A fast ( and natural ) way to alleviate DIZZINESS brought on by earthquake aftershocks
By Avi Landau
On March 11th, miles beneath the Pacific Ocean floor off the shore of North-Eastern Honshu (the largest of the Japanese Isles), the tectonic plates which meet there shifted, suddenly and dramatically. This movement sent a geological shock wave through the region, resulting in one of the most powerfull earthquakes EVER recorded, and in a devastiting tsunami, as well.
More than a week has passed since that fateful day, and still the earth has not settled into a comfortable position. That means that there have been aftershocks of varying degrees of force several times everyday. We have grown so accustomed to them by now, that we dont give a second thought to the slight tremors. We have even grown numb to the larger shocks, many of which, if it were before March 11th would have been considered big earthquakes in their own right.
Whether they are frightening or not, these aftershocks can have a disrupting effect on some: dizziness- something very much like seasickness.
In fact, I was a victim of this phenomenon today, just after a hardly noticeable tremor ( I guess the building I was in must have been swaying alot). I felt like I would lose my balance, and maybe even throw up.
When I told my friend about my sudden symptoms, she told me how to get rid of the feeling using self applied ACUPRESSURE and a special ( yet simple) form of breathing.
Since it worked for me right away, I thought I should share the technique with you- since there are probably many more aftershocks in store for us in the near future.
Here is what you do:
Use the index fingers of both hands to press at the base of your skull. This is an important pressure point ( tsubo) in oriental medicine called the BON NO KUBO in Japanese ( see photo above for exact location).
While applying firm pressure, breathe in through your nose for a five second count.
Then, breathe out your mouth while you count to ten.
And...... thats all!
It should do the trick!
So even though the ground beneath our feet has still not settled down- you can keep your head from spinning using this simple, natural, and very effective technique.
For more on what the impact of the earthquake on Tsukuba has been like, read my onrunning TsukuBlog Post ( detailing the earthquake itself, as it was felt in Tsukuba, and the following two weeks):
Print This Post
A Gathering Of Blues
Japan's month long rainy season (tsuyu, 梅雨) usually ends in mid-July, and that means there are precious few days left to savor its SPECIAL BEAUTY. Many Japanese consider Ajisai (紫陽花, or hydrangea) to be the quintessential flower of this season, as they look just right when wet, and enshrouded in mist. And though these flowers can be found almost anywhere you turn your head in Tsukuba, thousands of Tsukubans make long trips (or should I say pilgrimages?) to famous ajisai temples, especially in Kamakura. Nearer to home there are 2 other nationally renowned hydrangea-viewing meccas, the Amabiki Kannon near Makabe, and the Taiho Hachiman Shrine in Shimotsuma. Both highly recommended at ANYTIME. All the more so in this season.
The flower has a long history in these islands and many scholars actually assert that it is indigenous to Japan and in fact introduced to China from here. After centuries of breeding, numerous varieties have been developed and new colors, pinks and whites, brought out. By taking a look at the etymology of the Japanese name AJISAI, we can see that in earlier times the flowers were mainly blue, as the sounds used to make up the name originally meant a GATHERING OF BLUES (aji-from atsu (集まる) or gather , and ai (藍), indigo blue.
Hydrangea have another Japanese name, however, nanahenge (七変化), or seven transformations, which derives from the flower's unique characteristic. The colors of the petals change according to the chemical make-up of the soil! This feature has given the flower rich symbolic meaning in Japanese art and poetry -- especially to represent a fickle and changing heart. It is because of this characteristic too, that hydrangea were shunned by the warrior class in the feudal period, because for them, changing colors, or by extension loyalties, was anathema .
For Westerners, however, hydrangea can be seen as a symbol of silent devotion, as its scientific name, otaksa, appears to refer to Otaki-San, a woman from Nagasaki's pleasure quarter, who was the mistress of the German naturalist P.F. von Siebold, who went on to introduce ajisai to Europe .
One more point. These flowers are to be looked at and NOT EATEN. Recently, there was a nationally reported case of food poisoning which occurred down the road from my house in Tsukuba at the curious and pricey Italian restaurant Toeimon Sakae. The chef, in keeping with the season-conscious aesthetics of Japanese cooking(despite this being an Italian eatery), garnished a dish with the very IN SEASON leaves of hydrangea. These were subsequently consumed by the unsuspecting diners.
