Foods to Help Protect Against Radiation

 Now radiation is a huge topic. Also known as EMF’s or electromagnetic frequencies we have to be very careful because there’s no way of getting around this toxin. With our constant use of computers, cell phones, iPads, Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth everything we are bombarded with EMFs. At Healing Arts our goal is to minimize the effect of radiation on the body by healthy lifestyle choices and support the body with the right nutrition to help detox it.  The first step is to get an EMF blocker for your cell phone. Unfortunately there are a lot of EMF blockers out there on the market that do not work so do your research and find one that works. We like to use EMF Harmony. They have ones for the cellphones but other products as well. 

Lifestyle changes include not having your cellphone in your pocket. Carry it in a bag instead and do not charge it by your bed. At least have it across the room on airplane mode and better yet would be to have it charging in a different room but I know a lot of us use it as an alarm. Try not to have laptops or iPad directly on you when using them but on a table or at least on a pillow. Now the bluetooth headphones people have are an EMF disaster, having that sit right there in your ear, so close to your brain drives me crazy.  For those of you who have them I”m sure you love them and they do look nice but it’s better to go without especially if you are suffering from high blood pressure, headaches, neck pain or other joint inflammation.  Go back to the headphones with a wire and actually I like those headphones better than holding the phone to your ear too.  So when you are using your phone and you can use your headphones with a wire or put the phone on speaker and off your body  that is the safest way to use your phone. 

At Healing Arts we are all about using food to heal.  Food that you want to add to your diet specifically to help detox radiation includes chlorella, spirulina, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and seaweed.

Spirulina is nutrient-dense, with just one tablespoon of this powdered supplement containing 11% of the recommended daily intake of iron and four grams of protein. After the Chernobyl incident in 1986, the Institute of Radiation Medicine in Minsk proved that children experienced enhanced immune systems, T-cell counts and reduced radioactivity with 5 grams of spirulina a day for 45 days. Spirulina can be found in most health food stores as a green powder that can be added to smoothies. I personally add a raw paste one from https://www.rawlivingspirulina.com/ that is organically harvested from Florida.  

Chlorella is another type of algae and has the highest chlorophyll content. Studies show it helps protect against gamma radiation. So eat your green veggies to have more chlorophyll in your diet.  Chlorella and liquid chlorophyll can also be found in most health food stores.

Brassica vegetables and high beta-carotene vegetables – Researchers have found that all the brassica family plants protect your cells from the damaging effects of radiation. Beta-carotene has also been researched and found to protect your cells against radiation. Brassica vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, broccoli rabe, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, and bok choy. Beta-carotene can be found in concentrated amounts in foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro, fresh thyme, cantaloupe, romaine lettuce and broccoli.

Beans and lentils have high nucleotide concentrations. Nucleotides are the building blocks that make up RNA and DNA. Nucleotides also carry out several critical functions needed for cell replication, as well as neutralizing toxins, increasing cellular metabolism, improving the response and efficiency of the immune system, enhancing the effects of antioxidants and increasing the body’s ability to heal and repair. Other foods high in nucleotides include spirulina, chlorella, algae, liver, anchovies and mackerel.

Fatty acids, such as cod liver oil and olive oil can protect against radiation. Studies have been done to show olive oil helps protect the liver against radiation given during cancer treatments.  

Make healthier choices when it comes to using electronics and eat your veggies to protect yourself from EMF toxicity.

Our Favorite Coffee Alternatives

Coffee is one of the vials we test for in our food test kit.  Due to the acidity and making the adrenals push out more adrenaline than necessary it definitely isn't a healthy drink for everyone.  We also test caffeine in a separate vial to see if the sensitivity is to both or just one or the other.  We know coffee can be extremely hard to quit and you may even go through caffeine withdrawal with a 3 day headache with it FINALLY being okay on the fourth day.  So we wanted to take the time to give you some coffee alternatives.  

1. Golden milk
This drink does quite the opposite of coffee for it helps you relax and is a good drink to have after dinner to relax. For all my nondairy drinkers out there, don't worry, you can use seed or nut milk instead of regular milk.  Dr. Armitstead's favorite way to make golden milk is with coconut milk.  But first, here are 9 reasons to start drinking golden milk or turmeric lattes:

1. Turmeric helps build immunity

2. Helps sleep

3. It is a good remedy for digestive problems.

4. It supports the liver.

5. Helps fight cancer

6. Clarifies the skin.

7. Gives relief from autoimmune diseases

8. Good for the brain and fighting Alzheimer's disease

9. Is anti-inflammatory

When adding it to your diet you need to know that adding black pepper to it helps turmeric become more bioavailable. Which is another way of saying your body can absorb more turmeric if you add black pepper with it. Drinking golden milk before bed can help sleep because turmeric reduces inflammation, lowers your blood sugar levels, helps your liver to detoxify, boosts your immune system and eases your digestive system – all of which help you to get to sleep faster, to sleep better, and to wake up feeling refreshed.

