Herbs influence our emotions
When analyzing pharmaceutical medications, we generally discuss their therapeutic actions, chemical properties, and possible side effects. Many people approach medicinal herbs in the same manner. I think this is shortsighted, however, because plants interact with and nourish us on many levels–nutritional, medicinal, cultural, emotional, and psycho-spiritual. I recently discovered a charming 20-year-old book called Herbal […]
Pain in the muscles and connective tissues
At some point we have all experienced pain in the muscles and their surrounding connective tissues, known as myofascial pain. Some people experience this kind of pain, whether widespread or localized, at all times. Regardless of level of severity, it is important to address myofasical pain and whatever is causing it, whether to prevent the […]
Know your bodywork techniques
Red Clover Clinic uses a variety of techniques to treat pain conditions such as pain in the low and upper back, neck, shoulders, and joints; chronic headaches; TMJ dysfunction; and carpal tunnel syndrome. I typically achieve the best results by applying a combination of acupuncture and one or more healing techniques. These “Mix and Match” […]
Coming to terms with your diet
Would you like to have more energy and better overall health? At the cusp of the new year, many of us come to terms with old habits that no longer serve us and set new goals for our well-being. Consider making one of those resolutions reducing or eliminating those sweet things that do some not-so-sweet […]
An ounce of prevention
It’s that time of year, when everyone is worried about catching a cold or flu, or, as we say in Chinese medicine, being attacked by wind. There are many things you can do to boost your immune system and keep yourself and your family healthy. First and foremost, it is important to eat a clean […]
Healing after a whiplash injury
Every day, on average, 85 Minnesotans are injured in car accidents. And the most common injury that results from car accidents is whiplash. If you or anyone you know is suffering from a recent or long-ago whiplash injury, I encourage you to not give up. Healing is possible, through a combination of acupuncture, bodywork, and […]
Tools for combatting headaches
Headaches come in many forms, all of them distressing. I commonly see people in the clinic who suffer from tension headaches, sinus headaches, cervicogenic (stemming from the neck) headaches, migraines, or various combinations of these. Fortunately, there are a number of methods to combat headaches. Acupuncture, herbal therapy, and bodywork (particularly trigger point therapy and […]
Wildcrafter’s corner: learn about our herbs
Burdock Seen as a weed by most farmers, the burdock root, also known as gobo, is a treasured, healthy food in Japan. It is also one of the most-used herbs in my pharmacy to treat many conditions, including asthma, allergies, acne, eczema, and headaches. Yellow Dock This plant produces a beautiful, juicy, yellow root that […]
Wildcrafter’s croner: Mid-summer herbs
Yarrow Yarrow is one of my favorite plants, because of its strong herbaceous smell. I also find it to be miraculous in that it stops bleeding caused by wayward kitchen knives. St. Johnʼs Wort St. Johnʼs Wort is a powerful soother of sharp, shooting nerve pain and pain associated with sores, boils and burns. The […]
Summertime, and the living is…sneezy
Along with sun, warmth, and relaxation, summer for many means hay fever. Not only does hay fever have annoying symptoms–sinus congestion and pain, sneezing, itching eyes and nose, runny eyes and nose–but it can also turn into a sinus infection and cause headaches. Allergic reactions are caused by the immune system responding inappropriately. Over-the-counter allergy […]