Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches us to live in harmony with nature and to follow the flow of the seasons. The summer months are coming to an end, nature tells us to start preserving our energy, nourish ourselves with our bountiful harvest foods, go to bed earlier, sleep and get the rest we need to prepare for the upcoming Autumn and Winter months.
With the Harvest and Autumn seasons arriving, the added pressures they may present, such as school starting, holidays close by, we tend to do the opposite of what nature suggests. We overstress, overwork, eat high sugary foods, and sleep isn’t a priority. All of this lowers our immune systems and we become susceptible to the cold and flu viruses that surround us. With the help of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) you can help combat those viruses and increase your immune system safely and naturally.
One of the most famous and effective herbal formulas in TCM is called Yin Qiao San. This formula comes from a classic TCM text called Wen Bing Tian Bian or Systematic Differentiation of Warm DIseases that was first written in 1798. Yin Qiao San disperses and clears heat as well as relieves toxicity. It is used in the beginning stages of cold or influenza attacks also known as wind heat attacks in TCM. Yin Qiao San treats acute respiratory infections, acute fevers, sore throat, tonsillitis, childhood measles and chicken pox. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, cough, and sore throat.
Yin Qiao San is most effective if it is taken at the very first signs of symptoms such as sore or itchy throat. It can also be taken as a preventative measure–keep some on hand to take if you have been exposed. More preventative measures would be to start taking it prior to entering an airport, airplane, school, or any other crowded public place.
Dosage depends on the brand you are taking and should be discussed with your acupuncturist or herbalist who recommended herbs. But it is also safe to take the recommended dosage on the bottle to start. Children dosage is different; usually half the adult dose. I would recommend consulting with an acupuncturist comfortable in pediatrics.
Enjoy your Harvest season without getting sick! You can prevent it!
