Smartfeed
Keep Colds at Bay and Stay Well This Winter
Autumn is the driest season of the year, and dry cold winds appear. According to the Chinese medicine perspective, this is the time when we gather energy inwards to protect our vital organs and functions, leaving our exterior defences (fundamental function of the lungs) less strong to protect us; therefore, we are more susceptible to winds and colds.
Autumn can be very challenging for the immune defences of our lungs. We need more nurturing nutritional and blood circulatory support. It is interesting that at this time, children and elderly manifest viral respiratory conditions or asthma attacks more frequently.
We need more nurturing nutritional and blood circulatory support in autumn
— John Tsagaris
The digestive system (Earth element) is an important supportive source of the lungs (Metal element) that tends to express any deficiencies or pathologies as well, as it provides more than usual to the lungs. Gastrointestinal conditions are very common in clinical practice in autumn.
Recommendations
Essential nutritional supplements should be a part of an autumn regime. Vitamin D must be a priority as the sun exposure and the SPF coverage through the summer significantly affects vitamin D levels. Magnesium will aid vitamin D3 absorption and will encourage better blood circulation. Diet should include fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines, or egg yolks, as these can be a source of vitamin D.
Eat plenty of seasonal vegetables, especially steamed, and vegetables in soups to allow much easier digestion and quicker avail- ability of nutrients.
1. Pungent vegetables (pungent is the taste of the lungs) such as watercress, cabbage, turnip, ginger, horseradish, pepper, onions, and garlic.
2. Fermented vegetables create a very good probiotic environment in the digestive track.
3. Fresh low-glycaemic fruits such as lemons, limes, green apples, grapefruit or pears.
Avoid foods that encourage inflammatory dampness such as sugary foods, flours, and dairy products.
Consume healthy oils like organic coconut oil, olive or sesame oil. Simmer a few herb teas. Chinese herbal teas can assist our immunity such as burdock, comfrey, ginger, and liquorice.
Chinese herbs
Cordyceps – to encourage better oxygenation levels in the lungs and strengthen the immune system from seasonal colds. The aim for a proper nutritional support to help with lung and spleen function is to stimulate their function, warm the body, encourage blood circulation, and prevent inflammatory digestive issues. An adaptogen herb, Cordyceps, has vast literature from research on how it strengthens the immune system by affecting the white blood cells, T-helper cells, NK cells, and macro- phages in particular, to safeguard our immunity.
Astragalus – stimulates immune system activity in a multifaceted manner. It increases the number of stem cells in the marrow and lymph tissue and stimulates their development into active immune cells.
Schizandra – enhances the immune system and being an adaptogenic herb, helps the body to prevent and treat infections. The active ingredients in this berry (schizandrins) are known to affect positively the central nervous system, counteracting stress and other immune compromising factors, protecting our immune system.
Dr (TCM) John Tsagaris is an internationally renowned doctor of traditional Chinese medicine who has been practising in London for over 20 years and consults from his clinic in Chelsea, London: johntsagaris.co.uk
Source: The Epoch Times