❄️ Winter is Here ❄️
So is the Cold and Flu

❄️ Winter is Here!

As I wrote this newsletter, I enjoyed watching this season's first snowfall. It was short-lived, but beautiful to see. The weather outlook for this week calls for winter weather all across the nation. I hope everyone is prepared!

The winter season is the time of year that we must brace for. In some places it is cold, in some, it is rainy and wet (me🙋🏻‍♂️in Oregon!), and in others, covered in snow. All this is a good recipe for Cold and Flu season, and oh yeah, that C-V infection too.

Why cold and flu are winter illnesses?

The viruses that cause the cold and flu thrive in low temperatures and low humidity of the fall and winter seasons. This is also a time of year when our immune system is slightly weakened, and susceptible to these viruses. All we need is a drop of about 9^o F to weaken our immune system in our nasal passages. This occurs when the outside temperature drops from 80 to 40 degrees.

Chinese Medicine’s View of Cold and Flu

Chinese medicine has a different perspective. A common reason for coming down with a cold/flu is because the Wind-Cold invaded your body. Wind-cold is considered a pathogen (something that causes illness). It can invade your body at multiple entry points, but the main area is the neck. What does it mean to invade? this is just the pathogen overcoming your immune system, or your “defensive Qi”, to cause illness.

We all are born with Qi, pronounced “Chi”. There are different types of Qi in the body. Our defensive Qi, known as Wei Qi, is what protects our body. When it is cold outside, our Qi becomes stagnant, much like water becomes more solid as it cools. This prevents the flow of Qi in your body and predisposes you to invading pathogens. Cold reduces your blood circulation. It will take some energy to warm up your immune defenses.

Is it Cold or Flu?

Symptoms for both can last up to 2 weeks. If symptoms do not improve, or breathing or other symptoms get worse, seek medical attention.

Health Tips for Cold and Flu Season

Here are some general health tips for the cold and flu season. Send me an email to let me know what you do to prevent a cold and flu, and maybe we can add it to a future list.

• Wear a scarf. Keep your neck covered to prevent the wind-cold from invading. Yes, it sounds funny or crazy saying that out loud.

• Drink warm fluids, and eat warm foods. This can be things like soups, teas, warm drinks, and anything that is heated, but not fried. Use warming spices such as cinnamon, cayenne, pepper, cardamom, ginger, and turmeric.

• Avoid foods that cause mucus. These include dairy, sugar, wheat/gluten, and alcohol.

• Get quality sleep. Adults need about 7-8hrs of sleep for optimal health. Research has shown that sleep deprivation decreases your immune system function. Sleep helps regenerate immune cells, and allows your Qi to recover. We’ll cover sleep at another time.

• Wash your hands. Often. If you’re out and about you will come in contact with many viruses that are on surfaces of things you touch in public.

• Breathe through your nose. Breathing through the nose helps warm and moisten the air. Use the nose strips to open your nasal passages. Use a Neti Pot to moisten and clean the nasal mucosa.

• Exercise. Do some sort of movement daily that gets your heart pumping a little. Walk around the block. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Hydrate. Make sure that you stay hydrated. Your body relies on water to carry out many biochemical functions involved in fighting the virus.

OK, What about natural therapies?
Here are some natural therapies you can consider using when you’re down.

• Wet Sock Therapy - this is a form of hydrotherapy that is great for reducing fevers and stimulating the immune system. Email me if you want my handout.

• Epsom Salt Bath - use about ½ lb of Epsom salt in a warm bath.

• Steam inhalation with thyme or thyme oil - boil water and add thyme. Breathe in the steam over 15-20 minutes.

• Neti Pot nasal rinses - do 2-3 times daily

Recommended Supplements:
Build your medicine cabinet with the following supplements.
You can find all of my favorites in my online supplement dispensary.
Pick and choose the ones you like, and have them shipped to your house.
→ Dr. Jorge’s Dispensary ← 🛒
_{Note: supplements will have commonly used ranges. I cannot give specifics as that would be considered medical advice.} 

• Vitamin C - 500-1000mg daily. Great antioxidant and immune support.

• Vitamin D3 - 1000-2000 IU daily. Great for immune support.

• Zinc - 30-50mg daily with food.

• Quercetin - 300-500mg daily.

• Elderberry - an antiviral herb that comes in many forms; avoid using gummies or any added sugar forms.

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) - 300-600mg daily. Great mucus thinning, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.

• Curcumin (Turmeric) - 300-500mg daily. Great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

• Magnesium glycinate - 300-400mg daily. Ease muscle aches.

• Sinatrol by Ortho Molecular

• Viracid by Ortho Molecular

• Wellness Formula by Source Naturals - good to have on-hand to start taking at the first signs of a cold/flu.

• Flucomune by Ayush Herbs

• Kuffsoothe by Ayush Herbs - for cough

You can find all of my favorites in my online supplement dispensary. Pick and choose the ones you like, and have them shipped to your house.
Dr. Jorge’s Dispensary

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To Health,

Dr. Jorge Reveron, ND
Naturopathic Doctor