Got that achy, yucky, “think I’m coming down with something” feeling?

We’ve got you covered.

Here are some Secret Weapons, based on the beautiful healing art of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to get you feeling better in no time – and to keep you that way!

Secret Weapons To Stave Off That Nasty Cold

1. GET SOME REST.  In our fast-paced world, it is easy to become over-worked and exhausted. This leaves us easily susceptible to illness. Regularly scheduled “Me time”, and quality rest is not a luxury – it is essential for good health.
2. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE ELEMENTS.  According to Chinese Medicine, the weather and environment have a direct effect on our health. Extreme wind, cold, damp, dryness and heat can enter the body, causing ill health. Wear proper clothing to protect yourself from these environmental influences. Be extra careful to keep the upper back and neck covered as they are particularly susceptible to exposure.
3. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR FOOD AND DRINK.  Eat lots of cooked vegetables, whole grains, soups and stews. These are nourishing and easy to digest. Avoid cold, raw food and drinks, sugars (including breads, pasta, alcohol), greasy, fatty, fried foods.
4. REGULATE YOUR EMOTIONS.  Extreme emotions can cause the body to become “out of balance”. According to Chinese Medicine, each organ system is related to an emotion (Heart-joy;  Liver-anger;  Spleen-overthinking;  Kidney-fear;  Lung-sadness). Intense prolonged emotional experiences can manifest in the physical body – and vice versa. Consequently, it is important to allow emotions to be expressed in healthy ways, and to maintain a state of calm well-being. Regular exercise is a great way to keep stress and emotional imbalance in check. Activities such as Taiji, Yoga, Hiking, Dancing, are a few examples of whole body exercises which connect body, mind and spirit.
5. GET REGULAR ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS.  Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy, exercise and other methods, to bring your body back into balance so that healing can occur. Not only can it help you to recover from acute or chronic illness/injury, but it is an excellent way to prevent imbalances and promote vibrant good health.                                                                     According to Chinese Medicine, the common cold is generally caused by extreme environmental factors (wind, cold, damp, heat, dryness) attacking the superficial level of the body (skin, muscles). The method used to expel these pathogenic environmental factors is to SWEAT IT OUT. A simple way to do this, is to have a hot shower, then bundle up and sweat. Drink plenty of warm fluids, and get lots of rest. The final secret weapon is a delicious Miso Soup, which can help to promote sweating, and get you feeling better faster. It contains 3 Chinese herbs: Sheng Jiang (ginger root), Cong Bai (green onions), and Dan Dou Chi (Fermented Soy – Miso).

Secret Weapon Miso Soup

Drink this soup at the first signs of an oncoming cold.

3 cups water

1 golf ball sized piece of ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced

2 green onions – use the white part, sliced into small pieces

1 tablespoon of organic, non GMO, Miso paste

Bring water to a boil. Add sliced ginger and green onions. Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Take off the heat. Stir in the Miso paste, until dissolved. Let cool for a few minutes, pour into your favourite mug, then drink.

Yours in good health,

Caryn

(Photo credits: finecooking.com & delmonte.ph)

 Caryn Sherman is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist in Burlington Ontario. She is the owner and operator of Taking Care of Me: Acupuncture Health and Wellness.

For more information, or to book an appointment, go to http://www.takingcareofme.ca