When cold season strikes, the best remedies may already be in your kitchen. As a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, I’ll show you how to apply Chinese herbal principles to everyday ingredients—like ginger, scallions, honey, and cinnamon—to ease coughs, soothe sore throats, and speed recovery.

This lecture explores the concept of kitchen medicine—using the principles of Chinese herbal medicine to guide everyday choices. Chinese medicine recognizes that common illnesses, like colds and coughs, have different “patterns” (such as chilly and damp vs. hot and dry), and the right foods and spices can help restore balance. Many classical herbal formulas relied on ingredients that were simple and readily available, valued for their unique properties. Even if we don’t have access to every ancient herb today, we can use familiar plants and pantry staples to achieve similar results. You’ll learn how to match remedies to symptoms, know when a home treatment is enough, and recognize when it’s time to seek professional care. You’ll leave with practical recipes, clear guidance, and a fresh perspective on how to turn your pantry into your first line of defense against seasonal bugs.

About the Instructor:
Julie McCormick is the founder of Selby Acupuncture in St. Paul, where she has been providing care for over 15 years. A licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, Julie’s practice is rooted in helping people restore balance and well-being through individualized, compassionate care.

*Minimum of 5 students required to hold in-person class. Refund requests must be made 48 hours in advance of class time.