You never have to wonder when the "cold and flu season" is around the corner. Big Pharma will be sure that you are reminded of its impending arrival no matter where you turn.

When the dreaded season of doom drapes its black curtain over us, whatever you do, don't come within sneezing distance of anybody, don't even think about shaking anyone's hand or otherwise engaging in bodily contact, and NEVER, EVER touch a doorknob, shopping cart, or any other object that might have possibly come into contact with any human at any point during its existence.

Buy into the hype and you'll find yourself locked away in a dark room waiting for the hazmat team to give the "All Clear."

Big Pharma and the medical community at large are depending on you to buy into the hysteria; to leave the fate of your health and well-being up to the questionable workings of chemical-laden pills and shots rather than the innate power that runs your body and the living world around you.

The reality is that germs don't make you sick. Rather, your body's inability to fend off germs and foreign invaders is what results in you succumbing to illness.

Think about it... How is it possible that a family of 5 people living under the same roof can have completely different reactions during flu season?

Assuming that everyone is exposed to the same germs and viruses, if the sickness were attributed completely to the virus, everyone would get sick and exhibit the same reaction and symptoms.

What happens in reality is that one or two family members get ill while the others don't. Clearly the issue is not the germs, but the body's response to them.

Chances are the last time you got sick

• you were running yourself ragged;
• missing sleep,
• eating improperly,
• slacking on your nutrition,
• all stressed out from work, s
• kipping your acupuncture sessions,
• and neglecting your workouts. 
   

This is a vicious pattern that many of us fall into and it's one that weakens the body and allows germs to take hold.
Your best defense against the flu, colds, or any other germ-borne illness is not to drug yourself, but to bolster your internal defenses. You stand your best chance of being at your healthiest when you have an optimally functioning nervous system and immune response.

So come in for an acupuncture tune-up, keep your lifestyle habits in good order, and maintain a positive attitude. Do so, and those pesky little germs don't stand a chance!  

Recipe Corner

Herbal Immune System Booster Soup 

 a great cold home remedy 
by John Gallagher, www.learningherbs.com

Ingredients: 

• 8 cups (237 ml) water 
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil 
• 1 onion, diced 
• 1 bulb garlic (at least 10 cloves), minced 
• One 1 and half inch (3 and half cm) piece of fresh ginger root, grated 
• 1 half cups salted chicken broth or beef bone broth 
• 5 pieces sliced dried Astragalus Root (not the powder) (available online or at the office)
• 2 cups fresh, sliced shiitake mushrooms 
• 1 large reishi mushroom 
• cayenne powder, if desired 
• miso

Instructions: 

1. Bring water to boil in large pot. 
2. Heat olive oil, saut� garlic, onions, and ginger until soft and aromatic. 
3. Add contents of skillet to water. 
4. Add broth, shiitake, astragalus, and reishi. Simmer covered for two hours. 
5. Remove from heat, allow to sit for two more hours. 
6. Remove astragalus and reishi mushrooms. 
7. Reheat. Add salt and pepper to taste, and cayenne powder if desired, just enough to bring out a light sweat.   
8. Add a bit of miso, if desired.

Now, you can make variations. You can cut out the reishi if you cannot find it. You can buy dried reishi mushrooms online. Shiitake mushrooms are amazing for the immune system and are available at most supermarkets. Astragalus, as well as the mushrooms, are available at Asian groceries (as Huang qi), BUT you can also buy astragalus root (not the powder) online or at the office. Mountain Rose Herbs is a high quality, reputable herb company. 

Keep a big jar of astragalus root by the stove. Throw a few pieces in practically every soup and tea you make. It is the main herb to think about for "herbal immune system nourishment." 
  

About the Author - John Gallagher John Gallagher, L.Ac. is founder of LearningHerbs and currently serves as Director of Mystery. He created the Herbal Remedy Kit and HerbMentor, and produced all the products they offer. John is a five element acupuncturist, home herbalist, musician, husband and parent.  

by Stephen Buhner

This herbal immune system recipe was reprinted in one of MY FAVORITE HERB BOOKS called Herbal Antibiotics, by Stephen Buhner. If you want to thoroughly read about all the herbs related to cold and flu cure along with many others, this is the book for you. It is a short, simple book that is concise and amazing. In this recipe, Stephen takes Andrew Weil's recipe in Eight Weeks to Optimum Health and tweaks it a bit. 

 

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