Many Pulse readers are patients of acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists. Some of you have been informed of your specific qi imbalance or "pattern discrimination". A pattern discrimination describes the how's and where's of your qi imbalance.

Does "Liver attacking the Spleen" sound familiar? How about "Blood vacuity or Spleen qi vacuity with dampness?"

If you are currently seeing a practitioner they may be using tools such as acupuncture needles, moxibustion or herbal therapy to rebalance your qi. Have you ever wondered what you can do to help rebalance your energy in your daily life? Chinese dietary therapy is an effective tool that you, the patient, can utilize daily to aid and speed recovery. Yet many practitioners do not prescribe Chinese dietary therapy. Where can you get more information to help yourself? Right here at The Pulse of Oriental Medicine in Juliette's Kitchen.

I encourage you, dear reader, to email me the pattern discrimination given to you by your practitioner of Oriental Medicine. I will write articles with reference to these specific patterns (your personal information will remain confidential), how you can adjust your diet accordingly and even give you sample meals. I will do my best to address most inquiries over the next few months. None of the educational information I give is meant as medical advice or to replace the advice you would otherwise get at an office visit with qualified practitioner.

Your email must contain the following information: Please remember personal information will not be published.

• Your name, address and phone number (which will be held confidential)
• Your email address (also confidential)
• Your practitioner's name, title, address and phone number
• Your pattern discrimination
• Your western diagnosis (such as diabetes, heart disease, migraines, pregnant, herniated disk at L-4/L-5 etc).

Email all this to me

Recommended Reading

This month I am including a list of recommended reading. The list is in two parts. The first part lists dietary books written about Chinese Dietary Therapy and the second are western books about diet therapy, some use the principles of Chinese Medicine. Don't forget to read my past and present columns here at The Pulse.

Chinese Dietary Therapy:

• The Tao of Healthy Eating. Flaws, Bob. Colorado: Blue Poppy Press. This simple, concise, clearly written book is a must have for all patients who want to partner with their practitioner in healing. It even classifies vitamins and minerals within the Chinese medical paradigm. Order it
• The Tao of Nutrition. Ni, Maoshing. Santa Monica: Seven Star Communications Group Inc. A listing of many foods and their clinical significance written for laypeople.
• Also see "The List: Foods and their Properties"
• The Tao of a Balanced Diet. Dr. Chang, Steven T. Reno: Tao Publishing. Balancing the diet with the 5 Tastes Theory. Includes some recipes.

Western Dietary Therapy

• Food and Healing. Colbin, Annemarie. NY: Ballantine.
  Eleven years ago, this book transformed the way I understood food. I learned that food is a powerful healer or toxin. I learned so much more despite being brought up without fast food and lots of sugary junk. In other words, her books are for beginners and those experienced with whole foods nutrition. I had the pleasure to meet Annemarie recently at a conference and she is as wonderful as all of her books. This book is a great place to start then check out The Natural Gourmet for tons of easy, delicious recipes. Order her books at this site.
• 8 Weeks to Optimum Health. Weil, Andrew. NY: Random House.
  This book outlines an eight week program to balance your diet. It discusses supplements, omega fatty acids, the healing power of ginger and specific diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and more.Check out his site and order this book.
• Nutrition Action Healthletter. Washington, D.C. Center for Science in the Public Interest.
  CSPI is a non-profit health advocacy group that advocates honest food labeling and advertising, safer and more nutritious foods, they accept no advertising, government or industry funding. The newsletter is jam-packed with great info on a variety of nutritional topics and fun to read. Check out their website and subscribe.

Happy Reading and Salute!