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Staying in Balance Acupuncture

Insights into Holistic Healing

5 Powerful At-home Cold and Flu Remedies

2/12/2020

2 Comments

 
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Has cold and flu season been running rampant in your family? It seems like every day someone I know has come down with a bug.  It happened to me a few weeks ago, giving me the opportunity to practice the kind of self-care I'm always talking about. 

You see the body wants to heal.  It's something each of us is doing all the time.  We recover from cuts, scrapes, colds, broken bones, headaches, the flu all the time. And we don't always acknowledge it.

So even if you're feeling crappy at the moment, most likely a week from now that feeling will just be a distant memory.  But probably you want to do something to feel better today.

I'm going to share with you my favorite at-home cold and flu remedies to help you and the ones you love to get healthy, naturally!

1) Rest
You may think you're not doing anything when you're in bed resting from a bug.  Nothing can be further from the truth—in fact, rest is perhaps the most important at-home cold and flu remedy!  Your immune system is hard at work getting rid of germs that have invaded your bodies. Your cells are building energy.    

2) Drink Tea     
Cold Season Tea is one of my favorite natural remedies for a cold.  It contains herbs that warm the body and get rid of those pesky germs.  As soon as I feel myself coming down with a cold, I start drinking cup after cup of this. I feel the bug moving out. It's kind of magical.
Ginger lemon tea is another favorite of mine if you're feeling down and out with a cold or flu.  Simply buy fresh ginger root at the supermarket. Wash it and cut it into thin slices. Then put them in the freezer.  When you're ready for a cup of tea, put a few of the frozen slices in a cup, then add boiling water and some lemon juice. Also, add a little honey if you have a sore throat. 

2) Use a Saline Rinse
I do a nasal saline rinse every day, regardless of the season.  I like the squeeze bottle by Neilmed.  Fill it with distilled or boiling water (important)  and a packet of saline. I microwave it for 22 seconds. The salt kills bacteria from infections in the nasal cavity.

3) Try Homeopathic Remedies. 
Homeopathic remedies are made by taking minuscule amounts of something that brings on symptoms in a healthy person, diluting these, and treating  an illness in a person with similar symptoms.
I like Oscillococcinum for colds and flus.  You can purchase this at CVS or your local pharmacy.

4) Elderberry Syrup
This works great for coughs and can be purchased at Vitacost.
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5) Eucalyptus oil in a pot of boiling water
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a pot of boiling water and breathe in the steam.
These natural cold and flu remedies are all easy to buy and prepare, and they are all good for the body.  Pick 2 or 3 of your favorites, and you'll be feeling healthy in no time. Your immune system just needs a little TLC to get rid of and keep you from catching colds and flus.


​
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Maintaining Optimum Health Through the Autumn Months

9/17/2014

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Optimum Health in Autumn
The Physical
Keep your neck covered when you go outdoors.  This prevents drafts from entering the body and leading to colds and flus.  In Oriental Medicine disease is seen as being caused by climatic factors (cold, wind, heat, dryness, dampness) entering the body.  The neck is looked at as a particularly vulnerable area.  Protect it and prevent illness.

Change your diet to include the foods of the season -- apples, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes.  As the weather gets colder, start to switch your diet from salads and raw foods to soups and cooked foods.

Incorporate a saline nasal rinse into your daily routine.  This clears chronic low-grade infections in the sinuses and nasal passages, which can cause respiratory problems as well as inflammation of tendons, ligaments and soft tissue.  What a simple way to treat sinusitis, chronic cough and asthma; and also sciatica, TMJ, neck and shoulder pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Add 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt to 1/4 cup of warm water and add this solution a nettie pot or dropper.  Rinse each nostril twice.

Use acupressure to strengthen the immune system.  Massage the immune point, a tender spot near LI11 (pictured below), at least once a day.

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The Emotional
In Oriental Medicine, each of the seasons corresponds an emotion.  The fall is associated with grief.  It's a good time to process and let go of any sadness you may be feeling.

 The Spiritual
Take stock.  Has this year's metaphorical harvest been a good one for you?  Think of the things that you have reaped and sowed.  What do you want more of in your life?  What no longer serves you?  As you notice the seasonal change outside, take a moment to reflect on what inner changes you would like to make.  Write down your thoughts in a journal and look over them each week. 

Advice for all Seasons
Practice gratitude.  At the end of each day, write something you are grateful for.  This is one of the simplest and most powerful exercises.   A shift in focus can create a richer and more fulfilling life.
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    Author

    In practice for over 20 years, Bonnie Diamond offers individualized, heart-centered care using a pain-free, Japanese style of acupuncture.  Her work is influenced by her nine year struggle with and complete recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  

    Interested in finding out more?

    ​
    Schedule a free 20 minute online consultation.

    Acupuncture Consultation, Easthampton, MA
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  • Home
    • Bio
  • Services
    • Conditions Treated >
      • Back Pain
      • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia
      • Colds, Flus & Viruses
      • Depression, Anxiety, Stress
      • Insomnia
      • Multiple Sclerosis
      • Neck & Shoulder Pain
      • Preventative Care
      • Sciatica
      • Side Effects of Chemo and Radiation
      • Sports Injury
    • Craniosacral Therapy
    • Japanese Acupuncture
    • Yummy Healthy Food Nutritional Counseling
  • Testimonials
    • Google Reviews
  • Appointments
    • Free Consultation
    • Initial Visit
    • Contact
    • Forms
    • Directions
  • Blog
    • Yummy Healthy Food
  • Gift Cards