Unfortunately it is that time of the year when many of us succumb to the Flu.
The symptoms of a flu can include fever, chills, nasal congestion, cough, stiff and achy muscles. Although the Flu can be just a common cold and fever, for some it can be much more complicated and can lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Having had the history of asthma in our family, I take every cold and fever very seriously and like to nip the bug in the initial stages. I will share some of the herbs and techniques we use in our family to fight the flu.
As per webMD, http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/what-is-flu#1, Influenza, commonly known as the “flu”, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.
When people contract the Flu, their symptoms can vary depending on their constitution. A person suffering from the Flu can have some or all of the symptoms described above but there are subtle differences from person to person.
Some people may find their noses are completely congested whereas others find that their nose won’t stop leaking. Some find their nasal discharge to be yellow/green and others find it to be clear or watery. For some, the throat feels raw and others find that the lungs are affected and the chest is tight. The flu can make some people feel achy and make their muscles feel sore, while others may have the chills. Some have a high fever, but others may not.
The Flu is so common here in Ontario and so taxing on the Health Care System that the Government is heavily vested in the pubic getting the annual flu shot. Just last week I heard on the Radio that the hospitals were overwhelmed with large number of patients suffering from the symptoms of the Flu.
Not every body gets the flu shot - some don’t like the idea of injecting themselves with attenuated viruses on an annual basis, others worry about the non-medicinal ingredients and some worry about the side effects. Some times, the virus that you get infected by is a different strain to the one in the Flu Shot, and you can still get the Flu after getting the shot.
The Flu can indeed cause very serious health issues in anybody who has a weakened immune system, the elderly or the very young. Even the healthy can feel pretty terrible when they get the flu and that is why it is important for us to recognize the symptoms and try and address the symptoms as soon as possible. I am going to share some natural remedies for helping fight the Flu, whether you’ve had the shot or not, and explain how such illnesses are treated in Chinese Medicine.
In Chinese Medicine, the Practitioner will correlate the symptoms the patient is suffering from, and then confirms the diagnosis by checking their tongue and pulse. Acupuncture points are selected based on symptoms and a treatment plan is accordingly formulated.
Certain herbs and dietary changes may also be recommended to fight the flu. When recommending foods, we always consider the nature of the herbs and how these herbs affect different parts of our body. The colour and the coat of the tongue is a great way to confirm whether warming or cooling herbs that release the exterior should be used. For example, if the tongue looks red or has a yellow coat, we would use cooling herbs. However, if the tongue looked more pink or pale, and has a white coat, we would use warming herbs.
Also, there are acupuncture points and herbal medicines that we use for lingering, unresolved symptoms from a flu or cold. Chronic cough, chronic sinusitis, chest congestion can all be effectively treated if there is a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Here is a list of some simple foods and spices that you can use to ward off the cold and flu in the initial stages depending on your symptoms. Please note that these are suggestions and for a proper diagnosis and treatment you should consult a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
1. Ginger Tea - Very effective at initial onset of common cold or flu with symptoms affecting nose - clear, watery discharge, feeling slightly cold . Ginger tea will help warm the body and help open the nasal passages. If your symptoms are of a congested nose, but the discharge is more yellow, or your nose/lips look more red, do not have the ginger tea by itself - you would need to add some cooling herbs like Mint or Chrysanthemum flower.
2. Mint Tea - cooling, great at relieving symptoms of a tight, sore throat.
3. Chrysanthemum flower tea - cooling, helps itchy, red eyes at the early onset of the flu.
4. Cinnamon - warming, use if your neck and shoulders feel stiff and cold
5. Mulberry leaf tea - cooling, helps with cough with yellow mucus
6. Angelica - warming, relieves sinus headache
These are just useful herbs and spices to have at hand when you are first coming down with a cold or flu. Sometimes just having 1 or 2 cups of tea can help you get better soon. The trick is to listen to your body and ensure you can read your symptoms correctly.
Sometimes you may have many symptoms of the flu, and in such cases, it is best to see a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner because they will prepare a herbal formula for your exact symptoms to resolve the issue. When the formula is right, you start feeling better within a day or two and there are no untoward complications.
As a rule, if a person is exhibiting flu like symptoms, they need to STOP consuming sugar, dairy and any cream based foods. This is because the consumption of sugar and dairy will cause more mucus production and make the nasal and chest congestion worse.
Get plenty of rest as it is harder to fight disease and infection if you are fatigued.
Consume lots of water, clear, warm drinks such as clear soup, broth, tea as they help open your sinus passages and break down mucus production.
Although Citrus fruits like oranges are high in Vitamin C, it is not recommended to have them when you have signs of cold and mucus. These fruits will cause more mucus and will make your symptoms worse.
In the winter season, ensure your neck, head and top of shoulders are well protected. I highly recommend wearing scarves and hats to protect these regions from the cold wind and damp air. In acupuncture theory, there are acupuncture/acupressure points in occiput, nape of neck, and upper back and shoulders that are susceptible to wind and cold and if exposed can lead to the onset of sniffles and stiff neck.
For the same reasons mentioned above, ensure that after a workout when your sweat pores are open, do not step out in the cold without covering your head and neck.
Do not go out with wet hair especially in the cold weather - even when home, ensure you put a towel under your wet hair so your neck does not stiffen up because of the cold and damp.
Drink warm drinks and bundle up in warm blankets - so you can sweat out the fever and the pathogen.
Do the “shoulder stand” yoga pose at the beginning stage of cold or sore throat. This is because this posture will apply pressure on your upper thoracic spine and upper back - and this is where the acupressure points for warding off common cold and flu are located. https://www.gaia.com/article/7-benefits-shoulderstand
Massage yourself on these key Acupressure Points
Gall Bladder 20 (GB 20)
This point is located at the base of your occiput in the depression between the upper portion of sternocleidomastoideus muscle and trapezius muscle.
This point can be massaged when coming down with a cold or flu to clear the nose and eyes, and alleviate the pain in the head, neck and shoulders.
Du 23
This point is located about 1 thumb width above the midpoint of the anterior (front) hairline. This point can also help clear the nose and alleviate any headache. It is also good for helping bring the fever down.
yintang
Li 20
Li 20 is located in a depression on either side of the nostrils. Massaging this point can clear the nose.
LI 4
Lu 7
Lung 7 point is just proximal to the styloid process of the radius bone. This point can also help clear the nose, and alleviate any stiffness in the neck.
Lu 10
Lung 10 is located in the depression behind the thenar eminence of the thumb, along the border of the red and white skin. This point is very good for helping soothe a sore throat.