The cold and darkness of the winter season encourages all things to slow down.  It is a time to rest, restore and revitalize.  However, due to our good fortune of living in sunny Southern California, some people don’t heed nature’s true cycle.  The sporadic scattering of sunny warm days gives some of us the illusion that we live in perpetual summer.

Unfortunately, this illusion does come with a price.  If one’s immune system is already weakened, that person will experience seasonal colds or flus.  Or if the impact is not experienced immediately, they will see it in Spring with seasonal allergies.

But take heart, Chinese Medicine does have remedies for these common seasonal afflictions.  Gan Mao Ling and/or Yin Qiao San can be used for the common cold with runny nose, fever, headaches, and sore throat.  The addition of Chuan Xin Lian is helpful for the flu.

Also remember that the winter season is also a good time to revitalize and boost your immune system.  Don’t wait to prevent symptoms of seasonal allergies.  Acupuncture and herbal supplements like Yu Ping Feng San can work to build up and boost your immunity so that allergies are either minimized or non-existent during the Spring.

So remember, use this season as it was intended:  rest, restore and revitalize.  So slow down.  Sleep more.  Reduce your work load.  Take more “me” time.  Consult with your TCM practitioner on achieving your winter restoration goals and, if needed, on appropriate herbal recommendations, dosage and frequency.   

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