Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Common Colds

The common cold has been around to afflict people throughout recorded history—and probably even before that. In the United States alone, 1 billion people suffer from the ailment in any given year. Though it is most often harmless, its symptoms can interfere with work and play. In some people, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can offer a way to avoid the inevitable recurrence of the common cold. Or, TCM can help relieve the symptoms and perhaps decrease the duration of the cold. Any one of more than 200 viruses is responsible for the common cold. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might be a way to make the body less inviting for one of these viruses.

How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Help the Common Cold?

By using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat the common cold, individuals are specifically treated according to their individual symptoms. If the symptoms are treated immediately, the more intense effects that can lead to more serious infections such as pneumonia might be offset. Most importantly, following the Traditional Chinese Medicine system of maintaining holistic health and wellness can help maintain a healthy immune system and could help prevent colds, as well.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment for the Common Cold

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of combating infectious disease. One of the highest regarded classical Chinese medicine texts, the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) written by Zhang Zhong Jing in about 200 AD, is universally regarded as the first medical text to thoroughly describe the developmental stages (pathogenesis) of infectious disease and its treatment at each stage. Over the subsequent centuries, doctors of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have analyzed, debated, and expanded upon the treatment of infectious disease, including the common cold.

Common colds are generally caused by one of three factors: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, and Defensive Qi Deficiency (immune weakness). The “wind” pathogen in TCM often carries other pathogens into the body, such as cold, heat, and dampness. In cases of Wind-Cold, the surface of the body becomes obstructed by the external evil invasion, leading to symptoms of chills, bodyache, cough, runny nose, stiff neck, and a floating-tight pulse. Wind-Heat invasion common cold presents with fever, sweat, thirst, sore throat, a productive cough with yellow phlegm, and a floating-rapid pulse. Defensive (Wei) Qi Deficiency is related to a failure of the body to produce a strong enough immune response to effectively ward off pathogens, leading to frequent colds. These deficiency colds may contain either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat pathogens, but it is the deficiency that is the root of the problem, leading to a different treatment plan. These patients most often contract Wind-Cold, but have a weak pulse and more fatigue than the other patterns.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Common Cold

Many common colds are easily treated with over-the-counter herbal preparations. However, the most important aspect is differentiating the “cold” as being due to Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. Typically, feeling feverish, a sore throat, and sweat point to the cause as Wind-Heat. Bodyaches, neck stiffness, and chills generally indicate Wind-Cold. Seeking the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor will help you to properly diagnose your condition.

For Wind-Cold invasion, the most commonly used prescriptions include Ma Huang Tang, Gui Zhi Tang, and Ge Gen Tang. Often, these formulas are available in pill form from Chinese herb shops, or can be decocted from raw herbs for the strongest effects.

For Wind-Heat invasion, Yin Qiao San and Gan Mao Ling are conveniently available for use. It is recommended to keep these medicines, which are available in pill form, easily accessible so they may be taken at the first signs of a cold. Often, a consistent usage of Yin Qiao San pills within the first 24 hours of cold symptoms can help you avoid the cold altogether.

For cases of Qi Deficiency, Ren Shen Bai Du Wan is recommended to expel the pathogen and support the production of defensive Qi (immune support). Yu Ping Feng Wan is an excellent formula for bulding the defensive Qi in between colds; consider taking this as a supplement before and after air travel to avoid a cold. When using any of these herbal formulas, it is best to rest, stay indoors, and protect yourself from exposure to wind.

There are a large number of classical and modern herbal formulas used for the treatment of common cold, depending on the patient’s exact constitution and symptoms; seeking the care of an experienced practitioner will provide the best care of your cold, helping to shorten the duration and severity of the condition, as well as prevent future colds.

Acupuncture for Common Colds

Acupuncture treatment for common colds includes specific points based upon the diagnosis. In cases of Wind-Cold, the acupuncture points Du 16, UB 12, GB20, Lu 7, and LI 4 are primarily used to release the surface and expel wind. Cases of Wind-Cold also benefit from the use of moxibustion; a technique that includes the burning of Ai Ye (mugwort) on several acupuncture points. This warming technique will enhance the effects of treatment, and speed recovery of the patient.

For Wind-Heat, the use of the acupuncture points Du 14, LI 11, and LI4 are effective to clear the heat associated with fever; SJ5 can release the surface and expel Wind-Heat; and Lu 10 and Lu 11 can relieve the toxic-heat that causes a sore throat. Lu5 can be added to the point prescription to calm a cough, and St 40 can be used to help transform phlegm.

