Queen Anne Natural Health

Ways to Increase Immune Function and Protect Oneself during Flu Season

There many things we can do to help support our body’s natural immune function. Certainly getting enough rest, fluids, and quality fresh food is essential. Acupuncture is also a good option, since one of the proven effects of this therapy is increased immunity, even when this isn't the focus of treatment. Regular acupuncture helps bring our bodies back into balance, and a body in balance has the ability to fight foreign contaminants such as bacteria and viruses. In Chinese Medicine terms “expel uninvited guests” such as wind cold, wind heat, wind damp, etc.

Aside from acupuncture, many Chinese herbs, including mushrooms, have been proven to increase immune function in several ways. There are herbs that are simply antibacterial and antiviral, helping our bodies to stave off infection when we come in contact with these agents. There are also herbs which increase the number of Killer T and Natural Killer white blood cells which attack microbes preventing us from getting sick, and helping us to recover from illness.

One of the key immune enhancing herbs in Chinese Medicine is Huang Qi, or Astragalus. The root of this plant tonifies the qi and blood of the entire body, especially the Spleen and increases the Wei, or Protective Qi. There are several classic herbal formulas that contain Huang Qi which can be used to prevent illness. There are also formulas, which when taken at the early stages of illness help the body recover quickly and decrease the severity of an illness. These formulas are important to have on hand in order to provide a quick means of protection. That way if you find yourself around people sick people, or if you will be traveling on airplanes, or simply have a tendency towards decreased immune function, you can give your body as much support as possible to keep from getting sick.

Medicinal Mushrooms are Immune Enhancing Chinese Herbs

Medicinal mushrooms have been a part of the Chinese Materia Medica for several thousand years. These mushrooms, including reishi, oyster, maitake, shitake, and many more, have a strong effect on increasing immune function.  For instance, Ling Zhi, or the reishi mushroom, has been studied for its immune enhancing effect, and has been found to increase T cell function. Classically, it is said that Ling Zhi tonifies Lung qi, transforms phlegm, and stops cough and wheeze. Additionally, it has been found to have a carcinostatic effect, meaning that it stops the growth of cancer cells. Nutritionally, mushrooms provide fiber while being low in fat and contain several groups of vitamins, particularly thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, ascorbic acid and Vitamin D.

Eating raw mushrooms is not advised, since some are toxic uncooked, and most do not break down enough in our digestive systems to offer much benefit this way. Mushrooms should always be cooked when used as food. A stronger concentrated extract (either capsule or liquid) will give you the most benefit for immunity.

Fungi Perfecti is a locally based producer of medicinal mushrooms and is considered the best source of organic, high quality mushroom extracts by most experts, including Bastyr University and Dr. Andrew Weil. Fungi Perfecti has a number of extract combinations that address a number of immune issues. A popular, general immune tonic is their Stamets 7 formula.

Fungi Perfecti

Childhood Ear Infections

Several years ago Jake Fratkin, OMD (Oriental Medicine Doctor), made waves throughout the pediatric community by declaring on a radio show that the cause of ear infections was antibiotics. Since that time, several studies have been done which indicate that he was right. The likelihood of a recurrent ear infection during the first six weeks after taking antibiotics is significant. Not only is a child more likely to get another ear infection within six weeks if they are given antibiotics, but the recovery time from an infection is the same whether antibiotics are given or not. Even the Washington State Department of Health has issued a statement that most ear infections clear on their own and that overuse of antibiotics leads to drug resistant bacteria. So why are medical doctors still giving antibiotics to children with ear infections? In some cases, they no longer are. More and more doctors and medical institutions are reserving antibiotic administration for extreme cases of infection as a last resort. Here in Seattle, Dr. David Springer of Wallingford Pediatrics received an award from Premera Blue Cross for his use of "evidence-based best practices" in avoiding and limiting antibiotic use for ear infections.

So if antibiotics aren't the answer, what do we do for ear infections? Chinese Herbal Medicine is an excellent choice for the prevention and treatment of ear infections. There are two key formulas which, when administered correctly, can alleviate pain within hours and eliminate the infection within only a couple of days. They are safe, they are effective, and they are easy to administer. Several companies have created liquid extracts of these classic Chinese formulas adding a touch of glycerin or stevia to mask the bitter flavor of the herbs so that they are more palatable to children. Two of the practitioners at Queen Anne Natural Health, Clarissa and Terri, have used them with their own children and have avoided any antibiotic use in these children. In addition to Chinese formulas, these practitioners have used garlic ear drops, which kill microbes and dry fluid when placed directly into the ear canal, and probiotics which help the immune system fight the infection. All three can be combined and your Chinese Medicine practitioner can help you determine the best course of treatment so you can avoid unnecessary, and potential harmful antibiotic overuse in your children.

Wind Cold Tea

  

Scallion and Ginger Tea

1 T sliced scallions (cong tou)

3-4 slices fresh ginger root (sheng jiang)

Brown sugar (hong tang) or honey to taste

Place scallions and ginger into pot and sprinkle with brown sugar. Cover with 1 cup water. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid. Drink while warm.

 

Traditionally, this tea is taken at the first sign of a wind-cold pattern. It is used to promote sweating and resolve exterior symptoms such as headache, chills with an aversion to cold, body aches and sinus congestion with clear mucus. It is best to drink this formula after taking a hot bath, just before going to bed, so that you can cover yourself with blankets to induce sweating. Be sure to stay warm and away from cold drafts.

