Working With Allergies, Colds, and “Throat Gunk”
Early spring often brings a confusing mix of allergies, colds, and just general “throat gunk” (aka postnatal drip). With all the weather changes we’ve been having the past few weeks, it’s hard to sort through what we’re feeling!
A bit of background…
Interestingly, allergies and colds are viewed relatively similarly in Chinese medicine. Because our medicine is very symptom-based, a runny nose and congestion, whether it’s from allergies or from a cold, are still just a runny nose and congestion.
The cause of our symptoms is called an “external invasion” of a pathogen - whether that is an environmental allergen or a virus. The pathogens are categorized into cold, heat, damp, or dry. These pathogens are often attached to “wind,” which can result in diagnoses such as Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. There are other combinations and variations, but I don’t want to get too far into the weeds! (Some pain patterns start with wind, too - so if you’ve been feeling some aches and pains lately, this info applies to you, too!)
The rough equivalent of the immune system in Chinese medicine is called “Wei Qi,” or defensive qi. You can think of wei qi as a bit like a castle wall around our body - it helps keep “invasions” out! So, it’s important to keep this wall strong - or fortified, if you want to keep up the castle theme. (A lot of early Chinese medicine theory was developed during feudal times in China, so castle and war themes are common; feel free to change the analogy if it works better for you. I like “garden wall” too!) Additionally, our Lung is responsible for our wei qi, so keeping it healthy and strong is important too.
Tips for keeping your Wei Qi and Lung strong
Drink a lot of tea! Keep your body well-hydrated and warm with hot tea.
If you’re experiencing a lot of thick mucus, try drinking tea with fresh ginger, which helps thin mucus - just drop a few slices in some freshly boiled water and let it steep. Fresh thyme tea can also make a great tea that helps break up mucus!
I also like drinking rooibos tea for a slight astringent, or drying, tea. This is great if you have more runny mucus! (I’m not kidding when I say I like it - I sell 5 different kinds of rooibos tea!)
Add some honey to your tea if you have lung/throat dryness or a sore throat!
Keep warm. Resist the urge to stop wearing a coat in the warmer spells we’ve been having! Our bodies are particularly susceptible to invasions during seasonal changes, and when we’re experiencing a different season every day, it can be hard to keep up! Keeping your body warm will help preserve your energy. Eat warm food, drink warm drinks, keep your feet and head warm, cover your neck - you get the idea!
Avoid damp-causing foods. These foods can increase mucus and other fluids in the body. Some of the foods Chinese medicine views as “damp” include cold, raw, and/or greasy foods and drinks (such as smoothies!), as well as dairy, including vegan dairy replacements like vegan cheese. (Sorry!)
Wear a scarf. If you have been here a while, you may have seen this recommendation coming! 😂 Scarves protect the Wind Gate, or an area on the upper part of the back of your neck and shoulders. This area is more vulnerable to an external invasion, so protecting it from the elements is important. It is extra important when you’re near a draft or in the wind!
Wear a scarf outside! Keep the back of your neck protected. If you can feel the wind on the back of your neck or if your neck feels cold, you need a scarf.
Don’t forget to protect this area if you sit near a vent at work, too! I always recommend people own different scarf weights, so you can still wear one even when it’s a bit warmer outside.
If you’ve been experiencing increased neck/shoulder/head pain lately, this is especially true for you!
Get extra rest. Of course, make getting enough sleep a priority! But also focus on recharging your energy in other ways, too.
All of our different types of energy are from the same source, so if your brain is tired from a lot of mental work, it can lead to low physical energy, too. This may sound obvious, but it is something that patients often mention they don’t always consider!
If you feel run down, reduce your activities to give your body a break. That’s a good time to stay home, cut back on some activities, and decrease your exercise a bit (or skip a day or two).
Check out this article about 7 different types of rest to consider!
Try moxa or acupressure! Moxibustion and/or acupressure on Stomach 36 can be a great way to help your body’s wei qi. Learn more about the techniques and specific points in my Winter Wellness class!
Consider a herbal supplement. This isn’t a replacement for the other suggestions above! But this can be a good strategy if you feel run down and need extra help.
I like recommending mushrooms like turkey tail and/or reishi to people as a good, safe, everyday tonic; they’re what we call “immune-modulating.” They don’t stimulate it, like many supplements available, but instead help it be more efficient (to summarize a complex topic in a single sentence).
If you have spring allergies, nettles or the formula Yu Peng Feng San can be helpful allies - but you need to start taking them early! Start taking them consistently 1-2 months before your allergies usually start.
Two herbs commonly available that I don’t recommend for everyday use without more guidance are echinacea and elderberry (or any supplement claiming to “stimulate” the immune system).
I have some recommendations in my Fullscript store*, and I also recommend Real Mushrooms*. I also sell some formulas in the clinic apothecary!
If you’re not sure what to take or you are looking for a more customized recommendation, set up an appointment! Also, these are recommendations for prevention - if you get sick, then you’ll want to change what you’re taking.
Of course, our health practices aren’t magic - we may still get sick or have allergies! But, the strategies above can help reduce how severe your symptoms are.
If you’re interested in more strategies for immune health, including info on moxa, acupressure, and more specific herbal formulas, I cover it all in my Winter Wellness class! It’s $35 through February 10th, and then the price will increase to $50 until next Winter.
*Links with an asterisk are affiliate links; I earn a small amount of money if you purchase from these sources using these links. I am generally skeptical of most brands and products, so I only recommend those that I think are high quality and safe.
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