According to Western medicine, both the common cold and the flu are caused by by a category of virus called rhinoviruses. Western medicine has no treatment for this type of infection. Taking antibiotics, for example, will do nothing for a disease caused by a virus. However, Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been treating the common cold effectively with both herbs and acupuncture for over 2,000 years. More than 100 generations of herbal wisdom has proven that you don't just have to stay in bed and let a cold run its course.

In Traditional Chinese herbal Medicine (TCM), there are two main types of colds, wind cold and wind heat external contractions. The symptoms of each are different. In a wind cold pattern, the main symptoms are fever, aversion to chill, lack of perspiration, and bodily aches and pains along with nasal congestion, a headaches, and possible cough. In a wind heat pattern, the main symptoms are fever, less aversion to chill, no particular lack of perspiration, sore throat, nasal congestion, and cough with no body aches and pains. Depending on which of these two main types of colds a person manifests, there are different herbal formulas and different acupuncture points to work with. The most common pattern in both adults and children is the wind heat variety.

TMC has a number of herbal formulas that are very effective against cold and flu patterns. As a rule, the sooner you use them, the sooner you see results. Most often the dosing of herbs will be every hour or two at the onset, you really want to hammer the virus when it shows up. Often the formulas contain anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antihistaminic and immune-boosting herbs so the need for over-the-counter medications is lessened.

It has been our experience that when a cold / flu shows up you should refrain from dairy products and citrus fruit juices, they tend to produce phlegm. You should avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners, cold foods such as ice cream (double wammy being a dairy product) and fast foods. Research has shown that chicken soup does actually help when you have a cold / flu. Eat light meals, eat often, rest and sleep, drink plenty of fluids such as water and herbal teas.

 Both myself and my family have not ever had a flu shot nor do we plan on ever getting one. This is a personal choice but I would prefer to avoid the cold / flu season rather than having it injected into me. I personally and professionally found that the herbal formulas, acupuncture and chiropractic have got me through the last 20 or so cold / flu seasons, I expect this process will work for the next 20 seasons.

If you already have serious or chronic illnesses such as diabetes, active heart disease, high blood pressure, and you take prescription medications, you should check with your primary health care provider when you have a cold or flu. If you take prescription medications for any reason, there are many over-the-counter medications that you can not or should not take due to serious interactions. Again, check with your doctor before taking any OTC products.

 "Information and statements regarding dietary and herbal supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."