Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uniquely understands how a cold or flu is contracted; it’s considered an invasion of an external pathogenic factor. These factors enter the body from the outside, such as through wind, cold, heat, or dampness. It’s important to know the process and terminology from a TCM point of view to understand the concept behind the methods used to boost immunity. This is the best way to learn how to fight off a cold or flu from a TCM perspective.

Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Xie qi translates to “evil qi.” Xie qi implies that the “evil” is a pathogen, and “qi” is the energy or vital force.

A person gets sick when an evil wind or other element enters the body. Xie qi can enter if the person's energy is weak, where the body is unable to close pores appropriately—it’s as if a gate is left open. When a person is weak, the Xie qi often quickly enters with the wind between the layer of the skin and muscles, and early symptoms appear (e.g., chills, aversion to wind and cold). At this stage, action can be taken to help kick the pathogen out before the cold or flu takes hold.

Wei qi is the defensive layer of energy that circulates between the cou li, which is the space between the skin and muscles. Wei qi is governed by the energy of the Lung, and when it’s strong, it can close pores appropriately and prevent Xie qi from entering the body.

It may be useful to understand that the qi and blood production for the body come from a specific sequence of events. As we breathe air in, the body takes in vital energy from the atmosphere and combines it with the vital energy from the food we eat. When they combine on an energetic level, this nourishes the force that supports life and allows us to flourish. When qi is strong, the body has the strength it requires to ward off pathogens. This is why it’s important to choose seasonal food, beverages, and cooking methods that support the production of energy fueling our defence (immune) system. 

Seasonal changes tend to cause more illnesses. Fall is a season of change; it’s in between summer and winter, moving from yang towards yin. During this time, winds change and become more prevalent. People don’t always dress properly and/or have weakened immune systems, which causes them to lean towards illness.

A cold or flu in TCM is assessed by patterns of symptoms, referred to as “wind-cold,” “wind-heat,” or “wind-damp.” As the names describe, wind enters accompanied by other elements. This understanding helps us differentiate the symptom patterns and determine what treatment is best. I’m going to mostly focus on wind-cold since it’s most prevalent at this time of year. Seeing a TCM acupuncturist or herbalist can help you learn more about what to do if you get sick and it falls outside of this pattern.

Symptom Patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Wind-cold:

• Aversion to cold and wind
• Chills more than fever
• Stiff or achy neck and shoulders
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Clear or white mucous
• No sweating

Wind-heat:

• Aversion to wind
• Fever more than chills
• Sore throat that can be painful and red
• Thirst
• Congestion or cough with yellow mucous
• Sweating

Wind-damp:

• Occasional aversion to wind
• Feeling heaviness in your body or head
• Sweating that may feel sticky
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loose stools
• Diarrhea
• Poor appetite
• Possible joint pain and stiffness
• Sticky feeling in the mouth

To protect yourself against getting a cold or flu, dress properly for the conditions you’re in and change out of wet clothes quickly. With changing winds in fall, it’s beneficial to cover your chest, throat, nape of the neck, and upper back by wearing a scarf, sweater, or zipping up your jacket; these areas are where our wind gates are. There are also acupuncture points at the nape of your neck and upper back which can help release wind from the body.

Wearing clothes that cover the midsection of your body and wearing socks that cover your ankles will also enhance your immune system. Covering these areas keeps warmth in your Kidneys and their channels. The Kidneys have an inner fire that stokes and reinforces your vital energy. You don’t want to cool down a fire that is vital to energy formation; it must stay strong to keep your immune system healthy.

In the fall, having more soups, stews, porridges, and slower and longer cooking methods nourishes your energy, which will help protect you. These foods and methods make it easier for your digestive system to process food, helping you build qi, keep warm, and prevent weakness as the seasons change. Choosing ginger, garlic, green onion, and cinnamon can help to warm the body and its channels. Drinking ginger tea is another easy option. Avoid eating raw and uncooked foods because this adds more cold back into the body and won’t help with recovery. Avoiding sugary, greasy, raw, or cold foods will also prevent dampness from forming or worsening in the body.

Astragalus root (Huang Qi) can be taken to help strengthen the body’s Lungs and Wei qi as a preventative measure, assisting the body in warding off sickness. Ginger and cinnamon are good for warming our channels and bodies; eating foods or drinking teas with these ingredients can help build and strengthen the immune system.

What is moxibustion?

Moxibustion (moxa) is affordable and accessible. You can do it at home using the traditional herb version (done outdoors to prevent your house from being filled with smoke), or there is a charcoaled, smokeless version for indoor use. Traditional rolls are made of Ai Ye, mugwort that has been aged and flossed and comes prepared in many different forms. It’s most common to see it rolled into a stick that you can light and burn close to acupuncture points. This method helps warm and protect the body by building its defence systems, or warm the channels and release cold from the body. Ask your practitioner how you can incorporate moxa into your life.

Tai Chi and yoga are forms of exercise that move, regulate, strengthen, and maintain the flow of qi throughout the body. Exercise helps our organs communicate and work well together so they function properly and build up our defences. Tai chi and yoga also strengthen the Lung's energy and function by incorporating breathwork with movement.

Qi gong is a meditation technique that also incorporates qi movement and breath. There are many Qi gong exercises you can find through the internet, books, and classes to help you learn how to strengthen qi and help enhance immunity.

Treating Cold and Flu With Traditional Chinese Medicine

If you are sick, there are points on the body that help to release wind-cold, wind-heat, or wind-damp. Some points also provide strength to fight it off. Your acupuncturist will assess you and be able to offer personalised guidance on what to do at home; they may also prescribe a herbal formula. Since COVID-19, most practitioners are offering assistance in the recovery phase by treating a lingering cough, congestion, fatigue, and so on. It’s best to contact your practitioner for guidance or to see if it’s okay to come in for treatment if you aren’t feeling well and the symptoms are fresh.

Seeing an acupuncturist who has formal training in traditional Chinese medicine can be of assistance, as TCM is the practice of illness prevention. A TCM acupuncturist assesses your body’s basic constitution and chooses a treatment plan to help where you may be weak or require balance. Seeing your practitioner for health maintenance—not just when you are sick—can be key to preventing illness and boosting your immunity.