This resulted in what must have been an unforgettable scene, right out of Monty Python. You see, the leaves of ajisai have always been used to induce vomiting, especially when poisons were consumed. Imagine then, the eight customers wretching uncontrollably, spewing out their expensive dinners onto the antique furniture and tatami mats (this restaurant is in a magnificent thatched roof farm house!).Surprisingly,the penalty for this chef`s oversight was a mere one-day suspension of business.
while you're out there enjoying the last few AJISAI DAYS remember: LOOK BUT DON'T TASTE.
Print This Post
Advisory for smog was issued yesterday
I didn't know this until I checked the city website this morning, but the advisory for 光化学スモッグ(Kou kagaku smog), or photochemical oxidase smog (photochemical smog, urban ozone, Los Angels type smog..., I really don't know what is the correct or the most commonly used term for it) was issued for southern Ibaraki area at 15:20pm and was canceled at 17:20pm yesterday. People are encouraged to stay indoor while this advisory(注意報/chuuihou) or warning(alert or warning/keihou) is in effect.
Please go to the city's Environment Division's page(Japanese) to check for smog information:http://cms.city.tsukuba.ibaraki.jp/040900/
Or go to Ibaraki Prefecture's air pollution monitoring information page(Japanese) for more precise information:
http://www.taiki.pref.ibaraki.jp/index.asp
I don't have any background in science(in fact, anything "scientific" makes my brain cells gasp for air), so please bear with me while I attempt to translate the information from the Ibaraki Prefecture's website.
Photochemical oxidase smog prediction(予報/yohou) will be issued when:
- Hourly concentration of photochemical oxidant is expected to be over 0.12ppm,Photochemical oxidase smog advisory(注意報) will be issued when:
- Hourly concentration of photochemical oxidant is expected to be over 0.12ppm, and when the concentration is expected to remain high due to the weather conditionPhotochemical oxidase smog alert(警報/keihou) will be issued when:
- Hourly concentration of photochemical oxidant is expected to be over 0.24ppm, and when the concentration is expected to remain high due to the weather conditionPhotochemical oxidase smog "acute" alert(重大警報/juudai keihou) will be issued when:
- Hourly concentration of photochemical oxidant is expected to be over 0.4ppm, and when the concentration is expected to remain high due to the weather condition
If you work or live in Tokyo, or visit Tokyo often, you might be interested in signing up for this service:
http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/ox/bunpu/smog.htm
The air pollution prediction/advisory/warning in Tokyo will be sent to your computer or cellphone. Unfortunately, this is also all in Japanese.
The sign-up page is here: http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp/kinkyu/regist.html
Please note that the registration for this service will be automatically cleared at the end of every fiscal year (the end of March), so you'll need to register your e-mail address again in April.
Another very good site is "そらまめ君/Soramam-kun" or Atmospheric Environmental Regional Observation System.
You can pick the area you want to check the air pollution or weather from their main page like this:
http://soramame.taiki.go.jp/DataMap.php?BlockID=03
and, hallelujah!, there are chemical symbols and English abbreviations on the upper left corner of their website! You can see a particular air pollution type by clicking those buttons.
If you have very sensitive skin, eyes or throat for example, you may have very irritated skin/eyes/throat. In severe cases, some people even develop breathing trouble, severe headache, numbness in limbs, emesis, and disturbance of consciousness when the photochemical smog occurs.
In fact, one of my co-workers who has very sensitive eyes left work early to visit a doctor yesterday. My eyes were also irritated so bad that I was using eye drops all afternoon. I didn't know about the advisory for the smog, so I thought I was just tired or stared at my computer too long(!).
This smog warning is like the ozone alert, and I really think people should try to stay indoor while the advisory or warning is in effect. Did you know that the public schools do shut their windows and doors when the advisory or warning is issued no matter how hot the weather is? Please be careful when you go outside, especially if you take your small children out for a stroll. If they start to whine, it's possible that something other than the heat might be bothering them!
Print This Post
All-Natural Traditional Japanese Skin Lotion Made from Yuzu (citron) Seeds- how to make it yourself!
