Tag Archives: lungs

Fall Self Care Package Recipes

Fire Cider
Fire Cider was originally developed by Rosemary Gladstar in the early 80s. This recipe does not contain cayenne pepper so its a little milder if giving to children. You can add it in if you want the extra heat.
You can take 1-3 Tablespoons a day as prevention or up to 1 tablespoon an hour if you are trying to ward off a cold. Dilute with a little water and add honey to taste.
To make more at home:
1 cup minced yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped horseradish (I got at miejer in the produce section)
15 cloves minced garlic
one small knob of ginger chopped
2-3 black peppercorns
1/2 lemon sliced thin
3 cups of apple cider vinegar with the mother
Add your ingredients to a glass jar and cover with vinegar. Stir well and let sit 2-3 weeks shaking the jar once a day for the first few days.
Strain out the vinegar, refrigerate and use within a year.
Your fire cider was mixed on Friday Oct 13 so you can strain in 2 or 3 weeks whenever you prefer. You can add honey to the vinegar or just add the honey when you use it. Add 1/4 c honey if you choose to add to vinegar.
Huang Qi Chai
Isn’t that fun to say? This is an immune boosting chair recipe with no caffeine created by Rosalee De la Foret. You can drink it as is, or add a black tea bag if you’re more traditional. I like mine with some coconut milk and honey and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Your tea bags have powdered ginger and you might like to add a few slices of fresh ginger when you brew yours at home.
10 small slices of astragalus root (huang qi) you can buy online or in herb shops
1 tablespoon dried orange peel
2 teaspoons minced or fresh ginger
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon chips (the sticks work too or even powdered)
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
3 cardamom pods (powder works too)
2 whole cloves
On stove top add all ingredients to pan with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes covered. Strain and add milk and honey as desired. Drink within 36 hours
Slow cooker method: Place all ingredients with water in a slow cooker on low heat overnight covered. If water looks low add more. Strain and drink how you like.
Dry brushing is great to do as a fall ritual. I like to do it right before a shower.
Here is some info for dry brushing as well. http://www.sarahcanga.com/2014/09/25/natural-remedy-for-dryness/

Welcome Fall

I realize its been awhile since I’ve had a chance to blog. I’ve been an enjoying a wonderful summer playing in the sunshine with my daughter and we just got back from an action packed trip starting in Colorado going through Estes Park, and then on to Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone and spending time in Montana, Jackson Hole, and Idaho and back to Fort Collins. 1800 miles and many hikes later our family is feeling refreshed and ready for fall.

I always enjoy fall. It is a great reminder that their is beauty in death, in letting go and I also love being able to wear flip flops with sweaters. (its the little things in life)

In Chinese Medicine the Metal Element is most active and this relates to your Lung/Large Intestine system. This system is essentially your immune support. The lungs control your skin and nose and the pathogen of this season is dryness. When in harmony the lungs assist proper respiration and contribute to giving energy to all the other systems of the body. However, the lung is considered a “delicate” organ and is easily susceptible to attack which is why many people suffer more with respiratory issues, allergies and colds/flu during this time.

garlic

Chinese Medicine is first a foremost a system of prevention. So here is what you can do to keep your body strong this fall.

Incorporate pungent and white foods to your diet. Garlic and onion are the first to come to mind. They are great for the immune system and taste great as well. Lung shaped foods like almonds are also great for the season. As the weather cools it is also important to eat warming foods. Soups, stews and crock pot dinners all help to nourish the body in the cooler months. Staying away from dairy and ice cream helps to reduce phelgm in the body as well.

I will be sharing more soon. Make sure to look for the yogapressure blog for the yoga postures and essential oils for fall coming soon where we address the emotion of the season: grief.