Ear Infections & Lymph Drainage

In my most recent episode of Ask Me Anything, Janine asked me about a recurring ear infection. She had had antibiotics but it just kept coming back. Unfortunately with ear infections you can’t really tell if they are bacterial or viral. Often we just throw antibiotics at it and hope it clears and if not we try other measures. So, here I am today to give you some other measures. In Chinese Medicine, with these infections that won’t clear, they usually cause a lot of heat and pain. This tells me that there is stagnation and things are not moving. When we have pain it’s either because things can’t move through joints, vessels, or muscles. Or we don’t have the physical energy to move the blood or energy through the area and that’s what causes the pain.

With this ear infection I would think it is due to stagnation within the area. Janine also mentioned that she had a baker’s cyst, which is a nodule at the back of the knee, that wasn’t draining. This tells me that you’re having a problem with your lymphatic drainage. We have lots of lymph nodes around the neck and ear area but also at the back of the knee area.

So, I’m going to share some food, points, and movement to help clear this stagnation and this infection!

If you do have recurring infections please do consult your health practitioner.

Foods and Tea

Antibiotics can be great but one thing that happens with them, is they can cause an internal dampness. When taking antibiotics you aren’t helping the lymphatic system flow. So, one thing we want to do is try and dry this dampness.

MULLEIN TEA

I would suggest Mullein Tea for this. You can just take a few teaspoons in your tea strainer and add your boiling water.

Mullein tea is really good for congestion in the chest and inner ear.

Great for clearing congestion or any sticky mucus that is hanging around in your upper respiratory.

Just like antibiotics, raw food can also cause stagnation. Too much raw food and too many cold drinks is not good for this. There is a place for raw food though, our kidneys love raw food. But when dealing with stagnation, it is better to reduce the amount you eat. Also, in general staying away from cold air conditioning and protecting your ears from the cold. Our ears are linked to the kidney which is where our essential energy is stored.

CLEAVER TEA

Another tea that you might find useful is Cleaver Tea. Also known as sticky willies, they are the little things that grow like weeds in your garden and are really sticky. You can wash them and put them in a jug with water, letting them infuse for at least 20 minutes.

Drink that cleaver water which is really good for the liver and fantastic for lymphatic drainage.

Qi Gong for moving the blood and Qi

These constant infections could be because the Qi is not moving, the blood and Qi are stagnant. One thing you can do is squeeze and massage your shoulders. Press into the muscle at the top of your shoulder, turn your head away from that muscle and make circles with your nose. This point is called Gallbladder 21 or Shoulder Well. Pressing into this point can really help with any tension that stops blood flow through the neck and shoulders.

Another exercise you can do is for Lymphatic Drainage. You can make Vs with your fingers and place them either side of your ear and rub. Then you can stroke down the neck to help lymphatic drainage.

Next we’re going to find Small Intestine 17 just in between your jaw bone and SCM muscle. Behind the SCM muscle you’ll also find Triple Heater 16. You can pinch and massage these two points between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. Whatever is comfortable and feels right to you, as you are connecting to your energy and what your body needs.

There are so many more exercises I could show you when it comes to Lymphatic Drainage!! If you want to see the full exercises watch the video version of this Ask Me Anything here:

WATCH/LISTEN TO ALL PODCAST EPISODES HERE

IN CONCLUSION

In Conclusion, ear infections are a tricky thing to navigate. But with some different foods and exercises we can help stop the stagnation and find relief. I hope this post has helped you and if you have any questions for me, you can go over to my Ask Me Anything page and ask away!

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu.

You can ask a question by clicking on THIS LINK, or you can watch past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

Join the Chi Flow online community today!

Also, join me in Chi Flow with Jo every weekday morning for live online Qi Gong where we will practise Qi Gong, as well as self-acupressure, delicious healthy recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips and Meridian stretches.

You can sign up for a FREE online qi gong class with the form below.

Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Struggling to catch your Breath?

Acupressure Points, Ask Me Anything

Feeling like you’re out of breath all the time?

Can’t do much because of it? In our most recent episode of Ask Me Anything, Marie reached out with the same problem. She said that once a week she was out of breath, not able to do much but relax because of it.

For Marie, this sounds like an energy rising causing that feeling of congestion in the chest. Ideally, the kidneys should be able to grasp the breath so we don’t get congested and cause heart problems.

So let’s address how to manage that! We are mainly going to focus on acupressure for this issue.

Kidney 27 Acupoint

One of my favorite points is Kidney 27, which we will be focusing on.

