How to Fight the Cold and Flu with Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
One of the most common treatments that we at the Acupuncture Lounge in the winter months here in Denver is acupuncture for Cold and Flu. Along side acupuncture Chinese medicine offers powerful formulas to fight the symptoms.
The power of Chinese medicine is in it’s capacity of diagnosis. A cold is not just a cold but is divided into different categories that allow for very specific treatments.
Cold and flus are divided into four pathogenic causes, these include cold, wind, dampness, and heat. The most common types we see here in Colorado is wind cold and wind heat.
The theory behind catching a cold is that pathogens first come into contact with our defensive qi that is located at the skin. If the immune system in weak or not strong enough to protect the invasion then a cold or flu pathogen will enter into our system through the skin layer or directly into the lungs.
Usually is the first attack is caused by a wind cold invasion. This will last for a few hours up to a few days. The characteristics of this pathogen are cold symptoms which include: chills, lack of sweating, possible headache at the base of the skull, upper body aches, tight shoulders and neck, and congested nose.
You might experience a chill in your body, maybe cold hands or feet, or be more sensitive to the cold in the environment.
Once you heighten your awareness of these symptoms you begin to see it all unfold, its quite amazing!
At this phase the most important formulas to take are Yin Chiao, ginger, green onions. Check out the recipe below to fight the first symptoms of a cold.
You can find Yin Chiao online via amazon, or locally at whole food or natural grocers or the Traditional School of Chinese medicine on York and Colfax.
Usually the wind cold invasion will rapidly move into a wind heat invasion where you will have heat signs such as a fever, or your body is trying to break a fever, sweating, and feeling hot.
Another symptom I always watch for myself is a sore throat this is my body telling me my body is fighting a pathogen and I will start to take Chinese herbs.
For all forms of a cold, a prompt treatment brings the most effective result. The longer one waits to treat an infection disease, the longer it will take to clear the pathogen.
Certain foods, Chinese herbal formulas and acupuncture work great to help fight a cold and flu.
Foods that help to fight a cold, include ginger, citrus foods, green onions, garlic, turmeric and honey.
There are many amazing formulas that are good for both. So no matter what you have going on you can take these formulas to help you feel better much faster.
Our top pick include:
1. Cold Nip
2. Cold Snap
3. Yin Chiao
4. Gan Mao Ling
5. Ge Gen Tang Wan
Cold Nip was developed by David Scrimgouer at Six Persimmons Apothercary. Cold Nip combines three classical Chinese herbal formulas (Ge Gen Tang, Yin Qiao San and Er Chen Tang) with three powerful Chinese herbs (Andrographis, Isatis leaf and Isatis root) to provide the most effective support during the cold season.
Cold Snap The blend of 20 traditional Chinese herbs activates, nourishes, protects and strengthens healthy immune response at onset of symptoms and during progressing cold and flu symptoms. Great to use a first signs of a cold.
Yin Chiao : When to Use Yin Chiao. Yin Chiao should be used at the first sign of cold. It is particularly effective for colds beginning in the throat. Yin Chiao is used during the first two days of Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat condition. It is also used when exposed, or likely-to-be-exposed, to Wind pathogen.
Gan Mao Ling: Gan mao ling is a formulation of Chinese Herbs that is used in the early stages of cold or flu. It is purported to alleviate the symptoms and shorten the duration of a cold or flu.
Ge Gen Tang Wan : Ge Gen Tang Wan is often used for cold or flu with headache, neck stiffness and pain.
These formulas can be found online or at your local natural food store. Remember it is always a good idea to seek advice from a registered Chinese medicine practitioner before taking any Chinese medicines.
Food is a great way to help combat the cold and flu symptoms, here is a great soup recipe.
Soup for Fighting colds
Chinse Giger and Garlic Soup for Cold.
1-2 inch piece o fresh ginger but into slices
4 green onions( use on the white part) cut into several pieces.
6 cups of chicken bone broth or vegetable broth.
How to cook: Put all the ingredients into a pot and boil for 10 minuets. Drink soup while it is warm or hot.
Another great way to to drink tea and one of my favorites is
Honey Lemon cold buster:
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup or more of hot water
Put honey and lemon juice into a tea cup or mug. Add hot water and stir. Add more lemon juice, honey, or hot water to taste.
Our acupuncturist are here 7 days a week to help you combat cold symptoms as well. I recommend getting coming in to the Acupuncture Lounge at the first signs of your cold! There are powerful points that can help boost your immune system as well as help with nasal congestion, aches in the body, sore throat, and fevers.
Our favorite points to use include: LI4, Sj5, Du21, Lu10, Lu7, Sp6, and St 36.