Food and Flavor, Metabolic Effects

Mon, May 20, 2019

Enjoy our weekly wellness tip from Licensed Acupuncturist, Michael Savalli, from the office of Elizabeth Martin.

Foods and Flavors 

“Flavor” describes a food’s taste and effect.  This also points to associated organs and meridians.  Here’s what it says about Flavor in the oldest book of Chinese Medicine, the Huang Di Nei Jing:

 “Acrid flavors disperse, and make things move,

Sweet tastes build, slow, and harmonize,

Bitter tastes drain, dry, and make firm,

Sour gathers and astringes,

Salty flavor descends and softens,

Bland taste leeches benefits, and creates flow.”

(Often bland is paired with sweet).

 We use these flavors to harmonize with the seasons, and also to focus on particular organ systems.  A mild amount, in season, will benefit an organ system. In excess, it can cause harm. For example, late summer is associated with the earth element.  This corresponds to the sweet and bland Flavors. Mild amounts of sweet are good for digestion; for example, sweet potato. This harmonizes digestion. However, sweetness in excess, like too much-refined sugar, can cause digestive problems, such as diabetes.  Again, balance and moderation.

Here are some examples of different flavors:

Sour – pomegranate, vinegar, lemon, lime, fermented foods.

Bitter – parsley, mustard greens, kale, collards, dandelion greens, coffee

Sweet – rice, chicken, whole grain, sweet potato, cabbage, carrots, onions, squash, corn, goji.

Acrid – scallions, daikon, ginger.

Meet Michael Savalli, MSOM, L.Ac

Michael is a board certified NY State Licensed Acupuncturist, who received his Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine from New York College of Health Professions.  While in this program, he also specialized in Chinese Herbal Medicine. If you or anyone you know is interested in staying healthy this season, schedule your appointment and learn how Acupuncture and herbs can boost your immunity. 

631-601-6491

Click to learn more about Michael Savalli, MSOM, L.Ac

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Crystal Bowl Sound Healing
Group Meditation

Sound healing is a form of meditation that is performed in a group where you lay on a yoga mat and let the sound transport you. 
Sound healing has many benefits including:

• reducing stress and anxiety
• improves circulation
• deepens relaxation
• increases mental & emotional clarity. 
• restores balance

Vibrational sound healing can be traced back from present-day trends to many ancient civilizations including India, Africa, Europe, and the Orient. The idea is to restore balance to the chakra system and clearing the blocked energy within ourselves. Sound healing is similar to reiki healing; It is a form of energy healing that allows your body to self-regulate and self heal.

Let the sounds vibrate through you to feel the power of self-preservation and healing.
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We Sell Products

To enhance your healthy lifestyle experience we sell all forms of Chinese herbal linaments, to pain patches and liquids that help the pain, enhance healing, and promote wellness. Each product has been carefully selected and tested. We only sell high-quality medicinal grade products. Ask your practitioner what products would be right for you!

631-601-6491

Flavor correlates with function!

With Love,

Liz

Elizabeth M. Martin, MSOM, L.Ac, LMT and the Staff at Hands on Acupuncture and Massage Therapy, P.C.