Winter-proof yourself with TCM

Shanghai might not be the coldest place during winter, but with damp days and a lack of central heating, it can be rough on mind and body if you're not prepared.

Local TCM and acupuncture experts Dr Ko Liu Ying from United Family Hospital and Professor Shao Lei, M.D. from Huashan Worldwide Medical Center, share how they treat many of Shanghai’s winter-time woes with acupuncture and other common TCM remedies.

Honeysuckle berries can act as a natural TCM antibiotic, helping winter respiratory woes.

Common winter ailment: Respiratory woes

Respiratory woes take many forms from the common cold and flu to walking pneumonia, and there’s no denying the winter months in Shanghai tend to wreak havoc on our respiratory system.

Main TCM focus: Lung channels (or “meridians”).

TCM regimen: Acupuncture treatment for such conditions are often combined with a laxative-effect TCM remedy like indigo woad root granules (板藍根颗), which are super versatile for helping expel toxins and reducing swelling from whichever parts are ailing you.

Viral conditions often call for a combined treatment of herbs and acupuncture, whereas standard bacteria infections can be treated with, “natural TCM antibiotics,” such as honeysuckle (金银花) and forsythia (连翘), according to the docs.

“In addition to colds and flu, chronic conditions like asthma and bronchitis are often aggravated in winter and might require year-round TCM treatment,” notes Dr Ko.

TCM advice from the experts: “In addition to acupuncture, those more daring patients can supplement their treatment with aweto or dong chong xia cao (冬虫夏草, caterpillar fungus), both are small, dried brown worms you’ve seen in most traditional medicine shops,” says Ko. “They are both very effective medication, and they’re best enjoyed steamed or with a hearty bowl of duck soup. A powdered form is also available for those who just can’t stomach the whole worms.”

Angelica root (芷) is key in winter TCM for blood nourishment.

Common winter ailment: Arthritis and joint pain

Arthritis and joint pain is a frequent complaint due to Shanghai’s damp climate, with many people suffering severe discomfort throughout the winter months.

Main TCM focus: Kidney and bone channels.

TCM regimen: Treatments mainly depend on two factors: symptoms (numbness versus pain) and acute versus chronic conditions. 

Cinnamon, a natural source of heat (as a dietary addition and topical oil), is often prescribed as an acute treatment to keep the body warm in winter along with acupuncture to help energy and blood flow freely to the affected area.

Commonly combined TCM medications used to ensure optimum qi flow, in other words, to help remove these blockages, include angelica roots (芷) for blood nourishment and codonopsis root (党参) for optimal blood flow. These roots are best combined in an herbal formula drink mixed and drunk two or three times a day.

TCM advice from the experts: “Adding more mutton and ginger to your daily diet can also help along with Korean red ginseng root tea to keep your innards warm and to help boost immunity,” says Ko.

“Chronic sufferers may also benefit from adding more wolfberries (枸杞) to their soup or tea. The ever-versatile crysanthemum tea (菊花茶) is also a popular choice.”

(Click "Next" for more winter ailment and their TCM remedies)