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Author: Shoshanna Katzman

The Complete Herbal Guide / Articles posted by Shoshanna Katzman
winter health tips

Winter Tips for Healthy Living

04.1.2019
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Expert Shoshanna Katzman

Winter Health Notes Winter is the end of all seasons. To unify with winter, one emphasizes the yin principle to become more receptive, introspective, and storage-oriented; one cools the surface of the body and warms the body’s core.  Cold and darkness drive one to seek inner warmth. It is a time to rest, to meditate deeply, refine the spiritual essence, and store physical energy for the cold season. Even though the slow yin processes predominate, it is important to stay active enough to keep the spine and joints flexible. The winter’s primary element is water and is associated with the virtue of wisdom, the emotion of fear.  The primary organ systems of the water element are the Kidneys and the Bladder.  Like the kidneys, fear is deeply rooted, and...

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of Body, Breath and Mind

Qigong and the Cultivation of Body, Breath and Mind

11.12.2018
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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong

Free flow of qi, the vital energy that moves and motivates all bodily functions and transformations. The simple practice of regulating the body, breath, and mind can be easily adapted for enhancing everyday activities. It has far-reaching benefits for well-being and peace of mind through establishing alignment and regulation of one’s body, mind, and spirit. This serves to open the free flow of qi, the vital energy that moves and motivates all bodily functions and transformations. It is a process that involves paying special attention to physical alignment, regulation of breath, as well as focused mind intent. This specific approach is derived from the practice of the Chinese exercises of tai chi and qigong. A practitioner of these exercise arts ultimately increases integration of mind, body, and...

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MINDFUL BREATHING

The Ancient Art of Mindful Breathing

16.11.2018
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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong

What is Mindful Breathing? The capacity for breathing is a precious life possession, one not easily taken away. Respiration is governed by the autonomic nervous system, a physiological process happening all on its own. In Western culture, people become concerned with their breath when a medical problem such as asthma, pneumonia or chronic pulmonary disease becomes evident. Only then does a true appreciation for this bodily process arise, one commonly taken for granted. Simply look at any baby and breathing into their belly is obvious. Though natural for babies, school-age children have already abandoned belly breathing for a tight abdomen and big chest. As adulthood approaches, respiration becomes increasingly shallower due to exorbitant levels of emotional, social, work and family pressures. This stressful state becomes so extreme...

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Chinese yoga

Qigong: Chinese Yoga for Energetic Momentum

07.11.2018
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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Qigong

Qigong (pronounced ‘chee-gung’) is an ancient Chinese exercise designed to balance and cultivate the flow of energy for health and healing purposes. Qigong is easy to learn and can be performed by anyone regardless of ability. Also known as Chinese Yoga, it is a form of energy medicine that strengthens the body physically as it calms the mind and spirit to promote relaxation and revitalization. It involves slow rhythmical postures and movements integrated with the breath and enhanced with the vocalization of sounds and creative visualizations. How Qigong Works Qigong accomplishes this through various methods that support physical and energetic health. One major explanation for how Qigong works is through invigoration of an energy vortex, a precious energy center of the body known as a dantian - translated as...

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food as medicne

Food as Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Best Kept Secret

22.10.2018
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Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Daily food choices can make the difference between sickness and health. Much can be learned from the extensive body of Chinese medicine knowledge regarding the therapeutic nature of food. Largely based on the Law of the Five Elements and Yin Yang Theory, food is classified according to its energetic quality such as flavor, taste, color, thermal nature, and vital organ it nourishes. Customized dietary recommendations are made based on this knowledge according to presenting symptoms and constitution; providing super nutrition to help re-claim and maintain maximum health and balance in life. Cooking, baking and drying food preparation methods transforms a raw food that is classified as Yin (cold and wet) into a food that is more Yang (hot and dry). A fundamental Chinese dietary rule is to...

