So here we all are, two and a half weeks into this.
From my kitchen, everything just feels quiet. There are more birds in the oak outside my window, the air is clean in los Angeles, and coyotes are roaming the streets of San Francisco. People are being sweet to each other. Our social and cultural structures are transforming into something nobody can predict. When I sent the email about the Year of the Metal Rat being about new beginnings, I had no idea of the swiftness and severity with which they would come. The Tao doesn’t mess around.
Now we have a choice, do we continue to fight against nature and the Tao? Or do we allow it, and move along with its flow. This virus isn’t going anywhere, but we can try to strengthen our immune systems so our bodies can live in health alongside it.
A strong, warm interior body is how we keep exterior pathogens on the outside. It isn’t a matter of fighting, it’s a matter of matching the strength of our insides to that of the outside environment. This way our body’s ability to maintain balance and health isn’t overpowered by the strength of the of virus.
Here are 6 ways to build up our interior, and maintain health.
Telemedicine and Prevention
I am offering some preventative care through the virtual world. I have a preventative herbal formula for anybody who is interested in taking herbs right now. If this is something you would like, we can do an online consult so it can be modified for you specifically. You can then pick up the herbs at the clinic, or I can deliver.
If you have ANY symptoms of COVID-19, please do this immediately. Loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, body aches and dry cough are the main ones (but not the only, read here for more). The sooner you get on a formula, the quicker the virus will move through, and the less likely it is to become serious.
I also have some acupoint + lineament kits for people who feel they need more respiratory support/immune enhancement. This is a protocol that involves putting a dab of Chinese lineament on little plasters (stickers), and putting them on acupuncture points related to the lungs and immunity. These can be left on for 10 hours at a time (less for kids), and you can put them on your families.
I think this could be especially good for those of you who are essential workers…taking it for all of us. These kits will be available for pick up at the clinic, and we will do the acupoint instruction online through Zoom.
Both these appointments can be booked here through my website.
Self Care
Cloth Masks
There are some new articles and research out speaking to the benefits of using DIY masks made of cloth, that are not N95, or N99 respirators, which are in shortage. A few months ago this wasn’t recommended, saying there wasn’t any scientific evidence that it prevented spread of airborne viruses. But scientists are taking notice of the countries, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, that use non-N95 masks in public and are having far less deaths from COVID-19. Using just a double layer of cotton, or even a paper towel, can prevent the virus in droplets of saliva from getting into, or leaving from, your mouth. Here is a nice little video explaining the science and how to make a mask from a T-shirt, with an insert for a paper towel.
Here is also some more information from the NIH.
Breakfast
Start your day with a warm, moist breakfast. It is the cold and dry conditions that are allowing this virus to enter our own cold and dry interiors. This is a good way to build yang inside our bodies, and not allow the yin outside to overcome us.
Congee is an age old way of doing this. Congee is basically a long cooked grain porridge that is very easily digestible, warming and moistening. Different grains have different properties, but starting with rice and fresh ginger, and adding some green onions and soy sauce is a simple way to go. This is the very basic and easy recipe. If you’d like to go down the rabbit hole of congee, and why not, check out this article here.
Congee
1 cup of white rice
8-12C water, or water/broth combo.
3 inches peeled and sliced ginger
Put all this in a crock pot, set on low and leave to simmer for about 6 -8 hours. This can also be done stove top, simmer for about 3 hours. Add toppings such as green onion, soy sauce and sesame oil. Or leftover vegetables/meats from the night before. Congee can be refrigerated and reheated.
Skin Brushing
Skin brushing stimulates the lymph nodes, promoting circulation of blood and excretion of cellular waste. It also brings yang warmth to the skin, which is the chinese medicine way of saying boosting immunity. Use a natural bristle brush, and use it when you get out of the shower. Brush towards your heart, from the neck and armpits especially.
Ginger, Orange Peel, Honey Tea
A nice moistening blend of fresh ginger, orange peel (from the oranges you are eating for it’s Vitamin C), with some honey is a great way to keep hydrated, stay warm, and moisten the lungs. Make a big batch in the morning and drink throughout the day.
Essential oils
There is a lot of research lately on the antiviral properties of certain essential oils. Here are a few that are well known for this.
- Eucalyptus
- Tea Tree
- Niaouli
- Lemon
- Cinnamon leaf
- Clove
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Melissa
You can make a blend in a carrier oil, (30 drops per ounce of a carrier oil) and rub on your hands, neck, and chest before leaving the house. You can also diffuse them in your home.
In health,
Jen