ACUPUNCTURE & HERBS provided by Bravenet.com

Rest

One big thing most people with colds and flus tend to forget is to rest. Your body may be telling you something....sloooow down. At the very least, go to bed earlier or wake up a little later. Do not over exert yourself. Also, try not to over exert your digestive system- eat less greasy, fatty foods and be sure to get vitamin C and anti-oxidant rich foods in. Give your body a chance to heal itself.

Herbs

Herbs are an integral part of Chinese medicine, and when it comes to a cold, they are vital. Knowing which herbs are most called for in your condition can be tricky, but I can help you make the right choices, be they teas, pills, or powdered granules. I personally like to pick my own yarrow, goldenrod, mullein, and organic tangerine/orange peel, which serves as a great infusion to beat the winter flu blues.

Aromatherapy

There are a few good aromas that will assist in your path to wellness, including eucalyptus and rosemary. They are best diffused, and can be just put in a pot of recently boiled water. Put your head over the steaming pot and put a towel over your head. Breathe deeply....and try opening your eyes when exhaling to get some good aromatherapy in there too. Room diffusers are also helpful.

Flus, Colds, and Winter Allergies

The historical and still practical Chinese medical texts devote large sections to the treatment of wind-cold and wind-heat. In fact, it is such a part of Chinese culture that lay people use these terms to describe ‘a cold’ and know some of the herbs to treat it. They also know that the acupuncturist can help them ‘release the exterior’ and thus restore health.

First we do what’s referred to as releasing the exterior through certain needle selections based on your particular presentation and constitution. We assess your current needs through a series of questions plus our usual pulse and tongue diagnosis. The depth of the pathogen is determined, and if it has recently invaded your body, then it usually needs to be released.

Herbs may be prescribed to assist in this process and altered to help build your system in the coming weeks. Similarly, your acupuncture treatment is altered according to how you’re doing and what is needed. Often a more building protocol is needed at this point, so we needle points to help boost your qi. By so doing, your inner strength is increased, and you can deflect those nasty pathogens next time!