The cold and flu is very common in my clinic, almost every single person will experience a flu or cold at some stage in their life. Some may only experience this a few times whilst others may constantly have one. Colds and flu’s can occur during any season and in any country around the world. Many people believe that it is a small problem, but for some people it may cause a great problem to their health.

1. Common symptoms of a cold and flu

i) Stage one: Mild cold/flu

Sneezing, runny nose, coughing, sore/itchy throat, headaches, body aches, lethargy, fever, sweating profusely or not at all.

ii) Stage two: Severe cold/flu

Generally people have these symptoms for only 2 or 3 days and the body recovers. However, some may experience these symptoms for a longer time with the symptoms becoming more severe such as; severe cough, heavy, yellow or green phlegm, tightness or pain in the chest, fever, short of breathe, severe lethargy, persistent headaches.

2. The common causes of cold a flu

Chinese medicine considers the causes of cold or flu’s are very different from season to season.

i) External wind or cold

This occurs predominantly occurs during the winter or cold season. The wind and cold block the external surface of the body which closes the pores in the skin close. This will result in the following symptoms; aversion to cold, sneezing, clear runny nose, cough, headache, no perspiration, diarrhea.

ii) External wind and heat

This usually occurs during the summer or hot windy climates. The body will have the following symptoms; sneezing, sore throat, headache, cough with sticky yellow phlegm, sweating, feeling hot, dry stool.

iii) External dampness and heat

This occurs more in the humid and hot climates. The following symptoms may be present; sneezing, blocked nose, cough with heavy phlegm, heavy headache, body feeling heavy, stomach bloating, lethargy, sluggish bowel movement, sticky stool, tightness in the chest.

The common causes that we have mentioned above will also be associated with other causes depending on the location, season and your body constitution.

3. How to treat common cold and flu’s

Chinese medicine considers different people may experience a cold or flu during a certain season which may present differently as every individuals body constitution is not the same. A TCM practitioner will usually prescribe a herbal medication or acupuncture based on the following:

i) Season

During certain seasons we have certain formulas for our medication. The herbal medication we prescribe is matched to the season which may have caused the cold or flu.

ii) Body constitution

When making our medication, we must take into account the individuals body constitution. The medication may be different for every individual based on their age, their type of body, their specific condition and/or any other conditions that may be present.

Due to this, our aim is to treat the cause but also ensure that their body will not be affected by the medication. This is why every medication is tailor made to each person.

4. What you should do if you have a cold or flu

i) I suggest that if you cannot fight the cold or flu by yourself, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

ii) Upon realizing you have a cold or flu, you should rest your body. By slowing down on your normal routines of working hard and exercising etc. In Chinese culture, there is a very popular quote “If you want to recover from your illness, 30% is from treatment, 70% from resting”.

iii) Drinking more warm or room temperature water.

iv) Eat more plant foods such as vegetables and fruit. Cut down on meat and chili foods.

v) If others in you family, friends or work colleagues have a cold or flu, it is best to allow fresh air to circulate the room.

I remember about 30 years ago when I was studying TCM in university. The lecturer told us how to treat a cold or flu, he said “Don’t think cold and flu are a small issue, it may cause death”. For this reason in my clinic, I ensure my patients with a cold or flu are well looked after.

Sometimes it may be hard to avoid a cold or flu, but I hope that this advice will help you recover quickly.