Autumn weather is quickly moving into Wisconsin. Many practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine know when they are likely to see more patients who have colds. It is not when the weather gets colder, rather it is when the temperature shifts rapidly, especially when there is wind.
Traditional Chinese medicine refers to many seasonal viral infections or “colds” as a form of “wind invasion”. This should not be seen as a belief that wind is a pathogenic agent. Rather it is a traditional way of recognizing the role that wind can play in the onset of a viral cold.
It is well known that viruses cause colds. It is also true that people are exposed daily to infectious agents like viruses. The human immune system protects people from these agents. The real start of a “cold” is when factors allow an infectious agent to take hold in our bodies. This could be that a person had a large exposure to the agent ( close contact with a infected person) or that the immune system was low when there was an exposure. In the autumn both situations often exist.
During autumn many people get caught outside in the cold damp wind while underdressed, which can lead to a temporary stress to the immune system. Combine that with school and increased time spent indoors with other people and you have a perfect way of increasing the chances of catching a cold.
The best immune system boosting technique this time of year is a light coat. Protect yourself from wind and don’t get caught underdressed. Then your immune system will be better prepared when you run into someone who has been exposed to the latest thing that is going around. See some of the links below for more tips on how to avoid getting sick.
The coming winter dryness
How to stay healthy this winter
Soup recipe for the common cold
Herbal medicine and the common cold
Two must have herbal formulas for colds and flu
How to use echinacea
How to prepare your body to fight colds and flu
Home remedy for the flu
Huang qi/Astragalus root and the flu
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