genitals. Fear and fright is the

emotion attached to the kidneys.

Other symptoms of depleted

kidney energy are: fatigue, dark

circles around the eyes, lethar-

gy, insomnia, diarrhea, lower

back pain, edema in legs, loose

stools, infertility, loose teeth,

loss of hearing, ringing in ears,

frequent and/or night time uri-

nation, dark urine, dizziness,

vertigo, weak knees, achy

bones, poor memory, night

sweats, dry throat and other

symptoms.

One can replenish kidney ener-

gy by eating a healthy diet con-

sisting of whole grains (barley,

millet), protein (lamb, beef,

pork, chicken, eggs), beans

(black, kidney, adzuki), nuts

and seeds (walnuts, chestnuts,

flax seeds, sunflower seeds,

black sesame seeds, black and

blue foods (black cherries,

black beans, blueberries, black-

berries, raspberries), moist veg-

gies (beets, cucumbers, celery),

fruits (watermelon, cranberries,

blueberries, black cherries),

cooked veggies and greens

(asparagus, salads), salty foods

(kimchee, miso, tamari, sea-

weeds), bone broth soup, and

lemon juice w/ water upon ris-

ing in the morning. Avoid con-

suming cold drinks, too many

raw foods, juices, fruits, iced

drinks, ice cream, frozen yo-

gurt, soy milk,

continued on page 2 …..

If you ain’t got that Jing,

You ain’t got a Thing!

Jing is a Traditional Chinese

Medicine (TCM) term for

kidney essence. Jing, qi, and

shen are known as the Three

Treasures. Jing is stored in

the kidneys, it is the carrier

of our heritage. One is born

with a fixed amount of Jing,

but we may acquire Jing

through food, exercise,

study and meditation. As

one ages, your Jing or kid-

ney essence is depleted.

The kidneys are two bean-

shaped organs lying on the

posterior side of the body

slightly below the ribs.

They are in charge of filter-

ing toxins/wastes from the

blood, balancing water lev-

els, regulating blood pres-

sure, ph balance, red blood

cell production, producing

hormones and urine. Every

day the kidneys filter some

300 pints of blood. In TCM,

the kidneys are the Yin Or-

gan of Water and include

the glands attached to them,

the adrenal glands. The

adrenal glands regulate the

endocrine system, especial-

ly the sympathetic and para-

sympathetic nervous sys-

tems. The Kidney’s Yang

organ is the bladder. It regu-

lates fluid imbalances,

maintaining the balance of

intracellular and extracellu-

lar fluid and eliminating

wastes thru the urine. Anoth-

er function of the kidneys is

calcium metabolism and the

maintenance of bones. The

kidneys/adrenals maintain the

bones, bone marrow, and

teeth.

Kidney and water imbalances

include urinary problems,

edema, lower back and joint

pains, as well as fatigue, in-

fertility, and impotence.

There could also be a range

of other conditions such as

hair loss, premature graying

and hearing problems.

In TCM, kidney time is be-

tween 5-7 pm , while bladder

time is 3-5 pm. This is the

time when each organ flour-

ishes, and any weakness in

the organ often appears dur-

ing this time. Nourishing teas

and supplements are taken

during these times to enhance

kidney energy. Kidney/

adrenal deficiency is seen in

facial color as dark or circles

under the eyes. The Kidneys

are nourished by salty fla-

vors, it is salt that helps

maintain and support the

functions of water. Groaning

is the sound indicating kidney

deficiency and the smell is

one of putrid, rotten decay.

The body orifices which are

indicative of water imbalance

are the ears, urethra, anus and

Kidney Energy

KIDNEY ENERGY 1

HERB OF THE MONTH ~ GUANABANA 2

KIDNEY ENERGY … CONTINUED 2

HERBAL CONTRAINDICATIONS 3

MUSCLES OF THE MONTH ~ SPLENIUS MUSCLES

4

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July 2017

~ T H E R A P E U T I C M A S S A G E & H E R B A L H E A L T H ~

Inside This Issue:

Upcoming Events:

This newsletter is brought

to you by Chiron Holistic &

Sparky’s Spa, 505 S. Water

Street, Suite 501C in Cor-

pus Christi. Our passion is

bringing therapeutic mas-

sage, herbal health and well

being to you. Call or text

(361) 877-6900 for an ap-

pointment today!

Hiking around in Hawaii, try-

ing to find the local, secret

swimming hole, I happened

upon this

bizarre look-

ing fruit. It

did not look

real friendly

as it had a

prickly look-

ing skin.

However I

did feel that

this plant

was good for

something

special.

Guanabana

(Annona

muricata),

graviola or soursop is the fruit

of an evergreen tree and is

native to tropical areas be-

cause it loves high humidity

and warm winters. It doesn’t

even mind poor soils, so Cor-

pus sounds like a perfect envi-

ronment for it. It is grown in

parts of Latin America, Africa,

Indoesia, Phillipines, the Car-

ibbean, the Pacific and other

countries.

