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No matter where we may be in our health management, there is always something that can be done to enhance and contribute to our overall health. ! The desire is to foremost share, learn, make available and to revive the connection of self-responsibility to our overall health. We welcome you to visit the blog from time to time to expand on you already pre-existing knowledge of health management, to read interesting historical information, stories, testimonies of people’ s personal experiences with essential oils and adjunct body therapies as well as to leave your very own footprint of knowledge on the blog.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Preventing autum ailments


Eating foods that promote moisture in the body on a daily basis is equally important.
As the cold weather arrives and the cool clear days depart, the season seems annoying enough without the late autumn dryness that often brings special health problems.
Sore throat, dry nasal passages, breathing problems, bad coughing, headaches, chapped lips, as well as constipation are among the problems associated with this season, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
It doesn't work, however, to eat nourishing food or to take any tonics as ways to get rid of such health problems at this time of year. That's simply because these problems are not caused inside human body, but outside.
Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that nature and man are one and as an integral part of nature, man is easily affected by changes in climate and weather. 
When the changes get too drastic in climate, human bodies become much more vulnerable to nasitis, gastritis, influenza, and so on. About 80% of people feel some kind of discomfort during this season.
As a common food medicine in the old country, water is always the most frequently mentioned cure. Not only doctors, but also grannies, nag about drinking more water every time you drop by.
And they have a good reason to do so. As the air dries in the transitional time from autumn to winter, the moisture in human body decreases. The reduced moisture in the upper respiratory tract and mouth can lead to coughing, increased phlegm, and bronchitis.
The lungs and the skin are the two organs that are most sensitive to the outside environment. When people inhale dry air and breathe out humid carbon dioxide, the body's moisture level falls. The skin also dries in the process.

Therefore, replenishing fluids by drinking enough water is especially important. This by no means includes drinking beverages.
The purpose is not just to supply more water to the body; instead, it's to nourish yin (cool energy), reduce dryness, and moisturize the body inside and out. In doing so, it gets easier to avoid the above-mentioned autumn diseases.
And, eating foods that promote moisture in the body on a daily basis is equally important. They don't have to be rare delicacies, of course. Below are some recommended foods that are both economical and effective in preventing autumn diseases.

Lotus root benefits the lung

Covered with a coat of mud from the lily pond, lotus roots scare away many potential consumers. But did you know that the coat of mud helps to keep the root fresh? Raw lotus roots are said to "clear" heat, while cooked ones can help purify blood and stimulate appetite. Lotus root is classified as a cooling food, thus they are extremely good for the lungs in this season.
Boiled juice from lotus root, ginger, pear, turnip, ginkgo, sugarcane, and honey is not only yummy but also of medicinal value. You are encouraged to hand make one container of such juice, keep it in a glass bottle, and drink it frequently. It helps dispel inner heat and reduce phlegm. Lotus root is classified as a cooling food, thus they are extremely good for the lungs in this season.
 

Garlic drives influenza away
Garlic has the most powerful fungicidal effectiveness in the natural world. Whenever you feel the attacks of an itchy throat and runny nose, it means that you are getting a cold and you better hurry to take some garlic before it's too late. Garlic will help you to kill the virus because of its abundant amount of antiviral elements, which can also act to strengthen immunity.
It's now the turning point from autumn to winter and therefore the active season for the flu. Adding garlic in your diet is thus necessary.

Tea eases gingivitis
Adding to its numerous benefits to human health, the latest research has discovered that tea is also good for our teeth and gums due to its abundance of fluorine as well as tea polyphenols. Therefore, it's suggested to drink some tea after a meal, or gargle with tea to strengthen the teeth. This is especially required as many people tend to suffer from gingivitis in drier climates. Moreover, the sugar released from tea leaves—the pectin together with saliva in the mouth—will stimulate chemical changes, which can help to enhance the self-cleaning ability of an oral cavity.

Cabbage curbs coughs
They might be cheap and humble looking, but, did you know cabbages can work miracles?
Cabbages are abundant in vitamin C. They are richer in vitamin C than the famous oranges. Thus, cabbages are very helpful in treating ulcers, certain cancers, depression, strengthening the immune system and fighting against cough and cold, healing wounds and damaged tissues, proper functioning of the nervous system, and helpful with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Moreover, cabbages are quite rich in fiber, which can help retain water and forms the bulk of the food in the bowels. Therefore, cabbages are a good cure for constipation and related problems.
Now that you know what foods are good for the dry autumn, don't forget to stay warm!
 

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