How do you make golden milk?
Serves 2

Ingredients

• ½ cup warm water

• 1 cup coconut milk (or any milk you prefer)

• 2 tsp turmeric powder

• 2 tsp virgin coconut oil

• ½ inch ginger knob, peeled and grated

• 1/4 tsp. black pepper or 2 black peppercorns, crushed

• ½ tsp cinnamon powder

• ½ tsp nutmeg powder

• ¼ tsp cardamom powder

• *Optional 2 tsp raw organic honey or pure maple syrup for the vegan version

Preparation

1. Whisk coconut milk, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, honey, coconut oil, black pepper, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan; bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors have melded, about 10 minutes.

2. Make ahead of time. Golden milk can be made 5 days ahead and reheated.

Golden milk powder with the exact ratios of spice can be bought at the office or here.  Just add a teaspoon to simmering coconut milk or almond milk and you're done!

A great place to buy a turmeric latte with almost any type of milk you want is at Gregorys Coffee with the closest one to the Manhattan office being on 40th St. and Madison Ave.

2. Mud/Wtr
Is a spin of Golden Milk with a little caffeine and health benefits of mushrooms.  All organic ingredients with 1/7th the caffeine as a cup of coffee, you get focus, energy and immunity without the jitters, crash and dependency.  Ingredients: Cacao, Masala chai, Turmeric, Himalayan salt, Cinnamon, Chaga, Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion’s mane.  The mushrooms boost your immunity in a way that Golden milk does not but it is missing black pepper for the turmeric to be better absorbed.  It can only be found online here.

3. Teeccino 
Is a dark roast of chicory and barley with other plants that make it taste good and is actually like a dark tea.  It is the darkest hot drink we can find other than coffee and does not have any caffeine.  They have over 20 different flavors however not all flavors are organic.  Some flavors include mushrooms.  A great one has dandelion in it to help the liver detox.  Teeccino can come in tea bags or like ground coffee depending on how you would like to make it.  It can be found at health food stores, local grocery stores and online.   Flavors include Chaga Ashwagandha Butterscotch Cream, Chocolate Raspberry, Dandelion Coconut and so much more!,

10 Tips for a Healthier Home

 

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY WHICH IS YOUR LIFELONG HOME IS SO IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE HEALTH YOU HAVE.  WE CANNOT TAKE OUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED AND LEARNING TO BE HEALTHY BY EATING THE RIGHT FOODS AND USING LESS TOXIC MATERIAL IN OUR DAILY LIFE IS WHAT WE TEACH AT HEALING ARTS.  THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE SPEND MUCH OF OUR TIME IN ALSO HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. THESE 10 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOME WILL COVER A WIDE RANGE OF WAYS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR LIVING SPACE AND PROMOTE WELLBEING, MIND AND BODY.

1. DRINK (AND BATHE) IN CLEAN WATER

ALTHOUGH CITY TAP WATER IS CONSIDERED SAFE ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, IT CONTAINS AN ARRAY OF CHEMICALS TO TREAT IT THAT ACTUALLY CAN BE QUITE HARMFUL TO YOUR BODY OVER TIME. ADDITIVES LIKE CHLORINE HELP KILL THE BAD BACTERIA THAT MAY MAKE ITS WAY INTO THE TOWN WATER SUPPLY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, CHLORINE ALSO KILLS GOOD BACTERIA. SINCE OUR BODY’S HEALTH DEPENDS HEAVILY ON THE HEALTH OF OUR MICROBIOME OR OUR GOOD GUT FLORA, CONSUMING CHLORINE DAILY BY DRINKING AND BATHING IN TAP WATER IS NOT HEALTHY.

IDEALLY, YOU WANT TO BE CONSUMING WATER OUT OF GLASS BOTTLES OR WATER FILTER.  I LOVE A BERKY WATER FILTER! SHOWER FILTERS ARE HIGHLY SUGGESTED FOR ANYONE WITH SKIN OR HAIR CONCERNS.  THE ONE I LIKE ADDS VITAMIN C TO THE WATER WHICH IS AMAZING FOR THE HAIR AND SKIN, SONAKI. 

