TCM Highly Effective In Treatment + Prevention of the Common Cold
In a 2023 systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is seen as an effective and safe treatment as well as offering prevention of the common cold.
Symptoms of a cold may include headache, fatigue, a sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, a runny nose and coughing.
The review notes that it is often difficult to discern the difference between the common cold and flu virus but TCM has a long history (over 2000 years) of treating infectious diseases successfully. Since this study is a review of research, the conclusions are drawn from clinical research/trials, theoretical principles and pharmacological perspectives.
The results?
TCM highly effective in the treatment of the common cold (and flu). It can be used as a complementary or alternative approach to cold treatment and management. Some of the clinical trials demonstrated that TCM also has a therapeutic effect in the prevention of colds and treating their sequelae. In addition many of the compounds used in Chinese herbal medicine were shown to have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, and anti-oxidative properties.
The typical treatment for a cold is making sure you get plenty of sleep, drink enough fluids and use steam to break up the mucus in the nasal passages. Because the common cold is caused by a viral infection, the virus must be allowed to run its course. Overall, the symptoms of the common cold tend to last approximately seven to 10 days.
TCM recommends these treatments but has the added benefit of utilizing modalities (acupuncture, cupping and herbal formulas) that dramatically decrease the severity of symptoms and time that a person suffers from a cold.
Regular acupuncture treatments can increase your immunity helping your body to navigate and “fight off” viruses including the common cold. Acupuncture also decrease stress which can be a key factor in immune function. Studies indicate when the body is relaxed and not stressed, the immune system functions optimally.
Cupping boosts the immune system. Cupping creates negative pressure that suctions the skin into the cup. This action causes the cells in the body to develop a greater number of receptors on the surface that can better respond to an enzyme known as heme oxygenase 1. This enzyme acts as an antioxidant that protects your body against harmful elements like the common cold virus.
TCM also uses herbs to prevent and treat many ailments, including the common cold. For instance, herbs like licorice root, known as Gan Cao in TCM, can be used to treat a cough. It also has the ability to boost the immune system and help get rid of mucus in the respiratory tract. Cinnamon, or Gui Zhi, is another commonly used herb that helps ward off the common cold. Your practitioner may also prescribe herbs for sore throat, headache and fatigue from the herbal pharmacopeia.
The beauty of utilizing TCM for any viral condition is that each treatment is specific to YOU!
For example, if you and a family member both catch a cold, your symptoms may not be exactly the same. Your treatment, will, therefore, not be the same. This medicine offers a targeted means to alleviate symptoms quickly and get rid of any underlying contributing factors causing your illness.
But remember…prevention is key. By receiving regular acupuncture treatments, eating foods specific to the season, drinking plenty of water and herbal teas, getting adequate rest balanced with physical movement, your immune system will work to keep you well.
If, however, you find yourself coming down with a virus, getting treatment as quickly as possible is recommended. Call us! Talk to your practitioner. We believe so strongly in this medicine that if you are following our recommendations (acupuncture, diet, rest, movement, etc) and you somehow STILL get sick, we will treat you for free!
Resources & Research:
Wu, S., Su, W., Fan, Q., Shang, H., Xiao, W., & Wang, Y. (2023). Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Common Cold: Evidence and Potential Mechanisms. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 51(3), 487–515. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X23500258
Yang Guo a et al. (2017) Cupping regulates local immunomodulation to activate neural-endocrine-immune worknet, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Science Direct, Volume 28 Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388117301585?via%3Dihub