Did you know that your cold can be hot? In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) a cold or flu has either a hot or cold nature. Knowing the difference helps you feel better faster.
If you have these symptoms, it means you have a “wind invasion” in TCM, or what we consider a flu or cold:
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Congestion
But these symptoms alone don’t yet tell us if your cold is hot or cold type...
W I N D - C O L D I N V A S I O N
If you also have these symptoms then you have a “cold” cold:
- Chills
- Lack of sweating
- Stiff neck
- Body-aches
- Congestion with clear or white mucous
W I N D - C O L D R E M E D I E S
“Cold” colds respond best to heat remedies that give you a slight sweat:
- Fresh ginger tea
- Hot sauna or bath
- Heat up your neck with the Lanshin Hot Massager by Acera
- Lots of hot water
- Sleep with extra covers
- Moxabustion*
*Don't try this at home. See your L. Ac.
W I N D - H E A T I N V A S I O N
If you also have these symptoms then you have a “hot” cold:- Sore throat
- Fever, no chills
- Hot and sweating
- Very thirsty
- Red face and eyes
- Congestion with yellow or stick mucous
W I N D - H E A T R E M E D I E S
“Hot” colds respond best to cooling remedies that also resolve "wind":- Peppermint or chrysanthemum tea
- Cooling, bitter herbs
- Lots of fluid and hydration
- Bleeding acupuncture points that cool "wind heat"
- Medical Gua Sha and Cupping*
*Don't try this at home. See your L. Ac.