Hi Everybody,
It’s that time of year again – the warmth of summer is starting to wane and the coolness of fall is building, leading to the cold of winter.
THE CAUSES OF COLDS & THE FLU- In Oriental Medicine, colds and the flu are caused by a combination of two things. (1) The transition from comfortable warmth to the harshness of winter which lowers immunity, and (2) more exposure to germs because we all spend more time indoors around other people who are sick.
Note that in Oriental medicine, it is not simply exposure to a germ that causes disease, but the strength and number of the germs we are exposed to compared to the strength of our own immune system.
PREVENTION- In order to stay as healthy as possible during the harsh winter season, there are several things you can do.
1. Try to keep your body temperature as even as possible. The colder it is outside, the more you bundle up. Animals grow thicker fur for this reason.
2. Take immunity enhancing supplements such as Elderberry, Vitamin C, Echinacea, Jade Windscreen, and Minor Bupleurum Formula. At the very first real signs of fall, start taking one or two of the above supplements daily. Every one mentioned is a staple for preventing colds and the flu. Take the supplement or supplements you choose throughout the entire winter season.
Most people have one or two supplement that work best for them, so try experimenting to find your favorite. But be consistent. None of these supplements work overnight, they all build immunity slowly, over time, which is why you start at the beginning of fall.
Most people recognize Elderberry, vitamin C and Echinacea. Less well-known is Jade Windscreen and Minor Bupleurum. Jade Windscreen is a Chinese immune enhancing formula, and Minor Bupleurum is the Japanese equivalent.
Hope this helps,
Dr Matt and Dr Robin
mattandrobin@yahoo.com (email)
This week’s bit of Useless Information: The third year of marriage is the leather anniversary.
This email is courtesy of Matthew Barnes, D.C. and Robin Barnes, D.C. Neither this nor any of our emails are intended to be medical advice and should not be taken as such. They are opinion and are for informational purposes only. None of the nutrients discussed here are meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.