While there are many over-the-counter herbal formulas available, a Chinese remedy for the common cold or flu typically includes nutrient-rich whole foods and a combination of herbs straight from the home kitchen. A freshly prepared herbal flu remedy--consisting of diaphoretic, or sweat inducing, ingredients--is believed to build the nutritive and protective energies of the body, expanding the sweat glands to sweat out disease lodged in the sinuses, bronchials and throat. A common Chinese flu remedy is a diaphoretic tea of fresh ginger root, lemon and honey. An herbal preparation, however, does not replace medical treatment; a physician should always be consulted before engaging in herbal therapy for illness.
Fresh Ginger Root
Typically used as a food in Western culture, ginger has been used medicinally around the world for thousands of years. Ginger may inhibit the body's manufacturing of prostaglandins, which activate the body's inflammatory response to an invading virus, resulting in flu symptoms such as inflammation of mucus membranes, aches and pains, and fever. As stated in the Summer 2005 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food," many laboratories have shown repeated scientific support for the belief that ginger shares pharmacological properties with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. As a component of a Chinese herbal flu remedy, ginger is believed to warm the body, improve its circulation and activate the body's defenses. As sweating increases while drinking a diaphoretic tea, toxins and viruses are driven out of the body. Immune system functioning increases and peripheral circulation improves with the ingestion of ginger as part of a Chinese flu remedy, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Lemon Juice
Fresh squeezed lemon juice in a Chinese flu remedy is believed to stimulate and strengthen the immune system as the bitter and sour flavors of fresh lemon juice break down stagnant material and mucus in the body. In its natural form, lemon is an acidic food, but when consumed it has an alkalizing effect on the body. Flu viruses and symptoms produce an excess of acidity, so the alkalizing properties of fresh lemon juice are considered of great benefit. An excellent source of vitamin C, lemon juice also contains potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Raw Honey
Honey has several properties that are believed to facilitate recovery from flu symptoms, so it is a beneficial ingredient in an herbal flu remedy. A Chinese flu remedy would call for raw honey; according to the science of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the beneficial properties of raw honey are lost when it is heated and processed. When added to diaphoretic tea, raw honey moistens dryness and can soothe a hoarse throat and dry cough. Raw honey contains antioxidants, carbohydrates, 22 amino acids, 27 minerals, a full range of vitamins and over 5,000 live enzymes believed to neutralize toxins and relieve pain. Always consult a physician before beginning any herbal treatment regimen, and do not use honey-containing products or feed honey to children under one year of age. Honey can cause infant botulism, a life-threatening paralytic disease.
Over-the-Counter Options
In addition to the first-line defense of a diaphoretic tea, many herbal Chinese flu therapy preparations are available in tablet form. These contain multiple Chinese herbs specific to the underlying imbalance causing cold or flu symptoms. Popular formulas include herbs such as Da Qing Ye, Lian Qiao, Jin Yin Hua and Huang Qin, which are unfamiliar to most of the Western world. According to the science of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a cold or flu virus will manifest because of an energetic imbalance particular to the individual affected, such as a deficiency pattern, a wind-heat invasion or a wind-cold invasion. Over-the-counter Chinese flu remedy preparations usually are tailored to combat one of these specific invading patterns. Therefore, before a product is correctly chosen, the pattern or invasion affecting the body should be determined with some basic research into the different patterns and their symptoms. Although Chinese flu preparations have been used successfully for hundreds of years, they do not replace medical treatment; a physician should always be consulted before taking any over-the-counter herbal flu remedy.
References
- "Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition"; Paul Pitchford; 2002
- "The Ginger Book: The Ultimate Home Remedy"; Stephen Fulder, Ph.D; 1996
- "Journal of Medicinal Food": Ginger--An Herbal Medicinal Product With Broad Anti-Inflammatory Actions
- Archives of "Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine": Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents
