Hanorah Sullivan Houndalas Office of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yoga & Meditation

Let's Talk Sun Protection

To The Point

Newsletter from the Traditional Chinese Medicine & Yoga Office of

Hanorah Sullivan Houndalas

Let’s Talk Sun Protection

Speak with your Medical Doctor for approval before starting any new health regimen or taking any supplements as there may be side effects with medications, other supplements you are taking. There may also cautions or contraindications for any underlying health issues or illnesses you may be dealing with. 

Summer is in full swing and in this news letter I wanted to give you some tips about protecting the skin.  The sun is at its peak all the way through the third week of September, and if you live in a warmer climate like many of my Southern California clients and students you know the sun is out all year along.   The truth is the sun is out all year long even if you live in an area with a winter climate.  In fact the sun’s reflection off the snow can be quite harmful to your eyes.  Be sure to protect your eyes with a UVA & UVB Sun Glasses.  My favorite is Iron Man sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection.  There is even a polarized rendition.  They are sold at Target and are between $20 and $25.00.  They are super light weight and wrap around the face for a good fit and peripheral protection.  More sun reminders are listed below.

Skin Cancer - Did you know that one in five people develop basal cell carcinoma skin cancer?  Of course Basal cell and Squamus cell skin cancers are not as serious if caught early as melanoma, due to their slow growth factor.  They are also highly treatable.  There is a lot of speculation as to why so many people have skin cancer today, even if it is highly treatable at a time when we use more sun protection than ever before in our past.  Hopefully research will soon shine the light on this.

It is believed most skin cancers come from sun burns or tans people get from the age of ten and under.   Back when I was a kid we didn’t use sun screen and if we did it was SPF 8.  If anything many of us used baby oil with iodine to try and attract the sun and that golden tan. A golden tan can be given today by what I call “tan in a can”.  There are many tanning creams available now that give a realistic bronze like glow.  Tanning beds are not the answer, because they burn/damage the deeper layers of the skin with higher UVA rays.  You may not burn as abruptly as you do from the stronger UVB exposure of the sun, but the damage is just as harmful if not more.  When those deeper layers of skin are damaged they are thought to be more likely to produce melanoma cancer cells which are the most harmful because they metastasize.

Sun Screens and Sun blocks- Our skin needs to breathe and covering it with thick oils and chemical sun screens is not the optimum choice.   We need sun lotion protection, but I prefer people use natural sun blocks from Zinc Oxide However even some of the “natural “brands are toxic.  I like Badger.  http://www.badgerbalm.com/c-24-natural-sunscreen.aspx  . Also check out www.babobotanicals  . At www.vitacost.com you can find these and other natural brands like Alba botanicals & Jason.  These sun screens contain Non-Nano zinc oxide.  The zinc molecules sit on the skin and do NOT enter the blood stream like regular zinc oxide and other chemical sun screens.  I do not like powdered sun screens as they tend to enter our lungs and can be harmful.  Think face powder with SPF.     Regular sunscreens contain toxic ingredients and endocrine disrupting chemicals may actually promote skin cancer growth and free radical production in the body. Even natural sunscreens often contain toxic materials Although, I’d  be lying if I didn’t tell you I have tried just about every kind of natural and chemical sun screen under the sun.

What is zinc oxide?

Zinc is a powered mineral that sits on top of the skin. It can stand alone as a sunblock because it is truly effective against UVA, UVB and even UVC rays. It has been widely used in diaper creams because of its safety and effectiveness.

The biggest concern with nano particles in cosmetics is the threat of inhalation when they are used in powders and sprays. This is not a concern with zinc because when it is put in a lotion or balm. The environmental organization highly recommends a NANO based product over a chemical one for this reason.  Nanoparticles in American sunscreens are either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide generally scores well in EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) ratings because:

·         They provide strong sun protection with few health concerns.

·         They don’t break down in the sun.

·         Zinc oxide offers good protection from UVA& UVB  rays. Titanium oxide less protection from UVB rays than zinc oxide, but better than most other active ingredients.

·         Zinc oxide is EWG’s first choice for sun protection. It is stable in sunlight and can provide greater protection from UVA rays than titanium oxide or any other sunscreen chemical approved in the U.S. (Schlossman 2005). Years ago, zinc oxide sunscreens, often seen on lifeguards’ noses, were famously white and chalky. Today, sunscreen makers use zinc oxide nanoparticles to formulate lotions with less white tint.

