Cold, Cough, and Flu Relief
Ginger
Ginger has been around for centuries, and its medicinal properties are well known. This popular root has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties making it a staple in many households. It can be taken as an herbal tea, in capsule form, or added to your favorite dishes.
In traditional Chinese herbology, fresh ginger or Sheng Jiang, enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach channels and is acrid and warm.
Benefits include:
Warms the Lung, stops cough, and transforms phlegm
Releases the exterior and disperse cold
Warm the Stomach and Spleen, alleviate nausea and vomiting
Reduce the toxicity of other herbs
As the Fall season sets in, the cooler mornings and evenings can make us prone to catching colds. Here’s a simple recipe effective for cold and cough.
Ginger Tea with Lemon and Honey:
Boil a cup of water
Add 2-4 slices of fresh ginger, steep for 2-3 minutes
Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and honey
Remove the ginger slices
Stir and enjoy
A stop at the local pharmacy and you’ll find a whole aisle of cold, cough, and flu medicine. But why do that when you can enjoy a natural home remedy that is just as effective but without the side effects? Try it out. You might be surprised …
Acupressure
Acupressure points for Cold and Flu:
He Gu (LI4): The spot between your thumb and index fingers, middle of the index finger – Tonifies qi, alleviates pain, and dispels wind
Wai Guan (SJ5): 3 finger width above the wrist crease, on the outer side of forearm – Protects the exterior of the body and increases the body’s resistance to cold
*Helpful tip – You can use ginger oil to massage and apply pressure on the acupressure points for its stimulating, warming, and soothing properties. You can also try putting a thin slice of fresh ginger below your tongue while applying acupressure.
Apply sustained pressure on the points 2-3 minutes on each point
Lie down, relax, and think positive thoughts
Acupressure stimulates the body to heal itself. When you apply pressure on key healing points, you’re releasing that energy so that it can flow smoothly. Energy that is stagnant causes disease. Try these points next time you catch a cold or flu. Acupressure is a great form of prevention and self-care. Its worked for the ancients and it will for you.
References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26228533
https://www.realnatural.org/ginger-antiviral/