Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon echinacea root
• 1 teaspoon dried astragalus root
• 1 teaspoon dried elderberries
• 1 inch fresh ginger root, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups water
• Honey (optional for sweetness)

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, add water and bring it to a boil.
2. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low.
3. Add echinacea root, astragalus root, elderberries, ginger root slices, and cinnamon stick to the saucepan.
4. Allow the ingredients to simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors and beneficial properties to infuse into the water.
5. After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
6. Strain the tea into a cup or teapot, discarding the herbs and spices.
7. If desired, add honey for a touch of sweetness and stir well.
8. Enjoy the immune-boosting tea while it’s warm and soothing.

Note: Feel free to adjust the quantities of ingredients according to your taste preferences. You can also experiment with adding other immune-boosting herbs like rosehips, lemon balm, or thyme to customize the tea blend to your liking.

Enjoy sipping on this nourishing tea as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle to support your immune system. Stay well!

Congee, a type of rice porridge, is a nourishing and easily digestible dish that can be beneficial for supporting the immune system. Here is a simple congee recipe with immune-boosting ingredients:

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice (jasmine or long-grain)
• 6 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 small chicken breast – or 1 cup diced mushrooms (vegetarian option)
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas and spinach)
• Optional toppings: chopped green onions, cilantro, sliced mushrooms, and a drizzle of chili oil

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside
2. In a large pot, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil.
3. Add the rinsed rice, chicken breast or diced mushrooms, grated ginger, and minced garlic to the pot.
4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking – if using chicken breast, remove it from the pot after cooling, shred it with a fork and return it to the congee – if using mushrooms, let them cook throughout the simmering process.
5. As the congee thickens, add tamari or soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir well to incorporate flavors.
6. Add the mixed vegetables to the pot and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7. Remove from heart and let the congee cool slightly.
8. Serve the immune-boosting congee hot and garnish with your choice of toppings.

Enjoy this comforting and immune-supporting congee as a nourishing meal. Feel free to customize the recipe by adding herbs or spices like turmeric, black pepper, or garlic powder for additional flavor and immune-boosting benefits.

Remember to adapt the recipe to your dietary preferences and consult with Heidi and her team for personal advice, especially if you have health conditions.

Acupressure, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to promote healing and relieve symptoms. While it’s not a substitute for medical treatment, especially for serious conditions like pneumonia, acupressure may be used as a complementary therapy to help manage symptoms.

Here are some acupressure points that are commonly recommended for respiratory issues, which may be relevant to both viral and bacterial pneumonia:

1. LU-1 (ZHONGFU)

Located on the chest, just below the clavicle. This point is believed to help with breathing difficulties and lung health.

2. LU-5 (CHIZE)

Found on the elbow crease, on the thumb side. It’s said to be effective in clearing phlegm and easing cough.

3. LU-7 (LIEQUE)

Located above the wrist on the inner arm. It’s often used for relieving symptoms like cough,
headache, and sore throat.

4. ST-36 (ZUSANLI)

Located below the knee. This point is thought to strengthen overall energy and immunity, which can be beneficial in recovery.

5. CV-17 (DANZHONG)

Situated in the center of the chest. This point is commonly used for respiratory health, including easing breathing difficulties and cough.

6. BL-13 (FEISHU)

Located near the spine, directly opposite LU1. This point is specifically associated with lung health and may help ease breathing.

7. PC-6 (NEIGUAN)

Found on the inner arm, a few inches above the wrist. It’s known for its effectiveness in relieving nausea and improving chest discomfort.

Acupressure can be a supportive tool for overall wellness and symptom management, but it’s essential to prioritize and follow medical advice for serious health conditions.

Important Considerations:

Consult a Professional: It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or a certified acupressure practitioner, especially when dealing with serious health conditions like pneumonia.

Gentle Approach: Apply pressure gently, especially on sensitive areas or if you’re new to acupressure.

Avoid Overexertion: If any point feels too painful, reduce pressure or stop.

Not a Substitute for Medical Treatment: Acupressure should not replace conventional medical treatment, especially for conditions like pneumonia which can be life-threatening if not properly treated.

Chest pain is not something to be taken lightly, as many times it can be a precursor to something more serious like a heart attack. Therefore it is always recommended a person suffering from chest pain be checked out by a doctor, especially when that pain appears out of nowhere. Chest/breast pain can be an indication of many other problems too. For instance, anxiety, grief, depression, poor diet, external factors like a cold, accumulation of breast milk or even fatigue can all be factors when a person is experiencing chest/breast pain.

As long as the chest/breast pain is not cardiac related, Traditional Chinese Medicine can be a helpful tool for treating the pain. Acupuncture is one of the modalities used by TCM practitioners to help alleviate pain. Acupuncture helps the body heal itself by releasing endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Acupuncture also helps to dislodge or drain areas of stagnation commonly associated with pain. Think of a cyst. This is a type of stagnation in TCM and acupuncture can help break up these areas of stagnation and restore proper flow of both blood and lymph to the affected areas.

Chest/breast pain can involve many different organs and energetic pathways. The heart, lungs and stomach can all be affected. Therefore, the TCM practitioner must be able to determine the proper diagnosis before
treating each patient. Chest colds are treated much differently than a person suffering from chronic grief over the loss of a loved one. Since chest pain can be a result of an excess condition or a deficiency, the treatments will be very different. The TCM practitioner may suggest certain foods, exercises or overall lifestyle changes that will help the patient heal over time.

Foods

Ginger – This slightly spicy root has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help soothe an upset stomach that may be causing chest pain and acid reflux.

Cucumber – Cooling and draining in nature, this food helps to cleanse the lungs of mucus and phlegm, which can help relieve chest congestion and pain.

Kale – Full of vitamins, this leafy vegetable can cleanse the body of toxins that may be causing pain.

Melons – Due to the cooling nature of most melons, they are great for draining excess heat in the chest area.

Lifestyle

Excessive stress, anxiety and worry are all contributors to chest/breast pain. One way to combat these negative emotions is through the use of meditation. Meditation can be very beneficial when practiced regularly.

Avoiding the excessive consumption of dairy products, sweets, greasy foods, deep-fried foods, spicy foods and alcohol can also help greatly in the prevention of chest pain and breast pain.

Lastly, doing regular chest opening type stretches will help prevent and decrease any pectoral pain and re-establish proper blood flow into the area.