Home Remedies for Colds , Cough & Sore Throats

Everyday is an opportunity to support your health.

Knowing which herbs, spices and plants that are antiviral and medicinal can help keep you and your family healthier and protect yourself from flus and viruses such as Covid-19. Including them in recipes is a way to maintain good health and also create your own natural medicine cabinet.

Immune and prevention

• Raw Honey: Its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-fungal it helps soothe sore throats and can be used for wound disinfectant and healing. Manuka honey comes from the Manuka tree that is in the Tea Tree family. 

Add to tea, hot water and lemon.

Cough and bronchitis: 

Poached pear recipe: This adaptation of a classic Chinese remedy for dry cough, bronchitis and sore throat also boosts the immune system. The original is poached pears with rock candy, but instead substitute with honey.

Poached pears are great to have in the morning as well.

• Ingredients: 2 pears (asian pears preferable) ginger, lemon, and honey.

• Cut the core from the pear, place in water with sliced ginger, bring to a boil, then let simmer for 15-20mins, then add lemon and last honey. 

• The pears will be infused with the ginger and lemon and can be stored in the refrigerator, the juice you can drink. 

• Pears contain high levels of antioxidants (cancer fighting), including vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. The natural properties from the pear (pectin) soothes the throat and moistens dryness of the cough and reduces the phlegm. Poached pear helps to keep your respiratory tract hydrated, soothe throat irritations, alleviate dry coughs

• Great for kids and you can add cinnamon to make it a dessert

Upset stomach and lung

• Ginger: The healing properties of ginger are many and can be added to soups and tea.  For upset stomach rice that is cooked with ginger and broth until a gruel consistency is easy on the digestion especially post during illness where the body needs simple foods. Ginger has many antimicrobial and anti viral properties and aids with digestion and upset stomach.Research shows fresh ginger is effective against respiratory viruses.  Ginger is a root that is added to almost all Chinese herbal formulas because it helps with absorption of nutrients.

Cough, asthma and bronchitis:

• Thyme: Thyme for bronchitis. Studies showed Thyme along with primrose helped with cough and bronchitis and was far superior for treating bronchitis compared to a placebo.You can make thyme flavored water, by taking fresh sprigs and bruising to release the oils in the herb and infusing water. You can keep cooled in the refrigerator.

If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can make tea with dried thyme, add 2 tsps to a cup of hot water and let it steep.  

• Tulsi tea: ( holy basil) Research shows it is a “super herb” that has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, the list is long for it’s healing properties. It is ideal for immune support and easy to keep with you in tea form or as an essential oil.

Tulsi is excellent for asthma and coughs, it can be inhaled by using essential oil in a diffuser or a couple drops in the palms and taking a couple of deep breaths, the healing. You can purchase tulsi tea in the supermarket or online.

Natural Remedies for a Sore Throat

Most sore throats are from a viral infection from a cold or a flu, but they can also come from a bacterial infection as in the case of strep throat. 

The nose and throat are the gateway of infection into the body. At the onset of a scratchy or sore throat taking natural remedy can quickly and effectively relieve the inflammation and  prevent more serious infection. The key with any medicinals is to use them appropriately to support the body’s natural healing mechanism.

Most natural remedies are safe to use and effective for children and during pregnancy, but it is always wise to consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

Classic Chinese herbal remedies from the Han dynasty 200BC-220AD to Qing dynasty 1644-1836 successfully treat sore throats as well as more serious febrile diseases. They are in use today because of their efficacy.

Yin Qiao Ma Bo San: Honeysuckle, Forsythia, and Puffball powder)  Treats severe sore throat with difficulty swallowing as with febrile diseases such as covid-19.  

Contains: Honeysuckle, Forsythia, burdock root, Belamcanda Rhizome, .Puffball, the fruiting body of mushrooms), 

Forsythia: (Lian Qiao)has anti-inflammatory properties and is a main herb in many Chinese herbal formulas involving sore throats and fevers. 

Honeysuckle: (Jin Yin Hua) studies show that it has strong anti-viral properties. In chinese herbal medicine honeysuckle is called Jin Yin Hua and is a main herb in many formulas used for prevention and treatment of Covid-19. 

Burdock root seed: (Niu Bang Zi) Burdock root is both food and medicine. In Chinese medicine it is called Niu Bang and the seeds Niu Bang Zi are used for treating “heat” conditions such as fever, cough, and a sore, red swollen throat.  It is combined with other herbs to create fever formulas and “heat” conditions.

