Unhealthy bodies exist in two states: one is cold; the other is heat. However, it is important to note that the states of cold and heat are not static; they are constantly changing. The most prominent changes between cold and heat occur during a cold.In the past, TCM textbooks categorized colds into wind-cold and wind-heat types, which I believe is incorrect. In fact, wind-cold and wind-heat are not different categories of colds, but rather different stages of a cold. Colds are caused by temperature changes leading to dysfunction in the body. Every person experiences both wind-cold and wind-heat stages during each cold.Initially, a cold causes a certain suppressive state in the body, with the most obvious manifestation being coldness on the surface, prompting one to bundle up. Sometimes, there is a runny nose and sneezing, which some refer to as a wind-cold cold; however, this is merely the initial stage of a cold. Why is this considered a suppressive state? Because at this time, the body is in a state of “insufficiency,” where qi and blood cannot supply the surface, making it unable to mount an effective defense. Thus, this is a “yin” state. In other words, the energy of yin begins to control the body, and this yin energy has the characteristic of suppressive contraction.We learned in high school physics that one of the properties of objects is thermal expansion and contraction. The human body is no different; when it is hot, the body expands and sweats; when it is cold, goosebumps arise, and the body contracts, leading to sneezing and a runny nose.In fact, the initial stage of a cold can sometimes be very short, lasting only a few hours or half a day. Because it is so brief, many people do not pay enough attention to it. It is crucial to note that this surface cold stage is very important; at this time, the cold pathogen has not yet penetrated deeply, and the body’s resistance still has the ability to quickly eliminate it. Therefore, it is essential to seize this opportunity! What should be done? Quickly relieve the suppressive state!The method is actually quite simple; any warming food or drink can help. Sometimes, even a cup of hot water can be effective. This is because the body is controlled by the two energies of yin and yang, but now the cold yin energy is becoming dominant and wants to control the body alone. The most direct method is to use warm items to increase the body’s yang energy, restoring the balance of yin and yang. Typically, using the white part of scallions (Allium fistulosum), chopped, along with a few slices of ginger (Zingiber officinale), simmered briefly in water until boiling is sufficient. Do not simmer for too long, as we want the stimulating components; as Wu Jutong said, “When the aroma is strong, take it immediately, do not over-boil, as lung medicine should be light and clear; overcooking will thicken the flavor and affect the middle jiao.”It should be noted that scallions and ginger are both warming foods. Once they enter the body, they will increase the yang energy within. When yang energy is sufficient, the body will heat up and sweat, thus restoring the balance of yin and yang. Why should scallions and ginger not be boiled for too long? Because at this time, the cold energy is only at the surface, belonging to the lung meridian, which should disperse. What does disperse mean? We often say to promote or publicize, meaning to spread outward.What is easy to disperse? Light things are the easiest to spread, like air. Therefore, when scallions and ginger are lightly boiled, their light aroma enters the body like a warm wind, quickly dispelling the cold pathogen from the lungs.I often recommend using perilla leaves (Zizania latifolia) steeped in water to dispel surface cold pathogens. Perilla leaves, also known as purple perilla leaves, can be purchased dried at pharmacies. You can keep a small bag in your office; if you feel a cold coming on and suddenly feel cold, immediately steep some in boiling water, and after six or seven minutes, it is ready to drink.In ancient times, herbs like Ma Huang (Ephedra) and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) were used to address this issue, but they are not commonly used now. However, if one is shivering with cold and has no sweat, it is still advisable to use Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) from the “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage). Usually, using perilla leaves, scallions, etc., is sufficient. Once the body feels warm and no longer cold, that is enough. It is best to break a light sweat, but do not sweat profusely, and avoid standing in a draft immediately afterward.Another method is to place a hot water bottle in the bed near the back, close to the lung shu points (BL13), which are located on either side of the spine near the lungs. The hot water bottle should be neither