Timing is everything as symptoms change, from sore throat, to lethargy, to cough. For example, the treatment will need to be changed as the disease and healing process progresses. Prevention is the key! Strengthening the body to resist infection is always preferable to treating disease. Eating warm foods like soups and stews in winter creates warmth, supports the Kidney yin and yang and encourages the qi downward and in. Try leek or dried ginger soups to prevent colds and to strengthen immunity. In winter you can combine these ideas with the time-honored winter favorite to build strength – congee.
In the cold of winter keeping your feet warm with a hot water-bottle or a hot foot bath will help the qi flow properly and build resilience. Winter is the time to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in moderation and is the season for medicinal liqueurs. Adequate amount of sleep and three meals a day of mostly cooked grains and vegetables (with small amounts of meat and spices for enjoyment) will do wonders for your immunity and your spirit.
- If you feel your body is telling you that immunity is down, try this approach:
- Use the white part of three green onions near the roots, 2 slices of ginger crushed and add both to two cups of boiling water.
- Bring back to the boil and simmer uncovered until the liquid content has halved.
- Add mint, re-boil briefly and drink as soon as it cools.
- Get into bed covering yourself warmly to enhance sweating and sweat the cold out. As soon as the sweating stops change your linens so you don’t get chilled again from being wet and cold.
- Take it easy for the rest of the day, being extra gentle on yourself for the next couple of days. Make sure you are eating well and getting plenty of sleep.
Materials:
- Mason Jar
- Ginger
- Local Honey
- Brandy-wine
- Lemon Zest
- Cheese Cloth
Fill mason jar with thinly sliced pieces of fresh ginger, fill jar 1/4 with brandy-wine, the rest with honey (you can do all honey if you don't want to use any alcohol). Shave small amount of lemon zest into concoction. Seal and store in a dark cool place for 14-31 days, shaking daily. When the concoction is ready, strain with cheesecloth into a proper container with a seal. Take 1 Tbsp twice daily for prevention.
You can also make a soup or congee with these ingredients to keep the sick away!
Immune Soup
- 8 cups (237 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 onion, diced (if you prefer, you can use 3-5 green onions instead)
- 1 bulb garlic (at least 10 cloves), minced
- One 1 1⁄2 inch (3 1⁄2 cm) piece of fresh ginger root grated
- 1 1⁄2 cups salted vegetable soup stock (or whatever stock you would like to use)
- 5 pieces sliced dried Astragalus Root (Huang Qi)
- 2 cups fresh, sliced shiitake mushrooms
- 1 large reishi mushroom
- cayenne powder, if desired