Avoid Colds This Winter with Natural Health
Winter is known as “flu season” so shouldn’t you know how to protect yourself? There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of catching a cold.
1. Get enough rest. In acupuncture theory, during the winter months we should be getting more sleep than the rest of the year. This is because our bodies were meant to change with the seasons. Winter brings fewer hours of sunlight so we should adapt accordingly.
2. Gentle exercise. Daily walks or gentle stretching can help your body stay strong without overexertion during the colder months. Gentle exercises like Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong are also great stress relievers and we all know that the holidays can be stressful if we don’t prepare ourselves.
3. Frequent hand washing. We’ve all heard it before and know it to be true, so as the slogan goes “Just do it!”
4. Acupuncture treatments. Post-acupuncture blood draws have shown that acupuncture significantly boosts your body’s immune system to help protect you against any potential foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria and fungi. Acupuncture is also very effective in relieving stress, which can tax your immunity, making you more susceptible to catching that dreaded cold.
If you aren’t able to protect yourself in advance and happen to catch a cold, here are some simple tips and hints to help you recover faster.
1. Miso soup with fresh ginger and scallions. It’s a very simple recipe that you can make at home using 1 tablespoon of miso paste (in the refrigerated section of the grocery store) with fresh grated ginger root (about 1/8 inch thick) and 1 chopped scallion. First, smear the miso paste on the bottom of a bowl or mug, add boiling water and stir until the miso is suspended in the water. Add grated ginger, chopped scallion and drink until you break a sweat. Stay covered up and avoid drafts or going outside especially while sweating.
2. There are several patent herbal formulas that are very effective in treating many types of colds. Some treat a predominantly sore throat like Yin Qiao San, others with sniffles or runny nose might need Cang Er Zi San, or if you have chills and sweating with a headache and stiff neck Gui Zhi Tang may be the one for you.
3. The above herbal formulas are generally prescribed with a course of acupuncture treatments that can deal with the acute phase of the illness to help you recover more quickly.
Yours in good health!
A.J. Sarrat
Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist