Tower Hill Botanical Gardens and The Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts recently hosted Chris Marano “Herbal Boosters for Winter Wellness”. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to his discussion formed in part by his study of Chinese and Native American Herbalism and grounded in 20+ years of clinical experience. In the pre intro he shared with us the deep nourishing qualities of mushroom broth and brought a big pot to share. This type of broth can be used medicinally or as a base for all your winter soups.
What is your Winter Wellness Strategy for cold and flu season?
Chris’s Winter Wellness approach focused on dealing with the high level of viral infections common during the winter months. He suggests a layered line of defense with an emphasis on prevention.
- Protect your natural immunity and immune barriers, Wei Qui How?
- Consistent Hygiene aka Wash Your Hands.
- Most pathogens enter through the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth from the hands. Secondary route from the mid back to mid back of head. Block those routes by changing habits.
- No Cold Fluids in the Fall and Winter.
- Start the day with Hot Water and Lemon
- Drink hot Ginger Tea or Miso w Ginger and Garlic during the day.
- Cover your head neck, ears and kidneys when out in the cold.
- Consistent Hygiene aka Wash Your Hands.
- Support your Lymphatic System for effective response
- Move to support your Lymph, Qigong or Yoga
- Shivering moves lymph
- Eat Seasonally to keep things flowing
- Limit EMF exposure, get up from the computer regularly and breathe.
- Support the body during engagement. Virus lower body temperature. The body fights back generating heat.
- If you feel sick drink warm liquids and take a warm bath.
- If you have low to midgrade fever. It is there to fight pathogens and support the immune response.
- Manage high fevers by cooling down the body.
- Allow the fever to contribute to your recovery.
4. Herbals and Uses
- Many Available. Ginger, dandelion, rosemary, thyme among them.
Chris listed a number of herbs that are Lymph Tonics, and provide immune support for winter wellness that are growing in our yards and fields. He then answered questions. Herbal Boosters for Winter Wellness presented a simple seasonally aligned approach to Winter Wellness to help keep the colds and flu at bay this winter.
This blog was written for the Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts and republished on daretoselfcare.com.
Chris Marano RH(AHG), MA, BS teaches clinical herbalism at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and has a thriving Herbal School and Clinical practice. He can be reached on the web at www.Clearpathherbals.com