Seek out sunshine for vitamin D
Rug up against the wind In TCM, when mild upper respiratory tract infections like common colds arise from outside the body and involve the rapid onset of symptoms, they’re often regarded as being associated with excess wind – regardless of whether the person affected has been outside in windy weather or not. When a mild fever is present at the same time, they’re described as being associated with wind-heat. This symptom pattern is typical of common colds and flu, which usually start with the sudden onset of symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headaches and a mild fever. To help prevent wind impacting your body in this way, TCM suggests avoiding going out in blustery conditions. If you do need to go out, rug up well, making sure to keep your neck and head well covered - these areas are traditionally regarded as easy access points that enable wind to enter the body. ²5
Vitamin D is important for the healthy functioning of both the immune system and the respiratory system. ²² Since it’s formed by the action of sunlight on the skin, ²³ it’s easy to assume that most Australians get enough of it, just by going about their daily lives – but many of us don’t expose our skin to sufficient sunlight to maintain optimal levels in our bodies. ²³ , ²4
This is particularly the case for people who:
• Spend the majority of their time indoors • Have naturally darker skin, as they need more sunlight exposure than fairer people in order to produce vitamin D • Cover their skin when going outside
During the summer months, most people living in Australia who are out and about regularly get enough vitamin D to meet their health requirements; just a fewminutes a day is all the sun exposure you need at that time of year. However, with the shorter, darker days of autumn and winter, you may need up to 2-3 hours of sunlight on your skin per week, unless you live in the northern part of the country. Regardless of what time of year it is, take care not to expose your skin to sunlight for so long that you get burned!
Howmuch sunlight do I need? ²4
In TCM, the herb Fang Feng (also known as 'Wind Protector') is traditionally used to clear wind-heat from the body, so it’s frequently used to help relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Introducing Fang Feng - the 'Wind Protector'
34
35
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog