What is Flu?
Flu is a type of exogenous disease that stems from pathogenic influences, affecting the primary functions of the lungs, presenting major clinical manifestations such as nasal congestion, sneezing, headache, chills and fever, and fatigue.
Flu Signs and Symptoms
Due to the differences in climate and individual’s constitution, there are various clinically-proven symptoms like pathogenic wind-cold and pathogenic wind-heat, pathogenic heat-dampness. During the course of diseases, symptoms can be interchanged, transformed, and intertwined. Individuals who are older/weaker/post-illness/postnatal, repeatedly catching the flu will be different compared to the general population.
When it comes to the flu, how long does it last?
Symptoms often occur one to four days after virus contact and continue five to seven days. Symptoms may persist a shorter time or be less severe in persons who have had a flu vaccination. Symptoms may linger longer for some folks. Even if your symptoms go away, you may still feel tired.
Who is easily affected by Flu ?
The prognosis is generally positive. However, for certain groups of people, the flu can trigger or worsen other chronic ailments and potentially lead to serious repercussions. This group includes the elderly, the young, and those with weaker immune systems.
How to Avoid the Flu?
Exercise More
To reduce the risk of flu, individuals can look to exercise more regularly, to improve the body’s ability to adapt to changes in weather.
Wear Thicker Clothing
They should also cater to their outfits according to weather changes i.e. wearing thicker clothing/more layers in cold weather and thinner/fewer layers in hot weather. Moreover, individuals should avoid close contact with flu patients to protect themselves from the virus.
TCM Herbs for Flu
During the flu season, preventive medication can largely reduce the probability of contracting the virus. Effective medication includes Guan Zhong(Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai), Da Qing Ye(Folium Isatidis), Ban Lan Gen(Radix Isatidis), Ya Zhi Cao(Herba Commelinae), Huo Xiang(Herba Pogostemonis), Pei Lan(Herba Eupatorii), Bo He(Herba Menthae), Jing Jie(Herba Schizonepetae).
However, the type of medication is dependent on seasonal and weather changes.
- Spring and Winter: Guan Zhong(Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai), Zi Su(Folium Perillae), Jing Jie(Herba Schizonepetae)
- Summer: Huo Xiang(Herba Pogostemonis), Pei Lan(Herba Eupatorii), Bo He(Herba Menthae)
- Fall: Ban Lan Gen(Radix Isatidis), Da Qing Ye(Folium Isatidis), Ju Hua(Flos Chrysanthemi), Jin Yin Hua(Flos Lonicerae)
Other day-to-day ingredients that are useful in preventing the flu are onions, garlic, and vinegar.
Flu Prevention & Treatments
Rest is Important
When down with the virus, individuals should have plenty of rest, consume more water, and tailor their diet to consist of more vegetarian and watery dishes. Individuals should also avoid greasy food that is difficult to digest.
Reduce Exposure to Wind
Resting areas should be well ventilated but not exposed to direct wind.
Herbal Medication
When concocting medication, the herbs should be promptly consumed to preserve the nutritional value of the herbs.
Promote Perspiration
After consuming the medication, if an individual is not perspiring, he/she can consume hot porridge or use a blanket to promote perspiration. Lastly, it is important to change into a set of clean and dry clothing to prevent contracting the flu again.
Authored by Physician Guo Yuan
