Elizabeth Trattner is a doctor of Chinese and Integrative Medicine and is the only acupuncture physician in the country who has completed the University of Arizona’s prestigious Center of Integrative Medicine rotation. She is a member of the Global Wellness Institute, a contributing author for several medical publications, and has been featured in hundreds of national publications including Newsweek, Nylon, Health, and Elle. Trademarking “Ancient Wisdom For Modern Women,” she now practices in Miami. Here, she shares some of her wellness tips and industry favorites.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness is more than the food you eat. It’s about how you move in the world, your sleep, and your environment. It’s a delicate balancing act that encompasses living well.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love, and why?
I love Pilates. I have been practicing since my daughter was born 23 years ago. It truly keeps me aligned. I also love snorkeling—your sense of sight is heightened, and you hear nothing but the water. It’s so much fun to snorkel here in south Florida, especially in the summer.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
I went to cooking school 30 years ago, so I cook a lot of healthy food. I love making soup, since it is so easy and good for you. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), soups are one of the most nourishing things you can eat.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
I don’t drink alcohol, but I do have my patients drink Aperol with soda water and either pomegranate juice or bitters and lime. This drink has a third less of the calories, and Aperol is a digestif, which is a type of alcohol that stimulates digestion. I personally love to drink either seltzer or mineral water.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
I recently opened the first free-standing completely non-toxic integrative medicine center in Miami. This building has no formaldehyde or other VOCs. I’ve been working on opening this building for the past 15 months, and I had a LEED-certified architect and builder plus an environmentalist help this dream come true. The facility even has over 1,000 crystals buried in it, and the building has crystal grids embedded in all the rooms, walls, foundation, around the property, and in the garden. This building is currently going through certifications for the cleanest possible buildings created.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
Andrew Weil, M.D. He is my mentor, doctor, and friend. He has been such a visionary who changed the wellness industry. Many prominent integrative physicians learned from him, and I am humbled to call myself one of his students. I have learned so much from him. Something he taught me is “Joy + Pain = 0.” We put so much emphasis on joy and success in the West, but to have highs, you must have lows. It is part of life, and I try to remember this every day and talk with my patients about this.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
I actually believe the opposite; the best innovations are ancient systems of medicine. Recently with the pandemic, Chinese medicine helped my patients and family mitigate symptoms of COVID-19. TCM has been dealing with pandemics for thousands of years, which is brilliant.
What is your idea of balanced, healthy happiness?
Good sleep, good food, good movement, a good job, good family, good friends! I also think taking care of yourself is essential through meditation and working out; movement is my therapy. I also love using gua sha.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
Detox! You have a liver, so you don’t need to detox unless you have been exposed to heavy metals or chemicals.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
The beach underwater or in the middle of a desert.
Is there a particular wellness company or brand that truly impresses you with their efforts and why?
Yes, I have two: Ayuna, which is my house line for my Gemstone Acupuncture Facial. I have seen so many skin issues clear up from their soap and cream, whether it’s dryness or rosacea. It is the first line I have used from start to finish. I also love Agent Nateaur. Jena Covello, the creator, is a genius with her formulations and demands nothing but the best for her ingredients.
How do you celebrate small victories?
I celebrate with my family, and usually a “happy dance” does the trick.