An all-natural skin lotion made by Junko Takasaki from yuzu (citron) seeds and shochu
One thing that never fails to surprise foreigners who wander through Tsukuba`s traditional hamlets in December is the abundance and variety of CITRUS FRUITS which can be found weighing down the trees in the gardens of nearly every private home. Most people imagine these fruit to be the products only of of more southern climes, and in fact, Tsukuba ( Mt Tsukuba to be exact) IS the Northern limit for commercial citrus cultivation. Besides the usual tangerine-sized mikan are the miniscule FUKURE MIKAN, which besides being wonderful to look at glowing on their trees, are used as one of the components of SHICHIMI, Japan`s distinctive seven-spice seasoning.
Citrus fruit (perhaps natsu mikan) along the road in Tsukuba in December
But there are still more citrus varieties growing in these gardens, most of them which I would not be able to identify without asking the locals.
Among these is the YUZU (柚子), or citron, which seems to appear in disconcertingly many different sizes, shapes, skin textures and shades of color (which can sometimes make it hard to identify).
These deliciously fragrant fruit ( more specifically, their rind) have long been an indispensible part of Japanese cuisine, especially as a flavoring in NABE, savory winter stews, and in one of my favorite dishes FUROFUKI DAIKON (風呂吹き大根). They are also used to make an assortment of traditional winter confections such as: yumochi (柚餅), yubeshi (柚餅子),and yuzu yo-kan (柚子羊羹)- DEELISH!
Large and bumpy skinned yuzu (demon citrons) and they are often placed inside the entranceways to homes to ward off bad luck
But more importantly, since ancient times the yuzu has been used on the day of the WINTER SOLISTICE (to-ji, 冬至) as an addition to the evening bath. Not only do the yellow fruit make a beautiful sight floating in the water and provide a refreshing scent, but yuzu has been believed to possess certain qualities which invigorate the body and recharge it with LIFE FORCE. This is probably because yuzu is the fruit which remains ripe on the tree the latest ( or among the latest) in the year, staying firm and strong even when it grows harshly cold ( and maybe because they look like the sun, as well!).
Today, I discovered another use for yuzu, one also takes advantage of its health-giving properties: making skin lotion!
I learned of this traditional Japanese beauty-care product ( and how to make it) from Junko Takasaki,who in turn learned how to make it from her mother, who uses it everyday on her face and hands.
I`ve never had the honor of meeting her mother, but one look at Junko-San`s fine complexion is recommondation enough for trying out this very easy ( and inexpensive) to make skin lotion.
Here is all you need to do:
Remove the seeds from several yuzu.
Place them in a jar.
Add enough SAKE ( Japanese rice wine) or SHOCHU ( Japanese distilled liquor) to immerse the seeds.
Let them sit overnight.
By the next morning, the oil from the seeds interacting with the alcohol will have made a lotion.
You can keep it at room temperature.
Use it everyday for the hands and face.
I tried it myself this lotion this morning, rubbing the slippery liquid over my hands until it had evaporated- leaving a slight hint of the yuzu fragrance and my hands as smooth and soft as a baby`s bottom!
Try it!
If you live in Tsukuba, you can just ask a local farmer for some yuzu. They will most probably be happy to provide you with a few!
Using Citrus Peels to do the Dishes
And just when I thought I had had my big scoop for the day, Harumi Takaya, who was also with us, told me about how she ( and many other women who grew up in Tsukuba`s traditional neighborhoods) do not use for or detergent for doing the dishes during the winter. Instead she uses citrus peels- especially those from mikan.
Just you the inner part of the peel ( the white part) to scrub the pots, pans and dishes. Apparently this even cuts through heavy grease.
Sounds like another all natural, cost-cutting idea ( with a long history of effetiveness) that you might want to try out.
Let me know how it works out for you.
Print This Post
Amazing Turn-Around ! Moxibustion Gets Fetus to Move Out Of The Breech Position and Thus, C-Section is Avoided!
Acupuncture, moxibustion and massage teacher and therapist Naruto Yoshida
This is testament to the indefatiguable efforts of generations of traditional Chinese physicians who over the years built up a vast body of data on which points of the body, when stuck with needles, pressed, or heated, affected OTHER specific parts of the body. Their endeavor goes all the way back to a time when someone realized that a pain in one part of their body, perhaps the lower back, suddenly disappeared when another part of their body was pierced, perhaps by an arrow.
