Revealing June’s Box Theme
Rosehive Superfoods has partnered with Traditional Chinese Medicine Student, Lauren Seiderman, of the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for June’s Box. The theme is Food Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine! Lauren is apart of a team of healers at Integrative Medicine US. Their instagram is nothing short of inspiring.
Learning Traditional Chinese Medicine
The yin-yang symbol illustrates two opposing yet complementary forces representing the harmony of perfect balance. This equilibrium is the goal of practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of medicine that views the healthy body as one who is in balance. TCM offers many treatments for this purpose such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, diet therapy, massage, moxibustion (burning of herbs near the skin), and cupping to balance the body and restore the flow of qi (your vital life energy).
Where Western Medicine tends to focus on present symptoms, Traditional Chinese Medicine involves both a root and a branch in order to perceive a diagnosis — the branch being the symptoms and the root being the fundamental cause. The course of treatment is then considered based on a combination of the practices mentioned above as well as Chinese herbs (powders, tinctures, pills, whole herbs, teas, etc.) and/or food therapy to bring the body back into balance.
We’re introducing June’s box as a beginners look into Traditional Chinese Medicine from a healthy and holistic perspective, independent of ones personal environment. This will give you an idea of how to introduce these foods into your lifestyle as a proactive approach to maintaining balance and harmony within yourself.
Now let’s meet Lauren! We hope you enjoy a look inside the therapeutic properties of June’s inspired box!
Meet Lauren
My love for Traditional Chinese medicine started when I was much younger, around the age of 12. I suffered from terrible headaches and often refused to take Western Medicine; I wanted to get to the root of why I had headaches. My parents took me for acupuncture treatment and within a few sessions, I no longer suffered from headaches! I was amazed at the results. Ever since that experience, I have wondered how I can help others through this method and finally decided to make my dreams a reality about 3 years ago when I entered school for Traditional Chinese Medicine. In a couple of weeks, (I’m so excited!) I will be graduating with a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have been lucky enough to study under some of the most amazing healers at the Shaolin Temple in Dong Feng, China and I am so glad I was able to work with Rosehive to put this box together for you! I have outlined some of the snacks, herbs, and powders I have been using throughout my studies and hope you learn about them and enjoy them as much as I do!
Discover Items Found in June’s Box
Jackfruit
Not only is jackfruit packed with flavor, but also many vitamins and minerals. It is indigenous to China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka and has been used for over 3,000 years. There are medicinal uses for every part of the fruit: from the seeds, to the rind, but the meat is the most delicious. Jackfruit has a great amount of Vitamin C, which boosts immunity and prevents colds. Eat this during flu season to avoid those nasty symptoms! Jackfruit also balances electrolytes in the body, is a good source of potassium, and prevents constipation. Fun fact: you may recognize the flavor if you have ever chewed a piece of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum.
Matcha
The Chinese name for green tea as an herb is called “lu cha”. It is good for the eyes and used to treat headaches. Although matcha green tea is typically drank while warm or hot in temperature, it is actually considered cool in nature, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Matcha helps regulate body temperature, so when you’re hot during the summer, reach for some warm matcha green tea instead of an iced water. It is also known to clear the mind, improve memory, increase energy, and uplift your mood.
Chrysanthemum flowers
Chrysanthemum, or in Mandarin, Ju hua, is in the same family as Chamomile. It has very similar calming affects on the body, but is just a little bit stronger. Ju hua is commonly prepared as a tea and benefits you when you’re sick, have a sore throat, or are running a fever. It can also help if you are feeling dizzy or suffering from any eye disorders, such as blurred vision or dry eyes. Great for those with high blood pressure! Try this tea at night about an hour before bed, sit back, and relax.
Raw Chinese Herbs prescribed for a patient in Dengfeng Clinic, China found on Lauren’s Instagram page @imedicineus.
Ginger root juice
Fresh ginger root juice, otherwise known as Shang Jiang, is also very popular in Chinese Medicine. Use this when you’re cold or especially when its cold out, this will warm you right up! We use this for nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or if you have a cold with nasal congestion. Try this with some hot water, lemon, and honey as a tea, or mix with sparkling water, mint leaves, and lemon for a refreshing treat. Be careful though, this will induce some sweating, so try not to drink it on the hottest day of the year.
Seaweed
Dried seaweed is the perfect alternative to a potato chip. It is crunchy, salty, and has way more nutritional benefits. In TCM we call it Hai zao; it is packed with iodine, helping to regulate the thyroid gland (specifically for goiter-a condition in which a part of the neck is swollen). Since it does have some sodium, it promotes urination and reduces edema. If you’re sick and have any phlegm, these seaweed snacks will work to dissolve the phlegm. I pack these in my bag when I go to the movie theater instead of eating popcorn. Enjoy!
Goji berries
One of my favorite items, Goji berries! In Mandarin they are called Gou Qi Zi. I eat a few of these every day as a sweet treat when I have sugar cravings. In TCM, the energy of this fruit benefits the eyes; they’re great for blurred vision or dry eyes. They also help if you have a sore back, weak knees or even early greying of the hair. These tiny berries promote blood flow and improve sexual performance.
Chia bars
These delicious Health Warrior Chia Bars are high in anti-oxidants and fiber, and help to regulate blood sugar. They are healthy, and the perfect in-between of light and filling, so I think they’re perfect for a mid afternoon snack when you don’t want to ruin your appetite for dinner. Fun fact: These tiny seeds have a gelatinous outer layer, and they can be used as a binder replacement for eggs in baked goods. So, get to baking!
Ginseng
Ginseng, or in Chinese, Ren shen, is used for a very wide variety of issues. Ginseng helps with anxiety, when used in small doses. It boosts memory, aids in digestion, and warms whole body. Make this tea when you need a little energy boost, without the crashing affects of coffee.
There you have it! We hope you enjoyed this look inside June’s box and learned more about Lauren! If these superfoods resonate with you we would be SO excited to see you sign up for June’s box. You can use discount code LAUREN15 for 15% off! The deadline to sign up for The Food Therapy in TCM Box is May 31st by 11:59pm EST. We don’t want you to miss out on over $60 worth of dense-nutrient rich foods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Pre-order June’s box here.
Learn more about Lauren – Instagram, Website
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