Prevention 

The best way to combat illness is of course, prevention.  Here are my top tips for staying healthy all cold and flu season

1) Stay out of the Wind and Cold.  There is a phrase in Chinese Medicine that says "The wind is a carrier of a thousand diseases" so first and foremost- stay out of the wind.  If you do have to go out, make sure you have a hat, scarf, gloves, and warm coat.  I still can't believe how many people go out without a hat and scarf- I will never understand this behavior!

2) Rest.  Winter is an introverted period of time.  All the earth's energies have withdrawn down to the core and lay dormant until Spring beckons them forth.  Take this time to rest and go within- it's ok, our bodies need rest.

3) Drink a winter health drink daily (see the recipe below)

4)Exfoliate your skin.  The lungs govern skin in Chinese Medicine, and they also help circulate you Wei Qi, or defensive Qi.  The skin needs to be scrubbed and circulation stimulated- a massage helps and so does a good exfoliation.  

5) As the colds and flus start to go around, increase your intake of preventative soup like "Lung Soup" and begin the garlic lemonade (See recipes for both below)

6) Of course hand washing, but also hair washing!  Wind Evils love to hang out in the hair, so if you have been around sick folks, or a lot of coughing and sneezing, be sure and wash your hair.  Head to bed with clean and dry hair.

7) Chinese Herbal Medicine!  Ask me about the formulas you can take to stay strong, and what formulas to take the minute you feel symptoms- I am happy to help and keep them stocked in my Living Apothecary 

8) Fumigate!  A nice blend of herbs simmering on the stove all day not only helps your house smell good but will add mother nature's natural flu fighters cleanse the air and your lungs!  You can easily buy, or make your own with dried orange peels, clove, cinnamon, rosemary, etc.  get creative! 

DAILY PREVENTATIVE HEALTH DRINK

My Favorite Winter Health Drink

Organic Local Honey, a nice big plop

4-5 cloves

A Generous pinch of Cinnamon

A Generous pinch of Turmeric

A few grinds of fresh Black Pepper

A couple pieces of fresh Ginger Root

Add hot water, mix with a wooden spoon.

Sip slow and with good intention.

Enjoy!

Please note, if I am feeling run down or like I may be getting sick, I add fresh oregano to this tea. You could also add a drop of Oregano oil (essential oil - food grade) If you feel phlegmy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.  I also love a bay leaf in this tea.  Get creative and use your intuition, your body will tell you.   Drink it every day and watch how healthy you will stay all winter!

Garlic Lemonade (preventative)

If everyone around you is "getting sick" Hit this formula daily!

2 cloves garlic finely minced

1 whole lemon, juiced

1 cup of boiling water

Local Organic Honey to taste.

Add Boiling water to minced garlic and stir.  Let it steep for 20- 30 minutes.  Strain (if desired) and add the lemon juice and honey.  Drink warm.

Preventative Winter Soup: "Lung Soup"

Lung Soup

As always, make sure your ingredients are organic and if possible, farmed locally.  Locally grown crops and livestock will be more attuned to you and the energetic vibration of your body, thus making your food formulations so much more powerful!

Now, let’s understand why Lung Soup is so much more than just another chicken soup!

The Lungs circulate our defensive qi, wei qi, to block against evil pathogens (colds/flu).  It is important to strengthen this first line of defense, and eating Lung Soup on a regular basis all winter can really help.  I make a big batch and freeze the soup to always have on hand throughout the winter months!

The color for Lung is White, so grab your grocery cart and add a bunch of “white things” to add to your soup.  Use your intuition, you can’t be wrong!  Here are some things I like to add:

Cauliflower, potatoes, garlic, white onion, cabbage I tend to use Chinese cabbage or Bok Choy or Kohlrabi, mushrooms, Parsnips, turnips, leek, the list goes on and on.  Chop or dice into bite size pieces.

My base blend is typically Cauliflower, potato, garlic, onion, and cabbage, I then vary the ingredients.

I also add carrots and fresh dill because it is so good for digestion.

Directions…

Fill a large pot with pure, filtered water and add a generous handful of Astragulus Root, known as Huang Qi in Chinese Medicine.  I have Organic raw Astragulus root available for purchase in my office, or you can also find it easily online.

Add a small whole chicken, or half a large chicken to the pot and bring to a boil.

Boil until the chicken is done, 20-25 minutes or so, turn off the heat, and use tongs to retrieve the chicken out of the water and place it in a colander with a plate underneath to collect juices and water.  Take a small strainer and remove the Astragulus root from the pot, as well as any “ick” on the top. Discard/compost the "ick" and the Astragulus, you won’t use these anymore.

Add all of your chopped veggies to the pot, keeping “white” as the main theme!   Bring to a boil, then simmer until the veggies are soft.  Take the chicken meat off the bone and add the meat to your soup, add the juices collected on the plate, and continue to heat gently another 5 minutes, add any fresh herb now too (dill).

This soup is bland by design, it is a medicine 😊 To add more flavor, add salt and pepper or some lemon pepper seasoning.

Eat slowly and with the intention: "This soup strengthens my body and keeps me healthy all winter long."

Cures

Uh oh.... you got sick. It's OK, sometimes the Wind Evils are very strong and sometimes we wear ourselves down and we can't fight them.  Now you are forced to rest, and while you are resting, here are some formulas to make for faster and smoother healing....The "Cures" :)

FLU BOMB courtesy of Barbara O'Neil

If you get the flu, here is Naturopath Barbara O'Neil's Flu Bomb Recipe to help fight the flu naturally.

1 clove of garlic chopped or for more intensity grate it (if you are sensitive to garlic try 1/2 clove)

fresh ginger - I use about a thumbnail piece - grate it. (I don't peel the ginger but you can)

Eucalyptus oil - 1 drop (you can sub tea tree oil)

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1/2 a lemon, juiced

1 teaspoon local organic honey

Add about 1/3 cup of boiling water and drink when warm

Drink this 3 times a day until symptoms subside

PHLEGM BUSTER 

If you have a chronic cough with stubborn phlegm, this will clear your lungs!

Grate 1/2 a Red Onion

Grate fresh ginger - I use a piece about the size of half my thumb (I don't usually peel but you can)

3 Tablespoons Local, Organic Honey

The Juice of 1 Lime (can Sub Lemon)

Mix all of this in a glass jar and take 1 spoon in the am, and 1 spoon in the evening.  I always like to add a pinch of cayenne to this to maximize the phlegm busting capabilities!

If phlegm persists, increase dosage and take 3 times a day.  

Chronic Dry Cough, Lingering Dry Cough

Pears will be your friend in this case!  Dry Cough only - no Mucus!

You can eat pears or go to the grocery store and get Organic Pear Juice (nectar).  Take a shot - yes, just a shot, as you would a medicine - am, midday, and pm.  You will see results quickly!

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