Common cold is a viral infection syndrome, which is classified into four types in traditional Chinese medicine: wind-cold, wind-heat, summer-heat, and epidemic. Each type of cold can cause symptoms such as a runny nose, so it is important to treat the cold according to its specific type.
Walnut, Ginger, and Scallion Drink
Ingredients: 5g walnut kernels, 20g scallions, 10g ginger, 6g black tea leaves.
Instructions: Wash and chop the scallions and ginger. Crush the walnut kernels and black tea leaves. Add an appropriate amount of water and boil for 15 minutes to make a bowl of tea. Drink it while hot to induce slight sweating.
Benefits: Walnuts nourish the spleen and brain, and can also help clear nasal congestion. Ginger can dispel cold and relieve nausea, and has the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria. Scallions can induce sweating and inhibit the growth of bacteria and microorganisms. When used together, these three ingredients can be used to treat wind-cold or epidemic cold with a runny nose.
Scallion and Fermented Soybean Soup
Ingredients: 30g fermented soybeans, 3 scallions, 10g ginger.
Instructions: Wash and shred the scallions and ginger. Put them together with the fermented soybeans in a clay pot. Add 500ml of water and simmer until the volume reduces to 200ml. Strain the liquid and divide it into two servings. Drink it warm.
Benefits: This recipe can relieve external cold and is suitable for treating headaches, runny nose, and fever caused by wind-cold or epidemic cold.
Pogostemon Leaf Congee
Ingredients: 20g fresh pogostemon leaves, 100g glutinous rice, appropriate amount of white sugar.
Instructions: Wash the pogostemon leaves and cook them in water to make a juice. Cook 100g of glutinous rice with the pogostemon juice and bring it to a boil. Serve in an appropriate amount.
Benefits: Pogostemon leaves have a mild and gentle effect of relieving exterior symptoms without being too intense. They can dispel cold and dampness without causing dryness or heat. This recipe is suitable for treating wind-cold or summer-heat cold with a runny nose.
Peppermint and Licorice Tea
Ingredients: 9-12g peppermint leaves, 3-5g licorice.
Instructions: Put the peppermint and licorice in a thermos, pour boiling water over them, cover, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Drink it as a substitute for tea.
Benefits: This tea can induce sweating and relieve exterior symptoms, as well as dispel wind and heat. It is suitable for treating wind-heat or epidemic cold with a runny nose (thick yellow mucus) and other symptoms.
Tips
When using food therapy, it is important to determine which type of cold you have. Only with clear understanding can you choose the appropriate food therapy. Additionally, colds can have various complications and sequelae, so it is advisable to seek medical diagnosis and treatment.
