With school already back in session, peak cold and flu season is right around the corner!
In Western medicine, there is no cure for the common cold. Cold and flu drugs may treat symptoms, but their effectiveness varies and some of their ingredients can have side effects varying from inconvenient (drowsiness, high blood pressure, and anxiety), to dangerous (such as hemorrhagic strokes). Chinese medicine strikes at the source, not just the symptoms, to alleviate cold and flu more quickly than conventional methods.
Chinese Medicine for Cold & Flu
Chinese medicine focuses on "pushing out" the pathogen rather than just neutralizing it, cutting down on lingering symptoms and preventing the virus from regaining a foothold and starting a recurring cycle of illness that can potentially become more serious. In Chinese medicine, we prescribe customized natural herbs to rid the body of viruses. Many Chinese herbs have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Unlike over-the-counter medication, Chinese herbal prescriptions can be adjusted as symptoms change to combat the virus more effectively and specifically. Chinese herbs can also bolster the immune system to help the body naturally combat viruses that cause cold and flu.
Many Chinese herbs are also foods! Good foods for relieving colds and flu include:
Seaweed
Ginger
Garlic
Green tea
Mint
Fermented soy or miso
Chicken broth
Honey
Congee, a Chinese rice porridge, is also recommended by Chinese medicine practitioners during illness. It is gentle on the stomach, but can also be combined with meat or vegetables to make a heartier meal.
All Chinese herbal medicine is based on individual diagnosis; two people can catch the "same cold" and present with very different symptoms and severity. Always consult with a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner before starting any herbal treatment regimen.
Catch cold and flu season early! Call us at (321) 972-2940 to schedule your herbal medicine consultation today.