Wind, in Chinese medicine is used as a term for a few different things. One use of this word is to describe various presentations of colds or flus. The word Wind is used in combination with terms that fruther define the type of Wind (or cold or flu). Among others, we use terms such as Wind Cold, Wind Heat, Wind Damp to define the symptoms of the attack so that we can then determine what is needed to treat the condition. It is important to differentiate the "attacks" with these terms so that we are then better able to understand what herbs and if relevant, what acupuncture points we are to use. There are also theories that define what level of the body the virus is in, and this also determines how it must be treated. If for example the Wind is on the external part of the body and has not gone deeper, and herbs used for a deeper level are used, then the Wind may easily be drawn deeper into the body and the cold or flu will worsen and can settle in more deeply. Another example is if herbs were implemented for Wind Heat (you would use cold herbs) and it was Wind Cold, you would exacerbate the symptoms tremendously and complicate the matter. This is the reason we often need to ask so many questions regarding the signs and symptoms of the person suffering before deciding what to use to treat their condition. 

More and more in medicine today natural forms of herbal medicine are needed as we are facing huge problems with super bugs developing from antibiotic overuse. We have not faced this problem in Chinese medicine as the use of many ingredients together not only prevents organisms from developing resistance, but also is  more comprehensive method of treatment that allows for working with the body to determine the location of the attack and the most obvious route out. This is why often when people are trying to use simple ingredients such as goldenseal alone or ecchinaccea alone or even the combination of the two, it is not effective. Typically the use of many herbs in combination to clear out the attack effectively (not only Kill the virus) is important. People sometimes complain because we use several things in combination when dealing with these issues, but, it is necessary to be effective and to prevent side effects. In the end I think the results make up for the inconvenience.

These theories cross over and become relevant in chronic illness because of their involvement with the lymphatic system. I will post more on that. I hope this and the post yesterday gave you some food for thought.

Dr.M