Nurturing Spirit Acupuncture Healing ~ Growth ~ Vitality

Self Care Resources

Allergy Season Survival Guide
Ah, the misery of allergy season. For far too many folks, springtime in DC comes with itching, burning, watering eyes, itchy noses, throats, and skin, bouts of sneezing, sinuses that are perpetually runny or stuffed, sinus headaches, and fatigue. In this guide you’ll find tips and practices that have helped me and many of my patients dial down our allergic suffering. I've included practical steps for reducing your allergen exposure, herbal teas commonly used to calm allergy symptoms, foods to embrace and avoid during allergy season according to Chinese medicine nutritional therapy, and recommendations for acupressure points to help ease an array of allergy symptoms. Click on the title above to download the pdf guide.

Medicinal Herbal Tea for Eye Inflammation, Eyestrain, and Headaches with Pain Behind the Eyes
This simple, tasty, and refreshing tea is composed of three familiar herbs that are commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat hot, dry, red, and/or itchy eyes and to help relieve headaches, especially ones with visual symptoms or pain in the eyes, top of the head, and/or temples. I've seen it benefit patients with dry eyes, eyestrain, floaters, itchy and inflamed eyes from allergies or viruses, eye pain from headaches and migraines, and even patients recovering from eye surgeries and injuries. It can be used when these symptoms are acutely flared up or as a preventative.

How to Relieve Sinus and Lung Congestion with a Steam Tent
Sinus congestion and pressure are among the worst miseries inflicted by colds and respiratory infections. Lung congestion and persistent cough, whether phlegmy or dry, can be exhausting and annoying. A steam tent treatment is one of those simple, old-fashioned home remedies that has stood the test of time because it provides so much relief for many of the symptoms of respiratory infections. It doesn't take long and doesn't require any fancy equipment - you won't need much more than a bath towel and a bowl of hot water.

Banish Gas & Bloating with Chinese Medicine Wisdom
Check out this guide to self care practices for gas and bloating relief. You'll find acupressure points, self-massage and breathing techniques, herbal teas, and other natural ways to tame a gassy tummy. Click on the title above to download the pdf guide.

Post-Colonoscopy Recovery Tips from an Acupuncturist and Herbalist
A colonoscopy can be extremely useful or even life-saving, but it's rarely anybody's idea of a good time. In the 24 hours after the procedure, many people experience some nausea and/or abdominal discomfort. With these tips and tricks based on Chinese medicine principles, you'll be able to put those issues behind you and recover much faster. Click on the title above to download the pdf guide.