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Acupuncture for Coughs, Colds and Flu
Updated: Sep 25
With the changing of seasons, our bodies often contend with varying weather, rendering us susceptible to a host of illnesses. The weakening of our immune defenses heightens the risk of falling prey to common colds, persistent coughs, and the flu.
Traditionally, across Eastern cultures, people turn to acupuncture at the change of seasons. In Chinese medicine it is used as a preventive measure, and to help ease symptoms once they appear. Sessions are traditionally used to support the body's own defences.
How Chinese medicine sees colds and flu
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), coughs, colds and flu can result from a deficiency in the lung meridian. This is because in TCM the function of the lung in the body is to protect the skin. Chi runs around the skin, helping our circulation and protecting our body. ‘We’ means protection, so the energy protecting our outer body is called ‘we chi’. This energy acts to prevent any outside attacks from harsh weather, viruses or bacteria from entering the body.
Three types of cold in Chinese medicine
Wind Heat: symptoms of wind heat include fever, a runny or blocked nose, severe headache, a cough with thick phlegm, sweating and sneezing.
Wind Cold: symptoms of wind cold are feeling mildly feverish, feeling cold, itchy and sore throat, pain in various parts of the body, runny nose and sneezing.
Damp Heat: symptoms of damp heat include feeling tired, having little energy, headache, loss of appetite, feeling nauseous and a heavy sensation in the chest.
How acupuncture is used for colds and flu
In Chinese medicine, acupuncture and TCM are traditionally used to support the immune system at times when colds and flu are going around. If you already have a cough, cold or the flu, they are used to help ease chills, fever and body aches, and to help with a sore throat and congestion. Responses vary from person to person.
Acupuncture is often overlooked as an option for colds and flu, but it is traditionally used to help ease symptoms once you have them and to support the immune system. Many people find it a relaxing treatment, and it is drug free.
You may also like our articles on how acupuncture supports immune function, the best foods for a strong immune system and Chinese medicine for winter health.
Care Cure are Traditional Chinese Medicine specialists, treating patients in Dublin since 2006. We have clinics in the Merrion Shopping Centre, Dublin 4, and 53 George's Street Lower, Dun Laoghaire.
We provide Free Consultations in all our clinics.
Chinese herbal remedies for coughs and colds
We have a comprehensive range of Natural Chinese Herbal Remedies for coughs, colds, flu and fever. All our herbal products are derived from plants utilising, root, stem, leaf and flower.
Many of these herbal remedies have been developed over centuries. If you are unsure which product is best please avail of our free consultation and talk with one of our TCM specialists.
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