We are pleased to announce that you can now schedule online for most services at Blossom (I- Liz Richards- will be set up soon so please email or call to schedule acupuncture for now)! Simply CLICK HERE to the user-friendly page and follow the prompts.

Here is to a happy and healthy new year!

-Liz

Recent findings confirm that Chaste Tree Berry can restore normal estrogen to progesterone balance. Chaste Tree Berry has been successfully used to regulate irregular menses and PMS symptoms including dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, fibroid cysts, and hormonal constipation.  It can be used to stabilize the cycle after withdrawal from progesterone birth control pills.  For women trying to get pregnant it can regulate the ovulatory cycle and can be safely taken through the end of the first trimester, actually decreasing the risk of miscarriage.  It is safe to take after the third month of pregnancy but not recommended, because it may bring on milk flow too early.  After the birth however, it may again be taken to stabilize the hormones and increase lactation. Research as shown it to be most effective taken the first ten day after birth.

In England and increasingly in the United States Chaste Tree Berry is being used to relieve the symptoms of menopause.  Both PMS and menopause symptoms are commonly caused by estrogen dominance and can benefit from the use of Chaste Tree Berry.  For practitioners of Chinese medicine, Peter Holmes categorizes Chaste Tree Berry as entering the Liver, Spleen and in particular regulating the Chong and Ren pathways. See note below.

Other studies indicate Chaste Tree Berry to effectively treat acne in both female and male teenagers.

In summary, Chaste Tree Berry is recommended for the treatment of PMS, abnormal menses, and fertility challenges especially if a progesterone deficiency is suspected.  In 2 large studies conducted in Germany, with more than 1500 participants, 57% experienced significant improvement of PMS symptoms and 1/3 of the participants expressed 100% relief of symptoms.  Clinical research shows that Chaste Tree Berry may work in as fast as ten days, but generally to see full effect one should take for a minimum of 3 full cycles.  With PMS, positive results may be seen by the 2^nd cycle but permanent improvement may take up to a year.

Chaste Tree Berry has little to no side effects, with less than 2% reporting mild nausea or rash.  Chaste Tree Berry can be taken as an infusion, tablet or tincture.  Dosage would be one half to one gram dried berries infused for 10-15 minutes or current dosage recommendations for water-alcohol extracts and tablets are an average daily dose equivalent to 20 to 40 mg of fresh berries. Preparations have also been standardized to contain 0.5% agnuside with the recommended dosage as 175 to 225 mg per day.

Note: Traditional Chinese Medicine uses a similar herb Man Jing Zi, or Vitex Rotoundifolia.

Both species are from the same family, verbenaceae, but have been used differently.  Man Jing Zi is used to relieve wind heat, and clear heat from the liver.  Used for headaches and eye pain or in combination with other herbs for Wind heat colds.

References:

*Bensky, Dan, Gamble, Andrew, Clavey, Steven, & Stoger, Erich. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica 3^rd Edition.  Eastland Press, Washington 2004

*Hardy MD, Mary L. “Women’s Health Series: Herbs of Special Interest to Women: Chaste Tree Berry.” Online membership medical site. Medscape. Mar. 2000. Web. <www.medscape.com>.

*Hoffmann, David L. “Herbal Medicine Materia Medica: Chaste Berry.” Alternative Health, Wellness and Healthy Living Information, Articles and News. Web. 13 July 2011. <http://www.healthy.net/scr/MMedica.aspx?Id=185>.

*Holmes, Peter. The Energetics of Western Herbs: A Materia Medica Integrating Western and Chinese Herbal Therapeutics (Volume Two). Snow Lotus Press, 2006

*Lee MD, John R., Hanley MD, Jesse & Hopkins, Virginia. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Perimenopause Warner Books, New York 1999.

*Murray ND, Michael. The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines, Bantam Books 2000.

*Werbach MD, Melvyn & Murray ND, Michael. Botanical Influences of Illness, a sourcebook of clinical research,   Third Line Press, California 1994

Contributed by Rylen Feeney, Independent Practitioner at Blossom Clinic, Portland, Oregon. To purchase this product from our store please click here.

