Colds, Flus, and Chinese Home Therapies: What You Can Do at the First Sign of Symptoms

Cold and flu season often feels unavoidable—but in Chinese medicine, getting sick is not just about exposure to germs. It’s about timing, terrain, and pattern. Two people can be exposed to the same virus and have very different experiences depending on their constitution, stress level, sleep, digestion, and immune strength.

The good news? There are many simple Chinese medicine home therapies you can use at the very first sign of a cold or flu to help shorten its course—or sometimes stop it entirely.

The Chinese Medicine View of Colds and Flus

In Chinese medicine, colds and flus are often described as an external pathogen—most commonly Wind—entering the body when the immune system (called Wei Qi) is weakened.

This often happens when you are:

• Overworked or stressed

• Sleeping poorly

• Traveling

• Exposed to sudden weather changes

• Recovering from another illness

From a pattern-detective perspective, we’re not just asking “Do you have a cold?” but:

• Are you cold or hot?

• Is there more body ache or more sore throat?

• Are you congested or dry?

• Do you have chills, fever, or alternating both?

These clues determine what will actually help.

Early Signs You’ve Caught Something

Acting early makes a huge difference. Watch for:

• Scratchy or sore throat

• Stiff neck or upper back

• Chills or feeling “off”

• Mild headache

• Slight congestion or fatigue

This is the window where home therapies work best.

Chinese Home Therapies You Can Use Right Away

1️⃣ Ginger Tea for Cold-Type Symptoms

Best for:

• Chills

• Clear mucus

• Feeling cold

• Early-stage aches

  
  

  

  Ginger and Zhi Shi tea

How to make it:

• Slice 5–7 pieces of fresh ginger

• Simmer in water for 10–15 minutes

• Add a pinch of cinnamon or a few scallion whites if you have them

Drink warm and bundle up afterward to encourage a gentle sweat.

2️⃣ Warmth Therapy (Yes, Rest Matters)

Chinese medicine strongly emphasizes keeping the body warm at the onset of illness.

Try:

• Warm socks

• A scarf around the neck

• Heating pad on the upper back

• Early bedtime

This helps the body “push out” the pathogen before it sinks deeper.

3️⃣ Acupressure for Immune Support

You don’t need needles to get benefits.

Try gently pressing these points for 1–2 minutes each:

• LI-4 (He Gu): Supports immune response and relieves headache LI-4 (He Gu) – “Joining Valley”

  Where it is:

  • On the back of the hand

  • In the fleshy web between the thumb and index finger

  • When you bring your thumb and index finger together, a muscle pops up — the point is at the highest part of that muscle

  What it’s used for:

  • Immune support

  • Headache, sinus pressure

  • Sore throat

  • Early cold symptoms

    
    

• LU-7 (Lie Que): Helps sore throat and congestion

  Where it is:

  • On the thumb side of the wrist

  • About 1–1.5 inches up from the wrist crease

  • Find the bony bump at the base of the thumb; the point is just above and slightly behind it, in a small hollow

  What it’s used for:

  • Sore throat

  • Cough, congestion

  • Neck stiffness

  • Immune support at the start of a cold

    
    

• ST-36 (Zu San Li): Supports overall immunity and energy

  Where it is:

  • On the front of the lower leg

  • About four finger widths below the kneecap

  • One finger width to the outside of the shin bone

  • Press around until you find a slightly tender spot in the muscle

  What it’s used for:

  • Immune support

  • Fatigue and low energy

  • Digestion

  • Overall resilience

How to use acupressure:

• Press firmly or massage in circles

• 1–2 minutes per side

• Best used daily during cold & flu season

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Helpful Tips for Patients

• Pressure should feel comfortably achy, not sharp

• Breathe slowly while pressing

• Consistency matters more than pressure

• These points work best at the first sign of symptoms

4️⃣ Avoid Cold & Raw Foods (Temporarily)

Even if you normally eat salads or smoothies, this is not the time.

Choose:

• Soups and broths

• Cooked vegetables

• Warm grains

• Stews

Cold foods can slow digestion and weaken the body’s ability to fight off illness.

5️⃣ When Heat Signs Appear

If you have:

• Sore throat

• Yellow mucus

• Fever

• Thirst

Avoid warming herbs like ginger and cinnamon. Instead:

• Drink warm (not iced) fluids

• Rest

• Seek guidance—this is where individualized care matters

When to Seek Acupuncture or Herbal Support

If symptoms:

• Worsen after 2–3 days

• Shift from chills to fever

• Linger or keep coming back

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can:

• Shorten illness duration

• Reduce severity

• Prevent complications like lingering cough or fatigue

Treatment is always tailored to your pattern—not just the name of the illness.

A Gentle Reminder

Chinese medicine doesn’t replace common sense or medical care—but it offers powerful tools to support the body’s natural healing process.

If you feel something coming on, listen early. Small interventions can make a big difference.

Ready to Support Your Immune System This Season?

If you’re prone to frequent colds, lingering flus, or slow recovery, acupuncture can help strengthen your immune system before you get sick—or support you when you’re already run down.

Schedule an appointment to create a personalized plan and stay well this season.