ANOTHER OPTION IS TO GET A WHOLE-HOUSE REVERSE OSMOSIS FILTER INSTALLED FOR YOUR HOME. REVERSE OSMOSIS USES THE CITY TAP WATER AND PUTS IT THROUGH A RIGOROUS FILTRATION. ALTHOUGH IT STRIPS THE WATER COMPLETELY OF ALL BAD AND GOOD ELEMENTS (LIKE MINERALS), MANY FILTERS REMINERALIZE THE WATER. YOU CAN ALSO ADD MINERALS TO YOUR DRINKING WATER AFTER THE FACT.

2. KEEP IT CLEAN

KEEPING YOUR HOME CLEAN IS IMPORTANT, EVEN IF NOBODY IS COMING OVER TO VISIT. HAVING A CLEAN HOME SPACE IS GREAT FOR MENTAL HEALTH, AND PROMOTES SENSATIONS OF RELAXATION AND GENERAL PROMOTION OF WELLBEING. WITH ALL THE STRESS OF WHAT THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HAVEN THAT FEELS SAFE, CLEAN, AND COZY.  IF FOR SOME REASON YOUR LIVING SPACE CANNOT BE KEPT CLEAN CHOOSE A ROOM OR PART OF A ROOM TO PRIORITIZE TO KEEP CLEAN.  HAVING A CLEAN SPACE, NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR BIG IT IS, IS A REFLECTION OF SELF-CARE AND SELF-RESPECT. 

3. USE LOW VOC PAINTS

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (OR VOCS) ARE THE SOLVENTS THAT GET RELEASED INTO THE AIR AS THE PAINT DRIES. VOCS ARE EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO HUMAN HEALTH BECAUSE AIRBORNE INGREDIENTS LIKE FORMALDEHYDE, BENZENE, AND ACETONE, MAKE THEIR WAY INTO YOUR LUNGS, PROMOTING AN ARRAY OF SIDE EFFECTS RANGING FROM IMMUNE SUPPRESSION AND ASTHMA TO ENDOCRINE DISRUPTIONS.  CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO VOCS CAN LEAD TO LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM, KIDNEYS, AND LIVER.

NOT ALL PAINTS CONTAIN HIGH DEGREES OF THESE VOLATILE COMPOUNDS, AND SOME CONTAIN NONE AT ALL. BY ASKING AT YOUR LOCAL PAINT STORE, OR READING THE INFORMATION BEFORE YOU BUY ONLINE, OPTING FOR A LOW VOC OR NO VOC PAINT IS A STEP TOWARDS A HEALTHIER HOME.

4. NATURAL LIGHT

LIGHT PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN REGULATING OUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHM. THIS INTERNAL BIOLOGICAL CLOCK CALLED OUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING THE TRIGGERING OF SLEEP/ WAKE HORMONES.

WHEN WE EXPOSE OUR BODIES (AND ESPECIALLY OUR EYES) TO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT THAT HAS A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF THE BLUE LIGHT SPECTRUM, IT ACTUALLY TRICKS THE BODY INTO THINKING THAT IT’S DAYTIME. IN DOING SO, OUR BODY HOLDS OFF ON THE RELEASE OF MELATONIN, A CRUCIAL SLEEP HORMONE THAT INDUCES A DEEP, RESTFUL, AND RESTORATIVE SLEEP. FURTHERMORE, ARTIFICIAL LIGHT COMES WITH A FLICKER, THAT IS UNNOTICEABLE TO THE NAKED EYE BUT CAUSES LOW LEVELS OF CHRONIC STRESS ON THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.

OPTING FOR MORE NATURAL LIGHT SOURCES (WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS) FOR DAYTIME USE CAN REMOVE THE IMPACT OF FLICKER STRESS. AVOIDING ARTIFICIAL BLUE LIGHT CAN BE DONE BY OPTING FOR SOFTER LIGHT, LIKE INCANDESCENT LIGHTBULBS, RED BULBS, A PINK SALT LAMP, OR CANDLES. THIS SWITCH TO NATURAL LIGHT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AFTER SUNDOWN TO PROMOTE DEEPER SLEEP. BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES ARE ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO GET THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, AS THEY HELP FILTER OUT THE BLUE SPECTRUM OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. IF YOU THINK THE COMPUTER SCREEN BOTHERS YOUR EYES I HIGHLY SUGGEST THEM. 

5. KEEP THE AIR CLEAN

REDUCING THE VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN YOUR HOME STARTS BY REDUCING THE EXPOSURE TO THESE COMPOUNDS, FOUND IN THINGS LIKE TOXIC PAINT, ARTIFICIAL RUGS, AND FURNITURE. BUT THESE DAYS, VOCS ARE ALMOST NON-AVOIDABLE, SINCE TOXINS ARE BEING GASSED OFF BY ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING, FROM PLASTIC ELECTRONICS TO BUILDING MATERIALS.

