Why I Named My Business Basic Balance: Keeping It SimplePart 2 of 2

What Does It Really Take to Stay Healthy?

Recently, a patient asked me, “How do you stay so trim? You must exercise all the time.” I smiled and said, “Not really. But we do burn 14 cords of wood at our house every winter.”

That Monday morning conversation got me thinking about how true that statement was. In my 20s, I had gym memberships and a strict workout routine—lifting weights, riding the stationary bike, sprinting on the track. I loved how I felt afterward, but deep down, I didn’t love the process. It took discipline, and when I couldn’t stick to it, I felt shame.

Fast forward to today, after nearly a decade of running a business and building a career in acupuncture, I’ve discovered something important: the real key to health is living in alignment with what makes you feel alive.

For me, that’s snowboarding through fresh powder, hiking in the White Mountains, and yes—splitting and stacking wood on a crisp autumn day. These things bring me joy, and as a result, they keep me healthy.

Health doesn’t have to feel like punishment. It doesn’t always require “more”—more effort, more discipline, more pressure. Often, it’s about finding what lights you up and leaning into it.

In Part One of this series, I shared why healing doesn’t have to be complicated and why doing less can actually mean more. Today, I’m taking that same philosophy and applying it to supplements—what I take, why I take them, and how I keep this simple and intentional.

Mindset First

Before we talk supplements, here’s the most important thing: in Chinese medicine, the number-one pillar of health isn’t acupuncture, massage, or even herbs—it’s mindset.

The way we think and speak to ourselves shapes our health. Intentional self-talk and practices like hypnosis or meditation help guide that internal voice so it supports purpose, wellness, and connection. This is less about restriction and more about awareness and conscious redirection.

The real medicine is already within the body.

Acupuncture simply helps point it in the right direction, clearing blocks so it can heal itself. That healing power is reinforced by the choices we make—the food we eat, the posture we hold, the depth of our breath, and our ability to observe thoughts without needing to fix or believe them.

When every choice is guided by intention—“This is a tool, and I trust it to support my body”—actions become sacred support rather than a crutch. That’s why even though my supplement list might seem long, it feels simple: every tool has a purpose, every choice has meaning.

Single Herbs I Use (As Needed)

• Passionflower – Helps regulate GABA and balance glutamate, easing shakiness and restlessness. I reach for this when I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and need calm.

  
  

• Milk Thistle (tincture) – Supports liver health. I enjoy an occasional glass of wine, and Milk Thistle helps my body process it well.

  
  

Favorite Chinese Herbal Formulas (As Needed)

Chinese formulas are an art and a science—multiple herbs working synergistically. I take these based on lifestyle, sleep, and cycle. Sometimes I’ll use a formula for 1–2 weeks, other times just as needed because my body now responds quickly.

• Relaxed Wanderer (Xiao Yao San / Free and Easy Wanderer) – For irritability or tension when I feel there’s “too much to do, and not enough time.” (In TCM: moves Liver qi and nourishes Spleen qi.)

  
  

• Gracious Power – For difficulty slowing down or feeling stuck in productivity mode. (Supports Liver yin and blood.)

  
  

• Gather Vitality – For overthinking or nighttime worry loops. (Supports Heart blood and Spleen qi.)

  
  

• Wise Judge – My meditation tonic; helps me drop into stillness. (Supports Lung qi.)

  
  
  
  

Everyday Essentials

Even with a healthy diet, modern life takes a toll. These two are my daily foundation:

• Trace Mineral Drops – ~8 drops in 30 oz water. Fills gaps caused by soil depletion, supports enzymatic reactions.

  
  

• ION Gut Support – 1 tsp 3x/day. Supports the microbiome, immunity, hormones, and mental clarity.

  
  
  
  

(Almost) Daily Support

• S-Acetyl L-Glutathione – 300 mg ~4x/week for immune support. Recommended by Rebecca Montrone at Wondrous Roots.

  
  

• Thorne Multi-Vitamin – 1 in the morning, 1 at lunch ~4x/week. Ensures nutrient balance when taking glutathione.

  
  

• Magnesium Glycinate – 1 in the morning, 1 at lunch ~4x/week for nervous system support and muscle relaxation.

  
  

• Totumvoss Collagen Chews – 1 chew ~4x/week. Supports joints, bones, skin, nails, circulation, and gut health. Plus, they taste great!

  
  
  
  

Honorable Mentions

• Charlotte’s Web Gummies – Sleep, Stay Asleep, and Calm blends for bedtime or busy days.

  
  

• OPC3 – A potent antioxidant. I cycle it a few times per year when energy feels low.

  
  

• Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Spray – My go-to immune boost at the first sign of a scratchy throat or before travel.

  
  

• Lion’s Mane & Host Defense Mushroom Blends – For nervous, immune, and respiratory system support.

  
  

In Closing

I hope this gives you a clear picture of what I take—and why. It might look like a lot, but to me it’s simple because every herb and formula serves a purpose. I don’t take everything every day—my goal isn’t perfection, it’s support so I can show up fully for my patients, my family, and myself.

Basic Balance is about simplifying the why, trusting your body’s wisdom, and making intentional choices. Supplements are tools—not magic. The real medicine is inside you. These just help clear the path.

With warmth and gratitude,

Allison, LAc

Basic Balance Acupuncture