Episode 26: Kicking a “Cold” with Chinese Medicine, nourishing the Water element in Winter (and anytime!)

Where I live, we are currently in the very depths of Winter – the season of the Water element, which rules the Kidney and Bladder. These channels can be most easily imbalanced by external Cold, and so at this time of year we can more often see “cold-like” presentations.

Luckily, we have a whole toolbox of options for restoring balance in Chinese Medicine! In this episode, I talk about:

• simple ways to kick out a cold with common herbs, Qi Gong and a special acupuncture point you can pinch if you get a chill;

• how the energy of Cold can upset fluid metabolism and affect bladder function, leading to a UTI-like presentation;

• the Water element, and how we can nourish this element not only in Winter, but at any time of year that is may require;

• messages that this element can do with some love, and simple things you can try at home;

• some basic food, flavour and cooking ideas to nourish Water;

• the magic of salt, its relation to Water, and how natural salt beautifully structured our drinking and body water.

I hope it is of interest and benefit!

This acupressure trick can kick out an early stage chill
(within the first 6-8 hours or so)

Start to pinch this point, Da Zhui, on the upper spine for a minute or so. Pinch as firmly as you can handle, until you feel a light flush. You may also feel a gentle warmth spreading out from that area.

Keep the area warm and protected from further Wind and Cold after doing this technique, as the pores and surface of the body will be open (this is how we kick the Cold out, before it settles in any deeper).

Da Zhui is translated as “Great Vertebra” – a handy guide to its location in the depression below the biggest, most prominent vertebra, where your neck joins the back.

Why this works

This point is a meeting point of all the Yang channels. The Yang channels govern the exterior of our body, and maintain good “boundaries” and harmony with the outside world. Certain weather – especially Cold and Wind – can breach these boundaries, and “colds” can ensue. Another way to kick an early stage cold = cinnamon, ginger and honey tea + a hot shower + bundle up well + rest.

This is why we love scarves in Chinese Medicine

While a gentle breeze on a hot day can be soothing, excess Wind can upset our system. We are at all times surrounded by a thin layer of warm air at our skin surface, which helps to maintain our boundaries and “immunity”.

The maintenance of this protective boundary is why we get goosebumps when we are cold – the raising of the fine body hairs helps to trap more body heat close to the skin. If this is repeatedly blown away, our muscles can tighten up in an effort to maintain the optimal levels of body heat. What we do when we are cold? We hunch our shoulders up to our ears to keep ourselves warm.

As the thinnest part of our body, and one which houses vital tissues like the spinal cord, nerves, arteries and muscles to support our head, the neck and nape are easily susceptible to Wind. If these areas get too wind-blown, we often see symptoms like headache & migraine, neck / shoulder / back pain and colds / flu as a result. This is why we consider it an important part of selfcare and health maintenance to wear a scarf to protect this vital area when it’s windy*. Plus you get to accessorise – winning!

* This also applies to air-conditioning and strong drafts (like open car windows when driving at high speeds). I’ve had patients with chronic headaches / neck pain that resolved as soon as they moved their desk to a part of the office that wasn’t under an aircon vent.

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Disclaimer

Chinese Medicine is a personalised, functional medicine that treats the individual and the root cause of their presenting imbalance (what conventional medicine would call the symptom, disease or condition). This means that your doctor of Chinese Medicine will work one-on-one with you to achieve a personalised treatment plan. As such, this podcast is for informational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, prescribe or substitute existing medical advice.

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