Common Cold & Flu

Common Cold & Flu
In Chinese medicine viral infections that cause seasonal sickness are described as wind invasions of external pathogens.  Whether or not you will get the latest bug going around has to do with both the strength of your body’s wei qi (or immune system) as well as the strength of the pathogen (virus) itself.  If you frequently get colds and flus, this may be an indication that your immune system is not functioning optimally.  In addition to treating your immediate illness, your acupuncturist will assess the condition of your body’s defense mechanism and treat you with herbs and acupuncture to help boost your overall health and ability to fight off future infections.

Here are a few tips that will help prevent you from catching a cold:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water especially before eating
• Eat a well-balanced diet and get adequate rest
• Keep bundled up in cold and windy weather, particularly cover your neck, head, hands & feet
• Reduce stress levels as stress reduces your body’s ability to fight off infection
• Drink plenty of fluids to flush out toxins and keep tissues hydrated
• Take echinacea or astragalus as an immune system boost during cold season
• Eat foods containing raw garlic which has anti-viral properties

Sometimes you can eliminate a virus from your body quickly before it gets a chance to reproduce and cause a full blown infection.  You must act quickly though, within the 1st 24 hours.  The first signs that you may be coming down with a cold are general malaise, fatigue, stiff neck, runny nose, slight fever, and feeling chilly.  As long as you are not sweating, you can try to “release your exterior”.  This is a process of inducing a sweat to open the pores of the skin which pushes out the pathogen.  By increasing your body temperature, viruses become inactivated and your immune system can overpower them.  

Releasing Your Exterior

First, make a hot cup of strong ginger tea by boiling several slices of fresh ginger root in water for 10 minutes.  Then draw a very hot bath and get in for about 15 minutes while you drink your tea.  Wear a warm winter hat and possibly a scarf to keep your head and neck warm.  You should soon begin to sweat.  After about 15 minutes, get out of the bath and immediately bundle up in many layers of warm clothing, go to bed  and sweat for another 5-10 minutes.  Then have a warm shower and dry off.  Now stay covered and rest remembering to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.