 

Internal Sun Protection-A British study done with Tomato paste showed some fascinating results.  Research participants that ate 55 grams of tomato paste a day and were in the sun had a 30% increase in UV protection than the participants that did not ingest tomato paste.  It acted as an internal sun screen.  It is thought that the natural occurring chemical lycopene which gives tomatoes their rich red color was the reason why.   Although, I prefer eating the paste, as the other ingredients in the tomato paste have nutritional health benefits.

There is also a concern that too many diets with “vegetable” oils high in Omega 6 are harmful to the skin as well as the overall health. I personally avoid canola and corn oil. Instead I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Coconut oil.   Omega 6 oils when not consumed in balance with Omega 3 oils cause all kinds of health issues. 

Reminders on how to protect the skin- Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM the sun is strongest.  Be mindful even if you are driving or walking the dog to protect yourself. 

1.       Use a Natural Broad Spectrum sun screen- Apply sun screen before going out. Reapply after being in the water or sweating.  Some sun screens only protect against UVB rays which burn the outside of the skin, but a broad spectrum that protects against both UVB and UVA rays are important as damage to the deeper layers of skin by UVA rays are behind aging and melanoma skin cancer.  Remember the ears and feet need coverage as well.  People often forget those areas.  Apply under the bathing suit and clothing lines.  As you move so does your clothing. 30 SPF is the number, anything over 30 only increase by a minor percentage.  Read about SPF below.

2.       Good UVA UVB sun glasses.  Remember our eyes need protection too.

3.       Hat or sun visor

4.       When in the water for long time use a rash guard.  They provide excellent protection from the sun. Wear protective clothing in general.

5.       Reapply every hour. 

6.       Eat Tomato paste (not sauce) 3 to 6 table spoons a day throughout the summer months.  You can also try taking a daily supplement of lycopene.   It should not be used to replace sunscreen but as an additional way to aid the skin.

The sun is the giver of life and life on earth could not exist without it, which is why it has been worshipped by ancient and indigenous people throughout time.   Vitamin D3 is best when absorbed by the sun.  Our best way of absorbing D3 is through the torso front or back.  However the majority of sun exposure is on the face, head, chest, forearms, shins and feet.   These are the areas actually over exposed and where dermatologists look for skin cancer.  If you have had no history of skin cancer and do not have a history of extensive sun bathing taking in 15 minutes of sun on the torso in the late afternoon at 4:00 or 5:00 PM can be a good way to get Vitamin D3.  However you still have to protect with a covering or sun screen on the over exposed danger zones listed above.   Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many types of cancers including the most deadly types of breast cancer.

What is the difference between sun screen and sun block – I as well as many others unconsciously, tend to use them synonymously.  However, Sunscreen combines organic and inorganic chemicals to filter the light from the sun so that less of it reaches the deeper layers of your skin. Like a screen door, some light penetrates, but not as much as if the door wasn't present. Sunblock, on the other hand, reflects or scatters the light away so that it doesn't reach the skin at all.

 

The reflective particles in sunblocks usually consist of zinc oxide or titanium oxide. In the past, you could tell who was using a sunblock just by looking, because the sunblock whited out the skin. Not all modern sunblocks are visible because the oxide particles are smaller, though you can still find the traditional white zinc oxide. Sunscreens usually include sunblocks as part of their active ingredients.

What is SPF (Sun Protection Factor)? - We use sunscreen to block ultraviolet light from damaging the skin. There are two categories of UV light -- UVA andUVB -- which we consider in terms of sunscreen. UVB causes sunburn, and UVA has more long-term damaging effects on the skin, like premature aging. SPF, or sun protection factor, numbers were introduced in 1962 to measure a sunscreen's effect against UVB rays.

How is SPF determined?- To determine a sunscreen's SPF, testers round up 20 sun-sensitive people and measure the amount of UV rays it takes them to burn without sunscreen. Then they redo the test with sunscreen. The "with sunscreen" number is divided by the "without sunscreen" number, and the result is rounded down to the nearest five. This is the SPF.

For example, if you burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure, an SPF of 15 will allow you to be in the sun for up to 150 minutes without burning. But before you grab your calculator and head for the beach, you should know that this equation is not always accurate. I myself will have to reapply in an hour to avoid burning.  People usually use far less sunscreen than the amount used in testing. In the real world, the average sun worshipper uses half the amount of sunscreen used in the laboratory, which could result in sunburn in half the time.

So, now we know that a higher SPF number means more sun-exposure time. It also indicates the level of UVB absorption, but this number doesn't increase exponentially, which can be confusing. For example, an SPF of 15 absorbs 93.3 percent of UVB rays, but an SPF of 30 absorbs 96.7 percent. The SPF number has doubled, but the absorption rate has increased by only 3.4 percent.