Kidney 27 is the Shu Mansion or Elegant Mansion.

You can massage this point and press into it to connect with your own energy and feel relief.

You can also massage along the other kidney points between the ribs.

In Chinese Medicine the Kidneys hold your essential energy. This is the energy you were born with that you inherit from your parents. This is where we want to have our vitality coming from. If we are going non-stop all the time, this energy is going to weaken and won’t be able to grasp the breath. Making it difficult to breathe and feel settled.

CV 17 Acupoint

In Chinese Medicine each organ has a flavor, a time of day, an element. The kidney is the water element. Through massaging into that point of Conception Vessel 17 – Centre of the Chest, you are helping balance the water and fire element. If we don’t have enough kidney energy, then there’s nothing there to ground that fire. If we let the fire get out of control you could find you have insomnia, hot flushes, and anxiety.

With these acupoints, you want to do them everyday. They are very simple and an easy exercise to practice.

Grief can be stored in the Chest

A lot of sadness and grief can be stored in the chest area. With these points we can help to move that sadness out of the chest.

One thing that can also really weaken the kidneys and doesn’t help balance heart fire, is coffee. This is not me saying coffee is bad or good but maybe just look at how much coffee you are consuming. Coffee is one of those substances that keeps us going, and going, and going, when really we should be resting. So, if you’re drinking 3 cups of coffee a day, I would really recommend changing that out and try dandelion root coffee or chicory root coffee.

In conclusion

In conclusion, when dealing with a struggle to breathe it is important to nourish the kidneys. We can do this through acupoints that help calm and move energy along.

Join the Chi Flow community

Join Chi Flow with Jo and embrace a healthier, more vibrant you. Together, we’ll combine the ancient wisdom of Qi Gong, mindful self-care, and balanced eating to elevate your New Year energy.

With Love and Chi,

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

How can I reduce eye inflammation naturally?

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How can I reduce eye inflammation naturally?

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s super relevant in our screen-heavy world: eye inflammation. I was recently asked on the Ask Me Anything Podcast, about dealing with inflammation after eye surgery.

You can watch the Ask Me Anything episode all about this topic at the end of this blog post, and sign up for a FREE qi gong class online 🙂

So, let’s explore some natural remedies through the lens of Chinese medicine, including using warm compresses, consuming anti-inflammatory foods, staying hydrated, practicing Qi Gong eye exercises and acupressure points to improve blood flow.

What are the symptoms of eye inflammation?

Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, blurred vision, and a feeling of grittiness or irritation in the eye.

Why Eye Care is Important?

We spend countless hours staring at screens—be it our phones, laptops, or TVs. This can strain our eyes and even lead to inflammation. It’s crucial to give our eyes the care they deserve.

What causes eye inflammation?

Eye inflammation can be caused by infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, or physical injuries. Excessive screen time can also contribute to eye strain and inflammation.

How does Chinese medicine treat eye problems?

Chinese medicine treats eye problems by focusing on the liver’s health, using dietary changes, herbal remedies, and practices like Qigong and acupressure to restore balance. In Chinese medicine, each organ is linked to a sense organ. The liver, for instance, is connected to the eyes. So, any eye issues could indicate liver imbalances. This could be due to poor blood flow or even emotional stress like anger and frustration..

Can diet affect eye health?

Yes, a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E can significantly improve eye health and reduce inflammation.

Here are some liver-boosting foods that can help your eyes:

♥ Green and Sour Foods: Think leafy greens like spinach and kale, which are rich in antioxidants.
♥ Healthy Oils: Opt for omega-3 rich fish like sardines and mackerel, or if you’re vegetarian, go for flaxseeds and olive oil.
♥ Goji Berries: These are fantastic for eye health. Make a simple goji berry tea by simmering a tablespoon of goji berries in hot water for 10 minutes. You can also add them to your breakfast dishes.

Simple Qi gong for the Eyes

Let’s do a quick and easy Qi gong exercise to boost blood flow and relax the eyes:

♥ Warm Your Hands: Rub your hands together to generate warmth and energy.
♥ Place Over Eyes: Gently place your warm palms over your eyes, feeling the soothing warmth and energy.
♥ Breathe Deeply: Take deep breaths and let your eyes relax. Repeat this a few times.

Acupressure Points: WATCH FULL PODCAST FOR DEMONSTRATION

Here are some key acupressure points to help reduce eye strain and inflammation:

♥ Bladder 2 or “Bamboo Gathering”: Located at the inner corners of your eyebrows. Massage gently to improve lymph drainage and blood circulation.

