How to avoid, treat and ‘beat’ colds and Flu.     Ever wondered if there is a really effective way to treat a cold when you get one, or better still to avoid, or get rid of a cold/flu altogether? Well, I’d like to let you know about a little Chinese wisdom which can help you do exactly that!   In China colds and flu’s are seen as an infection of the body by a virus, in the same way as we view it in the ‘west’. However the Chinese are more sophisticated in their description of the different types of colds that people get, and differentiate them into various types - the most common being a hot and a cold ‘cold’.   If you think back to colds you’ve have had in the past the differentiation seems clear*:   Symptoms of a cold cold Feeling cold especially up back of the neck and head. Sneezing with blocked runny nose (clear mucous.) Possibly a Slightly raised or slightly low temperature Often follows catching a ‘chill’ Itchy throat - sometimes Not sweating too much. Feel like wrapping up warm and staying covered up. Tongue may have a whitish coating.   Symptoms of a hot cold Feeling hotter with a more pronounced temperature – feel like kicking off the blankets. Thirsty Headache Sweating more Sore throat – possibly hoarse Dry mouth and throat Yellowish mucous possibly from nose and/or chest Tongue may have a yellowish coating   *While any type of ‘cold’ will have symptoms such as feeling tired, possibly a cough, perhaps impaired concentration and stamina etc. the above symptoms can help differentiate between the two main types of ‘cold’.   So what can you do when you feel a cold coming on? (N.B. See Safety notes* below before taking any of the following advice.)   Well, the first thing is to try to establish which type of cold you have – because they both need different approaches.   If it’s clearly a cold cold then do the following: Get some root ginger and cut off about 5 slices (each about the size of a euro coin). Put them into about a mug and a half of boiling water in a small saucepan and add a teaspoon of brown sugar. Boil for about 3 to 5 minutes and strain off the liquid into a mug to drink. Leave the ginger in the pan and add an extra slice or two the next time you are making the ‘brew’ a few hours later. You can have this drink about 3 or 4 times a day for about 2-3 days. Also take 1000mg vitamin C (2 or 3 times each day for a couple of days) and get an early night. You should be fine in a day or two. Remember Colds are viral so you need to take a bit of extra rest to allow your body to fight them – so take it a bit easy!   If it’s a hot cold (or you can’t figure out which type of cold it is – which can often be the case at the early stages) then I would possibly recommend the following herb – ‘Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pian’ which I can get for you. Every house should have a pack or two of these herbs in the medicine press. They are for the early stages (first 1 to 3 days) of either type of cold, and basically help get rid of the cold, before it gets the chance to take effect. I’ve been using them for years and they have reduced the number of colds I get - dramatically. I take them for 2 or 3 days at the very first sign of a cold and they nearly always get rid of it! They actually have anti-viral properties and so can act in a way that virtually nothing else does (most drugs just treat the symptoms – not the actual virus). You should also take the vitamin C as above, and get rest. I find it works much more often than it doesn’t!.   Yin Chiao – Works for both types of cold (take for first few days only).                                                             If you would like to get some Yin Chiao give me a call 086-1556384 or send me an email markgoulding@eircom.net.   There are several other herbs that can be very effective in treating colds at the various stages e.g. ones that can clear the end stage of a lingering cold/cough, ones that can treat sore throats etc.    Please pass on this information to friends and family.   Safety Note: You can only buy this herb from a herbalist and there are some precautions which need to be followed. If you have had a cold for a few days or longer the above methods won’t be appropriate – but there are other herbs you could use. Please ask for details.   *Safety note  All the above advice is intended only for otherwise healthy adults. It must not be followed by children, the elderly, those with any medical condition, people on any prescribed medications and in particular those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or have raised blood pressure. If symptoms persist or are severe consult a doctor. I (and many others) have found the above knowledge to be a great help, however I do not claim that they are a ‘cure’ for colds and flu.