Q: Dear Dr. Mao,
I travel a lot, and when I do I feel as if I have a cold. I am exposed to a lot of germs in all of these cities. What should I take to stay healthy and keep my immunity up?
A: The best approach to not catching colds is proper hygiene. Wash your hands many times during the day. Wash your face at least twice per day. Avoid drafts and air-conditioning. Protect your upper back and neck area, as this is where most of the colds will attack the body.
At the first sign of a cold attack, drink scallion and ginger tea and lots of liquids. You may also take vitamin C and E.
A good way to push the cold out is a Chinese technique known as “Gua Sha”. Use a blunt soft plastic instrument, such as the handle of a hair brush or back of a hair comb, and rub the back of the neck and upper back in smooth downward movements until the area is red and warm to the touch. Then cover the area with towel or shirt. Repeat before bed.
You may find these specially formulated Traditions of Tao products helpful for building up your immune system: “Perpetual Shield”, “Cold and Flu”, “Five Elements of Health”, “Enduring Youth”, and “High Performance”. Of course, discuss with your physician before beginning any new health regime.
