Reviewed by Physician Brandon Yew and Dr Angelica L Dumapit on December 16, 2022

Debunking Old Wives Tales: Which Are True About Winter Illnesses?

Published January 23, 2023| 7 min read

Have you ever wondered if there is any truth behind common old wives tales? Our TCM physician weighs in on some alternative ways to protect against winter illnesses here.

Old wives tales are passed down from generation to generation, much like family recipes. You may remember being told as a kid that you’ll get sick if you go outside with wet hair. Or that grandma’s chicken noodle soup can cure the flu.

But is there any truth to these remedies? Modern research has shown that there is no scientific evidence to back up many of these claims. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), old wives tales contain ancient wisdom that you shouldn’t ignore.

Here’s why some of those old wives tales about getting sick may still hold true today and how to use ancient remedies to help stay healthy this winter.

Are Old Wives Tales True?

A man staying warm by eating soup and covering up with a blanket over his shoulders — Eating soup when you’re sick won’t cure you, but it can help keep you nourished and hydrated.

Some old wives tales are true and some are not. For example, there is probably no proof that grandma’s chicken noodle soup can cure your flu symptoms. But when it comes to staying warm in the winter, you may want to follow this advice. Be sure to visit a doctor if your flu symptoms become worse.

According to Senior TCM Physician Brandon Yew, “There is truth in this old wives tale about staying healthy and warm in winter. In fact, this is a legitimate concept recorded and highlighted in the Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine, which is revered as the crown jewel of TCM ancient literature. To quote this classic phrase, ‘If one falls ill during winter, a febrile illness will manifest later on during spring.’ To explain further, the Cold pathogen, being the predominant pathogen during the winter season, triggers the closing of the pores of our skin to retain heat and keep our body warm.”

“The Cold can also retard our qi and blood circulation, thus stagnating the energy within our body. If the Stagnation is not promptly resolved, compounded with the further lowering of temperature as the winter progresses, the energy will further pent up and transform into pressured Heat. To make matters worse, we have the tendency to consume hot or warm-natured foods and beverages to ward off the Cold. This adds to the Heat. When spring arrives, with the rise in temperature, the Heat is greatly inflamed to the extent it eventually erupts and afflicts various aspects of the body, essentially manifesting as a febrile illness,” Physician Yew continued.

Which old wives tales are true about staying healthy in winter?

As Physician Yew explains, “In order to mitigate or even prevent such affliction, we must preserve and nurture our yin during the colder seasons of autumn and winter. Yin refers to our bodily fluids and cooling energy. If our yin is properly preserved and nurtured during the colder seasons, the pressured Heat will be kept well under control, thus muting or even avoiding the febrile outburst.”

Essentially, a delicate balance between keeping warm and cool during winter is required to ensure we stay healthy over the harsh cold winter. As every one of us has our unique individual body constitution, which is characterized by specific imbalances, the delicacy of that balance differs from one person to another.

TCM Ways To Support Immune Health

Edible bird's nest pictured on a wooden board with goji berries and red Chinese dates — Herbal remedies, such as edible bird’s nest, goji berries, and red dates, can support a healthy immune system.

TCM is far from an old wives tale. It can support your health and protect against winter illnesses through herbal medication, acupuncture, cupping, tuina (Chinese manual therapy), moxibustion, gua sha (scraping), and blood-letting. These treatments are formulated carefully by a TCM physician to address the unique body constitution of every individual patient.

Herbal remedies

For protection against respiratory illnesses, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and strep throat, use these:

Yin Qiao San
Sang Ju Yin
Qing Fei Pai Du Tang
Sang Bai Pi Tang
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

To protect against the stomach flu, use:

Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan

To prevent and recover from winter illnesses:

Sheng Mai San: Replenishes qi and yin energies of the Lungs and Heart
Yu Ping Feng San: Replenishes qi of the Lungs and Spleen; dispels exogenic Wind
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang: Regenerates Spleen qi; dispels Dampness and Phlegm

Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang: Dispels residual Fire and Dampness; replenishes yin
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan: Replenishes yin of the Liver and Kidneys; dispels Fire and Dampness

Edible bird’s nest is another popular TCM remedy that can help fight respiratory illnesses, thanks to its anti-viral properties. The medicinal mushroom Cordyceps is also widely used to reduce inflammation and support respiratory health.

For targeted relief against flu symptoms, such as a sore throat, cough, body aches, and fever, consider taking an herbal flu relief drink.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an easy self-help remedy you can do by placing fingers or a massage stick at certain acupoints. Apply an appropriate amount of pressure to elicit a tolerable sensation of soreness or tenderness, in order for it to be effective. At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motion 20 times each. Repeat for at least 3 minutes per acupoint.

Here are some acupoints you can use:

Find this point in the depression just above your sternal bone in front of your neck.

Baihui DU20: On the top of the head, along the midline of the human body.

In the depression behind the thenar eminence of the thumb, about the midpoint of the palmar side of the thumb, on the junction of the red and white skin

On the lateral side of the mid-arm crease, at midpoint between biceps and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Located below the outside of the knee, in a depression one inch anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the 1st metatarsal space.

Taiyang (EX-HN5): in the area of the temples, in the depression about one-finger width between the lateral end of the eyebrow and outer canthus area.

On the anterior median line of the chest, at the level of the 4th intercostal space, at the midpoint between the two nipples.

Acupoints that relieve respiratory symptoms, such as fever, headache, fatigue, chills, and muscle aches: Tian Tu (RN22), Bai Hui (DU20), Yu Ji (LU10), Qu Chi (LI11), Yang Ling Quan (GB34), Tai Chong (LR3), Tai Yang (EX-HN5), and Dan Zhong (RN17)

On the anterior median line of the upper abdomen, mid-point between the tip of the xyphoid process and the umbilicus.

On the inner lower leg, 4-fingers-breadth above the tip of the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.

In depression midway between the tip of the medial malleolus and the attachment of the Achilles tendon, level with the tip of the medial malleolus.

Located in the middle of the abdomen, finger widths from the umbilicus.

Acupoints that relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and strengthen the Spleen and stomach: Zhong Wan (RN12), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Tai Xi (KI3), and Tian Shu (ST 25)

You can find this on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger bones.

On the palmar aspect of the forearm, 3-fingers breadth above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis.

Near the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia.

This point is located on the shin, four fingers-breadth below the knee joint.

Located on the lower leg, one hand width below the tibial tuberosity and one finger’s width lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia

On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 fingers breadth below the outer depression of the knee joint, two fingers-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia.

Located midpoint between the ulna and the radius, about 2 finger-widths above the crease of the wrist

Acupoints that relieve fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms: He Gu (LI4), Nei Guan (PC6), Yin Ling Quan (SP9), Zu San Li (ST36), Shang Ju Xu (ST37) Feng Long (ST40), and Wai Guan (SJ5)

“Do take note that acupressure is meant to supplement acupuncture, which provides a much stronger and more comprehensive therapeutic effect in tackling the pathology and root imbalances of the person. Thus, it is strongly recommended to seek professional help from a certified TCM practitioner who can perform acupuncture safely and effectively,” cautions Physician Yew.