Immune System Health

There are a couple things we can do, especially in the fall & winter when we find ourselves around people who have the flu, colds, and respiratory bacterial infections or we just want to maintain good health.

Vinegar Steam. Do this once a week during flu season or if you are around a lot of sick kids/people. Place 1/4 cup of vinegar (it can be white vinegar, does not need to be anything fancy) in a small pan of water and boil it until almost all of it has evaporated. Stay in the kitchen and breathe air the vinegar- water fumes evaporated into. DO NOT STAND OVER THE PAN! It bolsters your immune system.

Guasha. This is used by mothers in the East to help their children “shake-off” a cold in the beginning stages, the first 24 hours when you start feeling the early symptoms. Of course, it is good for both young and old! A jar lid that is not sharp around the edges will do (a baby- food lid is perfect). You can also use a large spoon but it has to have soft edges to it. Rub some oily substance over shoulders, upper back, lower neck (i.e. Vicks Vapo-Rub; Tiger Balm; Elephant Balm; coconut oil). Scrape or stroke gently downward from shoulders , upper back, lower neck, using short strokes (no longer than 8 inches). Do not stroke upward. After a few strokes, take your palm and rub downward over the area and then continue stroking with lid. Rub downward with hand intermittently. Do this until you see a light red appear on skin, about 5 minutes or so. You can guasha a couple of times the first day. It is amazing. Sometimes you can nip the cold or flu in the bud or you can lessen the symptoms dramatically. Ask me if you have questions. I will be glad to demonstrate on you or your loved one. If you know someone who has an infant, why not see if they could collect a few baby-food jar lids for you. I am always in need of them!