Here is a short piece from Andrew Gaeddert, an herbalist who runs a local line of Chinese herbs called Health Concerns. It is, of course, vitally important that we protect both qi and lung yin, especially in these times where we are experiencing a higher level of pollution. In January, I was having an uptick of patients coming in with allergies and lung-related issues due to the poor air quality resulting from the lack of rain. Thank goodness for our recent rains! Read on….
Message from Andrew Gaeddert:
February, for instance, is National Heart Month. Sometimes the importance of lung and respiratory health is overlooked despite playing a key role in our overall health. Breathing is, after all, vital to keeping the body going. External threats to lung health are more prominent now than ever before. Cities throughout the world are experiencing such high levels of pollution. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors, reduce the amount of time they drive, and to wear masks whenever possible. Children are not being allowed to play outside during recess for fear of developing health problems. The American Lung Association reports that although the air in U.S. cities has improved over the last few years, more than half of U.S. residents are living in areas where they breathe air dirty enough to cause health issues. Other factors that put your lungs at risk include infections, allergens (including pet dander and dust mites) and smoking (both directly or being exposed to secondhand smoke).
