Chinese medicine is all about living in tune with the seasons. This means adapting what we eat, what we wear, and energetically adapting, too.
Here are 4 tips for staying healthy this fall:
1. Wear a scarf.
In Chinese medicine, Wind & Cold are pathogenic factors that can lead to disease and pain (think cold & flu symptoms, Bell's palsy, headaches, wandering pain, etc.). The neck, upper back & chest are easy points of entry for Wind & Cold. Wearing a scarf is a simple way to protect your body and prevent disease on those cool and windy fall days.
2. Eat warming foods.
As the days get colder, warm and easy to digest meals (like soups & stews) help our bodies adjust to the seasonal change and promote better health. Besides the physical temperature, each food has an energetic temperature, too. Some common warming foods are ginger, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, chive, onion, winter squash, pumpkin, leek, cherry, peach, chicken, beef & lamb.
3. Drink ginger & scallion tea at the first sign of a cold or flu.
Fatigue, slight chills, muscle aches, headache, runny nose?
Ginger & scallion tea can help you recover quickly from early stage colds & flu!*
To make:
Boil 3 cups water + 6 slices ginger root (each slice = about the size of a quarter)
+ 6 scallions (white part only).
Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, and add honey to sweeten.
Drink the tea and wrap yourself in a blanket to promote a light sweat. Drink 3-4x/day. If you don't feel a light sweat, you may need to add more ginger & scallion to the next batch. Discontinue if symptoms progress.
*Note: If you have a high fever or burning sore throat, this tea is not for you!
4. Stay healthy with acupuncture!
As the days get colder, we see a major increase of pain, colds & flu, and seasonal affective disorder here in the clinic. Acupuncture & Chinese medicine is a safe and effective way to naturally reduce pain, boost the immune system, and stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce depression & anxiety.
Wondering if acupuncture is right for you? Call us for a free 15-minute consultation!
651-272-6260
*This information is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.