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.

Lung 7 - Lieqi "Broken Sequence"

One of the most powerful points on the Lung channel, lieqi, is used to help open the lungs, strengthen the immune system (or wei qi,) relieve sore throat, and stop coughing. It is also the "command point" of the head and neck, aiding circulation to the brain and stimulating memory

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a wonderful wintertime therapy as it disperses cold, eliminates damp and warms yang. It is one of the best methods for general health and well-being in the Chinese Medicine repertoire. Moxa used daily on the point ZuSanLi is said to prevent all illness and promote longevity. The sensation is generally one of warmth and relaxation, and very popular among patients of Chinese Medicine.

Moxibustion is a form of therapy that developed independently of acupuncture, and may actually pre-date it. There are areas in the northern, colder regions of China in which practitioners use moxibustion in lieu of acupuncture.

The moxa is made from the herb Ai Ye, or Mugwort, which is harvested and laid in the sun to dry. It is then crushed and passed through a sieve repeatedly until it maintains a fine, downy texture. In this form it is referred to as “moxa punk” and is formed into small cones.

The practitioner then places the cone on top of an acupuncture needle or directly onto the skin. The moxa is lit with a stick of incense and the warming and moving properties of the Ai Ye plant enter the point. A slice of ginger or garlic can also be placed between the moxa and the point, infusing the properties of these herbs into the body as well.

Moxa punk can also be made into rolls or small sticks which are placed in a metal tool called a Tiger Warmer. This tool is then moved along the course of a meridian, allowing the moxa to enter the body.

“When a disease cannot be treated by needling it should be treated with moxa.” - Ling Shu

Moxibustion is a wonderful wintertime therapy as it disperses cold, eliminates damp and warms yang. It is one of the best methods for general health and well-being in the Chinese Medicine repertoire. Moxa used daily on the point ZuSanLi is said to prevent all illness and promote longevity. The sensation is generally one of warmth and relaxation, and very popular among patients of Chinese Medicine.

Moxibustion is a form of therapy that developed independently of acupuncture, and may actually pre-date it. There are areas in the northern, colder regions of China in which practitioners use moxibustion in lieu of acupuncture.

The moxa is made from the herb Ai Ye, or Mugwort, which is harvested and laid in the sun to dry. It is then crushed and passed through a sieve repeatedly until it maintains a fine, downy texture. In this form it is referred to as “moxa punk” and is formed into small cones.

The practitioner then places the cone on top of an acupuncture needle or directly onto the skin. The moxa is lit with a stick of incense and the warming and moving properties of the Ai Ye plant enter the point. A slice of ginger or garlic can also be placed between the moxa and the point, infusing the properties of these herbs into the body as well.

Moxa punk can also be made into rolls or small sticks which are placed in a metal tool called a Tiger Warmer. This tool is then moved along the course of a meridian, allowing the moxa to enter the body.

“When a disease cannot be treated by needling it should be treated with moxa.” - Ling Shu

Gua Sha Video

The acupuncturist featured in this video was a classmate of mine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. It is a little corny, since it was featured in a news segment, but it is very informative about the technique and benefits of the ancient Chinese Medicine treatment.

Gua Sha Video on Fox News

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.

The Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D is often referred to as the “Sunshine Vitamin” due to the fact that it is manufactured in the skin with UV rays from the sun.  Here in the Pacific Northwest we see such a small amount of sunlight that most people are at least somewhat, if not extremely, deficient in vitamin D. Most milk is fortified with vitamin D, but many people do not drink milk, either due to a dairy sensitivity or possibly because their natural medicine practitioner told them they are too “damp” to tolerate much dairy. Vitamin D is easy to supplement, and is even manufactured in a simple one-a-day chewable.

What does a Vitamin D deficiency look like?

The most obvious sign of deficiency is Rickets, or a bowing of the legs. This level of deficiency is uncommon, but more common problems linked at least in part to vitamin D deficiency include:

Spinal curvature, osteomalacia or osteoporosis

Sciatic Pain

Muscle Spasms, tingling or weakness

Poor tooth structure or Periodontal Disease

Nearsightedness or cataracts

Hearing loss

Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder

Chronic Pain

High Blood Pressure and Coronary Disease

Schizophrenia

Cancer

Autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis

What are the sources of Vitamin D?

15 minutes of sunshine a day without the use of sunscreen

Animal products such as liver, butter, egg yolks, and fortified milk

Fish liver oils or oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring

Veggies such as mushrooms and green leafies

Supplements

The Yin and Yang of the Four Seasons, Part 2

As we approach the Winter Solstice we are nearing the most Yin time of the year. It is the coldest and darkest time when our holidays are celebrations of the little glimmer of light that remains. This light is the Yang within the Yin, as the two are inseparable and mutually supportive. The darkest time of the year is the optimal time to nourish Yin. This time of year calls on us to be calmer, quiet, and introspective. It is the time to look inward; to ponder what seeds we want to plant when the time is right. It is the best time to access our dep inner wisdom. This is where the foundation is laid for the next year and we need to build a good, strong base to support the strong rising energy of Yang that will arrive in the coming months. For people who have conditions that are due to a weakness of Yin, it is especially important to take advantage of the long, dark days to rest and replenish your reserves. With prevention in mind, if you ahve allergies or other conditions that tend to flare in the spring the winter is the best time to get a head start on treatment.

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.