No matter how they hit upon the idea, this system of treating bodily complaints became a part of the STANDARD PRACTICE of maintaining human health within the vast traditional Chinese cultural sphere of influence, including of course, Japan ( to which these techniques were probably introduced in the 6th century).
In recent decades, these traditional forms of East-Asian medical treatment have become more and more accepted outside their usual home turf and acupuncture clinics are now common in the US and many European countries.
( more than 30 years ago James Reston, a highly respected journalist for The New York Times, was in China on assignment and had to be hospitalized for what I think was appendicitis. After his surgery his pain was controlled with acupuncture. The reports of his experience helped make Americans more open minded about this, then, very exotic for of medical treatment.)
Though stories of the successful treatment of headaches, stiff necks and lower-back pain are impressive, for me, the MOST AMAZING thing I had ever heard of acupuncture and moxibustion`s powers was that it could be used to get a fetus in the breech position ( with its head up) into the right position ( with the head down), merely with the application of heat to the small toe!
A tiny cone of MOXA placed on the outer side of the little toe
It sounds incredible, but I have found that it really does often work, even when the pregnancy is in its late stages.
Recently, I talked with Naruto Yoshida Sensei, a teacher and practitioner of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage therapy, who had just successfully gotten a soon-to-be-born fetus to turn over into the proper position, thus sparing the expectant ( though anxious) mother from having to have a Caesarean section.
This is what the treatment involved in this particular case:
When Yoshida Sensei first met the patient, he talked with her to try to gauge her emotional state. Finding her to be quite stressed about her baby being in the breech position ( and dont pregnant women and their husbands have enough to be worried about already), and thus probably stiff and TIGHT throughout her body, he decided to begin with some soft massage. He gently worked on her shoulders, lower back, arms, legs, hands and feet.
Feeling that she had become appropriately relaxed and phyically loosened up, he had the patient lie on her side. He then proceeded to place a tiny cone made up of the mugwort plant on the side of the small toe of her right foot, and proceeded to burn it. This took a few minutes and gave her a slight burning sensation. This was then repeated two more times.
The same was done to the small toe of her left foot.
A SENENKYU applied to the same spot
This acupuncture ( and moxibustion) point on the small toe is called the SHI IN NO KYU, and this spot which, when stimulated in the proper way, gets the fetus to turn upside down ( which in this case is the right side up!)
As is usual with acupuncture or moxibustion, one time does not always do the trick. In this case as well, especially considering the late stage of the pregnancy, it took two sessions with Yoshida Sensei for things to take a proper turn. And this happened a few days after the last treatment. The patient had continued the treatments on her own at home, with a special moxibustion applicator ( with a small base), called a SENENKYU.
What a relief for the mother-to-be. She can now go ahead with a natural childbirth, which is what she wanted.
And for us, it gives us an dramatic proof of moxibustions powers ( though 100 percent success cannot, of course be guaranteed.
The SHI-IN NO KYU point on the little toe
By the way, the English word moxibustion, or moxa treatment derives from one of the Japanese words used for the plant mugwort- MOGUSA.
Another word for the same plant is YOMOGI. And I have recently written of how it is used in an important sprintime snack in Japan- KUSA MOCHI.
A SENENKYU applicator, on the left and a moxa cone, on the right
Another interesting point that I would like to mention is that for many older Japanese people moxibustions brings back bad memories of childhood punishment! It was not unusual for parents to discipline their kids by making them sit and endure the little moxa cones buring on their hands.
By the way, in Japanese acupuncture is HARI 、and moxibustion OKYU.
POSTSCRIPT- Acupuncture and Asthma
Right after I had completed and posted the original version of this article, I set off to join a group (consisting of family and friends) at a Chinese restaurant ( which are always more fun with large groups- you can share more dishes!).
Sitting next to me, was a old buddy, who also happens to be a native New Yorker. When I asked him how his day had been, much to my surprise, he told me that he had just come from acupuncture treatment ( every day is teeming with coincidence) !
Apparently, he had once gone to a clinic because he had been having some sort of pain, but when the acupuncturist found out that my friend suffered from asthma he quickly and confidently asserted that he could treat that as well.
According to my friend,the treatments HAVE been effective, and he has in fact been able to cut down on his intake of prescribed medication.
Print This Post