4 Wellness Foods for the Year of the Snake

Welcome to the year of the Black Water Snake.  According to Feng Shui Master Jill Lander of Golden Elements, the mythology of the snake often represents healing of the physical body.

With that in mind the theme of this week’s mind and body posts is to offer you an easy path to vitality, to get you energized, and a list of some warm healing foods to help your physical body recuperate after the indulgences of Chinese New Year (CNY) and the cold weather.

For many the traditions of CNY require lots of visiting and being around lots of people and potentially being exposed to those with colds and flu.  So if you are feeling cold and down after the festivities, listen to your body, rest and try something natural to recuperate.  Here are a few flu/cold and digestive remedies and healing recipes.

Ginger

Ginger has been used as a food and medicine since ancient times.  Its main actions as a medicinal herb are for gastrointestinal support and to aid nausea and vomiting.  It has a warming effect on the body when you have the chills, causing sweating and is a common treatment for colds and flu.  In Ayurveda ginger is used to treat coughs and respiratory infections and acts as a natural expectorant to break down mucus which can form in the lungs during illness.

Try these:

• Raw ginger chopped or grated makes for a delicious tea with some honey and lemon, or
• Chopped ginger in warm or room temperature water and sip throughout the day to break up mucus, or
• Use lots of ginger as part of your meals, cooked or raw.

Garlic

Garlic has been used as a food and medicine for 5000 years and there are even records of it being used to treat tumors in 1550BC.  Traditionally it is used to warm the body and cleanse the blood to prevent colds and flu and remains one of the most widely used natural remedies for combating colds, flu, bronchitis and nasal congestion.  Its main actions are as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and immune enhancing.  The allicin compound in garlic has been found to inhibit pathogens and enhances T-cell function.

It is important to chop the garlic and let it sit for at least 5 min before heating to release the active compounds

Try this:

The best thing to say here is ADD it to everything you eat…definitely when you are down and out with a cold or flu …otherwise in all cooked meals and in dressings for salads and other raw dishes.

Turmeric

courtesy of apinchof.com

The active component of turmeric, curcumin, is also responsible for its delightful yellow color is.  A natural antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, tumeric is used in both Ayurveda and TCM for treating inflammation and digestive disorders.  Studies show that turmeric is an effective antioxidant and can play a role in supporting the detoxification processes of the liver.

Try this:

For treating phlegm and sore throat:

Mix ¼ tsp cinnamon powder,¼ tsp black pepper, pinch of turmeric and make into a paste with honey eat! 

Soothes the throat better than any lozenger

Licorice

Also known as the ‘sweet root’.  Animal studies have found the main chemical compound in licorice, glycyrrhizin, to be protective against the influenza virus.  It is also an effective expectorant that helps eliminate mucus from the respiratory tract.  Combined with its anti-immflamatory, anti-viral and immune enhancing properties it is an effective treatment for reducing respiratory infection.

There are some drug interactions to be aware of so please seek advice from your medical provider before taking licorice in supplement form.  Otherwise:

Try this:

Look for organic herbal teas containing licorice

Try this for one of the best cold recovery remedies and let me know how you get on.

• Ginger 5cm piece – chopped
• Red chili, 1-2 (leave the seeds in if you like) – chopped
• Garlic 5-6 pieces or as much as you can handle – chopped
• Juice of ½ to 1 lemon
• Honey to taste

After chopping the ginger, chili and garlic leave it to stand for at least 5 min.  Simmer garlic, ginger and chilli in water for 10 min.  Strain into a cup, add lemon and honey to taste and sooth.

Drink, keep warm, rest and recover

Enjoy and remember to be well!

Angie

PS you can also supplement these suggestions with our vitality superfoods.

• InLiven to give you the probiotics to get the gut healthy quickly,
• BerryRadical to boost your antioxidant levels to help your body fight the ailment
• DeepGreen to ensure your body is less acidic allowing the cells to recover and your body to be nourished

Source: Braun. L. & Cohen, M., Herbs and natural Supplements: An evidence-based guide, 2^nd ed, Elsevier, Sydney, Australia

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