You’re not alone if you’re feeling stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this uncertain time, it’s natural to feel anxiety but being consumed by stress isn’t good for your health. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, stress will knot your “Qi” and make its flow stagnate, most commonly in the shoulders, chest, and abdomen. Your neck and chest may be tight, you may need to clear your throat more often or have digestive issues.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you can adopt stress reducing techniques such as meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga. These can get your Qi flowing more smoothly.
Chinese herbs made into simple teas are also a useful treatment to reduce these sorts of symptoms.
Aged Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) – Tangerine peel tea is known to stimulate the appetite, reduce phlegm, and stop coughing. It also helps to balance and move Qi in the body.
Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) is a common ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine. It is often used to treat stress, headaches, allergies, and eye strain (especially with prolonged mobile usage). Please be aware that it can cause low blood pressure with overuse.
Dried longan fruit (Long Yan Rou) helps to treat insomnia, improve the quality of sleep, reduce stress and calm the mind.
This information is provided by Emily Yuen, L.Ac., our licensed acupuncturist.
*This article is a general guideline. To find a treatment plan tailored to you, please talk to us or a licensed acupuncturist.
