Here’s an article I wrote which was published in the local Lotus Guide for Healthy Living, Jan-Apr 2021 issue, upon the re-opening of my business in February 2021, in Paradise, Ca (I lost my business in Paradise due to the Camp Fire on November 8, 2018):
Herbal Medicinal Treasures in Paradise
This article is to point out that powerful plant medicine can be used to help yourself heal and can be found even where it may not be expected, in a small mountain town that is being reborn!
Spring seems to be my favorite time to talk about Chinese Medicine Food Therapy and how one can tailor their diet to the season for healing. In May 2018, I did a lecture on this topic and am posting my notes and recipes here:
Spring: Time to Tame the Liver
Summary Table of Spring Foods discussed
Five Element Chart
Recipes, etc.
Anti-Aging Brain Mix recipe
Raspberry-Lime Aqua Fresca
Ban Lan Gen Chong Ji
Dandelion Flower Syrup
Stir-fried Watercress with Almonds and Ginger
No-Cook Mint Syrup
Mint Syrup (cooking required)
Rose Hips Lemonade (with Hibiscus)
Note:
References for recipes are in the documents themselves.
This is an update to notes in my Spring 2013 Newsletter.
Here’s an article about one of my favorite Chinese herbs:
The Cold Remedy That Actually Works!
Here’s more links about this herb on my blog:
Top Chinese Herb for Immune System Support
This is an important read for everyone about the dangers of vaccinations – I just happened to come across this article in 2012 in an Explore journal article. Explore is a “Journal of Science and Healing”, which has a focus on “scientific principles behind, and applications of, evidence-based healing practices”, and is edited by Larry Dossey.
This article is unavailable on their website without registering and paying for their content (as of 10/14), but I finally found it reprinted here:
Health Beyond Vaccines, by Dr. Garry Gordon.
A few articles highlighting the commonly used herb in Chinese Medicine, Jin Yin Hua, or Honeysuckle Flower – a powerful antibiotic and antiviral:
Micheal Tierra article on Honeysuckle Flower
Honeysuckle Flower Reference on Acupuncture Today
Jake Fratkin article (one of my teachers) – Modern Applications for Antiviral Therapy
Two Chinese herbal formulas I commonly recommend to boost immunity are Evergreen Herbs Immune + and Zand Astragalus Formula. Immune + is based on a very commonly-used formula Yu Ping Feng San, which is especially used to help those who easily catch common colds or flues, or are commonly affected by seasonal allergies. Zand Astragalus is a very similar formula.
Catching colds or flues easily, and/or having seasonal allergies means that the immune system is weak and needs to be strengthened. These formulas are also ideal to strengthen the immune system when going into the winter season or when one knows they will be exposed to others who are ill from a common cold or flu, or when one is oing into a hospital or convalescent situation where others could be ill. Both of these formulas will also tend to help poor energy too.
Both of these formulas contain Astragalus (Huang Qi) and Reishi mushroom (Ling Zhi, or Ganoderma), both of which research has shown are immunoprotective. Research has also shown that Astragalus can have an antibiotic effect, is anti-asthmatic and is nephroprotective (protects the kidneys) as well. Reishi has anti-cancer properties and a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.
More information on the two main herbs in these formulas can be found at these sample monographs from the premier resource of the Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John Chen and Tina Chen: Huang Qi and Ling Zhi/Reishi
Astragalus is also in the Evergreen Herbs Cordyceps 3 formula. Cordyceps is especially known to treat chronic respiratory disorders; I call it a ‘Ginseng for the Lungs’ since it is also used for its ginseng-like ‘anti-aging’ qualities. Speaking of Ginseng, Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen) is in this formula as well. So Cordyceps 3 is an excellent formula for aging, poor energy or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many other conditions as well that need immune-system support, including cancer.
Information on BHI-Heel’s Homeopathic Sinusin Nasal Spray: This is a great product for Sinusitis or Sinus Infections, and will treat and prevent both. It is anti-bacterial and anti-viral, so why this is such a great product for sinus infections. This product is also available as internal oral drops, if a nasal spray is not desired. Using both together is a great combo though!
Sinusin Brochure
Research on Sinusin Nasal Spray (Product was called Euphorbium Nasal Spray until a few years ago with the same exact ingredients.)