 TWO GREAT WAYS TO ENSURE THE AIR INSIDE YOUR HOUSE STAYS CLEAN IS TO USE PLANTS AND AN AIR PURIFIER. PLANTS THAT HELP PROMOTE AIR PURIFICATION INCLUDE DEVIL'S IVY, PEACE LILY DWARF DATE PALM, SPIDER PLANT, BOSTON FERN, AND CHRYSANTHEMUMS. THE MORE, THE BETTER! THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THEM ALL OVER THE HEALING ARTS WELLNESS CENTER INCLUDING THE MOSS AND IVY FRAME.

FOR INDOOR AIR PURIFIERS, INVEST IN A HIGH-EFFICIENCY PARTICULATE AIR FILTER (KNOWN AS HEPA FILTERS). HEPA FILTERS ACTUALLY TRAP POLLUTANTS INCLUDING DUST MITES, POLLEN, PET DANDER, AND TOBACCO SMOKE, BY FORCING THEM THROUGH A FINE MESH. I LOVE ONE THAT ALSO USES OZONE TO KILL BACTERIA AND VIRUSES IN THE AIR, FOUND HERE. 

6. GROW SOME FOOD

GROWING FOOD IS ONE OF THE MOST RADICAL ACTS OF REBELLION YOU CAN DO TO EMPOWER YOUR SELF. WHETHER YOU HAVE ACRES OF LAND OR NO BACKYARD AT ALL, THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY TO GROW AT LEAST SOMETHING FOR YOU TO EAT.

START WITH A SIMPLE WINDOW-BENCH HERB GARDEN. PICK 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE HERBS, AND SIMPLY GROW A LITTLE WINDOW-SIDE GARDEN THAT REQUIRES VERY MINIMAL MAINTENANCE OR SKILL. IF YOU HAVE MORE SPACE, CONSIDER TAKING A LOCAL GARDENING COURSE TO KNOW WHICH PLANTS ARE MOST SUITED TO YOUR CLIMATE AND SOME BASIC SKILLS TO ENSURE YOUR GARDEN FLOURISHES. THERE'S ALSO MANY COMMUNITY GARDENS, ESPECIALLY IN BROOKLYN.  

7. AVOID MOLD

HOUSEHOLD MOLD IS ONE OF THE MOST INSIDIOUS WAYS THAT YOUR HOME CAN BECOME A GENUINE HEALTH HAZARD. MOLD FORMS DUE TO DAMPNESS AND THE AIRBORNE SPORES (KNOWN AS MYCOTOXINS) THAT ARE RELEASED AS A RESULT CAN CAUSE VARIOUS HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING ALLERGIES, SUPPRESSED IMMUNE SYSTEM, DAMAGE OF LUNGS, AND EVEN DNA DAMAGE. 

YOU WANT TO PREVENT MOLD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT BECOMES AN ISSUE BECAUSE ONCE SPORES ARE PRESENT, THEY CAN NEVER BE COMPLETELY ERADICATED. VISIBLE MOLD IS GENERALLY LIKE THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG BECAUSE MANY PLACES MOLD GROWS INITIALLY IS HIDDEN (BEHIND THE DRYWALL, UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS, OR ABOVE THE CEILING TILES). 

AVOIDING MOLD IS PREDOMINANTLY A MOISTURE CONTROL ISSUE. HAVING TOO MUCH MOISTURE IN THE HOUSE PROMOTES THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENT THAT MOLD THRIVES IN. IF YOU LIVE IN A HUMID ENVIRONMENT, KEEPING AIRFLOW IN THE HOUSE AND INVEST IN A DEHUMIDIFIER. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN HIGH-MOISTURE ROOMS LIKE BATHROOM, KITCHEN, LAUNDRY ROOM. WATER LEAKS ARE A MAJOR CAUSE OF DEVASTATING MOLD PROBLEMS.

IF YOU DO FIND YOURSELF IN A MOLDY HOME OR APARTMENT, ACT SWIFTLY. VINEGAR IS ONE OF THE BEST SOLUTIONS TO REMOVE MOLD, USING AN 80% WHITE VINEGAR TO 20% WATER (OR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE) SOLUTION. BE MINDFUL OF PROPERLY RINSING OFF YOUR BRUSH BEFORE EVERY APPLICATION, AS TO NOT RECONTAMINATE THE SURFACE WITH MOLD SPORES. THERE IS AN ARRAY OF ESSENTIAL OILS THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE MIX FOR AN EVEN MORE POTENT MOLD KILLER, INCLUDING TEA TREE. THE UNDERLYING HUMIDITY OR LEAK MUST BE ADDRESSED AS WELL SO THAT THE MOLD WILL NOT RETURN.

