DAAN Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese medicine offer a variety of ways to keep you healthy and strong as well as to fight off the cold and the flu.

It’s February and we are still seeing patients come in for the common cold and the flu. Besides the respiratory viruses that were prevalent earlier in the winter season our healthcare team at the Tao of Wellness has seen more stomach virus cases since the beginning of the year. This has been true with other healthcare groups I’ve spoken to around the country. These viruses are highly contagious often affecting every member of a family and cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and with or without fever.

Each year, one in three Americans suffers from the common cold or the flu. In past blogs I have suggested natural ways to support the healthy functions of your immune system in raising your resistance against the common cold. Common sense practices include washing your hands frequently with soap, and wash your face at least twice a day. Refrain from touching your nose and face with your hands except with tissues. Also, protect your upper back and neck area when it’s cold or windy by using a scarf, because this is where most of the colds will attack the body leading to stiff and achy neck and head. Here are six more natural strategies to avoid the common cold and the flu.

1. Rest up to restore your immunity. Studies show that your immune system function drops by an average of 60% after just three nights of poor sleep, so be sure you are getting plenty of quality rest, at least eight hours each night. Can’t fall asleep or stay asleep? Try taking a hot bath at night before bedtime or soak your feet in Epsom salt bath for 15 minutes. It will help relax your mind and body in preparation for your sleep.

2. Eat sweet potatoes and mushrooms. These foods help optimize your body’s immunity function. Sweet potatoes contain higher amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene than carrots, as well as being rich in plant source DHEA, a potent immunity booster. Certain types of mushrooms, like shitake, maitake and reishi, contain polysaccharides, sterols, coumarin, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that have been found to increase immune functions and activities.

3. Garlic keeps more than vampires away. Throughout human history garlic has been loved as well as loathed. Loved by those who enjoy its intense aroma and pungent flavors and loathed by those who are repelled by its odor. The strong odor of garlic actually comes from a sulfur-compound called allicin that studies have found to be a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent. Not only has it been shown to be effective against colds, flu, stomach virus and candida yeast, it has also been shown to be effective against antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA. Besides repelling microbes, apparently even vampires don’t like it either.

4. Vitamin C to your rescue. The late Nobel laureate Linus Pauling did pioneering research on the benefits of vitamin C. It is regarded as the safest and most effective nutrient. A recent look at over 100 studies on vitamin C in the last 10 years revealed many conclusive benefits of vitamin. Not the least is its well-known property of supporting immune functions especially when the immune system is suppressed by stress. It may not prevent the common cold or the flu but it can reduce the risk of complications like pneumonia and lung infections. One can safely take up to 2,000 mg of vitamin C daily.

How traditional Chinese medicine could prevent you from becoming ill.

EVEN though traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gradually catching on, especially among younger people, there are still cynics out there who question the effectiveness of its methods in preventing and treating illnesses. But physician Zhou Yan from the Eu Yan Sang Specialist TCM Centre says there are no doubts about its efficacy.

TCM – a science that was developed centuries ago through constant experimentation and real-life experiences – is the real deal, she said. “The successes are accumulated, researched upon and passed down from generation to generation.

The fact that TCM is still surviving and has not been extinguished by medical advances is because it has proven to be useful,” said the 45-year-old in Mandarin.

The TCM physician and acupuncturist with about 20 years of clinical experience has seen more than 160,000 patients in her career.

She said TCM can be extremely effective – with almost a 100 per cent success rate – in treating illnesses, provided the physician makes an accurate diagnosis.

Treatments – such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic massage (or tui na) and cupping – can be very complex and vary substantially depending on the illness and a client’s constitution, as well as factors such as the climate, the client’s physical environment and whether he or she cooperates, she said.

“A physician needs to look at all these things holistically and consider each individual’s situation before deciding on treatment,” she added.

In a talk on Saturday, Ms Zhou will be focusing on issues surrounding “sub-health”, a state between wellness and illness where there are frequent onsets of unhealthy symptoms but where no definite disease or illness can be diagnosed.

According to a global survey by the World Health Organization, only 5 per cent of the world population enjoy good health; 20 per cent are diagnosed as being ill and up to 75 per cent are in the sub-health category.

Using TCM methods is best for people who are at the sub-health stage, because the treatment does not produce any side effects and can bring balance to your body and prevent illnesses before they strike, said Ms Zhou.

my paper posed the physician some burning questions from readers.