I’m not going to say the C-word, but you know what I mean…

“I just don’t know what to do” sobbed my UK colleague who’d just been on the Australian Government site.

If I leave now I won’t be allowed to come back to the country.

If I don’t leave now, I don’t know the next time I’ll be able to see my family”.

Ever since European invasion, Australia has been a country of migrants.

And so- like many other countries with a history of invasion- we all have friends, family and loved ones impacted by this global pandemic.

The fear is palpable as we’re being called to look after ourselves and each other.

And this can be really hard when we live far away from those we love.

Or if we live close to those we love but for their health (or ours) we’ve decided to self-isolate.

How‘s this fear showing up for you or your loved ones right now?

For me, waiting for a magical vaccine or for the government to tell us what to do isn’t enough.

And probably- if you’re reading this blog- it isn’t enough for you, either.

This week my Japanese yoga mentor Andzej Gospodarczyk released a Podcast: How to beat, avoid or recover from the Corona Virus.

He presents a really interesting, hopeful perspective on the COVID-19 from a Japanese yoga point of view*.  

I enjoyed his perspective on the context Coronavirus springs from and how yes, you can take responsibility for your own health right now.

You can listen to it here.

In the podcast Andzej mentions TWO easy macrobiotic remedies you can use if you’re prone to asthma, respiratory issues or if you simply want to bolster up your lung health. 

1. Kuzu Tea
2. Hot Ginger Compress

I’ve used both of these remedies with great success.

Here’s what they are and how you make them:

1. Kuzu Tea

What is Kuzu? It’s the wild Root of the Japanese ‘kuzu’ Plant (similar to arrowroot)

Good For: Colds and Influenza; Slight Fever (not higher than 100F/ 37.7 C); headaches

Ingredients:

1 x Heaped Teaspoon of Kuzu Powder

1 x Cup of Fresh Springwater

(Optional: A Dash of Tamari Soy Sauce or a Pinch of Good Quality Sea Salt)

Method: 

• Dissolve 1 x teaspoon of kuzu powder in some cold water (add the water a little at a time and stir well until all the kuzu pieces are dissolved)
• Add 1 x cup of boiling water 
• Stir well
• Add a pinch of sea salt or a dash of tamari soy sauce

Serve With: Can be consumed as a ‘snack’

Where do I buy Kuzu?  In good health food stores or online. Personally I like Spiral Foods

2. Hot Ginger Compress

Good for: 

-Moving stagnated chi (energy) in the kidneys and the lungs

– Those suffering from congestive conditions like asthma but will be effective ONLY when dietary recommendations are followed (specifically- no dairy or sugar)

-It can speed up the improvement from a variety of inflammatory conditions, like bronchitis, prostate infection, bladder inflammation, intestinal inflammations (but never appendicitis)

-When tissues have been damaged, the compress can speed up the regeneration of the damaged area and is also a wonderful treatment for dissolving muscle tensions

– Dissolving hardened accumulations of fats, proteins or minerals. Examples are kidney stones, gallbladder stones, cysts and benign tumours such as uterine fibroids. 

– Acute or chronic pain such as rheumatism, arthritis, backaches, cramps, kidney stone attacks, toothaches, stiff neck, frozen shoulder and similar problems

Why is it effective? 

The heat activity of the compress stimulates the blood and tissue circulation in the area being treated which then facilitates the excretion of the dispersed toxins.

Method:

-Bring a large pot of water to a boil

-Meanwhile, grate enough ginger into a cotton cloth or handkerchief, to equal the size of a golf ball

-Secure with an elastic band

-When the water comes to a boil, switch off

– Place the ball into the pot and allow it to soak in the water without boiling for about 5 minutes

-Place two face towels into the ginger water, wring out one of the face cloths and apply to the desired area on the body

-Cover with a dry hand towel to hold in the heat

-Change the facecloth every 2 to 3 minutes as it starts to cool off

–You want it to be hot enough so that it’s slightly uncomfortable but not too hot to burn the skin. 

-Alternating the cloths quickly is important so that the skin does not cool off between applications

-Continue the applications for about 15 to 20 minutes until the skin has turned pink.

During Treatment:

As a result of doing this treatment, mucus deposits are gradually dissolved and toxins flushed into the bloodstream. The body may show signs of detoxification or may show no overt signs of cleansing other than increased urination and bowel movement and some fatigue.

After Treatment:

Relax and drink some filtered water

How Frequently Should I do it?

The compress can be done three times a week. There will be enough ginger in the water for three applications. Simply bring the water to just below boiling and switch off.

Warnings: 

Never apply a ginger compress when a high fever is present or with appendicitis. As the compresses are very contractive (yang) they are hot applications, therefore, should not be used in a dense area of the body such as the brain.

The body is a self-healing organism and always strives for homoeostasis. 

Eat well, hydrate and exercise for good energy and vitality. Reduce sugar, coffee, dairy and meat and eat more wholegrains, pulses, fresh vegetables and fermented foods. Your body will love you for it.

I’d love to hear if you’re willing to give to these remedies a try☺

Reply in the comments and let me know!

If you’d like to keep up (or begin!) your Japanese yoga practice, I have an online class available. You can find out about it here.

I also have a longer course that will be available soon. If you’re curious take a look here.

*NB: I don’t agree with everything in the podcast by Andzej and you may not either. Like anything- use your personal judgement.  For example, Andrej suggests using Vicks Vapour Rub as well as some other macrobiotic remedies. A much better alternative I’ve found to Vicks Vapour Rub is Doterra’s Easy Air essential oil blend. I like to describe Easy Air as ‘Vicks without the Petroleum’. If you don’t already have Doterra’s Easy Air Blend, you can purchase it here.