8. GET RID OF DUST MITES

DUST MITES ARE MICROSCOPIC CREATES THAT RESEMBLE SMALL BUGS. THEY ARE THE SOURCE OF AN ARRAY OF UNFAVORABLE HEALTH SYMPTOMS INCLUDING SKIN RASHES AND ALLERGIES. THE SYMPTOMS (THAT INCLUDE RUNNY NOSE, POSTNASAL DRIP, CONGESTION, SNEEZING, AND ITCHY/ RED EYES AND THROAT) ARE CAUSED BY INFLAMMATION OF THE NOSE AND NASAL AIRWAYS. 

GETTING RID OF DUST MITES IS FAIRLY STRAIGHT FORWARD: AVOID THE COLLECTION OF DUST. VACUUM RUGS, CARPET, AND UPHOLSTERY FURNITURE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. WASH SHEETS, BLANKETS, COMFORTERS, AND PLUSH ANIMALS ONCE A WEEK IN HOT WATER. FOR LARGER ITEMS THAT AREN’T CONVENIENTLY WASHED ONCE A WEEK, DUST MITES CAN ALSO BE KILLED OFF BY THROWING THE ITEMS INTO THE DRIER ONCE A WEEK. ENSURE YOU PROPERLY EMPTY OUT VACUUM BAGS AFTER EACH USE TOO.

9. LOWER EXPOSURE TO ARTIFICIAL EMFS

ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCIES OR FIELD (EMFS) ARE THE FORCES THAT QUITE LITERALLY MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND. NATURAL EMFS ARE EMITTED BY THE SUN AND THE EARTH, BUT ARTIFICIAL ONES WERE INTRODUCED WITH THE ADVENT OF ELECTRICITY. ITEMS LIKE RADIOS, LIGHTBULBS, WIFI, TOASTERS, MICROWAVES, AND CELL PHONES EMIT THESE NON-NATIVE EMFS THAT INTERFERE WITH OUR NATURAL HUMAN FREQUENCIES.

HUMANS HAVE MAGNETIC FIELDS THAT EMIT FROM THE HEART AND BRAIN, AND AN ARRAY OF FUNCTIONS (INCLUDING MITOCHONDRIAL ACTIVITY) OPERATES WITH ELECTRICAL ENERGY. KEEPING ARTIFICIAL EMF EXPOSURE DOWN INSIDE THE HOME IS PARAMOUNT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PROMOTING DEEP SLEEP. ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL DEVICES I HAVE SEEN TO REDUCE EMF EXPOSURE IN THE HOME OR APARTMENT IS THE LUMERIAN PLUG.  WE HAVE THEM ONLINE OR AT THE OFFICE FOR PURCHASE FOR $39.

10. ENABLE MOVEMENT

ALTHOUGH THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE ARE WELL UNDERSTOOD, MANY PEOPLE WHO EXERCISE DAILY ARE STILL CONSIDERED SEDENTARY. WORKING OUT IN THE GYM OR PLAYING A SPORT, EVEN DAILY, CAN STILL QUALIFY FOR A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE IF YOU SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THE OTHER 23 HOURS OF THE DAY SITTING OR LAYING DOWN. 

ENABLING A MOVEMENT-FRIENDLY HOME IS A FANTASTIC WAY TO KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING, AND MOBILE, NATURALLY. A FEW WAYS INCLUDE HAVING LOWER TO THE GROUND BEDS, WHICH PROMOTES A LARGER RANGE OF MOTION GETTING IN AND OUT OF BED DAILY. CONSIDER SITTING AROUND A COFFEE TABLE, ON THE FLOOR, INSTEAD OF THE UPRIGHT IN A CHAIR. STANDING DESKS ARE A GREAT OPTION TOO BUT REMEMBER: TOO MUCH STANDING ALSO CREATES STAGNANCY. PLACING THE BOWLS AND PLATES IN LOWER CABINETS INSTEAD OF AT EYE LEVEL IS ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO REGULARLY PROMOTE MORE NATURAL RANGES OF MOTION.

HOPE THESE TIPS WERE HELPFUL FOR A HEALTHIER HOME AND A HEALTHIER YOU!

What Teas are Good for Digestion

I have loved switching to iced tea at the Healing Arts Tea Bar this summer.  We have found a way to do personalized iced tea for your enjoyment and have loved the feedback from everyone, especially on our digestion tea blends.  Whether it's indigestion, bloating, IBS, constipation etc. using tea as medicine can really help especially if taken on a daily basis.  Food is medicine and I enjoy tea so much that I forget that it can actually help your body too.

