Blog

It's February already, but the winter season hasn't stopped yet. You've probably heard all sorts of stories from friends and family about people missing work and trying hard to stay healthy. We would all love to say we're out of the worst of the season, but it hasn't slowed so it's not time to slack off on your preventative measures! If you're not already feeling off there's plenty you can do to help give your immune system a little extra helping hand during the chilly months.

Cleanliness first! It's old advice but endlessly true--washing your hands regularly and often during the winter season is vital to keep germs away and from spreading around. Think about doing extra washes after touching common contact surfaces like door handles, hand rails on buses and trains, and break room tabletops. You can take this a step further and also clean those surfaces as well. Disinfectant cleaners on those shared surfaces can help quell the storm of germs that would be otherwise left to be picked up and passed further onward.

Managing your outside environment is important to good health, but so is internal management. There are plenty of things you can do during the winter that also helps with your regular year-round health. A healthy balanced diet can support the immune system and better fight off whatever you come into contact with. Other things like getting some exercise and plenty of sleep also contribute to a healthy immune response. This one can be a bit of a struggle to manage, but keep an eye onyour stress level. High levels of stress can lower your body's natural ability to fight off disease of all sorts so don't overwork yourself and take plenty of breaks. That day off work for your mental health can benefit your physical health too.

Boosting and supporting your immune system during the winter season is one of the best things you can do for yourself and the people around you. If you've got all your bases covered--you've become the hand-washing champion and your home surfaces are squeaky clean and you still want to give your immune system a little more help, there are lots of supplements and teas that support a healthy immune system. A long-time popular favorite in China is the Gan Mao Ling formula. We have this formula from two different brands, Plum Flower and Winter Defense, each still made with the traditional herbs that help support a healthy immune system. Gan Mao Ling seems to get scooped up quick right at the start of the winter season, but it's not over yet!

If you're more of a tea person, we have a pair of instant teas you might like to try. One is the Southern Ban Lan Gen Tea we've recently gotten back in stock. This refreshing herbal tea is another winter-time favorite in China and essentially a household staple during the cold months. We also have a Loquat and Mulberry Combination Tea that supports and soothes the throat. Both of these teas are easily added to hot water and enjoyed as soon as your water has cooled to drinking temperature.

If you're looking for temporary relief of a scratchy throat, you could take a look at our new throat lozenges as well. We have them in two different formulas: Ume Plum and Apple Loquat. Each herbal candy has a unique flavor and feels pleasant on the throat. These two items are on sale right now so we have an excellent deal if you'd like to give them a shot!

As always, if you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave us a comment (or a review on something you've purchased!) and let us know. If your question is pressing and during our open hours, try our instant chat function! We're happy to answer your questions! If you're interested in any of the items mentioned above, you can click on the name of the item and be taken right to it!