The Herbs We Want You to Have BEFORE You Get Sick:
A lot of people are sick right now. And a lot of you have been coming in to get antiviral herbs, which reminded me that it’s time to talk about this again in case you aren’t in the know or forgot…Every fall I share some version of our favorite ways to stay healthy through cold, flu, and virus season. Usually I put everything into one giant email. This year I’m going to spare you the novel and break it into a few shorter emails.
There are a lot of viruses going around right now. We’ve heard from people who have had colds, influenza A, and Covid. And we’ve also heard from several people who have gotten laryngitis and/or pneumonia after they were sick. This isn’t to scare you. We want to make sure you have something on hand so 1) you can be less worried about getting sick and 2) you have your best shot at getting better fast and not struggling with lingering symptoms.
But first, a big THANK YOU to everyone who’s cancelled their appointment because they are sick. If we stay healthy, we can keep helping people. So we thank you, and so do all our other patients.
So what is the thing we most want you to have before you wake up thinking, “Uh oh. Am I getting sick?” The thing that savvy patients have been stocking up on, or calling in for a pickup when they realize everyone around them is sick? Chinese Antiviral Herbs!
Chinese herbal medicine has been treating viruses for a very, very looooong time. And these herbs still work because even though viruses change rapidly, humans haven’t changed that much. The herbs support our bodies in fighting off viruses, and we still respond very well to that support. One of the things I learned years ago, both from treating patients and from my own history of getting sick easily, is that these herbs work best when you don’t have to wait.
If everyone around you is sick, you’ve been traveling or extra social, or you just feel a little run down, you can take a smaller amount for prevention. Then if that scratchy throat, weird fatigue, headache, or that “something-is-definitely-
This is why we would much rather you have the herbs sitting in your medicine cabinet and not need them, than realize you need them at 8 PM on a Saturday.
We have three options depending on what works best for you:
1. Virus B Gone Powder: This is our powdered antiviral formula that I developed and refined over the years, first because of my own history of getting sick, and then through years of helping patients avoid getting sick, get better quickly, and avoid lingering symptoms. You can take a little for prevention, and increase it significantly if you start getting sick.
The powder is our strongest option, and it has the added benefit of coating your throat as you drink it, to stop those viruses in their tracks. We’ll be honest: patients tell us the taste is strong. But they also tell us they can feel it working in their throat and sinuses.
2. Gan Mao Ling Pills: If powders aren’t your thing, we have antiviral pills. The approach is similar: you can take some preventatively when you know you’ve been exposed or if you’re feeling run down, and increase the amount if you start getting sick.
Some people like the ease of these pills because they travel a lot. Or they keep them around the house for themselves and family members to use for prevention, and have a bottle of the powder around for when they really get sick. Others rely on just the pills for both prevention and when they get sick.
While the powder is stronger, the best treatment is the one you will actually use, and these are easy to take. We have patients who tell us they rely on these pills to stay healthy while everyone around them at work and home is sick.
Because they’re easy and effective, don’t be surprised if you become the supplier for your friends, coworkers, and family. That’s why we carry a normal-sized bottle and a GIANT bottle that’s basically like buy 4, get 1 free.
3. Immune + and Lonicera Complex Pills: This is another pill option that’s particularly easy if your focus is prevention. Maybe you know your immune system is weaker and needs some support, or you’re not around a lot of people normally, but want to boost your system for when you’re going to be.
Instead of taking one formula, you’re combining a decent dose of immune-boosting herbs with a tiny dose of antiviral herbs. These are both based on classical formulas with a few modern herbs added to make them more well-rounded and effective in modern times.
Two bottles of Immune + and one bottle of Lonicera Complex last about a month at the prevention dose. If you actually get sick, you can stop the Immune + and take a larger dose of the Lonicera Complex, or start one of the other options above.
Stock Up Now
Don’t wait until you’re sick to figure out what you wish you had in the medicine cabinet. If you want antiviral herbs to have on hand call, email, or ask us at your next appointment. We can help you figure out which option makes the most sense for you and make sure you know how to take it.
You don’t need all three. The goal is to have an option or two you’ll actually use, keep it in the house before you need it, and know what to do with it.
This is one of those areas where I’ve changed my own health dramatically, and it’s the reason I tried acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. I used to be someone who got sick A LOT. And I used to worry about it A LOT. First I got my immune system back in balance with acupuncture and herbs. Now I’m good at noticing those early signs and doing something about them quickly. And now I don’t worry about getting sick.
And that’s what we want for you too. Not to be afraid of getting sick. Just to know what to do when something starts going around.
In the words of one of our patients:
“I just have to tell you that your magic herbs are the real deal! I started to get sick, and remembered I had squirreled away herbs to take if and when that ever started to happen. I rarely get sick, so it had been awhile. So I went to the box, got them out, took them as recommended and WOW, the next day I was no longer ill! I have no idea what’s in those but they really worked for me. Thanks for the recommendation that I should always have them available – and for knowing about them. You are the best!”
—J.G.
Already Sick? Still Struggling? Do You Normally Get Hit Hard This Time of Year?
If you’re already sick, or you’re one of the unlucky people who ended up with laryngitis, pneumonia, or other lingering symptoms after being sick, come see us once you’re no longer contagious. Just use your best judgment about when you’re no longer contagious (most people can tell when they’ve turned the corner from actively sick to “why won’t this congestion go away?”)