Our tea menu is different than anything you have ever seen before.  Yes, we have the teas listed and you can pick one and enjoy it to either stay at the tea bar or take it to go but what is different is on the back of the menu is a list of symptoms and you can choose the symptom you want to work on and then get muscle tested for which 3 herbs your body needs.  So you don't choose your tea but your body does!

Besides getting a cup of iced or hot tea we can also make a container for you of your personalized blend that is 12 servings. Before opening the Tea Bar we experimented for months and came up with some great blends when muscle testing for helping digestion.  Here is the list of teas we have that can help your gut and other things as well.

Bergamot    Digestion, lowers cholesterol, brain health, acid reflux, immunity booster, energy booster, weight loss, skin support, constipation, hydrates

Black Tea    Digestion, blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, brain health, heart health, improves blood pressure 

Cat's Claw   Digestion, brain health, immune support, improves blood pressure

Earl Grey     Digestion, brain health, immune booster, energy booster, weight loss, hydrates, skin support

Echinacea    Immune booster, respiratory health, digestion, anti-inflammatory, brain health, skin, anti-aging

Fennel          Digestion, weight loss, immunity booster, energy booster, women’s health, respiratory health, eye support, detox, improves blood pressure, diuretic 

Ginger          Digestion, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, brain health, immunity booster, weight loss, women’s health, pain relief, heart support

Holy Basil    Digestion, blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, brain health, immunity booster, weight loss support, skin support, respiratory support, eye support, detox

Jasmine       Liver support, relaxation, brain health, digestion

Marshmallow Root Digestion, blood sugar, acid reflux, immunity booster, weight loss, women’s health, skin support anti-aging, constipation, detox, liver support pain relief, heart support

Mugwort      Diuretic, women’s health, energy booster, brain health, digestion

Peppermint Digestion, respiratory, anti-inflammatory, brain health, pain relief, sleep support, women’s health, weight loss, skin support, immune support, relaxation, brain health

Rose            Hydrates, respiratory support, skin support, sleep support, women’s health, immunity booster, brain health, digestion 

Turmeric      Pain relief, eye support, immunity booster, brain health, lower cholesterol, anti-inflammatory (for more on turmeric, click here)

We also have blends to help inflammation, energy, women’s health, brain health, high blood pressure and more.  So if you haven’t tried a personalized tea blend yet you must at your next visit!

 

Ozone for the Sinuses

Ozone introduced via the nose also known as nasal insufflation provides benefits to both the nasal passageways, sinuses, and the entire body. Breathe in microscopic organic olive oil (made in a glass jar to be Healing Arts approved because it can’t be in plastic or aluminum) treated with the extra oxygen from the ozone.  Inhaling ozone this way helps to reduce allergy symptoms, sinus pain, headaches and inflammation throughout the body.

Studies have mixed reviews on directly breathing in ozone through the lungs and yet the extra oxygen that ozone gives can be so beneficial for the body. Dr. Armitstead loves putting ozone in the air having been asthmatic in her childhood.  It cleans the air, kills germs and makes it easier for her to breathe.  Knowing these benefits she loved brining the ozone sauna into the office. To be able to absorb the ozone in through the skin has done wonders for our patients.  We have seen wonderful changes in the reduction of pain, eczema, and psoriasis, less toxins, and better sleep.  Did you know that the ozone sauna can also help with fertility? It really is amazing!  Knowing how amazing it is to absorb ozone through the skin made us want to also offer it through the nose and sinuses.  

Using nasal insufflation is another safe and easy way to bring extra oxygen into the body.  We first have the ozone react with olive oil and then have the client breathe it in. Ozone reacts with the oil to form ozonides and terpenes.  It does not contain any active ozone gas so it will not cause irritation.  This chemical reaction keeps the lungs safe while still having the health benefits.  Health benefits include reduction in sinus pressure and irritation, decrease inflammation in the nasal passages, provides relief from both acute and chronic sinusitis, kills bacteria and viruses, helps with asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections, reduces brain fog, and promotes overall health and wellness.  I will personally do a 20 min treatment once a week to stay healthy.  Depending on what you need it for, recommendations vary.  For an acute sinus infection you may need it 3 times a week until the infection is gone.  Whereas for a chronic infection with no pressure you want once a week for at least four weeks. 

$40 for 20 min. 

$50 for 30 min. 