Nutrition Consult with Dr. Elise or Rylen Feeney:  $96 for a 90 minute appointment and a personalized plan (40% discount).  In this session, your practitioner will look at your health history and discuss your goals with you.  If you are interested in beginning a cleanse regime, your practitioner will go over this with you to determine which type would be best for you.

Acupuncture or Amma for Detoxification and Cleansing: $51 for each 60 minute appointment with Liz Richards or Rylen Feeney (40% discount).  This is a targeted session to help increase your will power, support all processes of elimination, and assist your body in detoxification.  Weekly appointments are encouraged.

Optional Food Allergy Panel: $126 to test 96 foods! This is a great addition to a new dietary regime.

FREE 2 hour Class taught by Dr. Elise which covers many topics to help get you going in the right direction with your plan. Date to be determined.

If you have questions, please feel free to email or call us and we will set up a 10 minute complementary consultation.  You can also schedule online here.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the season of winter holidays was truly described with the classic lovely words: joy, light, peace, beauty, and charity of heart, while the other common but not so lovely words: stress, hassle, and hurried were replaced with, “time of serene reflection, making room for joy, slowing down to take in the beauty, connecting with those we cherish?”

There are small practices we can utilize in this season to bring the latter more to life/more to light. Holding firm to what brings us meaning in this season is a wonderful way to keep the stress at bay and make room for what is most important to us. Try making yourself a cup of tea and in a quiet moment, writing down three words to describe what you most loved about the winter holidays you have celebrated in the past, that felt the most filled with joy, or beauty, or with a sense of connectedness to others. If there are other words to best describe what you most wish for yourself and those you love for this coming holiday season, write those words down too. Place the three words which convey the deepest meaning for you, where you will see them at the beginning of every day this holiday season.

Each week, you can write down 4 simple things you can do to make those words come to life/light. For example, make a paper star, or candle with a note to tell someone how they bring light into your day/life, then send it or put it in their lunch box; make time to take a walk slow enough to stop and look at your favorite winter trees; make a winter nature’s beauty collage, call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in ages; take more tea breaks and practice mindfulness while sipping; or linger for a moment to really take in the fragrances you most love in this season, such as mandarin orange peels, or cinnamon or cedar sprigs, or chocolate gelt.

Check in to see what you might need to let go, in order to make room for moments with more meaning. Another day with another cup of tea, you can make a plan for simplifying-the-holidays to bring down the pace and so, keep the stress at bay. How many events felt like too much for you or your family, how many gifts being bought felt over the top, or what time of day or evening do you need to end outings so that you have time at home to slow down and simply enjoy being present in the moment and in the season?  Tape the plan for simplifying your schedule to your calendar, so that you can follow through with setting the boundaries required for simplifying the pace of your days/evenings.

Make a practice of setting a moment here and there in the day to check in with how you’re feeling. Stress lingers in our bodies. The simple practice of mindfulness where we check in, with awareness, with what is happening in our bodies, can be such a helpful tool for noting if we need to take a moment to stretch, exhale, or simply just ‘be.’ And the more aware we are of what is happening inside us, we are more able to communicate more mindfully, more lovingly in the present moment with those we love. If you find yourself feeling stressed, take a moment to follow your breath. You can simply note the inhale and the exhale, or you can imagine breathing in a feeling of peace and exhaling stress.  These are great practices to utilize when you get home, or when you get in your car after going shopping or after a rough day at work, so that you can return home to be present with those to whom you wish to give a present.

Wishing you much joy and peace this holiday season and in the New Year

-Annie Meneakis

Annie Meneakis, LCSW, is a counselor/therapist whose individual and couples counseling services include coaching in mindfulness practices for greater health and connectedness with loved ones.

K.H. Portland, OR

This year, they are bringing it back with even more prizes for a luxurious package worth over $1200!

The Prize Package* includes:

• In Shop Personal Style Consult with Scarlet Chamberlin valued at $50.
• Cut & Color with Mandy Zelinka valued at $160.
• Make Up Session and consult with Makeup artist, Debbie Davis valued at $65.
• A Nutritional Consult valued at $200 with Blossom Clinic.
• 2 Free personal training sessions with Rachel Crocker and 1 month membership atAlameda Fitness valued at $185.
• $40 gift card for service at Sugar Me.
• $100 Shop Adorn Gift Card.
• $75 Gift Card to Amenity Shoes.
• Private shopping party at Shop Adorn for the lucky winner and 15 friends. This event will be catered.

