The Role of the Heart (Xin)

April 3, 2015/in Health Tips /by Harmony Wellness Vancouver

… in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The role of the heart, known in traditional Chinese physiology as the ruler of the other organs, has exceptional importance. Its function in traditional Chinese medicine parallels its Western anatomic function of pumping blood throughout the body to maintain life, but in the Eastern tradition it is also intimately involved with mental and emotional processes.
Considered the residence of the mind and spirit, the heart is the organ most often involved in psychological imbalances. Properly nourished and balanced, the heart maintains our innate wisdom, contentment, and emotional balance.

The Traditional Functions of the Heart

The heart controls the blood and blood vessels. When the heart is healthy, it pumps blood normally through the vessels to all parts of the body, nourishing the organs and maintaining vitality. A deficiency in this function can appear as pale complexion, cold hands and feet, palpitations, insomnia, and emotional disturbances.
The heart manifests on the face. When the heart is strong and possesses sufficient blood, the complexion is rosy, and the individual looks robust and healthy. When the heart blood is deficient, the person may look pale and unhealthy.
The heart houses the shen (spirit) and mind. This function encompasses the full range of human consciousness, including emotional health, mental function, memory, and spirituality. When the yin of the heart is deficient, a person can experience symptoms such as palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness.
When the heart blood is deficient, poor memory, depression, and a tendency to be “spaced out” or “in the clouds” can result.
TCM holds that “the heart controls speech.” Be sure to speak sweetly to your loved ones!

Sesame Bliss Balls

February 7, 2015/in Recipes /by Harmony Wellness Vancouver

Sesame Bliss Balls:

I borrowed this recipe from Deepak Chopra’s newsletter. Deepak explains that the sesame bliss balls promote a healthy digestion and purify the body – mind.
1 cup toasted sesame seeds
½ cup golden raisins or regular raisins
2 teaspoons ground ginger powder
2 inches fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1½ teaspoons ground cardamon
2½ tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) (I use and prefer ghee most of the time for my cooking)

Chocolate bliss balls
Ingredients
1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup almonds
1/3 cup agave nectar or dates
3-5 tbs. mesquite meal or carob powder
pinch of nutmeg and/or cinnamon
pinch oe 2 of sea salt
How to: Put the sunflower seeds and almonds in the vitamix to make them into a flour or powder. Then, mix them with the rest of the ingredients. Get about 1-2 tbs. of the mixture and shape it into a nice round ball. At this point you may roll it in sesame seeds, coconut flakes, or carob powder. Continue this process until all of the mixture is gone. Put the bliss balls into the freezer until ready to eat.

Bliss Ball:A delicious chocolate treat packed with aphrodisiac herbsto help get you and your lover in the mood.
Having one or two of these balls (or more if your feeling adventurous) will add extra bliss into your lovemaking. Effects may include increased sensitivity, sensuality, stimulation and desire. The powerful energy boosting herbs in this recipe provide the necessary power and stamina for extended lovemaking sessions. Men may notice an increase in penile strength and hardness and women can experience added orgasmic potential. Many of the herbs included in this recipe when taken on a regular basis also act as a general tonic for the body and sexual organs. Bliss balls are all-natural and packed with nutrients making a them a very healthy and pleasurable alternative to other forms of sexual boosters.
The herbs in the recipe are considered safe for everybody.

Base Recipe:

2 cups cups cacao powder
1 ½ cups raw cacao bean finely ground
1 ½ cups raw cashew nuts finely ground
9 -12 tsp maca powder (gelatinized maca preferably)
6 tsp gaurana powder
4 tsp rhodiola powder
4 tsp ashwagandha powder
4 tsp suma powder
4 tsp muira puama powder
3 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp salt

Mix the powdered ingredients until well blended. Then mix in a separate bowl:

75 ml cacao butter
100 ml extra virgin coconut oil
200ml honey
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean powder)

Add this mixture to the powdered ingredients and mix with your hands. Roll into balls using about one heaping tablespoon of mixture per ball. To finish the balls roll in cacao powder, cinnamon, powdered nuts or fine shredded coconut.
This recipe will approximately 50 balls. These can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.
ping with dill or chives.

Nourishing your Heart

January 30, 2015/in Health Tips /by Harmony Wellness Vancouver

Nourishing your heart- connecting with Joy and love from a Chinese Medicine perspective
– by Dr. Gabrielle Steinberg

February- the month when we celebrate our love for others and when the body’s energies start to stir for the impending spring. In Chinese medicine, the Heart is the organ system that houses the Shen, which is the mind, memory, consciousness, and spirit. Maintaning a healthy heart both physically and emotionally helps to give you a life with joy, love and vitality.
The element associated with the Heart is Fire, and as such it is a warm and active organ. Its activity is responsible for moving Blood throughout your body, but it is also the activity of your mind and the warmth of your body which animate you as a human being. The color related to the Heart is red.
The emotion associated with the Heart is joy, which can be a double-edged sword, in that too much joy can become mania. As the home of your Shen, your Heart is your connection to your spirituality, and to love.
Do you follow your heart or your head? When our heart element is in balance we possess the ability to follow our heart, integrate feelings, express our thoughts and experience the joy of being alive.

Nourishing your Heart
The key to nourishing your Heart is in connection. Connecting with your sense of purpose through self-exploration, connecting with others in social situations, and connecting to the world around us are all nourishing to your Heart.

Nutritionally, foods that bring joy feed your Heart. Meals that have been prepared with love, foods you love to eat, and gathering with friends and family for a meal are all Heart nourishing. The taste associated with your Heart is bitter, the taste of that which has been burned. Bitter foods such as dark chocolate and bitter greens are stimulating to your Heart. Red foods and beverages derived from red foods are also good for your Heart, so stock up on tomatoes, red peppers, beets, apples, a little red meat and red wine. Many foods that are good for the heart are also good for love making.

Other foods which nourish the heart include:

Lychees, watermelon, dandelion greens, peanuts, cherries, red lentils, nasturtium leaves, radish, rhubarb, Longan fruit, oily fish, and red dates
Steam or simmer the abundant supply of vegetables as quickly as possible to guarantee as little depletion as possible of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Eat smaller, lighter meals. Use less salt, but add spices such as ginger, cinamon and cayenne to stimulate circulation.
The next time you are full of joy or feel something with all your heart, remember that in Chinese medicine, your Heart is actually the keeper of all your feelings.