How does Chinese Medicine view cold and flus?
The unique perspective of Chinese medicine shows us a different way of looking at how we get sick. It is because of this unique perspective that Chinese medicine has treatments to offer where other medicines don’t.
Firstly in understanding cause of disease, Chinese medicine sees 3 main ways that illness or disharmony can occur:
1) External
2) Internal (Emotions, Food, Lifestyle)
3) Miscellaneous (includes, trauma, pestilence disease (aka the plague and other similar pathogens)
It is the first category, External, that we are concerned with here. Chinese medicien sees 6 external pathogenic factors – Xie Qi (translated as “evil energy”) – they are WIND, COLD, HEAT, DAMPNESS, DRYNESS, FIRE and SUMMERHEAT.
In winter, we find the weather prevalence of Cold. Chinese medicine is extremely logical, so it follows that when cold invades, the person feels cold, they are afraid of cold (know as “aversion to cold”) and want to put warm clothes on, drink warm drinks and get out of the wind.
Wind is the major factor to drive the other pathogens into the body. Wind-Cold is the most likely diagnosis for a cold or flu in winter. Wind in winter is likely to feel icy or freezing.
The first way to prevent colds and flus is lifestyle
1) Awareness
be aware of seasonal change and adapt your clothing to suit the seasonal differences. When it’s cold and wet be careful not to sit around in wet clothing. When it’s windy, wear a scarf to protect your neck and head from the potential “Evil Qi” invasion.
2) Strengthening resistance
Defensive Qi or “Wei Qi” is the circulating energy that defends your body against the invasion of wind. Your defensive Qi is active when you feel a bit cool and you get goosebumps – the hairs of your body sand up to trap the warmpth…Chinese medicine sees this as a function of Wei Qi.
The defensive Qi comes from Lung energy and food energy. This is where healthy diet comes into forming your defensive against cold and flu’s.
3) Early Treatment
Actually treatment in CM is based on restoring function of your body, not actually treating cold and flu’s. this is why there is not a “one size fits all” approach, even with herbal fromulas,…there are modified formulas for a weaker person compared to a strong and robust person who has the same flu-like symptoms. A weaker person needs a different apprach to strenghten their body compared to the stronger or more robust person.
Chinese medicine is based on effective treatment at very early intervention. This can be done with foods. Some of the common food-based flu treatments are described here.
Lots of people consider getting the flu-shot around this time of year. Weather or not you use this, these easy to apply natural tips will strengthen your body, enhancing your defensive energy (the Chinese medicine concept of immune system) and strengthen your bodies resistance to the common cold and influenza.
This article is written by Marie Hopkinson, the Chinese Herbalist at Metro Health and Medicine in North Perth. Marie is available for consultation by calling 1300 132 830 or email [email protected]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marie Hopkinson is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Practicing from her clinic in North Perth, WA- METRO HEALTH AND MEDICINE. Marie can be consulted for appointments, while in-person is preferred, Email /phone consultations can be arranged. Marie has been practicing since 2000, completing initial 3-year course in Chinese Medicine at the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies in WA. Marie has been to China for additional training in the Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Hangzhou Shi Zhong Yi Yuan) twice as well as completing a Master of International Health at Curtin University in 2006. Marie is passionate about the effective practice and understanding of Chinese Medicine and enjoys the opportunity to educate patients about the benefits of self-help aspects such as diet therapy, as well as teaching Chinese Medicine at the Endeavour College of Natural Health.
For more info about booking an appointment with Marie CLICK HERE.
For more info about conditions treated with Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine CLICK HERE.