Can scraping (gua sha) treat a cold?

Written by Wu Shu Jie

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Updated on December 06, 2024

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Gua Sha is one of the methods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating and preventing diseases. It is often performed on the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, which is located on the back of the human body. The Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang is superficial and acts as the first line of defense when external pathogens invade the body. By scraping the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, it stimulates the meridians and channels, enhances the body's immunity, and promotes the expulsion of pathogenic factors by strengthening the body’s vital energy. According to TCM, "when the vital energy is preserved within, pathogens cannot interfere." Therefore, scraping the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang can help in treating and preventing the common cold.

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How to alleviate the symptoms of a cold?

Cold refers to the condition where the upper respiratory tract is infected by various pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia, leading to symptoms primarily in the upper respiratory tract, which is called a cold. Generally, the symptoms of a cold mainly include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, chills, fever, cough, and painful throat. In addition, there may be symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. As it stands, the symptoms of a cold are self-limiting, meaning they can generally improve within seven to ten days without medical treatment. During a cold, due to frequent symptoms and impact on daily life, it is possible to treat with common cold medicines. Currently, Western medicines available on the market can treat cold symptoms. Furthermore, drinking some brown sugar ginger tea to induce sweating can also provide relief. (Please use medication rationally under the guidance of a professional doctor, and do not use medication blindly.)

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How to treat a stomach cold in winter.

Gastrointestinal colds are commonly seen in the transition between winter and spring or autumn and winter. If you feel discomfort in your gastrointestinal area during these times, it might be a gastrointestinal cold. In this case, it is suggested to take standard medications for stomach pain and diarrhea and also to drink plenty of water. A gastrointestinal cold generally causes a high fever, so if you have a fever, you can take some antipyretics to lower your body temperature. Additionally, it is important to rehydrate timely during diarrhea and to adjust your diet to include more fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat semi-solid foods like rice porridge and soup, and avoid greasy, spicy food. Avoid intense physical activities, rest more, and get plenty of sleep to allow your body to recover quickly.

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Can you eat grapefruit when you have a cold?

If you have a common cold, you can eat grapefruit. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and can enhance the body's immunity and its ability to resist viral colds. You can eat some grapefruit in moderation during a cold, but it is not recommended to consume too much as it can burden the gastrointestinal tract. During a cold, the body is relatively weak, so it is important to eat a light and reasonable diet, consume more light fruits and vegetables, and avoid overly greasy, spicy, and irritating foods.

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Why did I catch a cold again just after recovering from one?

Colds primarily occur among populations with diminished immune functions, such as infants and the elderly. Since infants do not develop their own resistance until the age of six, they tend to catch colds more frequently. It's also common for someone to catch a cold again soon after recovering if they get chilled. Thus, this group typically has particularly low immune function, leading to frequent colds. Therefore, we recommend that such patients should exercise regularly and consume foods high in vitamins. It is also advisable for them to engage in physical activities within their capacity. With long-term exercise, their immune strength can be significantly enhanced, thereby greatly reducing the frequency of colds. It's also wise to avoid going out to public places during the peak cold season whenever possible.

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Is tearing a symptom of a severe cold?

Tearing during a cold is not an indicator of a severe cold; a severe cold actually refers to more serious general symptoms in the patient. The common cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, involves the respiratory tract from the cricoid cartilage of the trachea up to the nasal cavity, which is called the upper respiratory tract. An upper respiratory tract infection is essentially an infection in this part of the respiratory tract. If an infection occurs, the primary symptoms include nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. However, some patients may experience severe general symptoms, including fever, joint pain in the limbs, muscle soreness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms often indicate a severe cold. Tearing alone during a cold is quite common and can also be seen in milder cases of the common cold. Therefore, it is not a significant indicator for diagnosing a severe cold.