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Toxins are a Hidden Factor in Slow Metabolism

Researchers and medical experts recently uncovered a disturbing fact. Toxins from your food, water, and environment can make you gain weight.  They call these toxins obesogens. From blood sugar imbalance to insulin resistance and more, toxins can change your metabolism and may just be the reason you can’t shed excess weight like you used to.  If you’ve ever struggled with stubborn fat, where diet and exercise aren’t working like you think they should… it’s time to focus on detox.  The body is smart and does not want environmental toxins in the organs so there's two places it goes: into the fat cells and into joints. If it goes into our fat we gain weight in an unexplainable way and if it goes into our joints we will have joint pain or stiffness that will eventually lead to arthritis.  Helping you detox is how we can help! 

We use muscle testing to identify what specifically needs detoxing.  Using homeopathic vials we test for heavy metals, heavy chemicals, food sensitivities, parasites, candida, and bad gut flora like bacteria, and viruses.  For more details on what we test for visit: www.muscletestingnyc.com.  No matter what your health concern is we muscle test all these toxins on every visit.  The whole point of health in our office is to help the body detox and with the right nutrition your body can heal.  

Once we identify the toxin stressing out the body we then muscle test for the supplement that is going to help detox.  The majority of supplements we use come from an organic farm in Wisconsin called Standard Process. We truly believe food is medicine and giving the body the right nutrition can help so many of your symptoms and also prevent disease.  If you are observing the health of your parents and want to prevent going down the same road as them know that there is hope.  For example, detoxing aluminum not only helps the brain function better, helping our dementia and Alzheimer’s patients but it also helps prevent Alzheimer’s.  Another example is for both men and women, detoxing plastic at any age below 45 helps with fertility and hormones. 

Besides using organic food supplements from Standard Process we also use BIND from Systemic Formulas.  Detoxing does not have to cost $3,000+ in I.V. chelation.  Besides the cost, I don’t prefer chelation because it forces the body to dump the toxins too fast which burdens the liver and kidneys and usually makes a patient feel worse before better.  In our wellness center the key is to help the body detox by supporting the body’s own detox pathways with the right food and supplements, not to force the body to get rid of toxins.

BIND is a powerful supplement that combines super-activated carbon with humates and key botanicals to efficiently bind and eliminate toxins. And while most activated charcoals interfere with nutrient absorption, BIND is designed to eliminate up to 300x its weight in toxins while providing critical minerals, not blocking their absorption.

If you think BIND can help you detox ask at your next visit.  Less toxins = better health.

How to Gua Sha Using a Facial Roller

Gua Sha, also known as “coining”, “skin scraping”, or “pressure stroking” is an ancient instrument-assisted lymphatic technique utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The best way to learn how to do gua sha on the face is by watching a demonstration, so I’ve included an in-depth video tutorial at the end of this post. 

When done on the face, gua sha can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, restore firmness and elasticity, promote a brighter complexion, relieve jaw tension, promote lymphatic drainage, and decrease puffiness. It can also help with sinus congestion and headaches. I find that when I do it in the morning it helps with mental clarity and reducing brain fog.  

Gua sha on the body (back, shoulders, and neck are the most common areas) and gua sha on the face are performed quite differently. While the point of gua sha on the body is to draw out transient therapeutic bruising, you do not want to do that when practicing on your face. 

I first got into gua sha when looking for something to help patients with eye strain which is a symptom that patients started complaining about more when the pandemic hit.  A lot of people working from home had to increase their screen time.  I have also seen gua sha help with other symptoms related to vision such as light sensitivity and eye dryness. 

I also have chronically reactive lymph nodes behind my ears (I suffered from a lot of ear infections as a child) and many tender points on my face (especially in front of my ears and along my hairline) which correspond to specific acupuncture points that have benefited from stimulating daily with gua sha.

BODY VS FACIAL GUA SHA

In Chinese medicine, gua sha on the upper back, shoulders, and neck is a common treatment for colds, influenza, and fevers. It is also good to do if you have been exposed to someone who is sick or if you feel a virus coming on. 

If you are interested to know more about the science of body gua sha, PUBMED includes studies that have found gua sha to effective in treating back and neck pain, migraines, liver inflammation, perimenopausal symptoms, and breast distention/mastitis.  

Because body gua sha is painful and the point is to dig deep enough to create bruising for healing it can be uncomfortable and make people not want to do it.  That’s why I fell in love with the lymphstar machine that we use for lymphatic drainage session in the office.  With this type of technology you get the lymphatic healing benefits without the bruising or pain during a relaxing 30 minute or 60 minute session.  

Having fallen in love with the health benefits of lymphatic drainage I was super excited to be able to show patients how to do it for the face at home.  I would not try body gua sha at home.  So what are the benefits of facial gua sha? Facial gua sha is great for lymphatic drainage of the face which helps with detox from the brain and mouth and also less puffiness which people tend to get around the eyes.  It’s advertised as anti-aging for wrinkles but I want people to understand that less wrinkles is secondary to the movement of lymph and toxins which is very healing.

