It is time to adjust to the cold weather. The ice and snow, cold winds and need to be out in the weather can take its toll on people who are used to being in warm temperature controlled environments. People who get few colds tend to do things that help their systems defend against the common cold. There are the usual things like washing hands often, covering a cough or sneeze with an elbow, dressing warmly, and probably the most important, just staying physically fit, and eating healthy.
When a person is exposed to cold weather there are familiar responses that occur in the body. People shiver, their eyes water, they tense their necks and they often sneeze. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine these are signs that the body is struggling to find the energy to fight off the cold weather. If the body does not have the strength to protect the body from the cold, then the temporarily weakened state of the body may allow for the common cold viruses that are around us at all times, to proliferate and give us what we call the common cold. The symptoms may progress from a simple head cold marked by a headache, clear sinus drainage and dry throat, to a full respiratory infection with fever sore throat and yellow nasal discharge.
The obvious solution is to provide food (energy) and overheat the body at the first signs that the body is struggling with the cold weather. This can be done with a sauna, hot bath, or in many cases hot spicy soups and beverages. Classically, many Chinese people will cook ginger root and brown sugar into a hot beverage to be taken at the first signs of a cold. The traditional hot spicy dish called Kim chi was also used.
Another classic Chinese herbal recipe for this situation is;
- Chicken broth
- Fresh ginger root
- Black pepper (or cayenne pepper/tabasco sauce)
- onions or garlic
The Chicken broth is classic and provides flavor and nourishment. Other broths or simply water can be substituted.The amounts of the ingredients vary based on how strong you wan to make it. Generally the soup should taste strong and induce a light sweat. The use of this type of soup or herbal formulas for the cold at the first signs of a cold can help prevent cold from developing or shorten the length, and limit the severity of the cold.
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