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Well it’s that time of year again…the weather is unpredictable, those of you with children in school are getting back into a routine, and the days are getting shorter. In Chinese medicine, autumn is lung season and is associated with breathing difficulties, among other things. I want to discuss a few key strategies for maintaining health and happiness through this and all seasons!

Hydrate: I know I harp on this subject, but let´s face it…without water there is no life. As most of you know, this is the season of the winds – which also means that it is a dry season. All the more reason to drink good, pure water. Remember the rule; drink one half your body weight in ounces each day, preferably between meals. When the winds blow and it remains dry outside for days at a time, it is a good idea to increase that amount. Most fruits and veggies have high water content and can help you get what you need. For those of you with small children, get them in the habit of drinking water instead of juice, especially this time of year.

Breathe: Since it is lung season, I think it is an appropriate time to talk about this simple yet sometimes forgotten aspect of life…the breath. Webster’s definitions are: to take air into the lungs and let it out again, respiration, to live, to rest, life, spirit. Some of the most profound and ancient healing techniques known to man are centered on deep breathing. Yoga and meditation are examples of this, and both emphasize the fact that correct breathing can actually heal the body, mind and spirit! So next time you are faced with a stressful situation, deadlines, traffic, time constraints, aggravations, setbacks or even surprises why not take a slow, deep breath and then let it out very slowly. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much this small act may help.

Allergies and Asthma: Unfortunately, adult asthma has become a huge problem. This is partially due to our poor air quality, and for some the asthma is induced by allergies. The medications prescribed for asthma are very harsh on the body, and for some don’t help enough to outweigh the serious side effects. I am including this information here to remind all of you that there is natural relief for both allergies and asthma! (The allergy newsletter can be found here). Each case of asthma is treated individually and is too complex to list here, so please feel free to contact me if you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed, or has been suffering for a prolonged period with breathing difficulties.

Say NO to the Flu Vaccine: As most of you know from previous newsletters, I am against the Flu vaccine. If you are at all concerned, or are being pressured into getting the vaccine for either you or your family, the following are possible alternatives:

Homeopathic:
Thymuline9CH taken 1 time per week, followed by Mucococcinum the next day  Cell Salts, Pleo Quent.

Supplemental: there are tons of supplements that can help you strengthen your immunity in preparation for the winter, but I recommend a thorough investigation using the Body\scan to address your individual needs
Try to stay away from synthetic and mass produced products that contain toxic tag-alongs which can be spotted on the label under Other Ingredients.

Herbal:  similar to Supplements, these need to be individually prescribed for best efficiency.

The changing of seasons is full of possibilities, and I wish you all a wonderful and joyous autumn (the autumn equinox is September 21st). As always, I am available by phone or email…we are in the office Monday – Friday