Cold and Flu Season, Our Immune System, & Chinese Medicine
The sniffle season is upon us. Kids come home from school with sore throats and stuffy noses, people sneeze more in public, and the pesky viruses enjoy weakened immune systems. Is the seasonal change creating a perfect storm for cold and flu viruses to flourish? Perhaps. People spend more time indoors as the weather cools, where the air recirculates germs. Specific pathogens also thrive in cooler temperatures.
Whether it is flu season or not, our bodies always fight off potential pathogens. If our immune system is strong enough, our body will stop the virus before we develop the typical cold symptoms: sneezing, achy neck, body aches, sore throat, fatigue, and congestion.
According to Chinese Medicine theory, pathogens are carried by "wind" and enter the back of the neck, nose, or mouth. The theory explains why we sneeze before we catch a cold or our neck is "achy" before symptoms worsen. Our immune system is attempting to dispel a pathogen (virus). Chinese Medicine works to bring about balance to the body through acupuncture needles, moxa (a therapeutic herb), herbal medicine, food therapy, guasha, and cupping. Acupuncture has two main types of "colds" - either a Wind-Cold Invasion or a Wind-Heat Invasion.
'Wind-Cold Invasion' has body aches, low-grade fever, chills, aversion to cold, cough, white or clear phlegm, and neck stiffness and usually lasts a few days. This is the beginning phase of the typical common cold.
' Wind-Heat Invasion' symptoms include high fever, sore throat, body aches, possible sweating, and yellow phlegm. Typically, this looks similar to flu symptoms.
Acupuncture is a great way to boost your immune system and stay healthy during cold and flu season. We are more susceptible to a compromised immune system during this time of year, whether due to stress, overwork, holiday overindulgence, or temperature changes.
Food therapy options to add to the Fall seasonal changes and boost immunity include warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon, garlic, chives, and black pepper; root vegetables such as winter squashes and sweet potatoes; and onions, lemon, and local honey.
Simple ginger tea is one of my favorite tea recipes for boosting the immune system. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) is used in Chinese Medicine as a medicinal herb. Fresh Ginger strengthens the immune systems to expel pathogens such as a 'wind-cold' invasion (common cold) when prepared as a tea decoction. Fresh Ginger has analgesic, antibacterial, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties.
Fresh Ginger can be found in any produce section at your local grocery store.
Ingredients
fresh ginger root (3 or 4 1/4" slices)
3 cups of filtered water
lemon
honey
Simmer the ginger root for approximately 20 minutes. Strain and add fresh lemon and honey to your liking.
If you are interested in receiving an immune boosting acupuncture treatment, or herbal medicine to support your body’s defense system, book online here.
Enjoy, and Cheers to your health!
Dr. Jen, Sarasota Acupuncture Physician