Here are a few herbs that may help you fight against cold and flu. Take them as precautionary measures or when the first signs of discomfort appear.
Astragalus (黄芪Huang Qi)
This is the herb for those who catch cold easily. This group of people also tends to sneeze easily especially after getting up from bed in the morning.
Method: Boil 10g astragalus with 10g red dates in 600ml water for 30 minutes (Turn to small flame after the water boils) and drink.
Honeysuckle flower (金银花Jin Yin Hua)
If you feel “heaty” or a sore throat or flu coming up, you can drink honeysuckle flower tea. Honeysuckle clears heat and detoxifies the body. It also has anti-virus and anti-bacteria properties.
Method: Steep 6-10g dried honeysuckle flowers in hot water and drink as tea.
Ginger (生姜Sheng Jiang)
If you are caught in the rain, drink ginger tea immediately to prevent catching a cold.
Method: Slice 3 slices of ginger and boil in water for 10 minutes. You can add a little brown sugar for better taste. Drink while it is still hot.
(by Tan Shiau Tse, TCM Physician, Copyright® HST Medical Pte Ltd)