An expert in traditional Chinese medicine has shared what the best natural remedies are if you’re fighting a cold.
Sandra Lanshin Chiu is a licensed acupuncturist and expert in traditional Chinese medicine, having earned her Masters degree from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine before moving to Beijing to further her knowledge of the practice.
She has since taken to social media to share her wisdom, amassing a following of hundreds of thousands keen to learn more about natural remedies from Chinese medicine.
In a recent video, Sandra highlighted the benefits of eating lemon or ginger to help soothe symptoms as you recover from a cold. However, she stressed the need to identify the type of cold you have to determine which ingredient would be most effective.
“If you’re coming down with a cold, don’t go down chugging down a raw ginger shot until you figure out if you have a ‘hot’ cold or a ‘cold’ cold,” Sandra advised at the start of the video. “In Chinese medicine practice, you must figure out which one you have so we can give you the right remedy.”
She then went on to explain the differences between the two types of colds. For a ‘cold’ cold, symptoms include aches in the back of your neck and head, blocked sinuses, and white or clear mucus. You may also feel physically cold, as though you’ve been outside without sufficient layers and caught a chill.
“That is what we call a ‘cold invasion’,” Sandra clarified. She described ginger as the ideal remedy for a ‘cold’ type of cold, advising to make a hot ginger tea as a suitable remedy.
For the best results, she recommends simmering sliced fresh ginger in water for 20 to 30 minutes. “This is actually better this way than from raw shots,” Sandra claimed.
When it comes to a ‘hot’ cold, symptoms might include a sore throat, fever, and sticky, yellow mucus. You might also experience increased thirst.
“That’s a ‘hot’ cold and that is not a situation for ginger, which is too hot,” she explained. Instead, Sandra recommended leaning towards lemon, water, and a small amount of sea salt.
“You want to lean into lemon and water and a little pinch of sea salt. And then you’re going to hydrate like it’s your literal job to hydrate. And that is what’s gonna get you feeling better faster.”
However, if you present symptoms characteristic of both ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ colds at the same time, Sandra suggests starting with lemon and sea salt water and adding hot ginger tea to the mixture. “Makes sense, right? I hope you feel better,” she concluded her video message.
Sandra’s advice was well received, with many viewers sharing their appreciation in the comments, while others seized the opportunity to seek further clarification on her recommendations.
One curious individual queried, “So basically a virus vs bacteria? ” to which Sandra clarified: “Yellow mucous can also occur with viral infections. In Chinese medicine we look for excess hot or cold imbalance in all illnesses and treat accordingly.”
As the conversation developed, others discussed the rapid changes their colds undergo, prompting her to explain: “Exactly. The nature of colds is that they evolve quickly so you have to match your remedy to the stage of your cold.”
Should you come down with a cold, the NHS advises ample rest and maintaining fluid intake. Speaking to your pharmacist about suitable medications is a good idea. If symptoms persist, worsen, or if you have a fever for more than three days, it’s time to contact your GP.
It’s important to note that complementary and alternative medicines aren’t recommended as substitutes for conventional treatments. For guidance on safe and beneficial treatment options, visit the NHS website and have a consultation with your doctor.