When your body just isn’t bouncing back the way it should, Acupuncture and more customized Chinese herbs are really helpful. We can help clear up that lingering cough and phlegm, irritated throat and voice, fatigue, sinus congestion, post-viral asthma, or that general “why am I STILL not better?” feeling.
And if you know you tend to get hit hard every fall and winter, you don’t have to wait until you’re sick. Come in and let’s work on getting your system in better shape before it has something to fight off.
Book an appointment online or get in touch: 707-527-0868 or thrive@thrive-acupuncture.com.
Next up in this series on our favorite ways to stay healthy through cold, flu, and virus season: the two ridiculously easy things I use in my nose and throat to help stop viruses where they like to hang out and reproduce. AKA the easiest and most popular virus prevention products we carry.
Clinic Updates in the Spirit of Growth and Service
Welcome Vivian to the Front Desk Team!
We’re so happy to welcome Vivian Cumins to the Thrive front desk team as a part-time receptionist! I met Vivian over a year ago and immediately appreciated her warmth, clear communication, and understanding of the importance of some healthy laughter, so I was especially excited when she reached out about joining us.
Vivian recently retired after a 27-year career with the federal government, where she spent much of her career leading teams and helping organizations navigate growth, change, and new challenges. Retirement has allowed her to devote more time to another passion: encouraging women who are navigating burnout and helping them discover a healthier, more balanced way to care for their body, mind, and spirit.
Vivian brings a wonderful combination of curiosity, a genuine love of helping people, along with strong communication and organizational skills, and a love of a good system. She likes to ask questions, understand how things work, and figure out how they can work even better. That combination of caring for people and understanding both the excitement of growth and what it takes behind the scenes to support it feels like a great fit for Thrive.
Outside of work, Vivian enjoys writing, cheering on her favorite college football team, and watching motocross with her husband of 24 years. She also loves spending as much time as possible with her two adult bonus kids and her five grandkids because being a bonus-mom and “Glammy” is her all-time favorite job!
We’re so happy Vivian has decided to spend part of her week with us! She’ll be here three days a week, and we’re excited to have her on the team. Be sure to say hello and join us in giving Vivian a warm welcome!
Wishing Alisa Well!As we welcome Vivian, we’re also saying goodbye to Alisa, who recently moved closer to school so she can focus on finishing her Master’s in Chinese Medicine. Her school has been going through some changes and uncertainty, and with Alisa getting closer to the finish line, she decided it made sense to move closer and put her energy into finishing her program.
We’re sad to see her go! Alisa brought such an upbeat, can-do energy to the front desk, and we loved having another future acupuncturist as part of Team Thrive. We’re cheering her on as she finishes this last stretch of school and gets closer to becoming an acupuncturist herself.
A Win From The Treatment Room
Overactive Bladder (OAB) Clinic Win with Dylan Hawhee
Recently, a patient came into the clinic with complaints of an overactive bladder (OAB). They had been waking up on average 4-5 times a night, sometimes staying up for quite a while before falling back to sleep, and not feeling rested when they got up.
I recommended a treatment plan of 12 total visits: twice a week for the first 3 weeks, and then once a week for the remaining 6 treatments. They were also open to taking a custom Chinese herbal formula twice a day. Plus they made some simple changes to their sleep routine before bed.
This patient was so committed, and so was I! As a result, they responded really well to acupuncture and herbs and started to see immediate results, even quicker than we anticipated. By the 3rd appointment, they were waking half as often and were able to fall back asleep easily. They went on a trip and kept taking their herbs, and when they returned, we adjusted their treatment plan to once a week. And they reached their desired health goals before the 12th treatment.
After just 9 treatments, they are only waking one time a night instead of 4-5 times, and the number of times they are urinating during the day slowed down as well.
This patient was such a joy to work with, and I love being able to help people in their journey of life to live a more enjoyable life. Sleep is so important for health. This is when our bodies restore and detox, and if you are waking up multiple times it can lead to not feeling well and other symptoms might start showing up.
Not all ailments can be resolved as quickly. Some things are a bit more stubborn and tricky, but I am in this with you and dedicated to success. I am committed to helping others in the same way so they can feel life is a joy again.
–Dylan Hawhee, LAc
A few of the other things Dylan has been loving treating lately:
- Neck Pain
- Stress & Feeling Stuck
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Digestion
- Hot Flashes
If you’d like to find an appointment with Dylan, check out our online scheduler or reach out: 707-527-0868 or thrive@thrive-acupuncture.com.
Schedule Heads Up
Here’s a heads up to our savvy patients who know that they are going to need some consistent support through the next several months. Yup, it’s getting darker earlier. And election season is here. And there’s about to be a whole lot of holiday extra on your plate–shopping, celebrations, meals, treats, family visits and obligations.
Our schedule is open through December and there are some schedule changes around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. So hop on our online scheduler (or bring your calendar to your next visit) and get yourself the spots you want.
We’d love to help you have a plan to stay healthy, keep your digestion in check, stop the seasonal depression from setting in, and build some reserves to get through winter so you still have some oomph in the new year!
Here’s to staying healthy worrying a little less about getting sick,
Christina and Team Thrive
