Prevention of Cold and Flu
In Chinese Medicine it is the lung and metal element that is responsible for protecting us against colds and flu and maintaining our immunity. In addition to respiration, the energetic of the lung is attributed to governing the functions of immunity, the skin and are associated with the emotions of grief and sadness.
Autumn is governed by the metal element and is the time when our lung qi is at the height of activity. If our lung qi is strong then we will travel through this period with few respiratory and skin problems. If our lung qi is weakened then coughs, cold and flu, asthma and related problems will start to worsen with the dryer colder weather.
Our lung qi is strengthened by participating in aerobic exercise, by practising abdominal breathing and by eating foods that strengthen the lung qi including apples, potato, cauliflower, mild curries, chillies, garlic, onion, basil, oregano and other white foods. Pears are a great food to quell a dry cough.
The Best Treatment Is Prevention
Chinese Medicine is one of the few systems of medicines that has preventative medicine as a strong part of its roots. Going back less than 1000 years you will find that many Chinese Medicine Doctors were only paid if the residents of the village remained healthy and well. The focus on maintaining health and wellness, rather than on treating disease and illness has meant that many Chinese Medicine diagnostic techniques and treatments are designed to work on preventing illness and identifying the earliest signs of disease.
Prevention and treatment of cold and flu is one of the most prolific topics in Chinese Medicine theory, with a multitude of acupuncture treatments and Chinese Herbal formulas to treat almost every imaginable manifestation of viral and bacterial respiratory infection. There are some formulas that are best used in the first few hours of cold and flu attack, others that are more suited to a cold or flu that has really taken hold, and others still that are useful for complicated or prolonged illness.
Other things you can do to increase your flu-fighting ability:
Start wearing your scarf as soon as autumn arrives! It's imperative to keep your neck warm and protected from wind, cold and rain, as this is where "evil qi" enters the body according to Chinese Medicine. Wear it through until the last of the spring winds have passed.
Sleep with windows closed - with the hot weather gone, it's important to protect the body from cold drafts during the night. Keep windows shut, turn off fans, and keep your chest and back covered with a pyjama top or tshirt during the night to protect yourself from being invaded by "evil qi" during the night. Chinese Medicine believes that at night the defensive qi of the immune system flows much deeper within the body than during the day, leaving us more vulnerable to being invaded overnight.
Avoid Alcohol - alcohol impairs immune function and is best avoided if you feel like you are coming down with a cold or are surrounded by sniffly colleagues and family members.
Hot Ginger Bath - if you have been caught out in the cold, or been caught out in the rain, a warm ginger bath can stimulate your immune system and help stave off an impending cold or flu. Roughly chop a 2-3 inch piece of ginger and place into a tea-towel. Fix tea-towel to the bath tap using a rubber band, so that the water will flow through the chopped ginger. Jump into the bath and soak yourself for approx 5-10 minutes, or until you have broken a mild sweat - don't stay in the bath for too long. Dry yourself off thoroughly and get into your pyjamas and straight into bed for an early night. This is a great relaxing way to boost your immunity if you have been exposed to a potential virus.
Acupuncture- is often used to help boost immunity and also for treatment of all stages of cold and flu. Clients receiving regular treatment will often report that their immunity is greatly improved, and that they avoided infection when they previously would have succumbed (despite best efforts from work colleagues and family members to infect them with their cold and flu bugs)! Acupuncture is best administered by an appropriately trained and experienced Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
Herbal medicines - there are some Chinese herbal medicine formulas that have been designed to boost immunity and prevent cold and flu. Other formulas are useful to use once a cold or flu has taken hold to reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms. If caught early enough, you can stop the cold in its tracks. These formulas were developed over a thousand years ago and have been used and refined by Chinese Medicine Practitioners over the years. It is best to get your Chinese Herbal Medicines from a practitioner who has training and experience in treating cold, flu and immunity.
Our practitioners are experienced in helping clients to achieve their maximum immunity potential. They have had much experience in the treatment of cold and flu. Click here if you would like to make an appointment to see one of our practitioners.