Heat conditions in Chinese medicine are inflammations such as arthritis or infections, in particular studies show that Burdock root is anti-inflammatory and also antioxidant meaning that it is cancer fighting. Research shows that the extracts of burdock root are able to break down the biofilm of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics treatment of bladder infections. 

Puffball mushroom(Ma Bo) -  Mature fruiting body has many antioxidant properties and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Yin Qiao San: (Honeysuckle and Forsythia powder) Treats fever, headache, cough and sore throat. This is the early stage of getting sick, and patients take it as soon as they feel a little scratchy throat. The chief herbs Honeysuckle and Forsythia.

Research  shows this formula is effective for upper respiratory infections and common colds. It is a classic Chinese medicine formula.

Ban Lan Gen and Da Qing Ye: Isatis root and Isatis leaf treat influenza and sore throat. Usually these herbs are part of a formula, but can be found and used as a single herb in a tincture or in a lozenge form in an Asian herbal shop.

Herbs and herbal teas can be brewed alone or in combinations, all one needs is hot water and let them steep. Teas can also be stored in the refrigerator as a cold beverage. 

• Peppermint tea: Helps with digestion and the menthol in peppermint helps with opening the sinuses. In Chinese herbal medicine it is called Bo He and is a chief herb for sinus and throat formulas. 

• Dandelion flower tea: Sore throats and mastitis, it is also good for “heat” conditions such as  bladder infections and inflammation. In Chinese herbal medicine it is called Pu Gong Ying and is used in formulas for breast tenderness and mastitis with breastfeeding and detoxing the liver.  Studies show that dandelion also helps with liver function and  has anti-diabetic effects which helps with blood sugar regulation.

• Honeysuckle: Use for sinus upper respiratory tract infections including colds, influenza, pneumonia, digestive disorders and studies show that it has strong anti-viral properties. In Chinese herbal medicine honeysuckle is called Jin Yin Hua and is a main herb in many formulas used for prevention and treatment of Covid-19. 

• Chrysanthemum flower tea: Is used traditionally for summer teas and is as popular as green tea. It is called Ju Hua in Chinese medicine and studies show that it can help reduce inflammation, extracts of chrysanthemum show that it can help with osteoporosis. Similar to Dandelion Ju Hua also can relieve liver toxicity by “cooling” the blood. 

• Gargling with apple cider vinegar and warm salt water. Vinegar and salt water can help relieve swollen and inflamed tissue in the throat and break up mucus. Both vinegar and salt create an environment that is unfriendly to bacteria that may be causing the inflammation. They both disrupt the biofilms formed by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. 1-2 teaspoons of ACV in warm water with salt, gargle 20-30 seconds then spit.

• Honey, Lemon and Ginger for a Sore throat: I recommend to my patients Manuka honey to add to their tea with lemon and ginger.  Manuka honey comes from the flowers of Manuka shrub that are in the Tea Tree family that have stronger antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties than average honey. 

Why a Balanced Immune System is the Key to Total Body Wellness

Health is not a matter of luck. It is something you create.

The immune system is a regulatory function meaning that it is in a state of “dynamic balance” this is something that is observed in the Daoist principles of Chinese and East Asian Medicine. Using the metaphor of Qi or life energy flow helps to look at health as vital energy.

Wei Qi is the defensive Qi that surrounds us and protects us from illness that are referred to as “evil” pathogens.

For the most part we don’t notice our immune system at work unless we get a runny nose , a rash or a fever. A well balanced system just works, this is know as homeostasis.

When a person has a balanced immune system, they may not notice any “symptoms” because the immune system is able to recognize immediately pathogens surrounding them and escort them out or “kill them”. Their body can sense when there is something off and respond rapidly to auto-regulate. 

Getting sick is really our immune system responding to an attack and it just happens that we are the battlefield where the attack is taking place.

In Asian culture, the practice of cultivating health and longevity, this involves practices that strengthen the mind body connection. There are principles that support the development of optimal health and wellness. The 8 principles in East Asian medicine are. food, exercise, meditation/mindfulness, acupuncture, herbs, bodywork, cosmology (season and planetary influences) and Feng Shui (the art and science of placement).

How to work with the genetics you were born with so you can take charge of your health destiny.

You are born with a constitution (genetic predisposition) that has strengths and weaknesses and as you develop nutrition, activities, behaviors environmental factors influence your health and wellbeing.  

Scientific research shows that environmental factors play a role in our immune system in the form of epigenetics. Environmental chemicals, nutrition, emotional and stress challenge the immune system and your body chemistry can turn on certain genes that later can become chronic diseases. 

