Can scraping (gua sha) cure a cold?

Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on December 25, 2024
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Gua sha cannot cure a cold, but it helps with recovery from a cold. This is because gua sha can reduce internal heat, promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and improve the body's metabolism. To cure a cold, it is still necessary to use cold medicines or anti-inflammatory drugs to achieve a healing effect. During treatment, it is also important to drink more water, urinate frequently, and engage in physical exercise to effectively promote sweating, which can improve the situation. After catching a cold, it is advisable to rest and avoid excessive fatigue. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding stimulating and cold food. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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People who catch colds easily lack what?

If you find yourself catching colds easily, it usually indicates that your immune system is weak. This could be due to a deficiency in trace elements such as vitamins, calcium, or zinc. It is advisable to get these trace elements tested at a hospital and then supplement accordingly. In daily life, you can also consume foods high in protein, calcium, and vitamin C. For example, you might include eggs, milk, or lean meats in your diet, and it is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your vitamin C intake and enhance your resistance to illnesses. Additionally, it is recommended to exercise regularly to strengthen your physique. Exercising also increases metabolism and promotes excretion, which can further enhance your immune system.

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There are several types of common cold.

Traditional Chinese medicine classifies the common cold based on the different external pathogenic factors a patient encounters, which can be categorized into cold-induced common cold and heat-induced common cold. A cold-induced common cold occurs when a patient is invaded by cold pathogens, while a heat-induced common cold is when a cold is contracted after exposure to external heat pathogens. In modern medicine, also known as Western medicine, the common cold is further classified into the ordinary common cold, primarily caused by viruses, bacteria, and mycoplasma infections, and the epidemic influenza, mainly caused by the influenza virus. Generally speaking, both Chinese and Western medicine employ different treatment methods and medications specific to the pathogens involved in the cold, and both approaches can be very effective in treating the condition.

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Is a cold the process of detoxing?

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Is catching a cold from excessive internal heat the same as a wind-heat cold?

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What should a pregnant woman do if she has a slight cold?

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