In cases of Defensive Qi Deficiency, the primarily treatment will be to tonify the body’s defenses. Acupuncture points UB 12, UB 13, and ST 36 can strengthen the Lung and Spleen Qi to relieve fatigue and prevent reoccurring colds. A scatter needling technique (light and shallow stimulation with the needle tip) used on the upper back will also help strengthen this area against wind invasion.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Chinese Medicine is not one particular medicine, or treatment. It is an entire way of maintaining and treating health care based on Chinese, or oriental (Eastern thought as opposed to Western thought) views of the universe. The evolution of this philosophy finds its roots between 4000 BC and 2000 BC, from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Taoism is considered the root that had the most influence on the development of Oriental Medicine.

The five basic laws that govern this philosophy and medicine are:

• There are natural laws that govern the universe—each person being a part of the universe, exists according to those laws.
• The natural order of the universe is harmonious and organized—people who live according to those laws will live a harmonious life.
• The universe is dynamic and change is constant—lack of change will cause illness because it is contrary to the universe.
• All life is interconnected—treating just one ailment alone without understanding the entire system and flow of health will be unsuccessful.
• Humans are part of the universe, not outside of it. They are connected intimately to the environment of which they are an integral part, and thus the environment affects human health.

The philosophy is based on certain principles and includes:

• Yin and Yang—the Law of the Unity of Opposites
• Qi/energy (pronounced “chee”)
• The Five elements—water, wood, fire, earth, and metal

The treatment methods for various ailments are subject to the individual and the diagnostic techniques used under the guidelines of this philosophy. In order to understand the philosophy better, it is important to understand the basic premise of the principles of Yin and Yang, Qi/energy, and the five elements.

Yin and Yang
Yin and yang are elements that are intrinsically involved; one does not exist without the other. They are two parts to a whole—their relationship constitutes what is known as The Law of the Unity of Opposites. These forces come together in order to create life—and thus also to maintain a healthy balance in life.

Qi
Qi, best understood as energy of unknown origin, is the basis on which the universe exists. Qi cannot be destroyed, only changed. It is present everywhere, and flows throughout the body in 14 main channels, 12 of which are connected to a yin or yang organ from which they derive their name. It has six main functions:

• Produces motion within the body, and moves it
• Transforms—a Qi channel transforms another element that a body might ingest, for instance
• Transports—each Qi takes nutrients and fluids to particular organs
• Warms—Yang Qi warms the body
• Protects—Wei Qi fends off external pathogens
• Contains—as a specific Qi contains blood in the vessels, fluids in the bladder, etc.

The Five Elements
The five elements were derived from the seasons of nature—winter, spring, summer, late summer, and autumn. Each element is also associated with a particular emotion, and that consequently rules a particular organ and any disease that might occur with it. The relationships among the elements occur in a sheng, or nourishing, cycle; or, they occur in a ke, or regulating cycle.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has an established pattern, or hierarchy, for healing. The hierarchy includes seven or eight healing techniques ranked by two factors: the degree of invasiveness and whether the healing is being performed by the patient or a professional healer. For self-administered healing, meditation, exercise that cultivates Qi (the life energy that circulates throughout the body), and diet and nutrition are crucial to maintaining a healthy immune system. For practitioner-administered healing, the techniques of cupping or other manual manipulative techniques, the burning of herbs (moxibustion), acupuncture, and herbal medicines are used.

What is the Common Cold?

The common cold is a upper respiratory tract infection, usually caused by a virus, with symptoms that include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Congestion
• Body or headaches
• Sneezing
• Low-grade fever (up to 102º F)
• Watery eyes
• Mild fatigue

Some discharge from the nose might be thick, and yellow or green in color. Determining whether the sickness is a cold or viral infection is sometimes as easy as taking someone’s temperature. A cold will generally not produce a high fever. And while the symptoms are annoying, the fatigue suffered is not likely to be severe when a cold is present. It is important to remember that because a virus—not bacteria—causes a cold, the antibiotics of traditional medicine are not indicated.

What Causes the Common Cold?

The most common of the 200 viruses that can cause the common cold is the rhinovirus. It is highly contagious, entering the body through the mouth or nose. It spreads through droplets in the air when someone who has the virus coughs, sneezes, or talks. Sharing common objects such as utensils, telephones or toys, or shaking hands with an infected person will quickly spread the virus from the already infected person to the next person. People, including adults and children, with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable. The season of the year can be a factor, too. The fall and winter, when people tend to congregate indoors and spend time more closely with others, can facilitate the spread of the germs that cause colds. In temperate climates that do not experience winter as a cold or freezing season, the rainy season is likely to produce a higher rate of colds for the same reasons.