Fall-Proof Your Health: A TCM Guide to Staying Healthy

It's that time of year again… Pumpkin spice lattes are back, and so are seasonal viruses. While I can't stop you from spending half your paycheck on PSLs, I can share some timeless wisdom from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to keep you healthy enough to enjoy them. (And no, adding pumpkin spice to your nasal rinse is NOT the way to maximize your fall experience.)

So with back-to-school season in full swing and another COVID wave potentially on the horizon, I'm sharing my top TCM strategies for keeping you and your family healthy. As a board-certified TCM provider, I love backing up ancient wisdom with modern science, so let's dive into what actually works.

First Things First: The Basics You're Probably Overlooking

Before we get to the herbal goodness, let's talk about two criminally underrated preventive measures:

1. Masks (Yes, it really is that simple.): They work phenomenally well when worn correctly. If you're one of the few doing it right, I salute you!
2. Nasal Saline Rinses: Think of this as hand-washing for your nose. One rinse in the morning, one at night, and you've dramatically reduced your viral exposure. And please, keep the pumpkin spice flavoring in your latte where it belongs. Your sinuses will thank you.

The Secret Weapon: Jade Windscreen Powder

Now, let's talk about my favorite herbal defender: Yu Ping Feng San, also known as Jade Windscreen Powder. It is my top choice for viral protection.

What It Does:

• Boosts your Wei Qi (think of it as your body's Great Wall against viral Mongolian invaders)
• Increases activity of macrophages and natural killer cells
• Can be taken every four hours when needed

My preferred vendor for Jade Windscreen is Treasure of the East, they are the United States imprint of Tianjiang Pharmaceutical which supplies China’s AAA rated hospitals with herbs. You can get it from other places too, I just prefer this one because it is tested really thoroughly for standardized safety and potency. 

You can get it here. 

Jade Windscreen Timing: Use It Right or Hold Off

Here's the thing about Jade Windscreen. It's powerful stuff, but timing is everything. The main ingredient, Astragalus, is a Qi tonic that can cause what we call "dampness" if you're not actually Qi deficient. Not sure what that looks like? Let me walk you through it.

This is my tongue on an average Tuesday. It’s a decent shape and color, you can tell I work a little too hard and think a little too much. (the spots are a reflection from the lights. It’s not a snack. At least I hope…)

Now, here’s my tongue after taking a hefty dose of Astragalus. 

Notice the swelling? That’s water retention—a classic sign of dampness. Personally, I don’t tend to go Qi deficient unless I fast for a few days, which my family finds pretty annoying, so I avoid it. If Astragalus makes your tongue swell, it’s your cue to work up a sweat to relieve that dampness.

And here’s my tongue on Astragalus day after a workout. The dampness is gone. (Yes, I take my bathrobe to Planet Fitness. I’m Gen X, that’s just how we roll. No judgment, please!)

The takeaways? While it is not a replacement for masks, Jade Windscreen is what I recommend my patients take when attending crowded indoor events or moving through airports. Many of them are pleasantly surprised to find that they attended a superspreader event and got off scot free. 

Most importantly, I’d use Jade Windscreen only as needed, not all day every day for most people.

When You're Already Under the Weather

If you do catch something, switch from Jade Windscreen to Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). Its safety and effectiveness have made it a trusted remedy for respiratory viruses in Japan, Korea, and China, where it’s recommended by doctors and grandmothers alike (which, in TCM, is no small endorsement!).  At Crawford Wellness, it is the first stage of our treatment for long-haul post viral syndromes. 

My preferred form is Wind Tea, which is basically the superhero version of this formula. Here's why it's special:

• Wildcrafted Bupleurum: Rigorously tested by super nerds with PhDs and equipment whose names I cannot pronounce. 
• Modified with San Ren Tang: This enhances lymphatic drainage, keeping things moving smoothly.
• Contains Rare, True Ginseng: This “pseudo-wild” ginseng is incredibly rare and highly valued for its ability to block bacterial communication, a key in stopping infectious bacteria.
• Includes Scutellaria: Known for its nearly magical antiviral properties.
• Contains Pinellia Ternata: Disrupts bacterial biofilms, which often harbor lingering viruses and reactivate old infections like Epstein-Barr—commonly linked to chronic post-viral syndromes, including Long COVID.

