Fight Cold and Fever With Effective Traditional Chinese Medical Treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine methods can quickly reduce fever, enhance immunity, and regulate the body.

Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

Colds and the flu are among the most common health issues worldwide. While most people turn to Western medicine for symptom relief, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers time-tested alternatives that not only address the symptoms but also support the body’s natural healing systems.

One of the lesser-known yet powerful methods used in TCM is bloodletting therapy—a technique designed to clear internal heat, improve circulation, and restore balance.

What Is Bloodletting Therapy in TCM?

In TCM, health is viewed as a balance of qi (vital energy), blood, and the functions of organ systems. When this balance is disrupted—say, by a cold or flu—the body may accumulate excess “heat” or toxins, which can cause high fever, sore throat, headaches, and fatigue.

Bloodletting therapy is a traditional method where a small amount of blood is released from specific acupuncture points. This is not the dramatic bloodletting of medieval Europe; instead, it’s a precise and minimal technique performed by trained TCM practitioners to stimulate circulation, clear heat, and activate the immune system.

Key Acupoints for Cold and Fever Relief

Below are key acupoints used for bloodletting to alleviate cold and fever symptoms:

Big Vertebra Acupoint

The top acupoint for fever reduction in TCM is the Big Vertebra acupoint (Dazhui acupoint). Generally, releasing just a few drops of blood can lower the temperature by about 1.8 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

This bloodletting therapy is particularly suitable for patients with high fevers exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit, providing rapid relief from physical discomfort.

Big Vertebra Acupoint The Epoch Times

The Big Vertebra acupoint is located in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.

How do we find the seventh cervical vertebra?

When tilting the head downward, two noticeable vertebrae appear below the cervical spine: The upper one is the seventh cervical vertebra, and the lower one is the first thoracic vertebra. The seventh cervical vertebra shifts with head rotation, while the first thoracic vertebra remains stationary.

Lesser Metal Acupoint

Acupoints on the hand, from left to right, are Passage Hub, Metal Yang, and Lesser Metal. The Epoch Times

The Lesser Metal acupoint (Shaoshang acupoint), found at the thumb’s tip, lies along the lung meridian, which passes through the trachea and throat. Bloodletting at this point clears lung heat, restores the flow of qi and blood, and is highly effective for alleviating cough, sore throat, and fever.

Metal Yang Acupoint

The Metal Yang acupoint (Shangyang acupoint), situated at the index finger’s tip, is part of the large intestine meridian. Bloodletting here clears heat from the large intestine, promotes bowel movement, and relieves fever symptoms.

Many may not know that those with chronic constipation are more susceptible to high fevers due to retained toxins. If a patient has a fever for two to three days without a bowel movement, aiding evacuation is essential for effective fever reduction.

Passage Hub Acupoint

The Passage Hub acupoint (Guanchong acupoint), located at the tip of the ring finger, belongs to the Triple Burner (San Jiao) meridian. The Triple Burner refers to the body’s upper, middle, and lower cavities, encompassing the chest and abdominal cavities, and broadly governs all internal organs.

Bloodletting at this acupoint clears heat from the Triple Burner, facilitating the removal of excess heat and toxins. It also connects to the throat, thereby helping to alleviate throat discomfort associated with colds and flu.

Precautions for Bloodletting Therapy

In TCM, bloodletting therapy is performed with precision, involves minimal blood loss, and emphasizes safety and effectiveness.

During the procedure, a practitioner uses sterilized fine needles, triangular needles, or specialized tools to gently prick the skin at specific acupoints or affected areas, releasing a small amount of blood. This helps clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, unblock meridians, and promote blood circulation.

The following must be followed for bloodletting therapy:

1. Must be performed by a licensed TCM practitioner: Bloodletting therapy requires diagnosis and application based on an individual’s constitution and condition.
2. Maintain a sterile environment: All instruments must be thoroughly disinfected, and the treatment area must be kept clean to prevent the spread of infection.
3. Personalized adjustments: The amount of blood let should be precisely controlled based on the patient’s condition. Those who are weak, anemic, pregnant, or have bleeding disorders are generally unsuitable for this therapy.
4. Post-treatment care: After bloodletting, promptly stop bleeding and disinfect the area. Patients should drink warm water, rest, and seek medical attention immediately if they experience persistent bleeding, dizziness, or other abnormal symptoms.

In addition to bloodletting therapy, massaging specific acupoints can also help relieve cold symptoms, such as Wind Pool acupoint.

Massage-Based Relief: The Wind Pool Acupoint

Wind Pool Acupoint The Epoch Times

Headaches and head swelling are frequent symptoms with a fever. Massaging the Wind Pool acupoint (Fengchi acupoint) can help relieve these discomforts.

The Fengchi acupoint is located in the depressions on both sides of the back of the head. Pressing with fingers for three to five minutes can promote blood and qi circulation, relieve head swelling, and even reduce fever by about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

TCM Treatment for Tonsillitis

Many people with colds or fevers develop tonsillitis, experiencing a red, swollen, and painful throat, often accompanied by a persistent high fever.

Bloodletting therapy can help alleviate symptoms of tonsillitis and fever rapidly.

Alternatively, Qingdai Throat Powder, a Chinese herbal spray, can be used.

This medicine is derived from Indigo naturalis, a natural plant dye. Its pharmacological properties include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-regulating effects.

In a previous case, a patient with purulent tonsillitis and a sustained fever of 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit showed no improvement after a week in the hospital. Upon consulting with me, I administered Qingdai throat powder in conjunction with a Chinese herbal decoction. Within three days, the fever resolved, and the tonsils completely recovered.

This result significantly outperformed standard antibiotic treatment.

TCM’s Edge in Treating Cold

Many believe that traditional Chinese medicine treats colds slowly, but this is not true. Traditional Chinese medicine offers several distinct advantages:

1. Therapeutic Effects

Western medicine’s fever-reducing drugs can quickly lower temperature, but many patients feel fatigued or drowsy afterward because these drugs suppress the immune system. In contrast, Chinese herbal medicine reduces fever and boosts the immune system, leaving patients feeling energized after recovery.

2 Immunity Enhancement

While Western medicine can eliminate pathogens, it often weakens the body’s natural immune response. Chinese Medicine enhances the patient’s immunity to combat pathogens, avoiding the burden on the body.

3. Not Limited to Specific Virus Types

Western medicine targets specific pathogens, such as H1N1, Influenza A, or Influenza B, with tailored drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine, however, focuses on the patient’s body constitution and treats based on the identified symptoms, effectively addressing any cold by balancing yin and yang, the two opposing forces that represent harmony and health.

When it comes to effectiveness, comfort during recovery, and long-term wellness, TCM offers a holistic alternative that complements or, in some cases, exceeds the benefits of relying on pharmaceuticals alone.

Final Thoughts

TCM offers a different lens for understanding and treating the common cold—one that emphasizes restoring balance, enhancing immunity, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.

Whether used alone or alongside conventional medicine, TCM provides a valuable option for those seeking holistic and effective care. As a practitioner, my goal is to share this knowledge and help more people experience the benefits of natural, personalized healing.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.