Immune Boosters, Bug Busters

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” Henry Ford

I was just in Colorado to visit some friends and to attend a Japanese acupuncture workshop. I am so pumped up about sharing the new things I had learned from Edward Obaidey, a seasoned acupuncturist in Tokyo. Despite feeling disgusting and trying to get over a slight cold, I managed to learn some new applications of needling and moxibustion. The highlight of learning from Obaidey sensei is that I always take away a lesson or two about being myself and being a practitioner to my patients.

For longevity, moxa Stomach 36. Teachers have always said if you moxibustion this point every day you will not get sick. On the first day of the seminar, I was so wiped out. I could barely keep my eyes open, because I felt so drained. Before starting his talks on day 2 and 3 of the workshop, Obaidey sensei would take questions as all of the students performed moxa on themselves. I felt better immediately after the first session; my foggy head started to clear and my appetite came back! I was able to focus and function for the rest of the workshop.

What is Stomach 36?

Zu San Li, “Three Leg Mile”, as it is called in Chinese, is one of the best points for digestion and immunity. I love using this amazing point on my patients to give their immune system a boost, especially as we approach seasonal changes.

Keeping your immune system healthy by resting, eating well, and doing things in moderation, and of course, taking regular trips to your acupuncturist can prevent you from getting sick.

Little known fact: If you start to feel sick, don’t cancel your acupuncture appointment. Go get treated! Acupuncture and herbs can help you fight off whatever you have and reduce your recovery time.

At home arsenal: if you start to feel a bit under the weather, you may already have these things at home that are in some traditional Chinese herbal formulas. Reach for these as soon as you feel sick. Don’t wait! If you can nip it in the butt, then your condition should get better.

Cold, achy, tight neck and back, unable to break a sweat? Gui Zhi Tang, Cinnamon Twig Decoction. Try a cinnamon and ginger tea, soup, a hot shower, and bundle up to warm up until you start to sweat.

Feverish, mild chills, thirsty, headache, sore throat, cough? Yin Qiao San, Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder. Try Airborne and a salt water gargle.

Things to avoid while you’re sick: alcohol, spicy foods, citrus, and dairy.

Things to stick to: bland, easy to digest diet.

These are a few things that can help you. Rest and love your body so you can bounce back quickly. Stay well, my friends!

~Eva