Blog #94 Good Health – Important for a Fulfilling Life  

Many people consider good health to be one of  our most precious assets, and for good reason.  Without our health, we may not have the energy or endurance to work at a job, care for others, enjoy the world around us, and achieve and embody the things that matter most to us. 

With the New Year, winter weather, and the flu season here, it is important to take extra good care of ourselves.  There are many vital aspects of self-care.  These include getting sufficient sleep. Sound and peaceful sleep allows the body to heal and rebuild, helps the mind to stay sharp, supports the various organ systems to function well, and keeps us more emotionally in balance.

Proper nutrition is another factor of self-care.  Staying well-hydrated and consuming whole, nutritious, non-processed foods aid in both keeping the body and mind vital and minimizing toxicity.  The better nourished and the less toxic we are the more able we will be to resist acute infections.

Regular exercise is also important for health.  Walking, running, Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, stretching and weight lifting all can be helpful.  Playing at sports you enjoy, such as tennis, canoeing, or biking, as well as gardening, housecleaning and repair, and wilderness hiking can also be helpful.  Regular exercise can improve blood and lymphatic circulation, eliminative function and detoxification. Other benefits are better muscle tone, greater self-confidence and a calmer mind. 

Maintaining strong posture and abdominal breathing helps with all aspects of health and vitality, from feeling centered, to keeping the joints aligned and stable, and establishing  good balance to prevent missteps and falls. 

Also important in maintaining good health are various holistic therapies.  Massage helps relax muscles and improve circulation and lymphatic drainage.  Chiropractic adjusting also does the and especially helps to teach us to keep musculoskeletal and nervous systems functioning optimally.  Acupuncture helps coordinate and balance the body’s electrical and circulatory systems, which can generally support health and well-being.  Tonic and medicinal herbs can help improve resistance to infection and also remedies physiological imbalances. 

Now, I want to focus on several herbal remedies that often can prevent colds and flu or shorten their duration.  The Chinese herbal formulas Yin Chiao and Gan Mao Ling can help halt the onset of an upper respiratory infection when taken at the very start of symptoms, such as the first hint of a scratchy throat, headache, fatigue or slight warm or chilled feeling.  Yin Chiao treats a more heated condition and Gan Mao Ling is helpful with a more chilled condition.  Since many infections present as a combination of both hot and cold symptoms, it often is helpful to take one each of these remedies.  Frequency is usually three times a day, for two or three days.  Once the infection has fully manifested, these herbs will be of little help.  They can be obtained from stores in Chinatown. Better quality versions of these herbs can be obtained through an acupuncturist. 

Another helpful remedy is a combination of vitamin C and Echinacea.  I personally like Standard Process brand Cataplex C and Medi Herb brand Echinacea Premium.  You can tell that an Echinacea supplement is potent if it makes your tongue tingle.  The stronger the tingle and the longer it lasts, the better the supplement.  Usually, taking one each of these, morning and night for several days to a few weeks will keep you resistant to colds and flu strong.  They will also speed up recovery from these infections.  It is best to purchase vitamin C and Echinacea from a holistic practitioner rather than from online companies. 

Lastly, Sambucus Elderberry concentrate, preferably in liquid form, is an excellent tonic. Since it is very sweet, it is not appropriate for everyone, but most people tolerate it well.  Elderberry concentrate can help support you through the flu season.  Then, it is best to then take a break until the next year’s flu season.  Usually one half to one teaspoon one to three times a day will be sufficient.  Sambucus Elderberry concentrate can be purchased at Whole Foods and similar stores. 

This blog’s offer.  Feel free to call me with questions or come in for a consultation and treatment to support your health this year.  Resolve to treat yourself with kindness this year.