Enrico Sassi – Chinese Medicine, Holistic and Bionatural Disciplines
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The Common Cold and Chinese Medicine:
A cold is an unexpected visitor, a gust of wind that enters our body, disrupting the harmonious rhythm of breathing and well-being. In the view of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the common cold is not just a common ailment, but a sign of an imbalance between man and nature. Just as the autumn wind shakes the leaves from the trees, so the pathogenic wind invades the body, disrupting the flow of Qi and causing congestion, a stuffy nose, coughing, and sneezing.
According to TCM, a cold is usually caused by an invasion of Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, two external energies that penetrate our energy field, finding openings in the meridians and disturbing Wei Qi, the defensive energy that protects the body’s surface. Wind, a symbol of change and unpredictability, brings with it cold, which constricts, closes, and freezes, or heat, which inflames, dries, and radiates. The task of TCM is not only to treat physical symptoms, but to restore the profound balance between internal and external, between what flows and what remains still.
The energetic principles of TCM in treating colds:
When the body is vulnerable, wind infiltrates the superficial meridians and lungs, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, cough, and muscle aches. The lungs, the organs that govern respiration and the skin, are particularly susceptible to attacks from wind and cold. It is through regulating lung Qi and dispersing wind that TCM intervenes, releasing stagnant energy and restoring the fluidity of breathing.
TCM uses various tools to treat colds, including acupuncture, moxibustion, Tuina massage, and herbal medicine. These techniques, by harmonizing the flow of Qi, not only treat symptoms but also strengthen the body’s defense system, preventing future attacks of wind and cold.
The Five Acupuncture Points for Colds:
Acupuncture, with its subtle art of restoring energy flow, focuses on specific points on the body that act as gateways for Qi. Here are the five main points used to treat colds, each with its own location and energetic characteristics:
LI-4 (Hegu, 合谷) – Reunion Valley
Located between the thumb and forefinger, LI-4 is one of the most powerful points for releasing energy blocked by wind. This point is used to disperse wind and allow Qi to flow through the upper meridians, relieving cold symptoms such as headaches, nasal congestion, and general pain. It’s like opening a door to let out the wind that has trapped the body.
LU-7 (Lieque, 列缺) – The Interrupted Gap
This point, located on the radial side of the wrist, is one of the most important for the lungs. LU-7 is used to release external wind that enters the lungs, stimulating the circulation of Qi in the respiratory channels. It is used to treat symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and chest congestion. LU-7 helps the body reopen passages blocked by wind, like a river finding its way after being blocked.
GB-20 (Fengchi, 風池) – The Wind Pool
Located at the base of the skull, on either side of the spine, GB-20 is the master point for dispersing wind and relieving tension. When wind invades the head and neck, GB-20 helps clear blocked energy channels, treating symptoms such as headaches, neck stiffness, and muscle pain. Stimulating GB-20 is like untying the knots that prevent energy from flowing freely.
BL-12 (Fengmen, 風門) – The Wind Gate
BL-12 is located on the back, between the shoulder blades, along the spine. It is a crucial point for preventing and treating the invasion of cold wind. Stimulating this point strengthens Wei Qi, protecting the body’s surface from external factors. BL-12 is like a barrier that prevents wind from entering, but at the same time expels it once it is already inside.
ST-36 (Zusanli, 足三里) – Three Miles of Leg
Located below the knee, ST-36 is an invigorating point, used to strengthen the immune system and increase the body’s vital energy. When a cold has weakened the body, ST-36 provides strength and stamina, promoting rapid healing. It is the point that recharges the body, helping it overcome fatigue and discomfort.
Moxibustion: Heat and Protection:
When cold wind penetrates the meridians, heat is one of the most powerful weapons for dispersing it. Moxibustion, an ancient TCM technique, uses the heat of burned mugwort to warm acupuncture points and dissolve the cold. Applied to points such as BL-12 and ST-36, moxa warms the meridians, expels cold, and strengthens the immune system. The heat from moxibustion is not only physical but also penetrates deeply, awakening dormant Qi and reactivating the body’s natural defenses.
In treating colds, moxibustion is often used in cases of Wind-Cold, when the body is affected by chills, a stuffy nose, and a general feeling of stiffness.
Its gentle heat acts like a flame that melts internal ice, restoring the body to a state of flow and vitality.
Tui Na Massage: Energy in Motion:
Tui Na, the therapeutic massage of Chinese Medicine, is another valuable tool for treating colds. Through slow but deep movements, Tui Na stimulates the flow of Qi in the meridians, dispersing wind and cold and relieving energetic blockages. Tui Na massage, when applied to the lung and bladder meridians, helps clear a stuffy nose, release muscle tension, and strengthen defensive energy.
In particular, pushing and rubbing techniques along the back and chest help release wind from the lungs and improve breathing. Tui Na works not only on the physical body, but also on the underlying energy, helping restore a sense of lightness and well-being.
Other holistic approaches to treating colds:
In holistic disciplines, colds are seen as a manifestation of internal imbalances, a signal that the body needs time and care to return to harmony. In naturopathy, natural remedies such as echinacea and vitamin C are emphasized to strengthen the immune system, while foot reflexology identifies specific points on the foot that correspond to the lungs and respiratory system, stimulating the release of energetic tension.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils like eucalyptus and mint to clear the airways, while mindful breathing and meditation techniques help calm the mind, promoting a quicker recovery.
Conclusion:
Treating a cold according to Traditional Chinese Medicine is much more than simply treating the symptoms. It’s a journey through wind, cold, and heat, a process of returning the body to its natural balance. Do you suffer from this condition and are in Rome? Book an appointment at: 320-788.35.35. To see all the articles published on the blog: https://www.medicina-cinese.it/index.php/blog-articoli