Because of the confusion about UVB absorption, the FDA proposed a cap on SPF numbers. Any sunscreen higher than 30 SPF would be a "30-plus." Thirty was the decided cap because above that, the percentage of UVB absorbed and overall protection of the skin increases only slightly, but people may misinterpret these higher SPF numbers as a much higher level of protection or even a guarantee of all-day protection, which they are NOT.  Although many companies are not complying and we still find sun screens labeled with 50 to 70SPF. 

 

Make Your Own Sun Screen- Quick & Easy-

·         An 8 ounce your favorite lotion (that doesn’t contain citrus oils!) A mix of Coconut Oil and Shea Butter are wonderful choices. 

·         Add two Tablespoon of non-nano zinc oxide  Available at http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/raw-ingredients/other-ingredients-and-chemicals/zinc-oxide/?mkwid=7SOvTTX7_dc|pcrid|2933342748|pkw|supplier%20zinc%20oxide%20crystal|pmt|bb|   Cover your mouth & nose  with a construction face mask when handling the zinc oxide to avoid breathing it in.

·         Mix well

·         Use as Sunscreen

For more information about sun screen and protection Check out the Environmental Working Group website to find out information about sun protection and if your sun screen contains toxic ingredients.  https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

Do people of African descent or darker skin pigments need sun screen? YES!   It is true having more melanin in your skin can aid in protecting it, but it still needs protection when you are exposed to the sun.   Everyone can burn, no matter how dark their skin is.  I suggest people with darker pigment and African descent Read this article by Dr. Aletha Maybank from Ebony magazine.  http://www.ebony.com/wellness-empowerment/doctors-orders-yes-black-people-do-get-sunburn-405#axzz4DSK21d2X     Actually melanoma the most deadly type of skin cancer has been more fatal in people of African descent more than any other race.  This is because they tend to not think they are susceptible to skin cancer and often wait until the melanoma has been there for quite some time before seeking medical attention. 

What do I do once I have burned? Say hello to my good friend, the plant called Aloe Vera.  If you have a plant break off a stem and split it open and rub the soft inside of the plant on the affected area.  If you purchase an aloe vera gel, please look at the ingredients, as many contain chemicals that actually irritate the skin.  I like Real Aloe Gelly available at http://realaloesolutions.com/gelly.asp .  

Make Chamomile tea and let it cool, wet a wash cloth in the cool tea and use as a compress, it will act as an antinflamatory , aiding in decreasing the inflammation for the burn. 

Cold water showers, bathes or compresses. 

Drink plenty of water as well, since the body will be dehydrated from the heat sun exposure.  Eating melons can also help as they contain a lot of water and are very cold in nature to help cool the body off. 

AVOID soap and bubble bath as it may irritate the skin. 

Oat meal bath or compresses-  Add oatmeal to your bath.  You can also run cold water over oat meal and let it sit 20 to 30 minutes,, then strain use the liquid and place cloths in and make compresses to apply to burnt areas. 

Yogurt- Apply plain yogurt to your sun burn and let it sit then rinse with a cool shower.

Fat Free milk mixed with 4 cups of water and ice cubes also makes a wonderful cold compress. 

Cornstarch- add water to make a paste and apply on sun burn.

Baking soda- place in a bath with tepid water.  Let the solution dry on your skin before rinsing or toweling off.

Vinegar- One cup of white OR apple cider vinegar in a cool tub of water will help astringe the heat and soothe the sunburn pain. 

If your eyes are swollen I suggest cucumber slices and the compress of chamomile tea mentioned above.   Regular black tea compress at room temperature or cold can also be used for the eyes as the tannins in the tea help soothe the sun burnt eyes. 

Vitamin C- It not only boosts the immune system but is very helpful in tissue repair.  Take 500 mg of a buffered vitamin C, three times a day with each meal.  It should always be taken with food. 

Plan to have fun, but plan- the answer is not to stay inside and miss the beautiful outdoors, but to plan ahead. Whether walking, swimming, doing sports or watching a ball game-remember to simply plan your attire, bring and apply protection from head to toe and you will be have a fantastic summer with no skin damage. 

Healthfully Yours,  

Nora Sullivan-Houndalas
Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher

Seasonal Allergies

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To The Point

Newsletter from the Traditional Chinese Medicine & Yoga Office of Hanorah Sullivan Houndalas

Seasonal Allergies

Speak with your Medical Doctor for approval before starting any new health regimen or taking any supplements as there may be side effects with medications or other supplements you are taking.  There may also cautions or contraindications for any underlying health issues or illnesses. 