A balanced immune system does not mean you won’t get “sick” The symptoms we call sick such as, a runny nose, sneezing, fever, cough, sweating, vomiting and diarrhea are the body’s way of getting rid of a virus or bacteria. 

This means making sure to get proper nutrition, exercise, sleep as well as cultivate mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.  

The idea of “boosting” is really more like making sure that the immune system is supported so that your body will do what it does best balance and heal, and will have energy when it encounters a pathogen or virus.

• Start now even if it is a baby step!

• Hydrate with water and avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol

• Foods that are plant based and anti-inflammatory

• Food that is nutrient dense so that the body can absorb and metabolize easily

• get regular exercise, this helps with circulation and mood

• sunshine and vitamin D

• probiotics to balance your gut flora

• getting restorative sleep

• relieving stress, acupuncture can immediately shift the brain chemistry to rest and digest

• keeping a healthy weight, relieve strain on joints, the heart, lungs and kidneys

• mindfulness practice of meditation to help calm the brain

The Best Ways to Boost Immunity Naturally

People are asking is “how can I improve my immune system and protect my family and friends that may be at greater risk of infection?.”

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) has sent shockwaves around the Globe. People are asking is “how can I improve my immune system and protect my family and friends that may be at greater risk of infection?.”

Everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed, panicked and scared, this is normal.

What is important that you know there are things that you can do for yourself that are simple and will have a positive impact on your health and immunity.

I am sharing a full list on “how to boost your immune system”, that was partly included in the published article for Askmen.com.

The best way to boost immunity naturally is to take something that you already do (such as sleep, eat and think) and make small shifts so that it becomes part of a routine. 

• Drink Tea as well as water! Both green and black teas (Camellia Sinensis family) have shown to have natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties . The antioxidants in black help prevent stomach cancers and have a direct bactericidal effect against Streptococcus mutans. The throat is the gateway for bacteria and viruses to enter the body so Tea is what the doctor ordered.

• Coconut oil: With all the hand washing, the natural oils and bacteria that act as a barrier of protection get washed away. Dry cracked skin is an easy target for infection. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal and moisturizing at the same time. You can also swish coconut oil in your mouth to help fight gum irritation too.

• Limit the electronics: We have so much media consumption with fear about the future is emotionally draining. Communicating via email or texts is isolating and can lead to depression. Lack of human contact has a toll on your health. Face-to-face socializing reduces depression.  Instead have a conversation on the phone, or make a point of smiling or saying hello to a stranger. 

• Sleep: One of the best ways to boost immunity is to get quality sleep. It is during sleep that we are able to regenerate and heal. We also produce cytokines, a  protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. Long term  sleep problems are associated with many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and pain. 

• Digestion: Gut health on the inside is what will protect you from viruses and bacterial infections on the outside. Gut homeostasis helps reduce body inflammations and helps with brain functioning. There is a brain gut connection with over 90% of serotonin being produced in the digestive tract. Taking Probiotics and Prebiotics to help keep your digestion in order as well as your emotional resilience.

• Food as medicine: Incorporate superfoods into your diet. Superfoods such as dark vegetable, mushrooms, berries, avocado, nuts and seeds and more. These are also nutrient dense and have health benefits beyond their nutrients.

• Mindfulness: We have a monkey brain and when we worry too much our nervous system goes into stress mode, fight or flight. The release of adrenaline and cortisol on a constant low level damages our connective tissues and immune system. Focusing 10 minutes a day on clearing your mind of mental chatter and doing walking outdoors, stretching, or a moving meditation such as Tai Chi, QI Gong or Yoga helps to rewire the brain and strengthen the mind body connection and support overall health.

• Longevity mindset: Acupuncture and Chinese is based on the principles of balance. Seek out someone with a holistic health perspective that looks at your health individually and will teach you how to maximize your health.

When this health crisis has settled we can look at what we can do better.

What Can we Love about the Coronavirus?

For once multiple countries are working together to stop this highly contagious Covid-19 from spreading.

THIS COULD BE THE ANSWER TO WORLD PEACE... we may only see this kind of cooperation when aliens attack Earth.

For once multiple countries are working together to stop this highly contagious illness from spreading.

There is nothing like a deadly virus along with a media pandemic to get us to pay attention to our inadequate healthcare system and how well we personally are prepared for health crises such as Covid-19. 

I only wish that the news cycles would give some EQUAL focus on the vast number of people that have recovered from the virus and alternatives they are using to stay healthy. 