♥ Liver Point “Yuyao” or “Fish Loin” in English: Found in the midpoint of the eyebrow in a depression directly above the pupil. Massage to enhance liver function.

♥ Triple Heater 23 or “Silk Bamboo Hole”: Find at the end of the eyebrows, press massage and tap to reduce eye pain, redness, swelling, twitching and drooping eyelid.

Consistency is Key

Remember, consistency is crucial. You can’t eat a salad once and expect it to counteract weeks of unhealthy eating. Make these exercises and dietary changes a regular part of your routine.

By adding these natural practices into your daily life, you can significantly improve your eye health and overall well-being. Stay consistent, stay healthy, and keep those eyes sparkling!

If you have any questions about Chinese medicine, acupressure, or Qi gong, feel free to ask! Visit my website at JoanneFaulkner.ie to submit your questions—anonymously if you prefer. And don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated with more tips and practices.

May you be happy and well!
See you next time in the Chi Flow!

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Easy Does It – How to Wear a Mask

Powerful Points and Meridian Flows

For many people wearing a mask is uncomfortable and challenging and for some with underlying health issues, it simply is not possible. Historically some soldiers during WW2 experienced gas mask phobia which resulted in extreme agitation, claustrophobia and even removal of protective gear in dangerous situations so it was obvious they needed training. Even during my time living through the 1990 Gulf war in Israel, we were given guidance on how to wear the gas masks. How to put it on, how to take it off and how to remain calm during a bombing raid whilst the scuds and patriot missiles flew overhead. Now the Coronavirus is a much more silent killer. There is no siren to warn you to put your mask on and there is no training or instruction on how to remain calm when facing an invisible, viral enemy. So here I share tips based in Traditional Chinese Medicine and my Chi Gong Practice on how to put the mask on and how to remain calm when wearing it.

1. Prepare
Don’t just jump right in, hurriedly putting the mask on and rush out the door. Take a minute. Check your posture. Are you standing up straight, are your shoulders down from your ears and your upper chest open. In Chinese Medicine, the lung meridian, which transports energy around the body just as veins transport blood, begins under the collar bone where it meets the shoulder and rotator cuff. Keeping this area open increases lung capacity, enabling more oxygen to enter and nourish the body.

2. Knock on the Chest
If our posture is upright and our shoulders are back, the chest will naturally open. Use the fingers to tap into the lung 1 point on the upper chest, continue tapping all along under the collar bone until you reach the hollows under the clavicle bone. In Chinese Medicine, the organs link to certain emotions. The lungs hold grief and sadness. When our shoulders hunch forwards, the beginning of this energy meridian can become blocked exacerbating emotions of isolation and despondency. So by tapping on the area and addressing posture our mood lifts and our breathing eases.

3. Move it
The Chi Gong movement called “Rooster spreading feathers” will further open all areas of the upper chest and torso. The movement also moves the muscles and increases blood flow to the neck and shoulder area, where anxious tension, stiffness and stress can be held in the body, bringing on headaches, nosebleeds and migraines. Begin by bringing all the fingers together to a point and placing them into the Lung 1 point. The begin drawing imaginary circles, in a clockwise direction with the elbows, whilst still keeping the fingers stuck to the lung 1 point.

4. Breathe Deep
When anxiety rises, the immune system lowers and that is precisely the opposite of what we want to happen when we are out and about, mixing and moving. The deeper we breathe the stronger our energy and the lower our stress levels. To stay calm and breathe deeply we need to build stability in our centre. The core of being in Chinese Medicine is located at CV6 on the midline of the body, 2 fingers below the belly button. This is the place to focus on before we put on the mask. Take five breaths, in and out, through the nose, sending the breath to this point. Where the breath goes the Chi Follows and you may find this area in your lower abdomen becoming fantastically warm and relaxed. As you breathe in feel your lower belly relax and as you exhale, your belly goes towards the spine. You can press into the point or hold your hands just below the belly button if this helps you to focus here. After five breaths or whenever you feel comfortable, with clean hands put on your mask by looping it over the ears. Remain where you are, don’t rush out the door, continue to consciously send at least 5 breaths down to your CV6 point, just below the belly button. Only when you feel relaxed in the shoulders and calm in the belly should you make a move to the outside world.

5. Smize
In Chi Gong, we balance the nervous system using breath, simple movements, and by the power of the mind to transform negative feelings into positive emotions. Studies show that feeling happy and relaxed boosts the immune system so don’t forget to smile under your mask. People see your smile through your eyes – its called a “Duchenne smile” or smizing. Practice engaging your whole face when you smile, think of things that make you happy, use all the muscles and remember how that feels so you can do it with ease as you pass people in the supermarket or on the street. This costs nothing and yet adds to your health and to those around you.