What are allergies?  Well, the dictionary describes it as a damaging immune response by the body to a substance, especially pollen, fur, a particular food, or dust, to which it has become hypersensitive. We know there are many type of allergies.  In this edition of “To The Point” I want to talk about seasonal allergies.  However, any type of allergy in Traditional Chinese Medicine is a deficiency in the immune system or what we call Wei Qi XU.  It’s not that Chinese Medicine doesn’t see the significance of understanding what the person is allergic to.  Its’ that we look at treating the Root along with the Branch.  This would mean treating the cause as well as the symptom.   The Wei Qi traverses along the outside of the skin and orifices of the body.  When it is strong no pathogen can enter it, not a virus, a bacteria or fungi.

The Wei Qi is ruled by the Lung System.  The reason I call the Lung a system is because it is more than the physical lungs we think of in Western Anatomy.  It also includes the lung meridians, also called channels.  These are pathways that the Qi of the lung follows, like a flowing river or a highway.   It crosses paths or intersects with other meridians or rivers thus influencing them and being influenced by them.   It also dips more internal at times, just as a river can flow underground.  The lung system has many functions including cultivating and producing strong Wei Qi which simply put is our immunity. 

People who suffer from seasonal allergies don’t always understand the importance of getting ahead of them.  That means starting to seek regular treatment via acupuncture and herbs 4 to 6 weeks prior to allergy season.  For some that is spring and summer as many people react to pollens during these times.

Herbs-

  In Chinese Medicine our herbal pharmacopeia has curative functions, protective functions and promoting functions.   Medicine that actually promotes radiant health? This is new for the Western mind.  It involves building the body a more robust health system. We also have many categories of herbs for treating more specific signs and symptoms.  Very few herbs make it into the highest category of tonics.  Astragalus or Huang Qi as it is known in the Chinese pinyin is one of the few herbs we will use alone as well as in a formula.  Taking small doses of this herb daily will help to build the persons immunity or protective Wei Qi.  Single herbs like this can come dried or in a tincture, but my favorite way to take this herb is in a formula like the one listed below. 

Chinese Herbal Formula-

Yu Ping Feng San. This is a preventative formula every house should have.  It contains astragalus and other herbs combined to keep the body’s immune system strong to fight allergies, cold and flu signs and symptoms.  I and my family take this formula at a low dose daily.  At the first onset of a possible allergy, cold or flu, we increase the dose.  It is also a great formula to take when traveling.   My favorite way to take Chinese formulas is when the herbs are boiled and dried to a powder or granule and placed in a capsule for modern convenience.  However, you can have the dehydrated herbs in a powder that you reconstitute in hot water to drink as a tea.  Of course the traditional way of cooking of the herbal formula into a tea still exists, but it takes time and must be done correctly to get the proper results.  This formula is available at my office.  Existing Clients may email me for purchase and pick up at my office or have this herbal formula mailed directly to them. Other formulas for specific reactions such as sore throat, itchy watery eyes or cough are also available. 

Supplement-

Vitamin C- You may not have a cold or flu, but your body's immunity still needs boosting.  Try taking 1000 to 2000 mg of a buffered vitamin C daily during allergy season.  Vitamin C if not buffered can be difficult on the digestion and not good for the stomach lining.  Vitamin C is best when taken with food.  Consider 500 mg three times daily with meals.

Tips for Protecting the Wei Qi - 

Scarf- Wear a scarf to protect the back of the neck and upper shoulder area, as well as face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth and ears from wind.  That may sound funny, but the wind is a venue for allergens to travel into the body.  When it does so we call it Evil Wind Qi.  It may seem obvious that pathogens enter the eyes, ears, nose and mouth, but there is also an energetic opening on the back of the neck that is vulnerable.  Having a scarf or a jacket handy is a good thing especially when our bodies are making quick temperature regulations going from heating to air conditioning and indoors to outdoors. Honey-Raw local honey is another great tip.  Take a table spoon full of raw unfiltered honey once a day.  The local honey will have the pollens in it from your area and it is a way to slowly build immunity to your local pollens.  Neti Pot- Start using a Neti pot. This yogic technique from India and Southern Asia is a wonderful tool to clear the nasal passages from dust, pollen, bacteria and airborne pollutants.  See this website for more details on how to properly prepare and use a neti pot.  https://www.mylifestages.org/health/allergies/how_to_neti.page  If you need a visual aid watch this video.   https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=EDSlUuAOnN0.  Washing Hands- Many people use room filters to help keep the allergens out of the air in their home or work place, but it doesn’t take them off the surface of furniture and objects, so be sure to wash your hands with a mild soap before eating or touching your head or face. 