I also have stronger Chinese herbal medicinal formulas if Sinusin does not work…
This article of Dr. Mercola’s also has recommendations for flu prevention and treatment. Also see my more comprehensive recommendations: Heavenly Herbs and Acupuncture handout on treating Influenza and Viral infections.
Great article summarizing using Chinese Herbal Medicine for treating viral infections, specifically focused on the H1N1 virus. Chinese Herbal Medicine and the novel H1N1 virus
This article is written for the Chinese Medicine professional, but referred to here to educate the public as to how viral infections such as influenza can be treated with Chinese Herbal Medicine.
“A recent study published in The Lancet: Infectious Diseases showed that for every 100 people who are vaccinated, only 1.5 were prevented from getting the flu”1. Furthermore, the abstract summary states “Evidence for protection in adults aged 65 years or older is lacking.”2 However, this study does suggest that influenza vaccinations show 75% efficacy over 12 years of for the age group of 6 months to 7 years.2
Note that the flu vaccine is now marketed to all population groups, and especially the elderly, and this research study shows that it basically is only effective for children under 7!! So why then is it marketed to everyone? Capitalism is why, not true health concerns!!
References:
1. Aspinwall, Mary. “Contagion Season! The Flu and You: What to Do. Homeopathy Today“. Winter 2011: 41.
2.The Lancet: Infectious Diseases
(accessed December 21, 2011).
Quotes from Dr. Julian Whitaker’s November 2011 newsletter: “several review studies involving hundreds of clinical trials and several hundred thousand people have concluded that, for most children and adults, there is little scientific support for annual influenza vaccinations. Even if they prevent the flu – a big ‘if’ – 80 percent of all flu-like illnesses are caused by viruses and bacteria not targeted by the vaccine.” and “Furthermore, many flu vaccines contain thimerosal, which is 50 percent ethyl mercury, the most toxic biologic poison on earth. Ethyl mercury is so toxic the EPA requires full protective gear and self-contained air for workers cleaning up 200 parts per billion (ppb). A flu shot contains close to 25,000 ppb!”
Basically there is more marketing hype than scientific basis around the idea that all Americans should get flu shots – keep in mind that I say ‘Americans’ – flu vaccinations are not done like this anywhere else in the world! (Why do you think even grocery stores are marketing flu vaccines? It is about $$$ and playing to your fear of being ill for a few days!!!)
Please think about natural alternatives to prevent the flu!! (And if you do get it, remember that there are herbal medicinals to help treat the flu too)!
In March 2006, Harper’s Magazine published a very interesting ‘annotation’: Viral Marketing, the selling of the flu vaccine, by Peter Doshi. This is only available online to subscribers of Harper’s Magazine, but this article covers it very well:
MIT grad shows CDC mind-behavior control duping doctors and public to buy vaccine
Great article that includes herbs and foods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine food therapy with easy recipe for flu and cold prevention! This is exactly in alignment with my typical advice to patients (uses herbs/medicinal foods mentioned in my Flu article: Treating Influenza and Viral Infections using Natural Medicine.)
How to Boost your Immune System with Herbs
Astragalus Tonic Soup recipe
Here’s another link for the soup recipe on this blog (in case the above link disappears sometime in the future):
Astragalus Tonic Soup recipe
Of course, Astragalus can be purchased at my office (it has a mild, sweet taste)!
My simple Flu Prevention advice originally written in Winter 2009, when the H1N1 virus was rampant (kept it brief to hand out to patients)!
Treating Influenza and Viral Infections using Natural Medicine
Dr. Jake Fratkin is an American scholar of Chinese Medicine. This is his October 2009 article on this topic. This article’s target audience is for Chinese Medicine professionals, but it is a great summary article discussing Chinese Medicine diagnosis and treatment for influenza in general.
http://drjakefratkin.com/swine-flu
Condensed version also published at Acupuncture Today, a professional journal.
Everything you should know about the flu, or inluenza! An Excellent newsletter written by Adam Atman, L.Ac. in October 2009, in the midst of the Swine Flu/H1N1 panic (wish I spent the time to write all this myself!) This highly-researched newsletter covers the issue completely: Discusses the issue from should you decide to get the flu vaccine to criticism over the hype about the ‘flu epidemic’ to recommendations on how to keep yourself healthy naturally! Timely information for every winter, I say:
Adam Atman, L.Ac., October 2009 newsletter