Staying Healthy from Cold & Flu

In between active bouts of the cold and flu you can boost your immunity through various ways, including:

- taking adaptogenic herbs such as eleuthro (aka Siberian ginseng), rhodiola, or astragalus – take them 2 

  times a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon – these herbs boost the immune system

- eating well – lots of fruits and vegetables

  organic food if possible

  eliminate processed foods, additives, and preservatives

  limit alcohol, coffee, and sugar

  limit dairy as it can be mucous forming

- getting plenty of rest

At the first signs of getting a cold (sore throat, fatigue, etc.)

- take herbs ASAP – I use and recommend two Chinese formulas, Yin Qiao (for sore throat and to boost  

  immune system) and Gan Mao Ling (immune booster, anti-biotic, anti-viral).  Take both of these 

  formulas every 3 hours until symptoms are completely cleared

- drink lots of peppermint tea (this is cooling to the body – and a “cold” is seen as an invasion of “wind-

  heat” in Chinese Medicine – therefore the cooling effects of peppermint counteract the wind-heat)

- get plenty of rest

- avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods as they are heating to the body and encourage the wind-heat to 

  flourish

- avoid sugar as it lowers the immune system

Most of the time, if you follow the above recommendations, one can avoid getting sick.  However, if you do end up coming down with a cold:

- continue with the herbs.  They will help you to heal faster.  Different formulas can be substituted as the 

  cold works its way through the body.  For instance, Bi Yan Pian can be added in to clear the sinuses, or 

  Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan can be added to clear mucous from the lungs. 

- An herbal cough syrup can be used to stop the cough

- Spicy herbs (cayenne) or essential oil (peppermint, eucalyptus, wintergreen) inhalation can be used to help open the sinus

For the flu (body-aches, nausea, fatigue, etc.)

- take herbs ASAP – I use and recommend two Chinese formulas, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (for body 

  aches, nausea, fatigue) and Gan Mao Ling (to boost immune system)

- get plenty of rest

- avoid coffee, alcohol, and sugar as they lower the immune system

Questions?  Feel free to call me! 

All of the herb formulas are available at my office

Stacey Pribanic, Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist

1787 Mesa Verde Ave. Suite 140 Ventura, CA 93003

805-644-0461

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