By Dorje Root, RH (AHG).
It often seems that we head into autumn and winter still running from the activity of summer. It sometimes takes a full-on winter flu to get us to slow down and adjust to the more relaxed pace of the season. It is possible, though, to tune into the shorter, colder days and begin to slow down before our immune systems rebel and demand that we pay attention to them. Our bodies require more sleep and warmer foods as we head into winter.
In Chinese medicine, autumn corresponds to the metal element, the lungs and colon, and the emotion of grief. Winter corresponds to the water element, the kidneys and bladder, and the emotion of fear. Suppressed emotions, as in any condition which blocks energy flow, can lead to physical illness. Now would be a good time to tune into any unresolved grief or fear, and find ways to clear them.
Nutritionally, more cooked foods than raw will help the body in this season. Warming herbs, such as onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and licorice in foods and as teas keep the inner fires burning. In a previous article I talked about a tonic herbal concoction—Fire Cider. It’s a fiery combination of onion, garlic, horseradish, ginger and other herbs. If you can’t find that article, you can find the recipe online. One teaspoon a day helps maintain winter health, or helps clear sinus infections, flus and colds.
Our local herbs, mullein, osha, usnea, red root, and grindelia can help prevent and treat colds and flus. Homeopathic Oscillococcinum can be taken at the first sign of flu or after having been exposed. Elderberry syrup is an excellent antiviral—use it to sweeten your tea to maintain health, or to shorten the duration of an illness. And speaking of teas, this is an excellent time to stay well hydrated, with warm liquids if possible. I love Traditional Medicinals tea—they are good quality, good tasting and easy to use.
And last but certainly not least—sugar suppresses the immune system. Replace it with small quantities of natural sweeteners and fruit, and toss your artificial sweeteners in the trash immediately upon reading this article!
To your health!
Dorje Root, RH (AHG) is an herbalist and natural healer, also working with Plant Spirit Medicine, Intuitive Energy Healing and ‘The Journey’ cellular healing.