At Crawford Wellness, we use this formula daily to treat patients with fibromyalgia and post-viral pain, especially when it "wanders" from place to place. It has anti-inflammatory effects that safely reduce fevers and can shorten the course of new or reactivated viral infections.

Ever wonder why people in China seem to have a lower prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia compared to the U.S. and Europe? While I can’t ethically promote any herb as a cure or treatment for these conditions, I can tell you what I do for my patients and my family, based on millions of people in East Asia benefiting from this approach.

And because of the obsessive quality control from those super nerds, Wind Tea can be hard to keep in stock. 

Get it here while you can! 

So if you’ve ever felt like you caught a cold that keeps coming back like The Terminator, then you’ll want the Sarah Connor-level strength of true ginseng in your Xiao Chaihu Tang. Lingering viruses hide in bacterial biofilms that adapt and learn like an evil AI robot. So, get to the ginseng! (Yes, that was in Arnold’s voice.)

These are just a few reasons why I believe in Wind Tea.

The Full Stack: Beyond Just Herbs

When it comes to real protection, especially for those nagging post-viral issues, let’s kick it up a notch with these go-tos:

Herbal Sinus Steams

If you’ve ever been taken down by a stuffy nose or find yourself battling sinus infections, you’ll want to hear this. While sipping on your Xiao Chai Hu Tang tea, treat yourself to an herbal steam! These steams are like aromatherapy on steroids, loaded with volatile compounds that cut down sinus inflammation and calm the sinuses. 

Plus, they bring some extra perks: they can even ease that annoying brain fog, and we use them to help patients who’ve lost their sense of smell. 

Our favorite steam features peppermint, magnolia bark, magnolia flower, and mulberry leaf. These herbs are packed with potent volatile oils that have been shown to inhibit the replication of harmful viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

Get yours here. 

Gut Support: The Chorus of Healing

When it comes to supporting your body’s defense system, your gut is at the heart of it all. Biofilms, which can harbor lingering and reactivating viruses, often set up camp in the digestive system. That’s why I frequently recommend Chorus, an all-natural dietary supplement designed to support better digestion and a healthy gut-brain axis.

Chorus helps keep everything running smoothly by promoting digestion, increasing energy levels, and boosting mental clarity. This makes a huge difference, especially for those who have taken antibiotics or are dealing with post-viral issues. Supporting your gut helps keep you from spiraling into more severe conditions like POTS or MCAS, which can be a real struggle after illnesses like COVID.

By making Chorus part of your daily routine, you’re setting yourself up for better decision-making, more energy, and a healthier quality of life. Plus, it’s a simple, effective way to protect your body and prevent long-term complications. Who knew gut health could sound this good?

Get it here. 

Tibetan Foot Soaks
Now, for a post-viral TLC treat! To fend off any sneaky blood clotting issues (ranging from “COVID toes” to more serious stuff), we recommend a Tibetan Foot Soak once you’re fever-free. Think of it as a relaxing foot bath with superpowers: these soaks have rare wild Tibetan herbs like Duyiwei (a gem for reducing pain from fibromyalgia), Tibetan Safflower, and Tibetan Acorus, which encourage blood vessels and nerve health.

If you have MCAS or a super-sensitive histamine response, the foot soak alone can be a game-changer. Once it’s calmed things down, we can think about adding in internal herbs, letting you build resilience on your terms.

 

Get your soak on here. 

Important Notes 

• Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new herb, supplement or wellness practice supplements.
• Not for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Always remember, these aren't replacements for basic preventive measures like hand-washing and proper rest. They're additional tools in your wellness toolkit – and much more effective than putting pumpkin spice where it doesn't belong!

Want to learn more about staying healthy this season? Book an appointment or check out our store of carefully sourced TCM remedies.