Dear Friends,
image from flickr.com/photos
Next Monday (Sept 7) will be 白露 (Bai-lu), which technically means we will be seeing dew forming in the early morning as we enter Autumn.
After the 处暑 (Chu-shu, Aug 23) heat hitting close to the Earth surface, this heat will be penetrating the surface and descending further after 秋分 (Qiu-fen, Sept 23), to be kept and nourished under the ground over the deep Autumn and Winter period, to prepare for the next cycle of life.
As the heat descends deeper into the ground, it will get dryer quite quickly. As mentioned previously, the 5th Major Qi Period (Sept 23~Nov 22) of 2009 will see a quick pace of contraction and descend, putting more load on the lung system and therefore making it more vulnerable to external elements. (there is therefore an increase risk of a stronger come back of flu over this period).
Keep your lung system well nourished. Try below recipe if you feel dryer throat and heaty over this period, to strengthen the Lung systems:
1. 沙参、玉竹、南北杏煲猪瘦肉
北沙参10g，玉竹20g，南、北杏各5克，猪瘦肉250g，蜜枣2枚，姜 2片。将全部用料放入锅内，加清水适量，武火煮沸，文火煲2小时，加盐适量，可喝汤吃肉。
2. 麦门冬 18g，党参 9g， 炙甘草9g， 大枣5 pieces， 半夏9g， 粳米9g. Boil with 3 bowls of water until 2 bowls, drink one bowl each time, twice daily. Drink alternate day for 3 weeks.
Of course the best way to protect against lesser external elements is the following advice from our ancestors :
“…食饮有节， 起居有常，不妄作劳 ….虚邪贼风，避之有时；恬澹虚无，真气从之，精神内守，病安从来？….”
(Please refer to Posting Health Pointers for Free )
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Filed under: All, Cosmic Forces, Health
woke up this morning, immediately felt the pleasant wind.
It carries the first feel of Autumn.
Well,
the H1N1 flu is in full force here in Japan, schools closing for days/weeks and many ill from it. The vaccine is out but only can be given to those who have priority, so healthy adults are way below on the list. I got my vaccine today, as one of those in the medical care industry.
Next comes those who have chronic illnesses, then younger children up to high school kids, pregnant women and older folks past 65 yrs and above.
Meanwhile, we also have the seasonal flu to worry about, and the ministry etc are still at a loss as to what exactly should be done.
How are things in other parts of the world?
H1N1 has almost totally diminished from Spore. Didn’t hear about it anymore.
YL,
I think it is more like, the media and the people got tired of it. They found some more interesting topics. Always the case.
We have run out of the flu test kits and there is a limited supply of flu vaccines, so when kids get the “cold symptoms” and visit the doctor, we try to NOT mention the word “flu” let alone “swine flu”. Just treat it as the common cold and everyone is happy. Lots of bedrest and dink lots of fluids.
If your child got the swine flu here in Japan today, the parents have to stay out of work for one week (mandatory). Some parents are happy about it, they get a week of paid vacation, others are mad because work is backlogged. Worse if you have more than one kid and they take turns to catch the swine flu!
Yes, you are right CH.
The govt also give up their daily report of the no of people infected or those who died.
Companies in Japan will be greatly affected by this compulsory child sick leaves. Create stress & tension among working parents.
Malaysia kind of stopped counting after the 72nd death. A friend who is in the medical care profession said that it has become as common as just common flu. Probably many unknowingly already caught it and recovered. Only the high risk group paid more attention.
I am a little worried about Japan. My 2 teenage sons are scheduled for a 2 week homestay in Toyota, then to Kyoto, Tokyo from Nov 15th. Heard that one of the schools there were closed due to H1N1.
ch, is the vaccine safe ? Had been reading reports about side effects and read a very disturbing email circulated from a top (self-claimed) Australian student in pharmacy warning on the ingredients used for this vaccine. Can you provide some advice on your side ..
mf, is the vaccine safe?
Yes it is, to the extent the authorities and the labs could test and check for side effects. To find out if it is safe will require another 30 years of follow-up. We still do not know if the PILL is safe!
The question to ask is, to weigh the pros and cons of taking the vaccine vs. catching the virus and the illness. I have taken it, because as a person in the medical profession, I had priority.
The vaccine is only now released by the ministry and the first batch will be for those who have chronic illnesses and pregnant women. Healthy adults will only receive the vaccine early next year.
Doctors no longer talk about the flu anymore when you go in with flu-like symptoms, They just prescribe some medications and ask you to go home and rest. No need to cause any alarm. If a child contracts H1N1 the whole family is quarantined at home for a week, which is annoying for working parents.
to strengthen against potential threat of h1N1, try using below herbs over this period;
黃耆 9g,
白术 9g,
防風 9g,
if you feel probably getting flu (with back of neck feelingg some chills or stiffness, the front part of the tongue is more reddish than normal, some fever, headache and with or without sore-throat), add the following herbs :
桑叶 12g,
葛根 15g,
桔梗 12g,
连翘 12g,
银花 12g,
甘草 6g
Boil with strong fire for 30 minutes only, with 3 bowls of water.
Drink twice a day.
xy2,
The Japanese have suggested using 麻黄湯 as treatment for influenza in case we run out of Tamiflu and Relenza!
Any comments ?
ch,
the characteristics of H1N1 symptoms put it under the “Warm Type” as opposed to “Cold Type” flu/cold.
麻黄湯 is not appropriate, as it is applicable only to “Cold Type” cold/flu. Using it against H1N1 will make it worse.
Chinese medicine is very specific in terms of individual’s expression. To avoid confusion here :
1. Look at the tongue : it will be a warm type if the tongue is red,
2. generally will experience sore throat,
prescription in my earlier comment should work.
For convenience, off the shelf 连翘散 would be good to certain extent. Take this only there is symptoms of “warm type” flu.
Hope above clarifies.
Thank you so much to both of you for the advice.
Malaysia has received its first batch of vaccine but
more for medical front-liners and high risk group.
So, that’s not an option yet. Will try xy’s suggestion, if the Chinese Medicine shop can pack these. How many days to take for the preventive prescription ?
take it over this period, daily. (only for the first 3 herbs).