Tips for cold and flu prevention

We are in the middle of cold and flu season so here are a few tips that can help you avoid catching any unfriendly germs. These tips are for the early onset stage and if utilized can stop a cold/flu in its tracks.

1. Drink 4 cups fresh ginger root tea (recipe as follows).
2. Avoid sugar (lowers immune system within 30 minutes of consumption).
3. Get enough rest.
4. Receive acupuncture to boost immune system.

Fresh ginger is classified in the release the exterior category of Traditional Chinese Medicine. What this means is that herbs in this category help assist the body in flushing out pathogens that have entered the body from an external source. Dried ginger has a different property than fresh and is more useful in aiding weak digestion. Hence, using ginger tea bags in the following recipe will be ineffective in the releasing of cold or flu.

Ginger Tea recipe:
1. Slice approximately 2 inches of ginger root into thin slices (skin okay).
2. Place ginger into 4 cups boiling water.
3. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Strain into cup and add honey, if desired, to mitigate spiciness.
5. Drink all tea in one sitting, one cup after the other until all gone.

It should be noted that this recipe is only applicable at the first signs of a cold or flu; usually the first day only. Once the disease has gotten a good foothold ginger tea will no longer be effective. It may even have a detrimental effect of adding unnecessary heat if the disease has fully manifested.

If you are feeling “off” or know you’re about to catch cold, come in right away for acupuncture. Do not worry about exposing the germs to us, the practitioners. Acupuncture stimulates and strengthens the immune system, and you can take advantage of “Sifu’s Immortality Treatment” which only costs $25, is a great treatment for prevention and is also good for an energy boost.

Do you have other tips for preventing colds? Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions. Thanks.

Leslie Shanai

Happy Chinese New Year and Welcome to our blog!

Today marks the one (lunar) year anniversary of our opening in our current center at 1640 Siskiyou Blvd. We LOVE it here and hope that you also find our setting nourishing, relaxing and healing!

At People’s Choice, we are always looking for ways to serve you and we are excited by the addition of the blog. It is a wonderful venue for us to interact and share information.

We plan on making this blog entertaining as well as useful. Check back to learn about eating in harmony with the seasons – including tasty recipes, tips for keeping yourself healthy, DIY Chinese medicine practices such as qigong and moxabustion and more. We want your comments and feedback! Let us know how we’re doing, how You’re doing and please share any stories or info you think we and the others here would appreciate.

To your health and happiness this Year of the Dragon, and beyond,

Leslie Shanai &Chadwick Moyer, Licensed Acupuncturists