Quick Tips to Beat the Flu!
BOOSTING IMMUNITY & PREVENTING COLDS:
TIPS:
- Dress in layers, carrying an extra sweater with you can mean the difference between a 3 day flu virus that leaves you bed ridden and being able to go to work and proceed as normal
- Go for regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture is known to boost immunity and help stave off colds, allergies and the flu. There is a special herbal combination and formula known as the Jade Windscreen formula, be sure to ask your acupuncturist about this formula as it can help boost immunity and prevent you from catching anything
When considering allergies, colds and flus, the main thing to remember is this:
- THE SOONER ONE NOTICES THEIR CONDITION AND TAKES ACTION, THE SOONER THEY ALLOW THEIR BODIES TO GET BACK TO BALANCE
In Chinese medicine often we look at flus and colds as an exterior invasion of a pathogen, this is one of the reasons why the sooner this type of a pathogen is treated, the sooner we can help the body to get rid of it and prevent the pathogen from going further into the interior of the body
DO I HAVE THE FLU?
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS THAT WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE THE FLU
- FEVER
- HEADACHE
- STUFFY OR RUNNY NOSE
- JOINT PAINS
- STOMACH UPSET
- CHICKEN- Chinese medicine nutritional therapeutics has categorized chicken as yang, this means that its warming and warming foods provide the body with the nourishment to help fight off a pathogen. The goal when coming down with something or suffering from something like the flu is to have protein and avoid fat which can lead to mucus accumulation and more phlegm in the body. Chicken also contains iron which helps to boost immunity by increasing zinc and activating white blood cells to help the body battle infection
- BROCCOLI- Broccoli is high in anti-oxidants and gluosinolates which work to stimulate the body’s immune system and it also helps to add vitamin C to your soup
- ONIONS & GARLIC- Green onions and garlic boost immunity and are shown to be effective against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections
- GINGER- In Chinese medicine Ginger is used an anti- inflammatory agent and also as a way of calming an upset stomach which often accompanies the flu. It is also warming which may induce a minor sweat, aiding the body in release of the invading exterior pathogen
- SWEET POTATOES, CARROTS AND PUMPKINS
- HOT PEPPERS – These peppers are high in vitamin C and contain capsaicin which help to thin out excess mucus from colds and flus. These peppers also help clear the sinuses and improve breathing as the nasal passages work to get rid of germs. These chili peppers also help induce a small sweat that can help release an invading pathogen
- Chinese Medicine herbs that can be bought at a Chinese Market near you or at your local Chinatown
- JU HUA (Chrysanthamum Flowers) – often sold dry and in tea bags in Chinese herb stores, chrysanthemum is cooling and when used in soups it helps to rid the body of fevers, it can be especially soothing when the flu brings about headache or sore eyes
- YU JIN (Tumeric)- this is often sold in dry slices, but can be bought as a powder as well, turmeric contains curcumin, a polyphenol that has strong cold and flu-fighting properties
- HUANG QI (Astragalus) –this is a qi tonic that can be added to soup to help boost immunity and in several studies astragalaus has been shown to increase anti-bodies and help stimulate natural killer cells
1- EAT AND DRINK PLENTY OF VITAMIN C RICH FOODS
These include fresh fruits & vegetables, especially citrus fruits, black currants, brussel sprouts and strawberries. Also try to increase your zinc intake by eating lean meat, fish and whole grain breads and cereals
Helpful foods also include bioflavonoid rich foods such as cabbage with hearts as well green pepper with their insides left intact, parsley, carrots, broccoli, turnips and kuzu are also excellent for flus and colds, especially when cooked and taken in the form of a soup. Grape juice is also excellent when treating a flu, as it is rich in tannis and has been shown to kill viruses under lab conditions. It also has properties that work against congestion and a runny nose characteristic of the flu virus
2- STOCK UP ON YOUR GRANDMA’S CHICKEN SOUP
Chicken soup has many natural properties that are actually similar to those in modern cold medicines. Research has also shown that chicken soup also contains anti-inflammatory substances that work to ease upper respiratory tract symptoms. Dr. Stephen Renard who has done research on Chicken Soup at the University of Nebraska has explained how this soup works to help control inflammatory white blood cells. It is important to note that these inflammatory white blood cells or neutrophils often aggregate in the bronchial tubes during the inflammatory process and by taking chicken soup we help to stop that process
HEALING PROPERTIES OF CHICKEN SOUP
Vegetables high in beta-carotene work to increase vitamin A levels in the body, this in turn boosts immunity. From a Chinese nutritional perspective these root vegetables work to nourish the spleen and aid digestion
Chinese Chicken Soup
1 tbsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 red chilies, finely sliced or ½ to ¾ tsp dried crushed chili
2 “ ginger root, finely chopped
½ lb boneless, skinless chicken, ½ slices
5 cups chicken stock
3 tbsp soy sauce
Pinch turmeric
½ C sweet potatoes cut into ¼ inch slices
Broccoli head, separated into florets
3 green onions, finely chopped
Huang qi, Yu Jin, Ju Hua
*Heat seseame oil in pan, fry garlic, chili pepper and ginger over a low heat until soft and fragrant, add Chicken pieces and stir as you seal the outside of the meat
*Add in the stock, soy sauce, turmeric and sweet potatoe and bring them to a boil, then add any of the Chinese herbs if you’re using them
*Reduce heat and simmer for 10 min
*add broccoli and simmer for 5 min
*add chopped green onions and serve
( by: Jill Blakeway L.aC. )
3- EAT LESS THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD
Even going for more of a liquid based diet such as soup, vegetables and grain soup especially if you’re filling more chilled than feverish. If you’re feeling more feverish, try the vitamin C rich fruit juices or vegetable juices suggested in (1).
4- SWEAT IT OUT
Sweating in Chinese medicine is a common way to rid the body of an external pathogen such as the flu. Sweating is not recommended when one is weak or emaciated so be careful when using this method. There are certain kinds of herbal preparations that can be prescribed by an acupuncturist to induce sweating. The way this is done is by drinking a cup of the herbal formula, taking a hot bath or shower, having a second dose of tea and then covering oneself in blankets to help induce a sweat. Be sure not to sweat to exhaustion. After sweating, change the damp bedding and rest.
5- GARLIC: USE ITS ANTIVIRAL PROPERTIES TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
The antiviral properties of garlic will often help to stop a cold or flu right in its tracks. The goal is to take garlic every 3 hours during the day the cold or flu symptoms first appears. Half a clove of fresh peeled garlic is taken and held without chewing between the cheeks and teeth for 20-30 minutes. It should be moved around occasionally to help avoid any abrasion of the delicate tissue inside the mouth. If you feel that the juice from the clove is still too strong try using an uncut clove for a longer period of time.
6- AROMATHERAPY: SNIFFING AWAY YOUR SNIFFLES
If your nose is blocked and you feel your chest congested, add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint essential oils to a pot of steaming water and inhale the steam (be sure to avoid this practice if you suffer from asthma)
** Flu Gargle: you can also work to treat the flu by gargling 2 drops each of tea tree and geranium oil in a glass of warm water, be sure to stir well before each mouthful
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