acupuncture, classical herbal medicine & zero balancing

Here is a list of symptoms that I will want to know if you (my current client) are looking for treatment for COVID-19 or a serious cold/flu:

What symptoms came on at the beginning of this?

What symptoms are present now?

Body temperature – Do you feel hot or cold, or both alternating? Do you feel feverish, hot, flushed? What time of day? Do you have a fever?

Perspiration – What is your sweat like normally? Have you sweat since you have been sick?

Cough – What kind of cough – dry or productive? What color is the phlegm? Is it watery or thick? Is there a tickle in your throat? Or a barking cough? How often is the cough? Is it worse with lying down?

Breathing and chest – Are you having trouble inhaling? Taking deep breaths? Is it worse with cold air? (you can stick your head in the freezer to check)

Is your chest tight? Is there pressure in your chest? Worse with lying down?

Nose, sinuses, head – How are your sinuses and nose? Stuffy? Sinus pressure or headache? Where? Post nasal drip? Runny nose? Sneezing?

Digestion – How are your bowel movements? Any other digestive symptoms? Let me know if any of these are new symptoms.

Energy & sleep – tell me about your energy levels and sleep.

Emotions – how are you doing emotionally? What is coming up for you now?

Add anything else about your current state of health that you can share.

Is there anything about your general state of health that you would like to share or remind me of?

New clients will need to fill in my intake forms and do an online intake, which will take approximately 45-60 minutes.

Current clients can schedule online follow-up visits, which will take 15-30 minutes.

15 minutes = $45

30 minutes = $85

45 minutes = $125

60 minutes = $165

Most herbs are 30 cents per gram, which ends up being around $18-28 per week. Some of the herbs are more expensive.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and need a reduced rate, I am willing to work with you, just let me know.

Chinese medicine has historically proven effective for colds and flues, including epidemics such as SARS and COVID-19. I have been reading what my teachers and colleagues in China and the US have been writing about the presentation and treatment of COVID-19, including cases, and Chinese herbal medicine has clearly been very helpful. A have a ton of information at my fingertips with regards to effective Chinese herbal formulas.

The COVID-19 virus has been presenting as a Cold Damp invasion in the Lungs with Toxic Heat, plus whatever blockages or deficiencies patterns were there before the pathogen invaded the body. Some cases are more mild, without a lot of Lung symptoms, while others have serious Lung issues, such as a lot of phlegm clogging the Lungs and difficulty breathing. Some cases are showing with body aches and extreme fatigue that lingers, and others are presenting with digestive issues such as loose stools.

It is a little hard to know exactly what is what considering the lack of COVID-19 testing that is currently available. For treatment with Chinese medicine, it doesn’t matter if you have a positive test or not, because with Chinese medicine we treat according to your symptom presentation. We first diagnosis your pattern, and then treat with an herbal prescription that is written according to your differential diagnosis.

So, if someone had a history of constipation and sinus issues, there is likely to be a background of Yangming Heat, which translates to stagnation in the “tube” that runs from the sinuses down through the throat and GI system to the anus. For this person, I would probably (after asking more questions) recommend a formula that unblocks and clears heat from the Yangming tube plus herbs that help open the Lungs if there are breathing problems, clear phlegm from the Lungs if there is phlegm, and warm the Lungs if there is cold.

If someone is more deficient, is quite sensitive emotionally, and tends to flush and/or have a low grade fever in the afternoon I would likely use Cinnamon Twig Decoction in addition to herbs for the Lungs.

If there is fatigue or exhaustion with deficiency, I will likely include Ginseng or other tonifying herbs. If there is cold in the Lungs, I might added dried Ginger. If there is a deficiency of body fluids, I will moisten fluids.

I have been seeing clients both with and without a positive test for COVID-19, and so far the result have been good.

It is important that treatment of a serious flu such as COVID-19 get treated as soon as possible in order to keep the chest open  to and therefore reduce serious symptoms. As little as one or two doses of herbs can open restricted breathing, reduce phlegm and cough, and make a person feel much so better. If you get sick, let me know ASAP.

Some of the herbs that are used for COVID-19 are hard to get and I see some practitioners are scrambling to find there herbs to no avail. I had already stocked up on these hard to get herbs via special sources in Canada and Vietnam and have them available in concentrated granules (powdered, just add hot water) AND raw herbs (you have to cook for 30 – 60 minutes). For acute situations, sometimes we need large doses of some of the herbs and the raw herb formulas are more effective because the concentrated granules contain fillers, which are fine in regular dosages, but can be too much for the digestive system. The loose herbs are more pure, you could say, but the granules, or tablets if appropriate, are totally fine in regular doses.

