Cold & Flu Prevention Tea: Jade Wind Screen

Thank you for checking the first of a series of healthful and preventative medicine tips on video.  I know most of you are asking where to get these herbs and I am happy to provide them from my office as well as direct you to get them yourself.  If you happen to live near a Chinese herbal market or a Chinatown, it should be rather easy to get these common herbs.  Feel free to drop me a line for more information about getting the following herbs on your own.  I am happy to assist you with any questions.

The following herbs are for making Jade/Wind Screen Tea:

• Huang Qi- Astragalus - 1 ounce (~30grams)
• Bai Zhu- White Atractylodes - 2 ounces (~60 grams)
• Fang Feng - Siler root -  2 ounces (~60 grams)
• Gui Zhi - Cinnamon Twig - 1/2 ounce (~30 grams)
• Gan Cao - Licorice - 1 ounce (~30 grams)

For maximum benefits follow these herbal cooking instructions:

1. Cover herbs with 4 cups of water.  The general rule is to fill water to about 1 inch above your herbs.  Place the lid on your pot
2. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.  It will reduce by about 1/2 the volume.
3. Cool and pour the tea into a container, preferably not a plastic one.
4. Using the same herbs, repeat the boiling process with 4 new cups of water (again making sure to fill water to about 1 inch above your herbs. Place the lid back on the pot.
5. Pour the tea; mixing the tea from the 1^st and 2^nd boils together.  Since each boil will have reduced by about 1/2 the volume, you will end up with approximately 4 cups of tea.
6. Drink 1 cup a day

Please note: Tea may be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.  The uncooked, raw herbs are good for 3 months.  Use a non-aluminum pot to boil your herbs.  Should you experience any unusual symptoms, speak to your Acupuncturist/herbalist and stop taking the herbs until after you have spoken to a practitioner.