Fire Cider with Constellation Acupuncture
As the weather grows colder, the dreaded common cold starts to make a comeback. I don’t know about you, but one of the small gifts the pandemic offered me over the last few years was the longest stretch of time I didn’t have a common cold or flu virus. Between masking at work and in public spaces, I somehow managed to evade a common cold for the last three winters (knock on wood). But I know that at some point - between holiday season gatherings and less frequent mask wearing - a surprise winter cold will inevitably show up when I least expect it. And the same is probably true for you, too! But lucky for us, there are plenty of ways to prepare for an unexpected cold with ingredients found right here at Eastside.
Image Credit: Constellation Acupuncture & Healing Arts
Let’s start by strengthening our immune systems so that when an unexpected cold arises our bodies are able to fight them off better and faster. In Chinese medicine, we rely on our wei qi - otherwise known as our protective or defensive energy to keep pathogens from entering our system and clear out the ones that do make it through. Wei qi is strengthened by eating nourishing organic foods, drinking plenty of filtered water, and practicing breathing exercises. Focusing your winter meals on warm, cooked, easy to digest foods - like vegetable stews and bone broths - is one great way to build a strong immune system. If you want to give an added immune boost to your soups and stews, consider adding in wei qi supporting herbs such as astragalus (huang qi), cordyceps mushrooms (dong chong xia cao), or reishi mushrooms (ling zhi), or adding in extra amounts of antiviral foods like garlic, onion, and ginger to your recipes.
Image Credit: Constellation Acupuncture & Healing Arts
But even those of us out there with the strongest immune systems inevitably get colds when we least expect them - including myself. That’s why I keep one go-to remedy in my fridge all winter to get me through the worst coughs and colds: fire cider. A traditional western herbal remedy made from horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, and other antiviral plants, fire cider really wakes up your immune system and gets it working. Anytime I feel a cold coming on, I’ll take a shot of fire cider by itself or add an ounce or two to warm water and honey to make a fire cider style toddy. While there are plenty of pre-made fire cider varieties out there that work in a pinch (including those sold here at the co-op!), I much prefer to make it myself. It's easy and fun to customize it with the antiviral plants, flavors, and spice level to your liking. Want to make your own jar so you can start using fire cider in your winter wellness kit? Join me for a DIY fire cider class in the community room here at the co-op on Jan 29th.
Amy Kuretsky, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and co-owner of Constellation Acupuncture & Healing Arts in NE Minneapolis