Scraping the Wind is a popular method that many Vietnamese people commonly use to relieve colds and help “boost their health.” However, if misused or applied to the wrong individuals or at the wrong time, scraping the wind can adversely affect health.
Dr. Lam Nguyen Thuy An, a specialist at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City – Facility 3, states that scraping the wind is one of the six treatment methods in traditional medicine, also known as “biến pháp”, which helps to clear the meridians, dispel wind and cold, and supports the body in eliminating pathogenic factors causing illness. This therapy primarily addresses conditions arising from external pathogens entering the body (wind, cold, dampness), thereby promoting protective energy, relieving fever symptoms, balancing yin and yang, enhancing disease resistance, and aiding recovery post-illness.
According to modern medicine, scraping the wind has effects such as stimulating blood circulation, alleviating pain, improving metabolism, detoxifying, and reducing inflammation, which helps strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and support recovery after muscle strain or minor injuries.
Scraping the wind is one of the six treatment methods in traditional medicine, also known as “biến pháp”. (IMAGE: NHU QUYEN).
Not Every Cold Requires Scraping the Wind!
Many people have the habit of wanting to scrape the wind as soon as they feel a bit “under the weather”, but this practice needs careful consideration, adherence to proper methods, and should not be overused to ensure safety for health.
“Continuous abuse of scraping the wind can lead to serious damage to the skin tissue structure. Not only does it fail to alleviate fatigue, but it can also worsen the condition. Excessive scraping can cause congestion, resulting in swollen, red skin and potentially leading to bruising. This situation not only affects health but also detracts from aesthetics, making patients feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about their appearance,” Dr. Thuy An noted.
According to Dr. Thuy An, scraping the wind should only be performed when patients exhibit typical symptoms of a cold (wind-cold) such as: sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, chills, a tingling sensation, mild fever, discomfort, sensitivity to cold, and a thin white coating on the tongue. These symptoms indicate that the body is experiencing an external cold, and scraping the wind can help release pathogenic factors, support blood circulation, and clear the meridians.
However, for heat colds (wind-heat), patients often experience symptoms such as sore throat, dry mouth, high fever, excessive sweating, sensitivity to wind, along with coughs with phlegm, thirst, and dark yellow urine. In this case, scraping the wind or treating it this way is not advisable; medication should be used to reduce heat and detoxify the body, as scraping the wind at this time can exacerbate the condition.
People with varicose veins should avoid scraping the wind. (ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: FREEPIK).
Who Should Avoid Scraping the Wind?
Dr. Lam Nguyen Thuy An identifies nine groups of individuals who should not scrape the wind when experiencing certain health issues or symptoms:
- Skin with redness, swelling, heat, or pain: Those with skin conditions such as herpes dermatitis, boils, or signs of infection.
- Skin that is too thin or lacks elasticity.
- Individuals with cardiovascular diseases and hypertension: Those suffering from heart diseases or high blood pressure should avoid scraping the wind as it may lead to dangerous complications.
- Individuals with varicose veins: Those with dilated veins should limit scraping the wind or do so carefully with lighter pressure.
- Severe health conditions: Individuals suffering from exhaustion, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, weakness, heart failure, kidney failure, cirrhosis, or severe edema should not scrape the wind.
- Patients with hemophilia or thrombocytopenia: Those with blood disorders need to avoid scraping the wind due to a high risk of bleeding.
- Bone fractures or during the healing process.
- Pregnant women: For pregnant women, especially in the lower abdominal area, scraping the wind is not recommended as it may affect the fetus.
- Children: Children are contraindicated for all forms of scraping the wind.
Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the duration and frequency when scraping the wind; each scraping area should last only 3-5 minutes, not exceeding 10 minutes for the entire session, ensuring that tools are sterilized before and after use. Scrape one area before moving to another, with at least 3 to 6 days between sessions to allow previous marks to fade. After scraping, it is essential to keep the body warm and avoid cold drafts, refraining from having fans directed at the body, and it is advisable to eat a bowl of onion porridge to recover from the cold, while absolutely avoiding cold foods.
“Morning is the ideal time for scraping the wind, as the body has rested overnight, and energy and blood circulation will be better, enhancing health and spirit for the day. It is advisable to avoid scraping the wind in the evening as it may raise body temperature and affect sleep. For the elderly and individuals with weak health, it is important to monitor the body’s response after scraping the wind. If abnormal signs such as dizziness or nausea occur, it is best to stop and seek medical attention immediately,” Dr. Thuy An shared.
