Wind is something that blows around outside. It has to do with the weather, not health! Right? Hmmm, in any other context, especially when used with reference to health the term and concept is well, foreign.

However, this is the basic category in Chinese medicine that we use to categorize acute conditions such as colds and flus. Acute conditions such as Strep throat, also fall under this category. They are further differeniated into subcategories such as Wind-Heat, Wind -Cold, Wind-Damp, or, just simple Wind. 

When looking at an acute condition in this manner, we can then make decisions regarding what herbs to use. Often these conditions are overlapping and encompass more than one condition, but, sometimes they are simple. We also consider where the symptoms are occuring, for example, it is in the sinus cavity and head only, or does has it traveled to the throat or lungs. Are there discharges, and if so, what color? Is the stomach involved? Is there vomitting? HIgh fever or low fever? Is there a cough?

When patients write me, they will often say things like, " I have a cold, what do I take?" It just isn't that simple. What kind of Wind attack is it?

To learn more about this topic, there are endless Chinese texts to illuminate you. I won't go into all of them here. But, I think I have at least opened up the idea that we look at physiologcal imbalances in a much different way in Chinese as compared to the Western paradigm. But, that isn't really news, is it?

Treating acute conditions with Chinese medicine can be tricky business. When treating a child, it can be scary business. It is very important when using alternative medicine to realize that just because something is natural, does not mean it is a good idea.

The first thing to remember is to stop all vitamins, mineral, and natural supplements that you take for the treatment or maintenance of your health. Simple things like probiotics will worsen an acute viral or bacterial infection in most cases. Stronger supplements like multi vtiamins or even something like vitamin D will make it worse with a vengeance. So, remember this rule! It is critical.

Also, when relaying on OTC meds like Advil and Tylenol, remember, the use of those may negatively influence the Wind Attack and cycle it back stronger, not to mention damage the liver. I always prefer to not use these.

It is best to have the guidance of a practitioner to help you through these attacks because they can be tricky and you can make things worse for yourself by doing the wrong thing. Often people with throw in things like colloidal silver or goldenseal. And when not sued in the right circumstances those things could actually drive things in much deeper and make them more difficult to express from the body.

Also, other things that may seem logical could make matters worse, like juicing or drink supplementation. I know all of this also sounds foreign, but, I am speaking from a lot of experience.

The combination, the dose, and the freqency with which the dose is given are all critical when fighting a Wind attack. This can make the difference between getting better or resorting to antibiotics or having to even go to the hospital.

Anyway, today's food for thought. YOu will never hear the word Wind again and think of it in the same way!

Dr.M