Preventive Approaches to Coronavirus Pandemic

3/23/20

Turn on the TV or social media, news is all about the Conoravirus pandemic in the U.S. Many small businesses and schools are closed. Millions of Americans are ordered to stay home. It is such a challenging time for everyone. I also decided to close my practice for now and take time off from other jobs to stay home. It is a crisis in the county. In Chinese language, the word crisis is made of two characters meaning danger and opportunities. It is important not only to learn to protect ourselves when we face the danger of this illness but also using the opportunities of the changes for personal growth and transformation. 

 To protect ourselves, not only wash hands and use sanitizers, we also have to protect our immune system by strengthening it. Healthy immune system is crucial during this time to keep everyone healthy. I do personally believe the ripple effect. If everyone on the earth practices self care, the world will have less illness and diseases. During my break of these two weeks, I started to make Chinese herbal pouches to share with people to use as one of preventive methods to protect myself from sickness or hopefully lessen the severity of the flu. I will share the information and instruction of using Chinese herbal pouches at the end of this article. If you are interested in receiving them, please contact me. Here is the suggested list of preventive approaches during the outbreak of flu or Covid

• Practice good hygiene; hand wash more frequent, social distance and avoid crowds if possible. Wear mask in public. There is a link how to make no-sew fabric mask DIY: http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie

• Respect others: self quarantine if sick, cover mouth if coughing

• Rinse mouth with water or salt water more frequent especially after public contacts..

• Notify your PCP for symptoms of fever, dry coughs, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, unknown cause of diarrhea or loss senses of smell and taste.

• Hydration, Rest; learn to retreat and rest when tired. It is okay to take naps when needed. Ignoring the messages from the body can lead to chronic fatigue. 

• Increase dose of Vit C, take Vit B and D intake. I like Airborne. 

• It is important to eat a light meal if you are sick. I usually make congene when I have a cold or flu to ease the digestion so the body can focus on fighting the flu/cold. Congee is usually a white rice soup. I also add sliced ginger to cook the rice soup. I normally avoid meat when I am sick because meat can slow down the digestion. Not too worried about not enough daily nutrition intake. It is important not to overwhelm the digestive system. Most of the time, the sign of lost appetite is the sign our body wants to take ease with food. 

• Cough drops, Chinese herbal formula and immune support supplements can help to ease the symptoms and for faster recovery.  

• Foot bath, hot bath or sauna can increase core temperature to prevent cold/flu.

• Exercises if possible; walking, yoga, tai chi, Qi gong are good way for light movement

• Taping chest (Thymus gland) to help stimulate immune cells: gently tap your upper chest with finger tips a few minutes a day.

• Whole body shaking 15 minutes a day can help to strengthen our immune system by mobilizing the lymph cells. 

• Acupressure on certain acupuncture points to strengthen the immune system. ST36 (Stomach channel) and SP6 (Spleen channel), LU9 (lung channel), and HT7 (heart channel) are common points for acupressure for a variety of issues including frequent cold/flu, digestion, reproduction, lung, heart, anxiety and insomnia. https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/locations_theory_and_clinical_applications

• Chinese medicine treatments ( herbs and acupuncture) were given during the pandemic in China. The researches were showed effectiveness in the stages of preventing, treatments and recovery from the infection. Many patients were given both western and Chinese medicine in the hospitals and had showed faster recovery rates. Protocols are implemented now in many hospitals in China to prevent and treat the infection. Even the health care workers are taking herbal formulas to strengthen their immune system for prevention and treatments. Fortunately, we are able to help patients here to not only preventing but also to ease the symptoms such as congestion and fever and also support the immune system for faster recovery. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.

• Meditate/pray if possible; even 5 minutes a day either before starting the day or end of the day. It can help to calm your mind and improve clarity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness-based_stress_reduction

• Using essential oils and/or herbal pouches at home or outside to protect ourselves and support the immune system. In ancient China, Chinese herbal pouches were carried during the epidemic time. It was one preventive method to keep people from getting the flu. Using essential oils diffuser and pouches are similar to the herbal pouches. For centuries, people have used essential oils to protect themselves. It was thought to use the aroma of these plants, roots, leaves or flowers to keep the bugs away from closing to the body. The popular essential oils are used such as cinnamon, clove, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, frankincense, myrrh, oregano and tea tree. 

Chinese herbal pouches are usually carried in the pocket, under the pillows at bedtime and can be used for a warm foot bath after the fragrance is gone. ( It will be a really nice herbal foot bath )

Smell the pouch when you feel it is needed

External use only

Do not use it if your are pregnant

Suggested use one pouch every 5-7 days

Keep unused punches in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Ingredients: The herbal pouches are made of the following herbs

Atractylodes lancea rhizome (Cang Zhu)

Notopteygium incisum root & rhizome (Qiang Huo)

Bupleurum Chinese root ( Chai Hu)

Evodia rutaecarpa fruit (Wu zhu yu)

Rheum palmatum root & rhizome (Da Huang)

Grassleaf Sweetflag rhizome (Shi Cang Pu)

Sandalwood (Tan Xiang)

Mugwort leaf (Ai Ye)

Lemongrass essential oils

I usually suggest replacing the pouch every 5-7days. Make sure to keep your hand clean while handling it. Please text or email me if you have any questions. Free to the public (while supply lasts). Donation is welcomed to help make next batch in the future.

Take care and stay healthy: