Autumn is Here!
That means apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, cozy flannel, sweaters, and scarves, soups and comfort foods folding into our daily meals, and….. Colds, Flu, and Seasonal Allergy symptoms rearing their ugly heads, including leaf mold beginning and summer weeds drying out - especially ragweed, and seasonal temperature and moisture changes blowing through the trees and scattering damp leaves, and plants beginning to fall away and decompose all around us.
There is no need to worry!
Here are a few ways to support your defenses, keep that lymph flowing, and strengthen the immune system to keep you healthy and feeling your best through the Autumn and Winter months.
Think of your immune system as your body’s security detail; it helps repel foreign invaders like bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Our immune system is always at work making its rounds, dealing with opportunistic microbes, strengthening our defenses, and working on the general upkeep of our internal bodily functions.
As we continue to move up and out of the pandemic there is still a need to keep our immune systems strong and adaptable, fend off germs trying to make their way to us while making sure they don’t linger and cause longer-term infections or symptoms,
this includes those pesky colds, the sniffles, the dreaded flu, COVID-19, and the recovery
and prevention of moving into long-term Covid-19.
Firefly’s Immune Boost Program is designed to help you maintain a robust immune system using a comprehensive combination of Acupuncture, O3 ReBoot Therapy, and Physician-Grade Herbal Supplements specifically formulated for immune health and symptom relief.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been in practice for centuries and is a time-tested science that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Stimulating these points on the body triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin, and other regulating neurotransmitters.
Featured Acupuncture Point: Stomach 40 - “Feng Long” - Located about midway down the shin just lateral to the bone.
Stomach 40 is one of the most important acupuncture points there is for the immune system.
ST 40 is known as the Phlegm point. It helps resolve phlegm throughout the body.
Commonly used in treating cases of: Cough, excessive phlegm and mucus, fluid metabolism, digestive support, asthma, epilepsy, headaches, dizziness, and weakness of the lower extremities. Don't underestimate the power of Stomach 40 and its ability to help strengthen and energize the digestive and respiratory systems as well as support immunity while clearing fluid congestion within the body.
O3 ReBoot Therapy
O3 ReBoot Therapy mixes gas naturally found in Earth’s atmosphere to create a treatment with POWERFUL healing capabilities. Ozone has been used by practitioners for hundreds of years and has more benefits than we have time to name. One of the primary benefits of O3 ReBoot Therapy is its ability to enhance oxygen delivery to cells and tissues.
O3 ReBoot Therapy can help improve blood and lymph circulation and oxygen utilization and is commonly used in treating brain fog, and lasting fatigue, and kills pathogens found within the ear canal and sinuses, relieves asthma and other respiratory issues, and shortens cold and flu symptoms.
O3 ReBoot therapy also provides relief for headaches and migraines, shortness of breath, lasting fatigue, relief from tinnitus and other ear-related conditions, improves overall circulation throughout the body, decreases sinus inflammation and infection, reduces autoimmune responses and allergy symptoms and many other respiratory, gastrointestinal and autoimmune conditions in between.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal Supplements are also an excellent approach to strengthen your defenses, reduce inflammation, and calm autoimmune flares (did you know allergy symptoms are a common autoimmune reaction!) or a great solution to clearing away acute or recurrent congestion and mucus from a cold or allergies.
At Firefly our professional-grade traditional east asian herbal formulations are scientifically proven to bring relief for sore throats, recurrent sinusitis, and nasty colds and flu and support the immune system by killing off unwanted viruses, bacteria & mold.
It is highly recommended that a person consult a knowledgeable, professional Herbalist (like our very own licensed herbalist, Rachal Lohr, L.Ac., Dipl. CM) when taking supplements, which are readily available, more is not better, and the best results come from a clear, organized combination of herbals rather than piecing together herbs with similar functions on your own.
Herbal recommendations are (and should be!) carefully customized to the individual, taking into account their overall health, presenting symptoms, and illness.
In addition to our Immune Boost Protocol, here are simple activities that can help protect and support your immune system and overall health.
Breath Work, Movement and Seasonal Foods to Keep You Healthy and Strong
Move and Sweat
Sweat
It may sound odd but late summer and early Autumn are the perfect times to MOVE and SWEAT!
When we don't sweat, it throws off our immune system. As humans, we are designed to detoxify and move our fluids and metabolism by excreting fluids. One exceptional way of maintaining this cycle and preparing ourselves for the Winter months is to SWEAT Daily and MOVE after each meal! (Make sure to dry off and cover up afterward)
Walking
Take a brisk walk around the block after each meal, and get in at least 100 steps or more.
This improves digestive function and relieves lymph congestion to support your digestive microbiome movement and diversity and move unwanted microbes up and out of the body.
Breathe
Work on trying something new and creating a new habit
Start with the basics…Just Breathe!
Modified Sighing and Yawning engage your lymph, digestive, and immune functions to build your defenses from the inside out!
Give yourself 10 minutes a day to take a quiet moment and do some breathing exercises and/or Qi Gong to get your blood flowing and kick your immune system into gear.
Qi Gong or Tai Chi
Qi Gong is a system of coordinated body postures and movement, breathing, and meditation traditionally used in East Asia to cultivate health, and literally means 'gas work'.
These low-impact movements help to distribute the gases and fluids of your body to support your health. Start with this basic movement (see description below) to see how easy a few movements can be and how you can fold them into your day in 5-10-minute increments.
We can all find the time for that!
Start with gently shaking your body and limbs side to side, slowly rotating your body side to side in a gentle spiral action, working your way down from head to toe. Just 5 minutes a day with help you feel looser, and lighter and give you more energy.
You can do these activities anywhere....add some movement and get a light sweat on without disrupting your day to improve your health and keep you healthy!
Food Is Medicine
Sichuan Peppercorns
This tinging, pain-soothing, mold-killing spice has been treasured for over 4,000 years.
Sichuan peppercorns are prized for killing mold and microbes that inflame and overwhelm the body's immune system and lymph flow. The peppercorns reduce inflammation and cultivate the gut's microbiome. Don't forget 70% of your immune system is in your gut!
Keeping a balanced internal GI terrain and microbial diversity is key to staying healthy!
A few dashes a day keep the mold (and microbes) at bay, killing off microbes trying to invade your system and promoting a healthy diversity of beneficial microbes in your gut. Because of this Sichuan Peppercorns ability to reduce inflammation they are also powerful pain relievers and support healthy blood sugar levels. Masterfully easing pain and providing relief to moving and wandering pain that is often worse with dampness and cold weather.
Listen to this Podcast from Botanical Biohacking describing how these beautiful peppercorns can work for you in your daily life.
Conclusion
Suffering from respiratory and digestive issues does not have to be on the seasonal menu!
There are integrative health solutions for basic easy maintenance and prevention to active recovery and restoration of health. Keep colds, flu, sinus congestion, and mucus away while cultivating your inner microbiome to ease you into Autumn and allow you to enjoy all the cooler months have to offer. It’s prime festival season and we want to be ready to get out there and have fun and enjoy everything Loudoun County has to offer!
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