Cold comfort

Natural Health, March, 2005 by Judith Jones

Never have another cold? Yes, it's feasible. This remedy, shared with me by macrobiotic friends three decades ago, has worked for me every time.

According to macrobiotic theory, a cold happens when, to restore balance, the body throws off an excess of yin in the form of fever and mucus. [In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are two complementary forces.] But a cold can be avoided if balance is restored by ingesting ginseng root or mu tea (two of the most yang substances known) as soon as symptoms start.

Treatment must begin immediately--waiting even two or three hours may be too late. Chew on a fresh, preserved, or dried ginseng root, and continue until it's lost all its initial flavor. Or place one or two large mu tea bags (or a heaping tablespoon of the diced dried roots) into a quart of boiling water, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes; drink it all. Two to three hours later, your cold is gone!

--Judith Jones, Montpelier, Vt.