Boosting Immunity to Prevent Colds
As the cold winds blow, the number of cold patients increases. In Eastern medicine, a cold is seen as a condition where the body is trapped in cold energy and is fighting it. It is believed that strong cold energy or weak body energy can both lead to catching a cold. The body energy referred to here is what we commonly refer to as ‘immunity’, which is the body’s defense system that responds to harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses.
Immunity is greatly affected by factors such as fatigue, stress, and diet. Fatigue and stress accumulated in daily life can reduce the activity of lymphocytes, making one vulnerable to disease. Additionally, foods containing chemical additives and long-term use of drugs like steroids can also weaken immunity.
Healthy Foods for Cold Prevention
As the days get colder, many people are seeking out foods that are good for their health. Arrowroot, citron, radish, pine nuts, and walnuts are representative cold-preventing foods. Kudzu, for example, has the effect of reducing fever and relieving early cold symptoms such as headache and stiff shoulders and neck.
- Arrowroot
- Citron
- Radish
- Pine nuts
- Walnuts
Yuzu, a fruit rich in vitamins, is not only good for preventing colds but also promotes appetite. Similarly, citron is known for relieving suffocation and clearing the mind, and radishes are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that can boost immunity.
Myth Busting: Folk Remedies and Saunas
Many people turn to folk remedies such as drinking soju mixed with red pepper powder. However, these remedies may only provide temporary relief and could potentially worsen the condition. Even practices like using saunas to sweat out a cold may not be effective, as exposing oneself to cold air after sweating can worsen the condition.
It is best to stick to evidence-based practices such as washing hands thoroughly, consuming immunity-boosting foods, and engaging in regular exercise to prevent colds. These measures, recommended by Medical Correspondent Hidoc Hyoseok Seo, can help maintain good health and immunity during the colder seasons.
｜ Colds, ‘improving immunity’ is the first step to prevent colds
｜ Foods that are good for preventing colds… Representative examples include yuzu, arrowroot, radish, and pine nuts.
｜ Director Seo Hyo-seok, “You must avoid folk remedies and thoroughly manage your hygiene and immunity.”
[내레이션 : 황수경 아나운서]
As the cold wind blows, the number of cold patients increases. In cold, gam (感) means feeling, and ki (氣) means energy. A cold is a condition where our body is trapped in cold energy and is fighting it. In Eastern medicine, it is divided into cases where the cold energy is too strong and you catch a cold, and cases where the body’s energy is so weak that you catch a cold even from the cold insignificant.
The body energy referred to here is what we commonly refer to as ‘immunity’. Immunity is the body’s defense system that responds to harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. What affects this immunity is fatigue and stress. The stress and fatigue accumulated in daily life reduces the activity of lymphocytes, creating an environment where one is vulnerable to disease. The reason immunity varies from person to person is because the level of fatigue and stress each person experiences is different.
Another thing that affects immunity is what you eat. Foods that contain chemical additives such as colorings and preservatives, including fast food, are factors that reduce immunity. ‘Steroids’ taken as drugs also suppress the antigen-antibody response in our body, so long-term use can weaken immunity.
As the days get colder, many people are looking for foods that are good for their health. Arrowroot, citron, radish, pine nuts, and walnuts are representative cold-preventing foods. Kudzu has the effect of reducing fever by making you sweat. It also relieves the early symptoms of a cold, such as headache, stiff shoulders, and neck.
Yuzu is a fruit that is very rich in vitamins. Thanks to this, it is not only good for preventing colds, but also promotes appetite. According to Herbal Medicine, citron has the effect of relieving suffocation and clearing the mind. It is also recorded that the body becomes lighter and that life span increases.
What about radishes? It is rich in antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene, so it can boost immunity. Pine nuts are effective for dry coughs, and walnuts are good to eat when you have colds and flu.
There are some people who use folk remedies to prevent colds, right? A representative example is drinking soju mixed with red pepper powder. It may seem reasonable to say that the heat of soju and the spicy energy of red pepper powder radiate heat and keep the cold away. The effect of lowering body temperature due to sweating is very temporary. In fact, it can worsen your condition and make your cold worse. If you are not careful, there is a risk of developing gastrointestinal disease.
Another thing I do a lot is the sauna. I often feel that my cold gets better after sweating it out in the sauna. It’s good to know that if you go out with your pores wide open, cold air can enter through the pores, making your cold worse.
In fact, you can prevent colds by washing your hands thoroughly on a regular basis. We encourage you to increase your body’s energy by eating the foods that have proven effects as mentioned above and exercising regularly.
Column = Medical Correspondent Hidoc Hyoseok Seo (oriental doctor at Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic)
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