too far nor too close to avoid burning the skin; this can help promote yang energy while sleeping, changing the suppressive state within the body.This stage is what TCM refers to as the external cold stage.If coughing occurs at this time, one can choose to use the Chinese patent medicine Tong Xuan Li Fei Wan (Disperse and Regulate the Lungs Pill). This formula primarily consists of warming herbs that can help the body’s resistance; it is crucial not to use cold or cooling herbs.If timely treatment is administered during the external cold stage, based on my experience, the cold can be resolved within a day. If you do not pay attention, the cold pathogen will continue to penetrate, quickly leading to the internal heat stage.What is the internal heat stage? As the external pathogen penetrates, the body’s resistance begins to engage in a fierce battle with the external pathogen, and many areas of the body become battlegrounds. The manifestations at this time are indicative of heat syndrome: red and sore throat, fever, joint pain, coughing, etc.; diagnostic indicators include yellow phlegm, yellow nasal discharge, sore throat, and elevated body temperature. Everyone must remember these indicators; I often analyze the condition through phlegm and nasal discharge.What should be done at this stage? When the tonsils are inflamed and coughing begins, it can be extremely uncomfortable!At this time, one should use cooling methods to clear internal heat.A simple herbal combination is: Shuang Huang Lian Kou Fu Ye (Double Huang Lian Oral Liquid), which contains honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Scutellaria baicalensis, and Forsythia suspensa, collectively known as Shuang Huang Lian.If the condition is severe, I recommend going to the pharmacy to buy herbs to brew. The following herbal tea formula is one I often use, which is from my grandfather, Mr. Wang Engge.This formula is used to treat sore throats, and I have added perilla leaves to help regulate the initial onset of a cold; everyone can refer to it.The basic formula is: 10 grams of honeysuckle, 15 grams of forsythia, 6 grams of fang feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata), 3 grams of qian hu (Peucedanum praeruptorum), 10 grams of white silkworm (Bombyx mori, crushed), 10 grams of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), 10 grams of dandelion (Taraxacum), 6 grams of belamcanda (Belamcanda chinensis), and 6 grams of perilla leaves (add perilla leaves at the end of cooking, steep for ten minutes). If there is coughing with yellow phlegm, you can also add 10 grams of Zhejiang fritillary (Fritillaria thunbergii) and 10 grams of loquat leaves (Eriobotrya japonica).The white silkworm in this formula is very effective for alleviating sore throats. After brewing the herbs, drink it like tea, continuously while hot; do not just drink it twice a day, as this will not maintain the medicinal effect. Therefore, I call this formula a medicinal tea formula, and it should be treated as tea.This formula is designed to dispel external cold while simultaneously clearing internal heat, based on the principles of Zhang Zhongjing’s Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum, and Licorice Decoction), and is quite effective. If local doctors can adjust it according to individual constitution, that would be even better; pregnant women should avoid it.Since this is a heat syndrome, why add perilla leaves to dispel the exterior? This is based on my experience; colds rarely present as purely heat syndromes; there is usually some degree of external cold accompanying internal heat. Therefore, it is necessary to combine exterior dispelling methods; otherwise, the effect will not be good. If it is entirely an internal heat syndrome, then the illness must be extremely severe.Generally, drinking a few doses of such Chinese medicine can resolve internal heat.If timely treatment is administered during the internal heat stage, based on my experience, the cold can generally be resolved within two days (some people may experience a gradual reduction in symptoms over several days), and it will definitely not progress further. However, some people are heavily influenced by Western ideas, believing that colds have no specific treatment and will naturally resolve in seven days.Not long ago, I watched a program on CCTV where three experts from a major hospital in Beijing discussed colds. Two of them said, “For a cold, just go home, drink more water, and rest for seven days, and you will be fine. This is how they do it in America too.”After hearing this, I felt quite uncomfortable. In terms of scientific technology, America is certainly more advanced than us; however, in terms of health preservation, America cannot compare to us, as we have thousands of years of wisdom in health preservation.
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