I'm feeling the cold much more than before im really aware of it. Anyone any advice to help with this? Thanks in advance
Replied by Marcin (Toronto, Canada) on 03/10/2015
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, which I have found very helpful for my own digestive issues, impaired spleen function will result in indigestion, with not digested food parts visible in the stool, as well as cold issues, such as coldness of your hands and feet and preference for hot drink, food and environment. Stool will be loose and watery, and you might also notice you are drooling in your sleep. These are all symptoms of a weak spleen. Keep in mind that Traditional Chinese Medicine understands internal organs differently than Western medicine.
To fight of the cold you should avoid eating vegetables raw and drinking cold fluids. Drink a lot of hot tea (black tea is the best for warming the body), eat soups and stews and avoid anything that is cold. It includes fruits. You can boil them. Pumpkins, squashes and sweet potatoes are warming for the body. You can take Apple Cider Vinegar with warm water. Taking hot baths or putting your feet in a bowl filled with hot water is also recommended.
Herbs that warm the body and spleen are ginger and ginseng. You can supplement them. You can also research Chinese herbal formulas for dispelling the cold I.e. yang deficiency.
Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/11/2015
Dear John 1974,
Some find that a low-fat diet will make one feel cold. If your dietary changes have reduced fat a lot, that could be it. If you have eliminated fats like hydrogenated oils or processed foods that have such in them, that is great...
Some good fats to include would be coconut oil and olive oil. I also like sesame oil for some dishes and walnut oil is great in salads...
Just wanted to throw out that possibility.
~Mama to Many~
Replied by John1974 (N. Ireland) on 03/11/2015
Hi Mama. Yes, I have totally cut out processed food and my fat in take has also reduced. Mama is bakin soda good for showering with? I'm looking somethong more natural to shower with. I have used all the supermarket brands and looking something much more healthier. ThanksReplied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/11/2015
Dear John 1974, I have used a lot of baking soda baths for my children, so I certain find diluted baking soda quite suitable for the skin. We have also used baking soda on stings as a thick paste with good results. (So even concentrated has been fine for most of us.)
I have read about people using it as a face scrub and even as a deodorant. I have tried it as a shampoo but didn't stick with it as I just really like suds when I shampoo.
I use it to clean my teeth, even with my dentist's approval. I use it to clean tons of stuff in my house.
So, I think it may work as a soap alternative in the shower. You might sprinkle some instead of soap onto a washcloth. (I actually use an old cheese shaker with baking soda in it in my kitchen to shake some onto a dish with a stain or into a pot that needs some scouring.) My only caution is that I believe someone once posted her about having a skin reaction to baking soda when using it as a deodorant, and I have in my mind that this reaction may have happened to a son of mine, too.
Another option would be to find home made soaps. Some farmer's markets will have home made soaps that have all natural ingredients. I have made my own soap and love it. It is just a little time consuming and I don't get around to it very often.
Do let us know if you try it and how it works for you.
~Mama to Many~