Entering is simple. Just send Nicole at Shop Adorn (nicole@shopadorn.com) a photo of yourself and a brief paragraph of why you need this Pamper package. That’s it!  Submissions for the contest will be accepted until Nov 22nd, midnight PST.

Then Nicole will upload everyone’s photo and story to their Facebook Giveaway album and open it up for “likes” from Nov 24th to Dec 1st midnight PST. At the end of the voting period, the person with the most likes takes home the prize! So, recruit your friends and family to log on and vote!

Note: This gift is non-transferable and is open to local area Portland residents (or those willing to travel).

We’d love it if you would show the Giveaway vendors your support and appreciation by liking them on Facebook!  Also check out this give-away from Honey Kennedy for a $100 gift card to Shop Adorn!  Click here: http://www.honeykennedy.com/2011/12/giveaway-from-shop-adorn/

*Terms and Conditions

Amenity Shoes: $75 gift certificate is good towards the purchase of full price shoes or boots, excludes sale items and cannot be combined with another store credit, gift certificate, or coupon. Gift certificate expires in 6 months.

Alameda Fitness: Free month of gym membership must be used in November or by the end of December 2011.

Shop Adorn Private Party: The party must be scheduled between 7-9pm from Monday to Friday or 5-7 pm on Sunday. The private party will coordinate with the one hour consultation with personal stylist, Scarlet Chamberlin.  Learn what pieces flatter your body type and suit your lifestyle.  Discover how to incorporate this season’s trends into your wardrobe and find out how to accessorize your signature looks.  Buy strategically with your stylist at your side.

Your privacy is important to us and Shop Adorn does not sell contact information. Please note that by entering the 2011 Giveaway contest, you consent for us to share your contact information with the participating vendors.

I am sad to see the Summer go.  It’s my favorite season – the time in Portland when the city comes alive with  perfect weather and a plethora of amazing outdoor cafes and restaurants.  It’s always such a pleasure to brunch at Tasty n sons , or to have an outdoor happy hour IPA at Portland’s own Hopworks brew pub,  or treat the in-laws to a delicious savory dinner of local meat and wine at Olympic Provisions.  The repercussions from too much of this imbibing, like bloating, weight gain and sluggishness, are less pleasant.  This, coupled with the shorter days, the cooler temperatures and the approach of flu season, makes Autumn the perfect time to clean up the diet,  improve digestion and reset the immune system.

Every autumn my partner Scott and I embark on some kind of health diet – what Naturopathic doctors call a cleanse. Three years ago it was an elimination diet.  Two years ago it was 3 months of  the “Anti candida diet”, last year it was my two week detox diet that includes a few days of juice fasting and this year the cleanse we are doing is what I have fondly called the post summer-of-gluttony “paleo” cleanse.

There are so  many great reasons that i love this annual ritual.  It gives me a natural boost of  energy before the daylight wanes, improves my digestion, and hep me shed a few pounds.  It also reminds me that planning and preparing food  is not that hard!  Actually, the benefits of having food that doesn’t make me sluggish or pack on the pounds are way beyond the mild annoyance of having to plan and prepare meals.  One of the other reasons I do this to myself, and Scott, is because any of these diets that we try out, are recommendations that i give to my patients.  I can’t tell someone else to eat a certain way unless i have already tried it myself!  So, here we are mid-way through our paleo-cleanse 2011.

But, what is a cleanse?

A cleanse is a period in which a person might abstain form food or activities, usually with the purpose of increasing vitality, losing weight, reducing pain, detoxification, improving particular health problems and more.  It can be strictly food related, or can include abstaining form activities like TV watching, alcohol, internet surfing and more. It also can include adding in healthy activities like gentle exercise, sauna, yoga, epsom salt baths or mediation.

