PHOENIX, AZ, JULY 15, 2009 – Sick of the same standard “beat the heat” tips that surface year after year, every time temperatures climb into triple-digit territory? So is the team of experts at the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA,) and they’ve come up with a list of new techniques that don’t involve high-calorie treats, thousand-dollar AC bills or water parks full of long lines of screaming children.
PIHMA, the state’s oldest and largest accredited Asian Medicine school, offers a fresh look at ways to keep cool this summer.

1) Acupressure, Acupuncture , Gwa sha and Cupping can provide immediate heat relief.
(e.g. LI -11 (Large Intestine 11, at lateral elbow crease) is a common point to massage to help clear heat)

2) Drink peppermint or chrysanthemum tea. Chrysanthemum tea is particularly good at clearing heat from the head and eyes.

3) To clear heat and moisten dryness, eat watermelon, asparagus, salads, chicken, lemon, grapefruit, potato, salt (that’s why we crave salty potato chips when we are dehydrated), pear, apple, pineapple, tofu, honey, mango and eggs.

4) AVOID ice cold drinks and food, which creates more internal heat because our bodies heat up and work harder to digest ice cold food and drink.

5) To drain damp, which also blocks circulation of heat, consume green tea, lemon, parsley, radish, barley, celery, corn, garlic.

6) To avoid creating dampness in the body, stay away from wheat, bread, orange, tomato, beer, yeast, sugar, bananas, pork and dairy (including ice cream)
Presented by the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA), College & Clinic, www.pihma.edu, 602-274-1878; 301 E. Bethany Home Road, A-100, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

About PIHMA
The Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA), now in its 13th year, is the Valley's only accredited Asian medical college, offering 4-year Master of Science degrees in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Located at 301 E. Bethany Home Road, the graduate programs offer the highest level of training in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with over 3000 hours of Oriental medical theory & practicum, herbal medicine & dietary therapy, Western science, and an extensive clinical internship, including an onsite community clinic. PIHMA graduates work in independent practice, at hospitals and integrative medical clinics, and in professional therapeutic settings. PIHMA also offers a speakers bureau to educate the public on how Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine works.