With temperatures reaching a balmy 73° today, can we officially say it’s Spring? Not so much, as weekend temps are predicted to drop back down to the 50s. You know what this up-and-down weather is really perfect for, though? Your annual Spring cold and flu.Contrary to Western medicine’s theory that viruses and bacteria cause illness and disease, Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes colds and flus to climate changes. This happens when there’s a relative imbalance between the body’s qi and the climate.
As we approach Springtime, Wind (Spring’s climatic factor), is our biggest enemy. Wind’s two main patterns – Wind-Heat and Wind-Cold – can carry similar symptoms: headaches, body aches, stiff neck, runny nose, cough – but with a few differentiating factors. This, your acupuncturist will determine. In any case, both patterns spell out C.O.M.M.O.M C.O.L.D. Yuck!
What’s a body to do? Here, a few suggestions to keep your body balanced and your immune system strong.
- Keep covered. Don’t put that scarf in storage just yet. On those especially windy days, keep your neck covered. Wind has that dodgy way of blowing across exposed areas and potentially causing that pesky flu or cold.
- Get enough sleep. Too little sleep can cause your immune system to plummet. Try to get 8 hours in every night if possible.
- Move your qi. Ok, in layman’s terms get out there and move. It takes something as simple as a 30-minute walk to get the qi flowing in the body. Any stagnation in qi can increase the risk of illness and disease. So get moving!
- Detoxify the Liver. Just like there’s a connection between the seasons and climate, there’s also a relationship between organ systems and the climate. Springtime is all about the Liver! One teaspoon of honey mixed with one teaspoon of vinegar is particularly beneficial in detoxifying and activating the Liver. Why? Because the Liver responds to bitter and sour tastes. Other bitter foods great in detoxifying include rye, romaine lettuce, asparagus, amaranth and quinoa.
- Get acupuncture. With the insertion of a few needles, acupuncture can provide immediate relief from cold symptoms and help the body expel pathogens much faster. Acupuncture points along the Lung and Large Intestine meridians are often used as they activate the immune function in the body.
- Make a yummy chocolately treat. Chaga mushroom powder is an immune-boosting superfood. It actually helps boosts the immune system when necessary, but slows it down when it’s overactive. Herbalist Melanie Flach at Rose Bear Medicinals suggests a recipe that is both delicious and nutritious!
Ingredients:
Chaga powder
Cacao powder
Coconut oil
Raw honey
Vanilla extract
Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
Toppings of your choice: goji berries, crystallized ginger, crushed nuts and mulberries
No measuring here. Go with your instincts, but generally use about same amounts of Chaga to Cacao (a few tablespoons each for a smaller batch). But, try to go with a little more Chaga than Cacao. In a bowl, add coconut oil and honey (about 2 tbsp each) until you get the right consistency and sweetness. Add a tsp of Vanilla extract and a pinch of Sea salt. Place in the fridge for a few minutes to harden the ‘dough.’ Once hardened, roll into balls and add your toppings.
Does any of this resound with you? Have more questions about Chinese medicine or acupuncture? To learn more about our acupuncturist Katie click here, to email us click here, or just call for an appointment 843-416-8218