Facial gua sha also helps relieve muscle tension in the head and neck which not only helps with TMJ problems, headaches and neck pain but can also prevent them.  I am so surprised when I do the facial gua sha how many tender spots I feel.  Spending extra time on the tender spots brings circulation to the area helping to prevent pain.  

Since this is a technique that originates in Chinese medicine,I find it fascinating to look at all of the acupuncture channels (meridians) that are on the face and  neck that you can stimulate with facial gua sha.  

Starting at the center of the face moving outward and down, these are the channels that run down the face:  

• Governing Vessel, also called Du (GV); 

• Urinary Bladder (UB); 

• Gallbladder (GB); 

• Stomach (ST); 

• San Jiao, also called Triple Heater/Triple Burner (SJ); 

• Small Intenstine (SI); 

• Large Intestine (LI)There are different gua sha tools you can use made of different stones. There are flat stones that are made for scrapping and to get in deeper.  There is also rollers that have a softer affect that I prefer because I realized patients were using the flat stones too intensely which helped but also caused too much inflammation in the process.  So I do highly suggest the roller over the flat stones.  

We carry in the office 3 different stones because I couldn’t decide on just one stone.  We have jade, rose quartz and opal facial rollers.  I prefer to muscle test each person for which one works best for their body.

Rose Quartz Roller: Increase Circulation, Promotes Production of Collagen, and Calms Sensitive Skin. Best Used at Night and for Soothing.

Green Jade Roller: Helps Reduce Puffiness, Help Tone and Firm Skin Cells, and Stimulate Collagen Production. Best Used in the Morning and for Balance.

Opal Roller: Good for all Skin Types, Can help to Cool and Refresh Fatigued Skin.

The flow of lymph only goes one way: towards the heart. So when you use the gua sha the strokes should be from the center of the face outward and moving down the face and neck (see video for demonstration). 

One of the biggest positive cosmetic benefits I notice when I perform facial gua sha on myself is a reduction of facial puffiness, most notable in my cheeks. You could say that it sculpts my cheeks. Others may notice de-puffing of their eyelids, jawline, under their eyes, or in the forehead. The reason that facial gua sha reduces puffiness is due to the drainage of lymph out of the face and neck. The lymph’s job is to carry toxins so that’s why I say it’s good for detox. 

I also notice a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, especially the number ones between my eyebrows. If I wake up from a night of frowning in my sleep, the evidence disappears quickly after my morning gua sha session. So here’s my advice, use my video as a starting place to explore gua sha.  If you don’t do it hard enough or if it’s too hard you aren’t going to damage anything so it really is safe. Pull the tool across your face, don’t push it. Think of spreading butter on toast. Pulling comes more naturally when you use the same hand as the side of the face you are working on; if you try to use the opposite hand you’ll be more likely to try to push the tool. 

For the gentlest and most relaxing type of gua sha facial, use long, slow, meditative strokes with a thicker tool laid as close to flat against your skin as possible. You can vary the pressure from light to more firm. You can even turn it into a type of moving meditation by coordinating your breathing with the strokes. When doing this style, it’s best to anchor the skin where you begin each stroke using your other hand. You’ll need to allot more time for this style, ideally at least 5-10 minutes, but you can drag it out even longer if you wish. For a more invigorating facial, use rapid, short strokes with light pressure.  Use firm pressure when doing gua sha on your neck, medium pressure on your face, and feather light pressure around your eyes. And don’t forget to take before and after photos so you can see how these techniques affect your skin!

The stones are smooth so you don’t have to use lotions or oils.  I prefer to do it on bare skin after I wash my face in the morning since it helps my mental clarity and reduces brain fog. But you can do it at night, too. 

Contraindications:

Do not do gua sha on fresh botox. Talk to the provider who injected it to find out how soon you can safely implement facial massage.

Do not do gua sha on top of injected fillers in the face.

It’s best to talk with us first if you are dealing with any kind of skin problems like acne or rosacea. It’s best not to do scraping on top of areas of active inflammation, but to instead do the strokes on the other areas of the face, and especially on the neck to promote lymphatic drainage in order to get the inflammation down. 

You can place your gua sha stones and rollers in the fridge or in a bowl of ice water (just dry it off first) and press it gently into areas of inflammation. If you suffer from puffiness using a cold roller or flat stone could give more benefits.  

If you are still uncertain whether gua sha is something you should add into your daily routine please let us know at your next visit and we can help you decide with our expertise and then muscle test you also for which stone would be best: jade, rose quartz or opal.  

This video contains a demonstration to empower you to begin your own facial gua sha practice.