Dear clients,
I am closing my office for 2 weeks initially, starting today, March 17. This is in compliance with the Allegheny County and CDC recommendations for the coronavirus outbreak. I have very mixed feelings about this decision, but ultimately feel it is the right one at this time, to protect the health of my patients and their families and for our society at large.
As of now I plan to re-open my practice on Tuesday March 31. If you have appointments already scheduled for on or after that date, assume we will meet unless I contact you to say otherwise. I will be in contact if there any updates or changes in the future. And please feel free to contact with any questions or concerns.
I have included below an article written by Dr Heiner Fruehauf, an acupuncturist and Chinese medical herbalist, that details some natural methods that you can use to protect your respiratory and immune systems from both the flu and the coronavirus. In addition, I am available by phone or electronically for Chinese herbal medicine consultations to help you maximize the protection of your respiratory and immune systems during this stressful time.
Natural Methods to Protect Your Respiratory System from Infection During the Current Flu and Coronavirus Season
By Heiner Fruehauf
National University of Natural Medicine, College of Classical Chinese Medicine
____________
MARCH 7, 2020
- Reduce sugar intake. White and brown sugar causes our bodies to become more acidic, which benefits the growth of bacteria. Synthetic sugar alternatives such as Splenda are harmful to the nervous system and should also be avoided. Use maple syrup, local honey, or coconut sugar for sweetening.
- Increase your intake of naturally occurring trace minerals, which make the body more alkaline and have the potential to prevent infection. For instance, use Bio Nativus’ Ionic Trace Minerals (a trace mineral extract made from concentrated water from the Great Salt Lake). Add 5-15 drops to every glass of water or liquid you drink, up to 5x/day.
- Gargle with saltwater after brushing your teeth, preferably with a full-spectrum natural salt such as Real Salt or regular sea salt. ( I would also suggest using a Neti pot daily to rinse your sinuses!)
- Get a skin brush and start brushing your skin after showering in the morning, especially the head, neck and chest areas. This will stimulate lymphatic circulation and increase your general feeling of vitality and well-being.
- Apply essential oils before going out in public, either in the form of an anti-viral massage oil (applied to the chest, neck and lower arm areas) or an anti-viral “perfume” (applied to the area below the nostrils).
During the bubonic plague in the middle ages, essential oils prevented the professions of perfumers (who exclusively worked with oils on a daily basis) and thieves (who fortified themselves with oils before burglarizing abandoned houses) to become ravaged by the pandemic. Since different viruses thrive in the environment every year, the types of appropriate oils also vary from year to year. Of the many types of essential oils available on the market, I have found that the following oils have proven to be most effective for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections in early 2020:
- Eucalyptus
- Tea Tree
- Niaouli
- Lemon
- Cinnamon leaf
- Clove
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Frankincense
- Myrtle
Any or all of the oils described above can be mixed together to produce an essential oil blend. Massage oils should incorporate 30 drops of essential oils per ounce (blended into a base of high-quality olive oil or apricot seed oil). “Perfumes” should be mixed 50/50 with a base oil like jojoba oil or apricot seed oil, and used by applying 1-2 drops of the blend to the area below the nostrils. Alternatively, according to a recent report I received, Chinese medicine practitioners during the 1938 epidemic in China successfully swabbed their nostrils with vinegar before seeing afflicted patients. ( I am using a blend called “Thieves” made by Young Living. I didn’t realize where the name came from until I read Dr Fruehauf’s article)
I hope all of you are safe and healthy during this difficult time. Please remember to be kind and gentle with one another.
With love and gratitude,
David Mortell, L. Ac.
412 888 9390