Herbal Formulas for Seasonal Illnesses – Colds & Flu

Recently, I was visiting with old friends in the Chicago suburb where I grew up. During the course of my visit I was flooded with some fond, funny, and poignant memories from my formative years. One that stood out was an unforgettable experience that I had while visiting with my Tai Chi instructor, a Chinese man who possessed great skills in martial arts, as well as vast knowledge of Traditional Chinese healing techniques like herbal medicine and acupuncture.

I recall visiting with him one day at his school when I was a teenager. He was sipping an unusual and almost exotic smelling cup of tea that he had made from a package of dried herbs that had been boiled and brewed into this thick cup of “liquid medicine”. This cup of tea looked and smelled so different than anything I had ever experienced at that point in my life about tea, which was admittedly limited to the black, (Lipton) version.

When my 17-year-old curious mind could stand it no longer I asked my teacher, who I greatly respected, what he was drinking. He replied, without hesitation and very matter of fact, that he was drinking a medicinal Chinese herbal tea to “clear Wind Heat and tonify his Wei Qi.” When I looked totally confused, he mentioned further that he was fighting off a cold and wanted to strengthen his immune system to help shorten the duration and intensity of his illness. He had grown up in Taiwan and using Chinese herbal medicines was a common practice for him (and totally new for me at that time.)

That incident was an AHA(!) moment for me and one that molded my future health care choices in various ways. What a fascinating concept and practice: herbs and herbal teas/remedies could be used in such a way to prevent and treat certain types of health conditions and illnesses; including the common cold?! Little did I know at the time that I would go on in my later life to study Chinese Herbal Medicine, a time tested and extensive system of using therapeutic herbs, in great depth. I have been certified in Chinese Herbology for many years now and have used these natural health practices both personally and professionally with good success.

So, how might Chinese Herbal Medicine (alone or in combination with Western herbs & nutrients) help to treat or prevent colds and seasonal illnesses? Simply, by using herbs that are safe and time-tested to help support and stimulate our immune system. Appropriate use of therapeutic herbs & herbal formulas has the capacity to:

• Shorten the duration and intensity of a cold, flu, or sinus-related illness.
• Aid in quicker recovery from various types of seasonal illnesses.
• Aid in the prevention of colds & seasonal illnesses through strengthening our body’s inherent immune system.

Don’t forget to read our most recent article about Chinese Herbal Therapies.

Stay tuned for my next newsletter, which will discuss safe and effective herbal and natural healthcare approaches for various types of sinus conditions.

Dr. Mark Ensweiler is nationally certified in Chinese Herbology & Oriental Medicine and consults with patients with a range of illnesses using herbs and natural health care approaches. Lotus Healing Arts has an extensive on-site natural pharmacy, including a wide range of high-quality Chinese Herbs & Formulas.

We are highlighting the following products through March, 2015 and offering a 15% discount on these products. Order online or by phone through our office or call us for further information about a professional herbal consultation.

Details about our herbal cold & flu remedies