Jennifer Jellis RAc.

Winter tends to be the time for cold and flu season. With colder temperatures and more rain-- our bodies are more susceptible to lingering pathogens, compounded by busy holiday schedules, unhealthy habits and stress, that can make your body feel worse. Try the following tips for a healthier holiday season and find more time and energy to spend with family and friends instead of sick in bed! 1. Avoid colds and flus by washing hands thoroughly. This alone will combat so many viruses and prevent transmission of unwanted germs. 2. Drink plenty of fluids--  Ginger root tea  helps to warm the body and flush out toxins. Grate a thumb's size amount of ginger into 2 cups of boiling water and drink. Not only will this help with colds and flu, it's also great to help nausea. 3. Get plenty of sleep -- adequate and undisturbed rest will help promote a healthy immune system, and help fight off lingering pathogens that much faster. 4. Practice healthy stress prevention techniqu...

Ginger root -- Zingiber officinale --also known as Sheng jiang (in Chinese Medicine) or Galanga (if you happen to be in Thailand) is such a great herb for so many reasons; it is a natural, cost-effective way to stay healthy and keep warm this Autumn season! 1. Ginger is used as an AntiViral:  there's nothing better to fight the cold and flu season than with a steaming cup of ginger root tea. Boiling a small pot of water with grated ginger is excellent to help ease a sore throat and sweat out toxins. 2. Ginger is great for lowering Blood Pressure and improves Circulation!  Ginger works to thin the blood which ultimately lowers blood pressure and reduces the chance of blood clots. Ginger also dilates the blood vessels and prevents platelets from sticking to blood vessels. 3. Ginger is a natural antispasmodic  which helps ease menstrual cramps or abdominal cramping with IBS. 4. Ginger is the best thing out there for Nausea!  Any kind of nausea, whether it be motio...