My cleanses always involve a diet modification. Usually eliminating things that you regularly eat or drink that might be making you feel less vital than you could be. Common offenders: alcohol, wheat, gluten, dairy and sugar. Less common but also on the list of common irritants: corn, soy, nightshades, nuts, and chicken.

How about Colon cleansing?

Some think of colon cleansing as a cleanse, and this refers to using colonics  or increasing fiber in the diet to produce more frequent and more complete bowel movements.  While normalizing bowel function is very important during a cleanse, not all cleanses need to include targeted colon cleansing.

How to choose which cleanse to do?

Every person is unique.  We all have individual needs in general and different needs at different times in our lives.  It’s best if the cleanse you choose to embark on has been tailored to suit your particular needs.  For example, a person who is very weak, yet still under the pressure of a demanding lifestyle should not try a juice fast.  And a pregnant woman, would not want to be doing a liver detox or a fast.

Not all cleansing means fasting. We’ve been eating plenty on our cleanse this month.

Here is an example of a day of eating on our paleo-cleanse :

Breakfast: detox smoothie- detox powder, blueberries, flax seeds and coconut milk

Snack: Fritatta muffins

Lunch: beef and vegetable stew ( leftover from dinner)

Snack: celery, red pepper slices, carrot sticks and a handful of home sprouted nuts

Dinner: Roasted brussel sprouts, baked cod, salad

Dessert: Figs and walnuts for me, coconut paleo “ice cream” and berries for Scott

Rylen Feeney, BA, LMT, Dipl. ABT & CH (NCCAOM) and Whole Foods Nutritionist has over 22 years experience. As founder and co-director of The Wellspring School for Healing Arts she has dedicated herself to not only her patients but to the future of her profession. You can schedule Amma Therapy®  (a unique and powerful form of Chinese Medicine without needles); relaxation massage, herbal or nutrition consults with Rylen three days a week at Blossom Clinic.  Rylen has been at Blossom Clinic since its inception and has helped hundreds of patients improve their health through her knowledge and skill.  Patients have said of Rylen that she “She is a talented healer, in addition to being refreshingly warm, kind, and supportive.  Her Amma treatments are effective; the herbal supplements are specific and get results; and the information and direction she provides are life changing”.

With 24 years experience in the mental health profession, Annie Meneakis, LCSW has a broad base of clinical mental health training and professional experience. Annie includes individual, couples and group counseling, as well as neuroscience based mindfulness meditation and interpersonal neurobiology in her scope of practice. Some of Anne’s areas of emphasis include: Infertility; Relationship and Marriage concerns, including communication skills & creating more closeness and trust; Women’s Wellness – Maternal Loss & Miscarriage; Post-Partum; Depression/Anxiety; Menopause Mood concerns; Adjustments to New Motherhood; Stress & Self Care; Depression & Anxiety. Annie offers convenient morning and evening appointments at Blossom and has been described as having “the kind heart, understanding, and sense of humor families need in challenging times”. To read more about Annie, click here.

Trained as a Naturopathic physician, Dr Elise Schroeder, ND treats all types of health concerns from skin rashes and digestive complaints to sore throats and menopause.  However she has a special interest in women’s health and has spent the last ten years of her practice helping women find restful sleep, balanced moods, renewed energy, fertility and vitality.   Dr Elise takes the time to listen to each individual’s needs and concerns and is devoted to helping her patients along their particular path to health and wellbeing.  Dr Elise’s patients have described her as “thorough, knowledgeable, compassionate and deeply empathetic”.  To visit her blog, click here.

Jennie King L.Ac., LMT loves that acupuncture gives people real options for their health care. She develops a working relationship with her patients so that they are empowered to be more involved in their health.  Jennie is passionate about using acupuncture to enhance fertility both naturally and while women are undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology. She also enjoys working with pregnant women who are looking to ease the side effects of their changing bodies as well as prepare for birth.  Before becoming an acupuncturist she spent a decade doing massage so she has a lot of hands on experience. Because of this knowledge her other specialty is musculoskeletal acupuncture and scar tissue therapy. She has been described as an “acupuncture super hero” and “friendly, caring, attentive… with a great sense of humor”.  Jennie offers popular evening appointments two nights a week at Blossom. To read more about Jennie, click here.