The beauty of Chinese medicine is their remarkable way of approaching the body as an entire system. We all thrive our best when we work well not only within ourselves but with the world around us. Traditional Chinese Medicine provides an avenue to not only discover the complete health we have within but also how to use that wholeness cohesively with the changing seasons.
Traditional Chinese Medicine & the Change of Seasons
Our habits, diet, clothing, and exercise should all adjust to our changing lives. This is especially true as we look at the change of seasons. Each season, especially in Montana, brings its own special brand of challenges to our systems. Montanans see bitter cold winters, smokey summers, and flourishing Springs with high pollen counts.
We also know that even though we all adore Autumn, Winter is not far off and Winter always brings a long period of coughs, sniffles, and fevers associated with Flu season.
In this especially delicate time, prepping for Flu season means making some changes now to adjust to the cold and lowered immune systems.
Start Prepping for Flu Season with Traditional Chinese Medicine
As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” You don’t want to wait until after you start seeing symptoms to start preparing for flu season. Flu season starts right now. As Summer wanes, nights get cooler and we can expect our bodies to start struggling to adapt to the change. This can put our immune systems through a lot of work and we an easily get sick as we transition.
Autumn Lungs – a Yin organ.
A poorly balanced Yin energy results in depression, anxiety, melancholy, or stress. We often see similar issues with people with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Developing a practice of any regular exercise can help balance the Yin. You an then ease into Autumn, avoiding dips in energy and wellness.
Autumn = pungent flavors.
Eating seasonally helps you eat optimally. According to Chinese Medicine, Autumn is associated with pungent flavors which are balanced by eating sour foods.
Sour fermented foods, warming spices, fiber-rich fruits & veggies, and starchy vegetables can provide a wide range of vital nutrients that your body needs to maintain balance and immunity in the coming months.
Your best option for ensuring a balanced diet is to start meal planning and trying out new recipes so you’re ready to shift into a new season. Here is a great list of Autumn foods to incorporate into your diet.
Recognizing the Symptoms of the Flu
The flu often comes on very quickly resulting in a range of symptoms including:
- fever
- coughing
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches & chills
- headaches
- exhaustion
- potentially vomiting, diarrhea, earaches, and sinus infections
Subtle Difference Between COVID & the Flu
COVID and the flu are very similar. COVID typically results in a loss of taste or smell; however, this can also occur if you have a stuffy nose. You can also expect the same type of illness as the flu.
According to the CDC, significant and serious symptoms associated with COVID include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms (including the flu list) then you should immediately see a doctor and get tested for COVID. They may suggest that you self quarantine until proper diagnosis.
If you have additional questions about Traditional Chinese Medicine or want other suggestions on how to implement healthy immune routines in your day-to-day, schedule an appointment with one of our acupuncturists. We have strong backgrounds in Chinese Medicine and a long history of success implementing acupuncture, herbalism, and dietary adjustments to see real change. Get in touch.
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