What To Take if You are Sick

Daylight savings! Sunnier days! Spring is in the air! And yet…. It feels like everyone is still getting sick.  Influenza A and B have been raging this year. Coughs are lasting longer and oh, so many sinus infections!

This is usually an article I’d write and send out in November as we’re getting ready for cold season, but I’ve been asked these questions so often in the past 2 weeks, that I thought I’d share my thoughts now. 

Can acupuncture help with a cold? Can acupuncture help keep me healthy? Can I come in for acupuncture? Yes! Yes! Yes!  Please test for Covid. If you are negative, wear a mask and come on in! Acupuncture can help you feel better, can shorten the duration of a cold and diminish the severity of a cold. Especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or can’t/don’t want to take cold medicine or herbal remedies, acupuncture is your best option.  We’re likely to include gua sha or cupping to increase the benefits. 

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What can I take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

I most often recommend oscillococcinum, a homeopathic remedy, safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s most effective when you take right before or just as you feel the tiniest tickle that you might be getting sick.

What can I take regularly to boost my immune system so I don’t get sick at the drop of a hat?

My favorite supplement is Cataplex AC from Standard Process. It’s a food based supplement that includes Vitamins A and C and Echinacea.  I would add Zinc in there as well. Immunoberry, a liquid tincture with elderberry, wild cherry bark and medicinal mushrooms, is great for the whole family. Adequate water intake, lots of veggies and fruits, 8-9 hours of sleep per night, regulating your stress response are among the best things you can do to stay healthy. Acupuncture deserves a plug here for it’s ability to support the immune system and a healthy stress response and encourage good sleep. While being exposed to “germs” is great for your immune system to continually do its job, I do recommend wearing a mask if you are in a very crowded room, or in an airport/on an airplane. (I can’t tell you how many patients come back from vacation with a respiratory illness.)

What do I do when there is illness around me and/or I feel that little tickle like I'm about to get sick? (Like my 3 year old just coughed directly in my mouth)

Wellness Formula (WF): 2 capsules, 3x/day is your best bet.

If you’re not a fan of WF, Gan Mao Ling is a beautiful Chinese herbal formula that you can take preventatively or once you are already sick to kick it out.

The Wellness Formula didn’t do the trick.  Now I have a sore throat and a fever. What now?

Sore throat and fever are common indications for the classic formula, Yin Qiao San. Evergreen makes a great modified formula called “Lonicera Complex”. The key with most of these formulas is to get to it quick. If you have these formulas on hand, you will be ready at the beginning of a cold. 

What do I take when I have a cough with a lot of yellow or green phlegm?

Clean Air from Plum Flower, or in Mandarin, Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang, helps clear phlegm and stop coughs. 

What herbs and supplements can I give my child when they get sick? 

There are more intricacies here, so first, I recommend bringing them in for care. This can include acupuncture (needles are placed in and take out very quickly - they don’t need to sit still for a half hour like grown ups do!), shoni shin, laser treatment, cupping, craniosacral therapy or gua sha, and definitely includes an assessment and herbal consultation.   (Check out the upcoming article, “Kids and Acupuncture” for more information on the modalities just mentioned.)

If it’s a straightforward cold, Windbreaker is amazing. It’s a liquid tincture, so no need to swallow any pills. Similar to Yin Qiao San, it’s ideal for sore throat and a fever. 

If there is anything else: ear infections, recurrent colds, lingering coughs, asthma, weight loss/slow weight gain, constipation, and more, bring your little one into the office so we can look at the whole picture and get them feeling better safely. 

The disclaimer below is actually very good advice, not just a blurb I’m required to add here. Please come in for an evaluation or call the office if you are an existing patient for more clarification. Suzanne and I are here to help! Every case is different, and not all of these recommendations are just right for everyone. The beauty of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that we can look at what is going on with you and make specific recommendations that are safe and effective. 

You can pick up any of these recommendations at our office. We can guide you around dosing and making sure you've got the right formula. You can also order these supplements here, at FullScript. Just a reminder - please avoid Amazon. We’ve seen too many cases of counterfeit medicine arriving and labels that were tampered with. Plus, we don’t know how these products were stored or shipped. If you don’t order from FullScript or pick up from us, please get your supplements from a source you trust.  View our Entire Fullscript catalog !

Take good care!

Traci Moren, L.Ac.

Disclaimer:

The information provided regarding supplements is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The recommendations do not replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or treatment plan, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking any medications. Supplements may interact with medications or cause side effects in some individuals. Individual needs and responses to supplements may vary.