3 Easy Tips for Staying Healthy During Seasonal Change

Baby, it’s cold outside! 

As autumn comes to a close and winter sets in, the temperatures are dropping and colds/flus are elevating… take a peek below for tips on how to stay healthy during this changeable time of year.

In Chinese medicine, season change and unseasonable temperatures are taken very seriously, as they are perfect opportunities for what’s referred to as “evil Qi” to enter the body. “Evil Qi” (pronounced chee) is used to describe something that is pathogenic or not belonging to the body. You might be more familiar with terms evil Qi is used to describe, like “infection,” “common cold,” or “flu.” Following these 3 simple strategies can help you stay healthy this season and ward off evil Qi invasions.

1. Stay covered!

External pathogens (bacteria or viruses) enter primarily through our nose, mouth and the pores on our skin. Areas of particular importance are the upper back and neck; they are referred to as the “Wind gates.” 

In Chinese medicine, wind is viewed as the carrier for disease; nothing can enter our body from the outside without wind, therefore, it is extremely important to keep the wind out. Many of my acupuncturist friends rarely leave the house without a scarf for this reason. So, here is your chance to buy that new colorful, fluffy scarf you have been eyeing and cozy up in the crisp weather!       

More tips for staying covered:

… Wrap your neck and upper back up in a scarf when going outside or entering air-conditioned rooms.

… Dress appropriately for the season; bring extra layers with you to avoid chills and/or sweating in the fluctuating temperatures.

… Do not sleep too closely to open windows, drafts or fans.

… Keep your feet warm and dry, always wear appropriate footwear. If you are someone who tends to run on the cold side, this is especially important for you.

2. Utilize your spice cabinet!

I can almost guarantee that you have Chinese herbs in your house right now. Since most people correlate autumn and winter with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger anyway, why not take advantage of them? These 3 herbs are fabulous for warding off colds and building up the body’s defenses against future ailments. They are easily added to teas, oatmeal, muffins, and my all-time favorite: pumpkin pie. 

If you’re feeling motivated, cut up 4-5 pears (I suggest using pears here because they are especially good for sore throats, but apples can easily be substituted), add water until they are covered in a medium sauce pan, add a couple pinches of these 3 spices, and let it simmer for 1 hour. Then, all you have to do is strain the liquid and drink… it takes just like cider and it is excellent for sore throat and excess phlegm. (The cooked pears can also be mashed for “apple” sauce. Yummy!)

More info on these helpful herbs (the words in parenthesis are the pinyin of the herbs. Pinyin is the official Romanization of the Chinese language):

… Cinnamon (Rou Gui) deeply warms the body, alleviates pain associated with cold and/or stagnation, helps with low back pain, diarrhea, and cold limbs (especially good for those of you with chronic cold hands and feet)

… Nutmeg (Rou Dou Kou) warms the stomach and spleen, helps with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, relieves pain

… Ginger (Sheng Jiang) warms the stomach, stops vomiting, disperse “evil Qi”—colds and flus, treats food

poisoning

3. Eat your root veggies!

We have all been told to eat our veggies time and time again, but what about root veggies? These wonderful little gems are ever so helpful to keep out unwanted colds and flus, and to strengthen the overall health of your body. 

Root vegetables deeply nourish the stomach and spleen, and aid in digestion. Since the stomach and spleen are the literal middle of our body, great emphasis is placed on their functioning and their ability to balance our entire body. Eating warm, healthy foods helps to keep our bodies strong so that when the time comes, it can fight off any cold or flu that comes our way.

A simple and delicious idea to get your daily dose of root veggies is to make one of my favorite dishes ever… Roasted Rooties! This is so simple. Get your favorite root vegetables, the more color the better. Examples include: carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. 

Turn the oven on to 400 degrees F. Peel and chop the root veggies up so they are roughly the same size. 

Toss the veggies in some coconut oil and some spices of your liking (I like rosemary and thyme), then add to a shallow casserole dish. Cover with aluminum and bake 45-1 hr. 

I promise you—this dish will turn out amazing and it will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Just one last note: Some colds and viruses are really strong and can enter even if you take wonderful care of yourself. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to take the time necessary to recover and regain your strength. Always remember, what is good for you is good for everyone else in your life, don’t push yourself too hard when you get sick. Be patient and loving to your body and allow it to heal.





XOXOXO,