5 Tried & True Ways to Protect Yourself During Cold & Flu Season

​1. Acupuncture -- 
Receiving acupuncture weekly or bimonthly is a great regular maintenance plan to keep the immune system strong. Acupuncture helps regulate stress response and encourages deep sleep to keep your body healthy and immune system strong. ​

2. Gua Sha -- Traditional Chinese skin brushing. 
This technique is great for the early stage of illness, as well as cough or asthma. Common areas to brush include the upper chest, upper back and lung channels. The scraping method helps to vent pathogens by opening the pores and releasing heat and toxins before they get deeper in the body. Look for videos on YouTube to better understand this practice. Gua Sha tools and liniments are available at the clinic or online.

​3. Chinese Herbs --
There are many different patterns that can distinguish how to treat the common cold and many different herbal formulas that can help with prevention and help stop the pathogen in its tracks. You can schedule an herbal consult to know which formulas are best for you to keep handy in the medicine cabinet.

4. Dress for the Weather -- 
Stay bundled up and follow grandmotherly, common sense advice. Keep your head, neck, and feet warm during the winter season. These are the areas where pathogens like to creep in. A scarf, hat, and gloves go a long way to protect the body. Try layering with wool and avoiding cotton in order to wick away moisture and keep the body warm. Traditionally, keeping the kidney area warm is also recommended.

5. Take Your Vitamins --

• Vitamin D -- Spend some time outside and get some sunshine! 
• Vitamin C -- Found in citrus foods and supplements like Emergen-C are great for boosting the immune system quickly. 
• Eat healthy foods! Wholesome foods will help you get the nutrients, vitamins, phytochemicals, and fiber you need in bio-active formats. Aim for colorful dishes to maximize your nutrient-density mealtimes. Keep healthy snack items available to avoid food-crashes and the intake of empty calories/junk foods. Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine.
• It's the season for rich bone broths, slowly roasted foods, root vegetables, stews, and warming herbal teas.
• Avoid eating cold and raw foods, such as salads, juices, and ice cream. Excessive intake of cold foods can be very hard on the body in the wintertime. Add warming components to juices and salads, such as raw garlic, ginger, or spicy peppers to counteract their cold nature.

- Kimberly Brown, L.Ac.