If Covid-19 has your attention, you are not alone. This is a wake up call to getting serious about real risks to your health and how close we as a society come to self destruction because of our own neglect to our health and world around us.

YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED AND PROTECT YOURSELF

The REALITY is when we tell ourselves we "don't have time" or "I wish I could", we are missing the subtlety that health and wellness is not a priority.  I believe that this is a seminal moment as a society to take the coronavirus as a wake up call.

It's not okay to ignore the fact that we need to be in GREAT health ALL the time.

Viruses and bacterial infections are opportunistic, meaning they find a weakness in your body and enter. 

It is no surprise the people most vulnerable to dying from the flu and the coronavirus have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.  These chronic illnesses are preventable.

Aside from all the precautions of hand washing, not touching your face, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, washing surfaces etc. there is more that you can do and quite frankly should do.

Currently no vaccine is available for Covid-19 so when we do encounter the coronavirus, how well we recover will depend on how strong our body and it’s immune system is.

You should be aware that vaccines are not the only way to prevent the effects of deadly viruses. Clinical trials and studies show that Chinese herbal medicine was effectively used for prevention and treatment of SARS and H1N1 influenza.  Combined with antivirals patients recovered faster than those that did not use the herbal medicine.

It is not a plant medicine substitute with healing properties, it is a system of healthcare practices.

Because Chinese medicine has been treating infectious diseases for thousands of years with herbs and acupuncture as well as other healing methods, traditional Chinese medicine is being used right now on thousands of patients with the coronavirus. 

Antivirals will not be enough right now to support and complement antiviral drugs being administered to the people with coronavirus. 

That is why Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbs, massage, and mind body principles are so powerful and effective for staying healthy and recovering quickly from illnesses.  This is something that antibiotics, antivirals or surgery doesn't help with.

The main principles of Chinese medicine are to cultivate health, wellness and longevity. This is playing a long game. 

Cultivating health and wellness is relevant for now and for the future, and is something I help my patients get clear on what they can do. 

If you feel you have all the answers you need or this topic is not resonating with you that is completely normal. I don’t expect everyone to find relevance or urgency to make changes to how they approach their health for a better future.

What will NOT work: Buying face masks, stocking up on hand sanitizers and bleaching everything in sight. This is tantamount to hiding under your desk during a nuclear attack. It’s being “doing something”, but will not really help.

If you want to know more, please keep reading.

What is the REAL danger to your health and future? 

APATHY

Lack of interest, concern or enthusiasm where your health is concerned. Here is where you have the power to care enough to take some action.

Are you at risk of catching the coronavirus? 

We can’t be certain,  but what we can be sure of is there will be another pandemic virus and each time they emerge smarter.

Currently no vaccine is available for this Covid-19 and a vaccine is not a guarantee of safety by any means.  It will always be up to our immune systems to respond to the virus and if we are strong enough to survive it when we are exposed.

How can acupuncture and Chinese medicine play a pivotal role in preventing the coronavirus?

Chinese medicine is a collaborative medicine, meaning patient and practitioner work together to find health solutions, educate and empower the patient to heal themselves.  This is done by strengthening the protective qi (immune system) from penetration by pathogens (viruses and bacteria) and regulating internal systems such as the nervous system, immune system, breathing, sleep, emotionally, digestion, lymph and circulation. 

The most important thing that you can do to protect yourself from the flu virus and other illnesses, is to have a health practice everyday all year round.  In addition to a series of personalized acupuncture sessions that can quickly and efficiently help your body regulate itself, here are some basic steps.

What does a health practice look like? 

1. Sleep 7-8 hours of regenerative sleep

2. Diet - nutritionally dense and organic

3. Movement - exercise that help with circulation, mobility, strength and function

4. Mindfulness practice - consciousness around what you listen to and the thoughts that create your reality.

5. Regular acupuncture will get your body and mind in order much more efficiently so you don’t waste time. 

If you are stressed out, not sleeping, overweight, not exercising or eating healthy foods your immune system will be weak and unable to protect you.  Areas that you have control over are a great place to start.

What changes you can do now to avoid health pitfalls?

With all the health information available to people I was shocked at the statistics of causes of death in the US…

Poor diet:  678,000 deaths each year in the U.S., due to nutrition- and obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Tobacco: 480,000 (according to the CDC reports)

Alcohol: 88,000 (NIAAA-NIH)

Influenza: According to the CDC, the latest reports show in 2019-2020 influenza(flu) has caused the deaths of 16,000-41,000 Americans, hospitalized 280,000-500,000, and sickened 29 -41 million.