The pulp of the fruit contains a

creamy texture which tastes

like a strawberry/pineapple

mix. This makes a wonderful

smoothie, ice cream or juice.

In some countries it is known

as “custard apple” and eaten as

a dessert.

One soursop fruit contains 412

calories and is loaded with

Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, B2

and B6, as well as potassium,

magnesium, iron, protein and

fiber. The fruit, seeds and

leaves are rich in at least 50

different acetogenins, an ac-

tive ingredient that are

“selective cytotoxic against

neoplastic cells.” In other

words they help eliminate can-

cer cells, but don’t damage the

healthy cells. Acetogenins

prevent the nutrition of cancer

cells, thus causing their death.

Purdue University conducted

a study using an extract from

the seeds, and concluded that

it was “10,000 times more

effective than the drug used

against cancer (Adriamycin).

[see study pubs.acs.org; Jour-

nal of Natural Products, Vol.

59:, Issue 2 February 22,

1996]

While the fruit is safe, a word

of caution is advised here in

using Guanabana due to the

high concentrations of an

alkaloid called annonamin,

which is a neurotoxin con-

tained in the seeds and leaves.

Therefore, do not take if one

has a neurological disease,

such as Parkinson’s, as this

could make it worse. Do not

take if one has low blood

pressure or on any type of

medication. Extract supple-

ments are contraindicated

during pregnancy.

Page 2

THE SOUL

ALWAYS

KNOWS WHAT

TO DO

TO HEAL ITSELF.

THE CHALLENGE

IS TO SILENCE

THE MIND.

Superb Herb ~ Guanabana (Annona muricata)

Kidney Energy …. continued tofu, alcohol, coffee, caf-

feinated drinks, tobacco,

and smoking.

Herbs that are beneficial for

the kidneys/adrenals are

stinging nettles, burdock,

rehmania, aloe vera, com-

frey, marshmallow and slip-

pery elm, oatstraw, chlorel-

la, spirulena, kelp, wheat-

grass, and licorice.

Suggested 3 day Kidney

Cleanse:

Breakfast

Smoothie: blueberries, cran-

berries, black cherries

Herbs: take stinging nettles,

burdock & rehmania

It is important to use certified

organic products as we are

trying to avoid the pesticides

and chemicals contained in

other food sources.

Avoid this cleanse if you have

kidney disease, or any health

issues that might conflict. It is

best to consult a health care

practitioner or your physician

before doing a kidney cleanse.

In this stressed out world, our

Jing is an important thing!

Add protein powder, green

powder (spirulena, chorella,

kelp, wheatgrass, etc), collagen

powder

If you don’t have green pow-

ders use fresh kale, spinach,

wheatgrass, etc.

Coconut milk or coconut water

Lunch: smoothie or juice

Juice can be celery juice, beet

juice, cranberry juice (don’t get

the sugary kind), aloe vera

juice

Dinner: Large salad with

chicken breast

Page 3

Herbal Contraindications and Precautions

CREATE A LIFE

THAT FEELS

GOOD ON THE

INSIDE, NOT

JUST ONE

THAT LOOKS

GOOD ON THE

OUTSIDE.

Many times I overhear

someone advising friends

and/or customers regarding

taking herbal supplements or

essential oil remedies, per-

haps promoting the latest

product, but I never hear

advice regarding precau-

tions. We assume that if “so

and so” says its good, then it

is. There is a lot of “fake

news” out there. Educate

yourselves, research, ask

knowledgeable people in the

field and hold caution to the

wind. Proceed with caution,

do no harm and safety first,

especially with the elderly

and children.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza gla-

bra) is a great example. Lic-

orice Twizzlers is really not

true licorice, its anise, alt-

hough there are some brands

which have true licorice.

This herb has cortisone-like

qualities, it’s an anti-

inflammatory, works on

heartburn, and supports the

adrenals. But did you know

that it raises blood pressure

and decreases potassium

levels? Therefore this herb

may cause problems in peo-

ple with heart and/or kidney

disease, and those with a

history of high blood pres-

sure. You can find a de-

glycyrrhiza product out on

the market, where the com-

ponent that increases blood

pressure has been taken out.

We all have heard about

Ginkgo biloba for increasing

memory and brain power. It

is most noted for its memory

enhancement and may bene-

fit those with dementia and

Alzheimer’s due to ability to

increase blood flow to the

brain. It is high in antioxi-

dants. Did you know that

this plant is contraindicated

for high blood pressure? If

you are taking certain anti-

depressants it may also be

contraindicated or if you are

taking aspirin already, it

will increase the blood thin-

ning capabilities.

Kava kava (Piper methys-

ticum) has gained a popu-

larity in the states and now

there are Kava bars set up in

various eclectic towns. Ka-

va is a powerful nervine

relaxant, however it should

not be taken with alcohol.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum

perforatum) is another well-

known nervine relaxant and

studies in Germany found it

a beneficial herb for ADD

and ADHD. This herb has a

photosensitivity, meaning

that if you are taking it, you

may have severe reactions

to sunlight. There are many

herbal nervine relaxants on

the market such as valerian,

kava kava, passion flower

and chamomile. Some of

these nerviness have a

stronger effect that others,

but they are all contraindi-

cated if one is already tak-

ing a prescription antide-

pressant.