Let’s do it together: If you’d like to start your day right, emotionally and physically, come and practice Chi Gong at 8.30 every morning with me and have recordings sent to your email so you can repeat or catch up if you missed us. To subscribe visit Chi Flow with Jo or watch more videos on staying healthy with Traditional Chinese Medicine at www.joannefaulkner.ie

Emotional Healing & Community Support

The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Good Food, Better Sex during Lockdown?

Energy of Food Blog, Home, Recipes

Maybe you made promises to have and to hold, love and cherish your partner till death did you part but I wonder if that included lockdown situations? With the occasional burst of entertainment, mixed with long stretches with no other company, you may not be so beguiled by each other. Nowadays you can Netflix and Chill every night, but I wonder how that is working out for you, how is your relationship now that you are living together 24/7? Are you trying new things or has the boredom of lockdown seeped into the bedroom?

One area in which people do seem to be trying new things is in the kitchen. On social media, it seems like we are all experimenting with food. Everyone is posting their banana bread, buttermilk scones and sourdough starter. There’s lots of playing with food, experimenting and trying new things. With time on our hands, we are changing and adapting to our new situation by refreshing our menu and falling in love with food all over again.

I can teach you how to understand your body and take control of all areas of your health. How to become more body confident, loving your food, loving your body and loving your life.

Courses include: 2 Online Consultations, regular Q&A check in’s, PLUS Copy of Conscious Cookbook sent straight to your door
PLUS 30 Days / 30 Videos – bitesize cookery programs, Chi-Gong exercises, and self-shiatsu acupressure points in your own home.

Choose from:

Romance is something that is on the table at the beginning of a relationship when two people are learning about each other. Couples take each other out to dinner. They cook for each other, curious to discover the other person’s likes and dislikes. Shared food is a shared pleasure, all the more exciting when things are new. However, romance becomes stale when you get stuck in a rut. When you get up at the same time, do the same things, cook the same food, watch the same TV, go to bed with the same routine, and even lovemaking can become repetitive. However allowing change, even promoting change within the relationship will keep it alive. So just like trying new recipes, embrace this COVID-19 altered pace of life during lockdown by trying new things in your relationship. Base your love upon the fundamental truth that everything changes. If a relationship can change, it can remain fresh and romantic.

Perhaps this is why there has been a sharp rise in sales of the book Good Food: Better Sex. This book mixes the health benefits of food in Traditional Chinese Medicine with sexual health practices found in Tantra and Taoism. There are fun simple exercises with food such as blindfold play with home-made chocolate covered strawberries. There is a recipe for natural lube with guidance on how to use it, and plenty of practical exercises to bond you and your partner from different ways of touch and ways to say yes and no.

Good Food: Better Sex focuses on how the body responds to food using flavours, colours, seasons and the senses. It makes it easy and straightforward for you and your partner to try something new and exciting with food.

So instead of eating your dinner in front of the TV together, why not bring back the romance and surprise each other by trying something new? When we emerge from Lockdown, you can look back at this time as having enjoyed deepening connections, Good Food and hopefully Better Sex.

Then there is the food. With over 100 different recipes to improve all areas of sexual health, try tasting something new together from watermelon and beetroot juice with its viagra effects, to the gentle spices of onion pilaf and Kashmiri cauliflower which boost immunity and ease the digestive system. Try the oat milk pancakes with pecans and natural yogurt for a perfect Sunday brunch to calm the nervous system, boost fertility, and raise libido.

Oatmilk Pancakes (page 97 of Good Food: Better Sex)

• 100g oats

• 100g buckwheat flour

• 350ml milk (almond and brown rice milk also works well) 1 egg

• Pinch of salt

Liquidize the oats, buckwheat flour, eggs and milk so that it becomes a milky mixture. Make sure there are no lumps before leaving to rest for at least half an hour. In a large non-stick pan, melt a nob of butter and coat the pan with it. Pour a ladleful (approx. 50ml) of the prepared pancake mixture onto the pan, tilting it so that it covers the base with a thin coating. These are a crepe style pancake rather than a thick American pancake. When bubbles begin to form on the top of the batter in the pan, flip and cook for another couple of minutes. Slide from the pan onto a plate, dolloping natural yogurt on top with a drizzle of maple syrup and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Ear Infections & Lymph Drainage

Ear Infections & Lymph Drainage