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chinese medicine

Chinese Medicine for Bladder Health

10.10.2018
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Acupuncture, Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Urinary Problems

Chinese medicine has been an effective treatment for urinary symptoms such as frequency or lack of bladder control (incontinence) for thousands of years. Urinary incontinence is diagnosed as stress incontinence, which occurs during exertion or sneezing and is attributed to weak pelvic floor muscles. Or, as urge incontinence, which involves contraction of the pelvic floor muscles that puts pressure on the bladder. It is not uncommon for an individual to have a combination of both. These conditions have the potential to significantly impair quality of life. This includes dealing with its associated social stigma, which comes with embarrassment and lack of confidence. It involves overthinking and worry about finding a bathroom at a moment’s notice, especially when out and about. Moreover, it can lead to lack...

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Chinese Medicine and Power of a Happy Heart

Chinese Medicine and Power of a Happy Heart

07.10.2018
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Acupuncture, Health & Well-Being, Heart Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Shoshanna Katzman, MS, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. & CH According to Five Element Theory, joy is the positive emotion of the heart, whereas sadness or lack of joy is negative. Experiencing joy in daily life is nourishing to the heart as well as a state of being that is highly desirable on many levels. Such joy is exemplified by a forward-arched chest, spring in one’s step, and ease with laughter combined with kind, loving interaction with self and others. Its attainment is derived through establishing balanced energy within the heart organ system, the cornerstone of Chinese medicine treatments directed toward heart health and emotional balance. Chinese medicine Chinese medicine teaches that the heart stores the Shen, also known as spirit. Shen health leads to clear consciousness, intention,...

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Chinese Medicine: A Foundation for Health

Chinese Medicine: A Foundation for Health

07.10.2018
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Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Shoshanna Katzman, MS, Dipl., L.Ac. & CH Chinese medicine is an ancient system of medical wisdom and clinical tradition developed approximately 4,000 years ago to restore health and wellbeing. Over 15 million Americans have turned to it as a form of alternative/complementary medicine. Its main premise is that illness arises when the cyclical flow of qi becomes unbalanced, blocked, or depleted. Within this paradigm, quality of health depends on how and where this energy flows. Its primary goal is to adjust and balance the energetic system to establish and maintain a free flow of qi (vital energy) throughout the body, thus working to address physical symptoms. This state of free-flowing energy promotes blood flow, which transports nourishment to the vital organs, glands, and tissues. Moreover,...

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babies

Acupuncture for Fertility: Does It Really Work?

24.9.2018
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Acupuncture, Expert Shoshanna Katzman, Infertility, Pregnancy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Women's Health

Acupuncture is best known worldwide for treatment of pain, but over the past few decades, this surprisingly painless and relaxing experience of needle placement into acupuncture points has become well-known for increasing virility and fertility. Acupuncture is an age-old method to promote healthy pre- and post-natal care. However, its popularity in America to enhance fertility was not spurred until 2001 when a German study reported a significant increase in pregnancies when provided along with In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Since this time, numerous studies show supporting evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of fertility issues. Acupuncture Treatment An acupuncture treatment typically lasts 20-30 minutes and is received at least once a week to balance the flow of energy within the 14 main meridian pathways of the...

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acupuncture

Benefits Of Acupuncture For Children

17.9.2018
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Acupuncture, Expert Shoshanna Katzman

Figuring out how to keep your children healthy can be a daunting task. This includes avoiding the need for ear tubes, allergy shots, reflux medications, antibiotics and the like. For centuries, acupuncture has been a natural, safe and effective treatment for children and teens. Yet, most parents don’t realize how much it can help their children stay healthy. Unnecessary suffering could be avoided if this were to change. Treatment All treatments need to be provided as a complement to traditional Western medicine pediatric care. Of course, acupuncture treatment should not be provided as the primary treatment for life-threatening and more serious pediatric illnesses. However, acupuncture provides a viable complementary treatment option for children. It is thus essential for parents to become better informed about possible treatment options for...

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