by Ann Zimmerman, LAc.

Have you suddenly gotten the urge to clean up your house, start a new project, reorganize closets, or begin a cleanse? This is the natural order of things in the spring. However, if you have not gotten this urge and are feeling cluttered with stuff, stuck, indecisive and unable to move forward with projects, it’s time to do some spring cleaning in both your home and in your body.

Traditionally, in many cultures around the world there has been some type of cleansing or fasting process, specifically in the spring to help lift the heaviness of winter (physically, emotionally and spiritually).  If we don’t purposely cleanse or fast as spring arrives, the body may naturally begin cleansing itself from excess oils, fats, salt and animal proteins by releasing a flu or cold. Some people may also suffer with odd aches and pains. This is the body’s way of cleaning out by releasing excess toxins.

by Clark Zimmerman, LAc.

It seems that every year around this time the news is abuzz about a
new and frightening flu that is making the rounds. We have been
receiving a lot of calls and questions about what to do to prevent or
treat this year’s flu strains. Depending on who you ask, there is
dramatically different advice on what to do about the flu.

Influenza, or flu for short, is a variety of ever evolving viruses
that differ from year to year. It can typically cause a number of
uncomfortable, or sometimes even life-threatening symptoms. Symptoms
can include: sinus congestion, runny nose, cough, fever/chills,
headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Each virus
behaves a little differently than the next, causing a different
profile of symptoms. Symptoms also vary from person to person, even
with the same flu virus. Influenza viruses are different than the
viruses that cause the common cold, typically involving more
symptoms. They generally spread through aerosols, or droplets in the
air that are the result of coughing or sneezing, but they can also be
spread by contacting a contaminated surface.