Anyone, at any time may

have an allergic reaction to

a plant, food, supplement or

any material. Contradindi-

cations are prevalent in

those taking medications

especially anticoagulants

and antidepressants. Preg-

nant or nursing mothers

should avoid most of these

herbal supplements and essen-

tial oils. Essential oils should

not be used on children until

they are 2 years old and even

then in a diluted state. Here

are a few guidelines to follow

for using herbs and essential

oils by David Crow, Master

herbalist, aromatherapist and

acupuncturist.

1. Start with 1 herb only, as

this allows one to see

what effect it has on you.

2. Start with a low dose for

at least a week and see

how it affects you.

3. Discontinue use if any

adverse reactions occur.

4. If you have a history of

inflammatory GI symp-

toms, best to avoid herbs

unless you know or a

trained herbalist assists

you.

5. If you are taking medica-

tions, consult a trained

practitioner.

6. Do not consume alcohol

with herbs.

7. If sensitive to alcohol, one

may place in hot water so

it will drive off alcohol.

8. Do not take herbs while

pregnant or nursing, with-

out trained practitioner.

9. Do not use more than 5

drops of essential oils at a

time. Do not take essential

oils internally. Essential

oils can be used safely in

a diffuser, inhalation of a

few drops on the palms,

few drops on a compress

or a few drops in a bath.

Can be added to a carrier

oil for external uses.

the International Conference

of Engineering in Medicine

and Biology. This is a major

problem massage therapists

see is “the forty pound head”.

A problem brought on by

working on computers,

watching TV, texting, etc.,

whereas the head is thrust into

a forward position causing

numerous structural and mus-

cular problems. Problems

such as headaches, mandible

issues, TMJ, digestion and

breathing abnormalities, de-

generative joint disease, and

other postural effects on the

body depending on severity.

The splenius muscles are two

muscles located in the back of

the neck which assist in hold-

ing one’s head erect. They are

the splenius capitus and sple-

nius cervicis.

The splenius capitus is a

broad, deep muscle of the

“For every

inch of for-

ward head

posture, it can

increase the

weight of the

head on the

spine by an

additional 10

pounds.” – Kapandji, Physi-

ology of Joints, Vol. 3

My Pilates instructor, Mariah

McQueen, had me sit up

straight and “stack the spine”.

By the time she had me sit-

ting up erect, I felt like falling

over backwards! “Over time

poor posture results in pain,

muscle aches, tension, head-

aches and can lead to long

term complications such as

osteoarthritis. Forward head

carriage may promote accel-

erated aging of intervertebral

joints resulting in degenera-

tive joint disease” as stated at

back. Its origin is at C4-C6 and

the spinous process of C7-T3.

The insertion point if the mas-

toid process of the temporal

bone and the occipital bone. It

acts to extend the head and

neck, as well as the lateral flex-

ion and rotation of the head and

neck. It is one of the muscles

that supports the head and

keeps it in an erect position.

The splenius cervicis is also a

muscle located at the back of

the neck. Its origin is the spi-

nous process of T3-T6 and in-

serts on the transverse process-

es of C1-C3. And just like the

splenius capitus, works to ex-

tend, rotate and flex the neck

and assists in supporting the

head in an erect position.

Massage can benefit those with

the “40 lb head”, plus an exer-

cise program such as pilates

and/or yoga.

Muscle of the Month ~ Splenius

505 South Water Street

Suite 501 C

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Phone: 361-877-6900

E-mail:

chironholistic@yahoo.com

Check us out on Facebook Sparky’s Spa

Chiron Holistic, LLC is an herbal apothecary and therapeutic massage studio. Susan ‘Sparky’

Sparks began studying medicinal plants some 30 years ago. She incorporated massage into

her practice in 2001 after studying with Dr. Rosita Arvigo, who developed special massage

techniques from Don Elijio Panti, a famous shaman from Belize. She makes herbal products

with certified organic herbs or they are ethically wildcrafted with love and prayers. Sparky

combines 16 years of massage experience in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Shiatsu, Jin Shin

Do, Tsubo, Foot Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Myofascial Release, Myoskeletal, Maya Ab-

dominal, Maternity, Burn/Scar, Onocology and Medical Massage. She is a member American

Bodywork & Massage Professionals, American Botanical Council, American Herbalist Guild

and South Texas Botanical Gardens. She is a Qi Gong Level I Instructor and Master Garden-

er. Chiron Holistic is dedicated to providing a pathway towards holistic health. We are here

to assist you on your journey towards wellness.

C H I R O N H O L I S T I C ~ S P A R K Y ’ S S P A

Or Therapeutic Massage

$10 Off Any 1 Hour Massage

Call or Text (361) 877-6900