Remember, if you get sick, especially with something that look like it could be COVID-19, it is best to start herbs as soon as possible. There is no need to have a positive test result before starting Chinese herbs.

Please see this blog post for a list of important questions that I will need ask in order to do a differential diagnosis and prescribe an herbal formula.

I have been following case studies of people with COVID-19 and have included one of the articles that I read, written by a doctor who does both western medicine and Chinese herbal medicine in an integrated hospital. He has seen 30 cases of COVID-19 which were treated with both western and Chinese medicine. They found that the steroids they were using were not helping and that Chinese herbal medicine was very helpful. The article includes CT scans. They found that the patients started feeling better with the Chinese herbal formulas but the CT scans didn’t start clearing up for another day or so, when they were actually able to have some productive coughing. The URL for the article is included below.

I have focused my Chinese herbal medicine studies on classical formulas, where the approach is to correct imbalances in the body so that things can flow naturally and pathogenic factors don’t get stuck – as opposed to focusing on killing the pathogen.

In part I of this post I mention Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian – which is a combination of the two approaches. It has Yin Qiao Pian, which is is a formula at releases the exterior when needed at the beginning of a cold. There are some cold, harsher herbs added to this formula, notably Andrographis, which is known to be a killer of microbes, an herbal antibiotic of sorts. This formula is most appropriate for the very beginning of a cold/flu with heat signs, and probably a pretty sore and red throat would be the most common symptom. This formula, Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian, would be used before you even were tested for COVID-19.

If someone did have COVID-19 and you started having Lung and breathing symptoms, they would be moving to the next stage of the illness. From my research thus far, there could be difficulty breathing in, wheezing, and lack of sweating with a fever would likely be needing a formula with Ma Huang, Ephredra. There are several formulas in this formula family and there would be further differentiation to see which one fits the pattern.

The doctors in the article differentiated the patterns and treated accordingly, and found a lot of similarities with the patients patterns as well. The main pattern that they have seen in China has been Cold Damp invading the Lungs. It can be cold, damp, and smoggy in China, and environment can have an influence on how the patterns emerge.

So, it may show up as Cold Damp invading the Lungs here in Vermont, or it may be a little different. Also, the patterns that we have before getting sick definitely effect the way the illness hits us.

Here’s that article:

https://www.elotus.org/sites/default/files/covid_3_0.pdf

I am writing to let you know a few things with regards to COVID-19 and my practice.

Firstly, I have Chinese herbal formulas that treat colds and flus as well as herbs for the immune system. I have stocked up on Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian, which is a formula that is commonly used for the onset of a cold/flu. Yin Qiao San is the base formula that was developed 150 years ago as a treatment for epidemic heat ailments (i.e. influenza and the like) – the version I ordered has extra herbs added that are known to have strong anti-microbial and anti-viral effects. Yin Qiao San is a great formula to have in the medicine cabinet for the early stages of a cold/flu. This version is extra strong and it is my go-to now with the Corona virus circulating.

I also have other formulas that would be appropriate at the early stages of a cold/flu as well as formulas for mid and late stages of respiratory illness and cough.

In addition, I have formulas that are helpful for bolstering the immune system when you are not sick. I have some formulas in tablet form, as well as my herb dispensary, which I can use to customize a loose or powdered herb formula for you. The very best way to bolster your immune system is to treat according to your system’s weaknesses or imbalances, with a focus on adding herbs to strengthen your “exterior.” If I have seen you as a patient in the past, I have insights into your constitution. Acupuncture also can help.

My practice will remain open for the time being, but I am being extra cautious and ask that you don’t come if you have any cold symptoms. I am being fastidious about cleanliness around the office as well, but stay home if you feel better with that.

For people who are sick and would like herbs, we can have a phone conversation and I can make herbs that can either be picked up from my porch, or potentially dropped off for you.

Protect your health by getting plenty of sleep, avoiding sugar and alcohol, and eating soups with chicken or beef broth – or just drinking the broth straight. Broths made from bones are great for the immune system, which starts in the stomach.

Please call or email me if you have any questions at all.

Be well!
Kelly

PS Below is a post from last year about making soup. Enjoy!