The immune system can get bogged down for a number of reasons, whether it is from being overworked, or chronic allergies, we all are looking for ways to improve our overall health and wellbeing. Below are tips to improve and strengthen immune function to keep the body in its best shape and fight off illness. Lemon and Peppermint oil Both of these oils have detoxifying and healing properties for the body. Part of a strong immune system is cleansing and ridding the body of toxins. By adding a few drops of lemon oil to your water every day, the oil will help clean the blood and toxic buildup in your body. Peppermint oil is known for its healing properties for headaches, indigestion, and a larg

Allergies affect millions of people all over the world and for most, the spring and fall seasons tend to be when allergies flare up the most which can be a miserable experience. The term allergy is used to describe a reaction produced by the body when it encounters something foreign. The body may respond to these foreign entities by producing antibodies or releasing specific chemicals known as histamines. The histamines trigger an allergic reaction or inflammatory response. When allergies occur, many people reach for over-the-counter remedies. And while they can be beneficial, they are not meant to be taken long term and over time, they can have some adverse effects. But there is something

Almost everybody knows there are two very unique ways of treating disease and maintaining health. But not everybody knows how these two methodologies differ from one another. And depending on where you live in the world, there may be one that is more prominent than the other. Both systems have their pros and cons. So let’s differentiate between the two. This is the battle between Eastern and Western medicine. Let’s get ready to rumble! To begin, we have to look at the history of both systems. Eastern medicine has been around for nearly 5,000 years and began when ancient herbalists experimented with plant substances and their effects on humans. There are substances that have been found to en

In Chinese medical theory, food is considered medicine. Food has qualities and functions biochemically and energetically that target specific organs. Not only that, but the action a particular food takes to benefit that organ in terms of taste, color and temperature is what is included in Five Element theory. Food has a relationship to both the natural elements as well as the organs in the body and balances the elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood to healthy, generating cycles. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) everything is thought of in terms of yin and yang theory. Yin is often dark, cooling, moist, still, and internal where are Yang is bright, hot, moving, dry, and outward;

The flu, you, and Chinese medicinal clinical studies have suggested that using acupuncture as a preventative approach to colds and flu can reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the duration of the illness. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine work by rebalancing the body’s systems, regulating the body’s healing energies, and enhancing the immune system. Even though germs, bacteria, and viruses are everywhere—in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink—according to Chinese medical theory, they do not cause disease. Illness occurs when our Wei Qi and our meridian organ systems are weak and out of balance. When this occurs it creates a hospitable f

A study published by the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine concludes acupuncture treatments can indeed help treat the common cold. The study followed 187 participants based on the onset of when the cold occurred. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group reported an onset time of cold symptoms within 36 hours and the second group reported an onset of symptoms greater than 36 hours. Both groups showed significant decreases in symptoms, as well as cold duration. This study demonstrates how receiving acupuncture treatments can shorten the length of time a person deals with the common cold and its symptoms. Everybody has suffered from the common cold at some point alo

Battling another cough or cold? Feeling tired all the time? You may feel better if you take a daily walk or follow a simple exercise routine a few times a week. Just like any time of year, exercise is a great way to keep your body strong, but it’s extra important if you want to take advantage of what your immune system is capable of. The physical movement will increase your blood circulation and oxygen, as well as eliminate metabolic wastes. Fitness is one of the largest growing industries today. When choosing which program best fits your life and your desired outcome, it is important to look at these four aspects of a fitness routine. Endurance - These activities are designed to increase yo

What Is Hepatic Encephalopathy? Although Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is rare, it generally occurs in people with chronic liver disease such as those with hepatitis or cirrhosis and can be triggered by dehydration or infection. Symptoms of this illness include early signs of forgetfulness, confusion and if your breath has a sweet or musty odor. Once the symptoms are advanced, they often turn into shaking of the hands or arms, slurred speech, seizures and even disorientation. There are three levels of HE; Acute Fulminant Viral Hepatitis which comes on suddenly, Toxic Hepatitis which may be caused by exposure to chemicals, drugs or alcohol and Reye’s Syndrome which is most commonly seen in chil

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes many different modalities to help keep the body free from disease. These modalities include acupuncture, moxibustion, nutrition, qi gong, tai chi and herbal formulations among many others. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for millennia to keep the body free from disease and to also help remove disease when it attacks by strengthening a weakened immune system by increasing red and white cell counts, T-cell count and enhancing humoral and cellular immunity. Herbs can be used alone or combined with other herbs to make more effective formulas used to strengthen the immune system when the body is fighting illness. Chinese Herbal remedies and nutri