The common cold is a respiratory disease caused by various viruses. Self-massage of specific acupuncture points can stimulate the body’s immune function, reducing or alleviating the occurrence of colds.
Wind-Heat Cold (Feng Re Gan Mao) is usually caused by constipation, often associated with the Yangming Meridian syndrome. Typically, the sequence is as follows: after two days of constipation, a sore throat develops for one or two days, followed by cold symptoms, which is characteristic of Wind-Heat Cold. Why does constipation lead to a cold? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the lungs and large intestine are interrelated; when bowel movements are obstructed, the large intestine affects the lungs, leading to cold symptoms. Conversely, if Wind-Cold Cold is not treated promptly or appropriately, it can also lead to constipation or diarrhea due to external pathogens entering the body. In fact, diarrhea following a Wind-Cold Cold is considered a transformation in TCM, indicating that the disease has moved from the exterior to the interior, and one should avoid using anti-diarrheal medications indiscriminately.
Symptoms of Wind-Heat Cold
1. Sore throat, usually occurring before other cold symptoms, with phlegm that is typically yellow or black.
2. Thick nasal discharge, usually yellow.
3. The tongue coating may be slightly yellow or possibly white, with the tongue body usually appearing red.
4. Constipation.
5. Fever, thirst, and irritability.
6. The pulse is usually rapid or flooding, indicating a faster and stronger pulse than normal.
Prevention is Key for Wind-Heat Cold; Here are a Few Simple Lifestyle Tips to Help Prevent It.
Prevention of Wind-Heat Cold
Ventilation: Open the windows promptly after getting up in the morning to breathe in fresh air while ensuring good air circulation indoors.
Washing: Wash your face with cold water in the morning and soak your feet in hot water at night. Long-term adherence can promote blood circulation and enhance the body’s resistance.
Exercise: Engage in light jogging for about 15 minutes after waking up, or do morning exercises to strengthen the body and boost immunity.
Gargling: Rinse your mouth with diluted salt water and tea twice daily to kill cold viruses in the oral cavity and maintain oral hygiene.
Dressing: Dress appropriately according to seasonal weather and forecasts, and do not overexert yourself.
Smelling: Keep a bottle of aged vinegar or white liquor handy and occasionally open it to smell, which can refresh the mind and effectively prevent colds.
Drinking: Drink plenty of hot water before bed, and ginger tea is particularly effective in preventing colds.
Fumigation: Heat aged vinegar and close the doors and windows, fumigating every two weeks to effectively kill cold viruses and microorganisms.
winter
Warm Reminder
In winter, the climate is dry and cold, with significant temperature differences between morning and evening, leading to a decrease in our body’s resistance, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to invade, with colds being the most common issue.
The transmission routes of colds and influenza are primarily through respiratory droplets, and can also spread through direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, and eyes. Gargling with salt water can help inhibit the proliferation of bacteria and viruses, establishing a health barrier in the critical areas of the mouth, nose, and throat. It is advisable to gargle with diluted salt water after brushing teeth in the morning and evening, as well as after meals, to eliminate oral pathogens. During flu season, extra attention should be paid to gargling with salt water. The saltwater concentration should be slightly higher than that of physiological saline (0.9% saline solution). Add one teaspoon of salt to 500 ml of water, dissolve it, and it is ready for gargling. It is best to gargle with 10 ml after brushing in the morning and evening, holding it for one minute, and tilting the head back for better throat cleansing.
To prevent colds, ensure proper ventilation in living spaces by opening windows twice daily for about 20 minutes each time, which can reduce the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms in the air and effectively prevent colds. Maintain a certain level of humidity indoors. When going out, wear warm clothing, hats, scarves, and gloves to protect against the cold.