Practicing Qi-Gong (mild energy exercises) for the lung system regularly is very helpful and easy to do.  Learning to administer self-acupressure (using your hands to mildly press on acu-points) for allergies is also a great self-care method.  Yoga also has poses and breaths that promote optimal lung capacity.  If you are interested in these then request that we go over them at your next acupuncture session and we will schedule in some time for you to learn them, and you can practice self-healing and radiant health at home.

Healthfully Yours,  

Nora Sullivan-Houndalas
Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher

Chinese New Year 2018

To The Point

Newsletter from the Traditional Chinese Medicine & Yoga Office of Hanorah Sullivan Houndalas

YEAR OF THE YANG EARTH DOG

Gun Hei Fat Choi (Cantonese), Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)

A Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Just as you thought the holidays were behind you, millions of people are about to celebrate the Lunar New Year. In Chinese Astrology it will be Year Of The Dog on Friday February 16th, 2018.

In Chinese astrology each zodiac year is associated with an animal as well as one of the 5 elements. This coming Chinese New Year will be year of the Earth element. Its color is brown. It is grounding and supportive. The earth element brings stability. It is a good element year to take care of your physical health and start a new regimen supporting your total wellness. Working the physical body releases stress and clears erratic energy as well as builds a more stable nervous system so we aren’t thrown off course by life challenges.

Each astrological year either has a yin or yang emphasis. This is a yang year, so it is a year of action. This year of the earth dog correlates to stability, service, and health. These will be supported when put into action.  Action is key.  Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage writes that, “Without action, knowledge is often meaningless. As Aristotle put it, ‘to be excellent we cannot simply think or feel excellent, we must act excellently’.” The dog is an honest and idealistic sign, known of selflessness, service and protection.  Likewise, the year that bears its name will bring increased social awareness and a desire to help and protect those less fortunate.  This year, worry less about material gain and more about serving others, for that is where you will find true happiness and fulfillment. 

Yogi Bhajan who brought Kundalini Yoga to the west prescribed acts of charitable service called Seva to anyone who was depressed. Emotions can be all consuming and when we are caught up in any emotion we cannot see the forest through the trees. Yogi Bhajan called it the commotion of emotion. Do something good for someone else or a good cause and it frees you simply by getting obsessive attention off of yourself. 

There are many charitable organizations out there, so go ahead and find something that interests you.  Since it is year of the dog consider volunteering at an animal shelter or rescue. The health of the planet and environment is also a good place to put your energies in an earth year.  Being of service to those in need is powerful healing medicine. We all get caught up in our lives, myself included. If you are feeling overwhelmed and feel you don’t have the time to volunteer or take on a commitment, then start small.  I like to do small secretive acts of service.  For example, when I am in a public bathroom I wipe down the sink as one is asked to do in an airplane. I pick up any trash including pieces of toilet paper or paper towels on the floor and I leave the restroom better than when I arrived for the next person.  Yes, it can be disgusting, but I want the next person to have a better experience than I. I also like holding the door open when I’m out and about and when driving I let others go first at an intersection.  These are small acts that take no extra time and I feel good about them.  My mother walks the beach and takes a bag to pick up trash. These are a few examples of what you can do to serve. Small acts of kindness and service have a subtle and quiet sense of purpose.  They are a good thing to put out into the world especially during difficult times.   For those of you who give too much remember that giving comes from what runneth over from your cup. What is in the cup is for you!  For those that falsely choose to believe they have nothing to give or no time, get up and try it. A day of service can help get you out of that mindset.  

Starting small is a great way to create new healthier habits in any area of your life. I too have fallen of the wagon so to speak. I’ve over eaten and have been emotionally reactive.  Starting a New Years resolution that is too extreme will only cause the pendulum to swing back the other way.  Instead let’s look at finding balance.  One minute of meditation daily.  12 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Start with what you know you can do and then when that becomes second nature you can build upon that. But do start taking care of yourself!  Happiness, good health and peace are cultivated daily.  They say dog is mans best friend. Isn’t it time we learn from dog and become our own best friend and be loyal to ourselves by taking care of ourselves. When we give to ourselves we set an example in the world about self-care and self-love.  We share, teach and give what we learn and do for ourselves.

To your Health and Well Being!