Astragalus

Master Lu's Health Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Astragalus, Immune systemThis herb supports your immune system while assisting the body in adapting to daily stress. Astragalus is a foundational herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It promotes healthy resistance from the occasional physical and emotional stressors, and it also supports healthy immune functions.

Immunity Enhancing Soup

Ingredients:

How to prepare:

  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the onions, garlic, and ginger
  2. Sauté until soft and translucent
  3. Add shiitake mushrooms, carrots, astragalus root, and vegetable stock
  4. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes
  5. Add tamari and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed
  6. Add the broccoli florets and cook until tender, about 2 minutes
  7. Remove the astragalus root pieces
  8. Serve soup in bowls and garnish with scallions

Garlic

Master Lu's Health Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine, garlic, Immune SystemGarlic is a powerful antioxidant with antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. It’s also a natural decongestant.

Garlic Lemon Honey Tea

Ingredients:

How to prepare:

  1. Put water in a medium saucepan and add garlic
  2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3-5 minutes (the longer you simmer, the stronger the tea will be)
  3. Remove from heat, add honey and lemon juice
  4. Sip 1/2 cup, three times per day
  5. Refrigerate for 3-5 days

Elderberry

Master Lu's Health Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Elderberry, Immune systemElderberry is a commonly used medicinal plant that is known all around the world. Elderberry is most often taken as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms.

Whole-body Support Tea

Ingredients:

How to prepare:

  1. Mix all herbs together and store in a clean, dry jar
  2. Simmer 1 tablespoon in 1 cup of water for 15 minutes
  3. Add honey to taste
  4. Drink 1-3 cups per day

Elderberry is excellent for flu prevention, but it is contraindicated if you have an illness that manifests with a cytokine storm. Ask a qualified practitioner for more details.

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 nutritional therapy can treat a wide range of health conditions, including immune deficiency, by stimulating and balancing the immune system. TCM strives to regulate immune function and treat the underlying cause of the disease by reducing symptoms, speeding up the healing of infection, and normalizing the body’s immune response. And while not all of the herbs we will discuss here are specific to TCM, they can be found and utilized easily.

Reishi Mushroom: This fungus is sometimes called the “great protector” because it guards the body against the detrimental effects stress can have on the physical body. When taken regularly, it has been shown to improve immunity, while also calming the nerves. Specifically, it can help inhibit tumor growth in both breast and prostate cancer.  

Elderberry: Elderberry is a commonly used medicinal plant that is known all around the world. Elderberry has been gaining popularity over the past few years, and rightfully so! The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that can boost your immune system. Elderberry is most often taken as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms.

Ginger: Ginger can be used fresh, powdered, dried, as oil and juice, and is even added to processed foods. Ginger has a long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicines. It has been used to help digestion, alleviate nausea, reduce the risk of heart disease, and help fight the flu and common cold. Ginger can also reduce inflammation and alleviate exercise-induced muscle pain.

Probiotics:  Having the right gut bacteria is linked to numerous health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, and healthier skin. There is now substantial evidence that probiotics can provide benefits by improving and modulating immune function, regulating inflammation, and cell-to-cell signaling. Certain probiotics have even shown to decrease airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation by inducing regulatory mechanisms.

A great way to nourish a healthy gut is to consume foods filled with beneficial bacteria, rather than adding supplemental pills. This includes cultured dairy products like yogurt and kefir; fermented vegetables such as kimchi or sauerkraut; miso, tempeh, natto, and other fermented soy products; as well as kombucha (a type of fermented tea).

Astragalus: This herb is a favorite among TCM practitioners and has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a variety of conditions, especially for those who are already fatigued.  This herb is specifically known for its ability to strengthen the Wei Qi. Astragalus root is often used as a tonic to increase stamina (the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort). Astragulus promotes healthy resistance from the occasional physical and emotional stressors, all the while supporting healthy immune functions.

The appropriate dose of astragalus depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. Also, worth noting, there are over 2,000 different species of astragalus.

As you can see, herbs can be very beneficial and help keep the body free from illness. The herbs mentioned above are just a few examples that would be good to have on hand to help boost your immune system.

Please be proactive in your health, always seek professional advice when adding any kind of supplements to your daily routine.

Master Lu’s Health Center in Salt Lake City is a Chinese medical clinic that practices all aspects of Chinese medicine including acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy.  Chinese medicine is a complete medical system that diagnoses and treats disease. It has been used for over 3,000 years and has shown to be a viable form of health care. One aspect of Chinese medicine that we don’t hear much about here in the West is Chinese herbs.  There are thousands of Chinese herbs that help with many different health conditions.  One Chinese herb that is very common is huang qi or astragalus.

Huang qi is categorized as a supplementing qi or boosting qi herb.  That means that it will help you improve your energy levels, and improve the function of your organs overall.  Huang qi is a sweet and slightly warm herb. It will enter into the spleen and lung channels.  Huang qi grows throughout China, especially in the northern most regions of China.

There are many different functions for huang qi.  The following are some the most common functions and indications for huang qi:

As you can see there are several functions of huang qi.  How is it used when there are so many different functions and indications for this herb?  The beauty of Chinese medicine is that it focuses on balance.  Chinese herbs are used in formulas that are balanced and used for specific Chinese medical diagnosis.  Huang qi will be part of Chinese herbal formulas.  There are many different formulas that will use huang qi for very specific Chinese medical diagnosis. For example, huang qi is used in a formula called Yu Ping Feng San.  This formula is good for allergies and recurrent colds. It will help with the immune system and improve your energy.  Huang qi alone may help a little, but it works better when there is a formula involved.

Chinese herbs are a lifetime study and practice.  They are utilized throughout the world and have shown to be effective.  Huang qi is a wonderful herb for many different health conditions.

If you would like to learn how Chinese herbs may help you improve your health please give us a call today at Master Lu’s Health Center.

 

 

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Master Lu has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese martial arts for over 40 years. He was one of the first Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Utah. He was trained in Taiwan in both Acupuncture and Chinese martial arts mainly Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Old Yang Style Tai Chi. Master Lu was also twice national champion for full contact fighting in Taiwan.

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