Clear Your Lungs with Chinese Medicine
August 2021
When I got up this morning I instantly felt the affects of the thick smoke outside: plugged sinus, itchy eyes, low-grade headache and a noticeable wheeze. I felt fluish and fatigued. The Air Quality Health Index for Alberta is off the charts at 10+. This means people should be avoiding outdoor activities and taking precautionary measures to ensure their inflammation is kept to a minimum. The lung system in Chinese Medicine governs the flow of Qi or energy in the body. Qi is the basic life force that pulses through everything in the universe. The lungs administer respiration and regulate water passages. They provide the necessary Qi in the chest for the heart to function normally. The smoke is literally heavy and dense; a palatable force hindering the lungs purpose of moving and clearing our breath.
Traditional Chinese Medicine calls situations like the Alberta wildfires, 'External Pernicious Influences'; external climatic forces that invade the body and create disharmony in the mind, body and spirit. However, Chinese Medicine has tools to addresses these imbalances including: acupuncture, herbal therapy, breathing exercises and dietary recommendations.
I immediately started a diffuser of pungent essential oils that disperse the airways and clear the lungs. Eucalyptus, peppermint and thyme diffusion relieved my sinus congestion and alleviated the brain fog. Acupressure on Lung and Heart points cleared the heavy sensation I was feeling in my chest and ameliorated the wheeze. For the next few days my family and I will avoid heavy cloying foods and take a herbal formula that helps clear the lungs and decreases inflammation.
For the next few weeks as the smoke permeates our landscape, homes and bodies I will treat my family and patients with the full and rich arsenal of tools made available by TCM. If you are struggling with the affects of the smoke come in and experience the many health benefits Chinese Medicine provides.
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