms of exercise. People will also be drawn to group exercise and exercise classes, instead of individual training.

The combination of Earth and Water signifies Spleen Dampness in Chinese Medicine. To counterbalance this dampness, saunas can be helpful. This dampness can manifest as problems with the Spleen, Pancreas and Stomach, which are Earth organs. This may cause digestive disorders, so warm, cooked foods are recommended to ease digestive distress. It is also advised to add Ginger to the diet to aid digestion and for warming the stomach, along with more spices like Cardamom and Cinnamon, and hot drinks. Soups and stews are also good. It is very important to eat very regular meals. However, people won’t be able to resist snacking this year.

The lack of fire makes circulation problems increase and there is slightly more risk of heart failure and small blood clots, hemorrhoids and varicose veins due to stagnant and thicker blood. Giving blood helps alleviate these conditions and some foods are considered very good for improving blood quality. These include Mu’er (Wood Ear) Mushrooms and red fruits that look like hearts, like Cherries, which in Chinese Medicine is said to clean the blood.

The combination of elements symbolized as muddy water can also affect the Kidneys and Bladder. This can manifest as more Urinary Tract Infections, which make the urine cloudy (Blueberries can be helpful). Or, there may be an increase in small kidney stones (Watermelon juice can be helpful). It is unfortunately easier for Kidneys to fail, requiring dialysis or even transplants. Kidney deficiency may also manifest as lethargy, low back problems, teeth problems, knee problems or as a low sex drive. Be sure to rest and sleep more to support your Kidneys. Interestingly, although people may not be having as much sex this year, they will likely be much more fertile and many babies will be conceived.

Phlegm is another manifestation of muddy water, so the number of people who fall ill with respiratory infections is expected to rise, with congestion lasting longer than usual. If you find yourself suffering from congestion, cook more Chicken Soup with Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions and Cayenne Pepper and drink hot Water with Lemon and Honey – a shot of whiskey makes it even better!

People will want to stay at home more because the Pig is considered a home loving and family-oriented creature and they value comfort. There will be a strong pull to gather together with family, friends and workmates often. It is a good year to spoil children and grandchildren. The Yin nature of the year may bother a lot of people, but it will balance out their Yang natures. Take naps and spend more time just being. The idea is to relax and enjoy life in the Pig Year and spend time with loved ones.

People will be more caring, considerate and nurturing this year, and more willing to help others. This is a very good year for dealing with family issues and overcoming previous hurts. Forgiveness is easier and reconciliation is one of the themes of the year. People will take romance seriously and there are likely to be more proposals. It is not a good year to play with someone’s heart or engage in superficial relationships.

The Pig is considered an honest creature, so truth will be valued. However, muddy water means that things won’t always be that clear. People will be a bit more confused and hidden danger will not necessarily be easy to see. Those who attempt deception must be very good at keeping secrets as water is always trying to become clear. So this year, their deceptions will likely not be as hidden as they think or won’t stay hidden as long. The downward push of Earth into Water makes mud, but then rises up to dry in the sun. This means what’s been hidden below must come out. So, past venial sins will rise up to be remembered and will need to be cleansed and consciences cleared. Therapists and ministers will be busier counseling, and Catholic churches will see more people seeking confession. These sins may also be revealed to the world but anonymously or in confidence and those who prey on Yin people will be found out, as Yang does not have as much power this year. Emotionally, people will feel more worried and more fearful, but can be consoled easily by their loved ones. Most people will feel like hugging and cuddling more.They will feel more affectionate and less angry. Confrontations should be easy to diffuse and patience will help. It is easier to feel a connection to others and it is easier to make friends. The main goal is contentment and enjoyment of life – resting and healing to prepare for the new cycle.

Overall, the Pig brings gifts to most people this year. Tigers, Rabbits and Sheep get particular benefit, but any barnyard animal is favored. Snakes, Monkeys and Pigs (except those celebrating their 60th birthday) will find this year more difficult. This means that they may have to work harder, move, travel more, change jobs, start a new job, get married or have a baby – the Chinese call it experiencing “Good Bad Luck.” The remedy is to carry a Tiger Charm.

* Bridges, Lilian The Year of The Brown Pig 2019 www.lotusinstitute.com