Chrysanthemum Tea for Longevity

Chrysanthemum flowers, or Ju Hua in pin-yin, have a long history of use in Chinese Herbal Medicine as a beverage. The flowers are collected, dried, covered with boiling water, and then strained. The liquid is drunk as a light warm tea; alone or sometimes with sugar added.

The Taoists favored this tea the one to

promote longevity,

although to achieve this benefit the tea must be consumed daily over a long period of time.

There is a poem written by the eighteenth-century painter Zheng Ban-Qiao which reads:

Tasting chrysanthemum tea of old – this flower of longevity!

A man of eighty years picks and sips, assiduous;

Teaching his frosty beard to turn raven black.

 

Chinese Herbalists consider the Ju Hua flower to be one that disperses wind and heat, calms the Liver and clears the eyes. It is used for treating the common cold and for any disorders related to Liver heat or Liver wind, such as blurry vision, spots before the eyes, dizziness, and headaches.

I find this beverage particularly useful for conditions in which there is a sudden onset of heat in the body, such as for hot flashes or excessive sweating. It is calming and cooling in the moment, and over time.

Chrysanthemum tea might be prescribed by your herbalist, but it is also a safe and tasty non-caffeinated drink for anyone to consume during the warm summer months.

The flowers can be bought in bulk and steeped in the traditional way, or a box of powdered chrysanthemum tea with sugar is sold in individual dosage packages.

 

 

 

Allergy Season is Upon Us

People who suffer from allergies know that hayfever season has arrived. If your nose has gotten stuffy or runny, and your eyes are feeling itchy and watery, you are likely having an over-reaction to the pollen that is in the air. Allergies are a response by the body's immune system to antigens found in the environment. The body responds too well, causing all that congestion and itching. There are two main types of allergies, Seasonal and Perennial. Seasonal allergies, also called hayfever, tend to occur in Spring and early Summer, and are a reaction mainly to pollen and grasses. Perennial allergies occur all year and are typically a reaction to animal dander, house dust or dust mites, fungus, smoke or perfume. Both cause much suffering.

The Cause of Allergies

In Chinese Medicine, the reason for both types of allergies is a deficiency of the body's Wei Qi, also called Defensive Qi. This Qi is like a protective layer at the surface of the body that prevents things from getting into the body, whether it be bacteria, viruses, or allergens. In order to treat allergies with Chinese Medicine we must build up the body's own protective Qi as well as treat the symptoms that allergy sufferers know so well.

When to Treat Allergies

For Seasonal allergies, the best time to treat the underlying deficiency is at the end of the season of suffering, typically August, September and October. If you are suffering from a stuffy nose and watery eyes right now, see your acupuncturist to get temporary relief of those symptoms, and then even though you may be feeling free of symptoms, continue with treatment in the fall in order to prevent those allergies from returning next year. For Perennial allergies, treatment can take place at anytime.

Herbs to Treat Allergies

In addition to acupuncture, there are a number of Chinese Herbal formulas which allergy sufferers can rely on. Most likely, your practitioner will give you one formula for the symptoms you are experiencing now, and then change that formula to treat the root of the problem once those symptoms subside. If you have been experiencing allergies for many years, it can take more than one treatment season to be allergy free. Your practitioner may advise you to take that Wei Qi building formula for a few seasons in a row in order to be rid of allergies forever.

Sinus Rinsing for Relief from Nasal Congestion

The Neti Pot or a modern Sinus Rinse can also be helpful to clear nasal congestion. Used every day these tools open the nasal passages by clearing out bacteria and allergens, and calming inflamation of nasal tissues.  Using the Neti Pot takes practice but once mastered, allergy sufferers swear by it. It involves irrigating the nostrils with a salt water mixture using a small pot with a spout, not unlike a watering can. It has a long history of use in Asia, although modern plastic squirt bottles may be easier to use and can be bought for pennies at drug stores.

Congee, Chinese Medicinal Porridges

Congees are a simple, easy way to prevent and treat illness. A congee is essentially well-cooked rice, often with the addition of simple herbs or foods to prevent and treat specific ailments. Congees are easy to digest, so they are easy on the Pi, or Spleen energy.

The following is a simple congee for cold and flu season. It contains ingredients found in most American households and can be taken at the first sign of infection, or when you are exposed to those who are sick.

Scallion & Glutinous Rice Congee

Herbs: 5 whole Cong Bai (Scallions), 15 grams raw Sheng Jiang (Ginger), 100 grams Nuo Mi (Glutinous Rice*)

Directions: Place rice in a pot on the stove and add twice as much water as rice. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce to a simmer for a couple of hours until the porridge is reduced to a thin gruel. Mash the scallions and ginger into a pulp or process in a food processor. Add this to the porridge and simmer until combined and warm. Eat the congee and then retire under a blanket until you break into a sweat. Sweating releases the pathogens causing illness.

*Glutinous rice is sometimes called "sticky rice" or "sweet rice." It is more starchy then ordinary medium grain rice and these days can be found in most major grocery stores. When these fail, take the opportunity to try an Asian grocery in the International District such as the infamous Uwajimaya.

Cough syrup

The herbal cough syrup Loquat & Fritillary Jelly is a safe, effective way to soothe the sore, raw throat of an exterior invasion. The syrup contains both honey and molasses that create a moisturizing coating to ease that painful throat while infusing the body with several herbs to treat the wind infection.

Your acupuncturist might suggest this inexpensive herbal remedy in addition to an internal formula when you have a sore, scratchy throat or a cough.

Don't forget that herbal supplements should always be taken under the advice of a trained herbalist or Chinese Medicine practitioner.